The morning after her birthday felt strangely unreal.
Veronica lay on her bed, eyes half-open, the soft sunlight filtering through the lace curtains of her room in the Bennett Estate. Everything was quiet — too quiet for a girl whose name had taken over half the city overnight.
Her phone blinked nonstop beside her pillow.
Messages. Missed calls. Notifications.It looked like the device was having a panic attack.
She finally exhaled and picked it up.
[Trending: #StevenBlake #VeronicaAdamsBirthday #LeonardRejected][Starion Roar — The Race That Shook Charlestown][Debate: Who IS Steven Blake?][City's Internet Divided — Genius or Show-off?]
Veronica felt heat rush to her cheeks.
Just one night… and the world turned upside down.
She stared at a photo snapped by someone from the balcony during her party:Her standing beside Steven — his arm around her waist, her head gently leaning on his chest.The light had caught their silhouettes just right, turning them into golden outlines.
The top comment read:
"If fairy tales were real — this would be the cover."
Veronica quickly locked her phone, heart pounding.
She felt shy. Flattered. Overwhelmed.And somewhere deep inside… a small tremor of fear.
Not because of Steven.But because she now understood what it meant to stand beside him.
A knock sounded.
"Ronnie? You awake?" Mira's voice floated through the door.
Veronica smiled. "Come in."
Mira barged in wearing an oversized hoodie and carrying two steaming mugs. "I made hot chocolate. Leon stole one sip and tried to steal the whole cup, so I slapped him."
"Poor Leon," Veronica laughed softly.
"He'll survive," Mira said with a wave. "Anyway — how's Miss Newly Crowned City Princess doing today?"
Veronica buried her face in a pillow. "Please don't."
"Oh, don't act shy now!" Mira scooted beside her. "Your birthday went viral. Leonard got obliterated. Steven went God-mode on the Silverline Circuit. And then you—"
Mira grabbed both of Veronica's shoulders dramatically.
"YOU. Told the entire city that he was your man."
Veronica's ears burned. "I just… wanted to end Leonard's nonsense."
Mira gave her a flat look. "…You grabbed Steven's arm like he was oxygen and you were drowning."
Veronica threw a pillow at her. Mira dodged, laughing uncontrollably.
"You're impossible."
"And you're in love," Mira sing-songed.
Veronica froze.
For a moment, silence stretched between them.
Mira's smile softened.
"…That scares you, doesn't it?"
Veronica lowered her gaze. "A little."
Mira didn't push. She simply waited.
After a long breath, Veronica whispered:
"He's incredible, Mira. Brilliant. Capable. Confident. Mysterious in ways I can't fully grasp yet. And yesterday, when he pulled out that necklace, when he got into that Starion… I realized how far ahead of everyone he stands."
She clenched her fingers around the blanket.
"…And I wondered if someone like me can truly stand beside someone like him."
Mira's expression softened immediately.
She took Veronica's hand gently. "Ronnie. You're not standing behind him. You're standing next to him. Steven might be special, but he's still a teenage boy who gets flustered when you pout."
Veronica's cheeks flushed. "I do not pout."
"You totally do. It's deadly."
Veronica huffed but couldn't help smiling.
"And…" Mira added, nudging her shoulder, "you should hear how he talks about you when you're not around. The man looks like he's planning a galaxy just to put your smile in the center."
Veronica's heart fluttered at the thought.
At that moment, Leon knocked once and stepped in — without waiting.
"Hey, princess," Leon said. "Just checking if you're still alive after last night's drama."
Mira swatted his arm. "Don't call her princess."
Leon smirked. "Okay, fine. Queen."
Veronica snorted. "Please stop talking."
Leon flopped into the chair with the grace of a dying seal. "Nah, I'm enjoying this. After yesterday, half the school thinks Steven's going to buy the moon and name it after you."
"That's ridiculous," Veronica muttered.
Mira raised a brow. "You sure? Steven might actually try."
Leon nodded seriously. "Honestly? I wouldn't be surprised."
Veronica gave up. Her friends were incorrigible.
But amidst their jokes, something inside her loosened —something tight, anxious, uncertain.
Friends were good like that.
Later that afternoon…
Veronica finally stepped into the garden behind her estate. A soft breeze carried the scent of freshly cut grass.
Steven stood by the koi pond, jacket off, sleeves rolled up, feeding the fish with quiet patience. The sun hit him from behind, casting a warm halo around him.
He looked… peaceful.
She walked forward slowly.
He turned, sensing her presence, and a small smile tugged at his lips — the kind of smile he only wore for her.
"You're awake," he said.
"You saw the internet?" she asked.
"Oh yes," Steven nodded. "Half the world thinks I'm your loyal knight. The other half thinks I'm a reckless millionaire whose brain melted after driving a hypercar."
Veronica chuckled despite herself. "Are you okay?"
Steven leaned slightly, his voice gentle. "I should be asking you that."
She hesitated — then spoke honestly.
"It's… a lot. The attention. The rumors. The stares. Yesterday was amazing, but…" Her voice softened."…the world suddenly feels bigger. And louder."
Steven's expression shifted — no teasing, no smirking — just quiet understanding.
He stepped closer, hands sliding gently to her shoulders.
"Veronica," he said softly, "I'm not asking you to walk behind me. Or to match the pace of my world. I just want you by my side. As you are."
Her breath caught.
His thumb brushed her cheek—a touch careful, delicate.
"I chose you," he said, voice low. "Not because of who your family is. Not because of what you represent. But because when I look at you… everything makes sense."
Her eyes glistened.
"And if the world gets louder," Steven added, "then I'll be loud with it. Together."
The knot in Veronica's chest unraveled.
She stepped forward, resting her forehead lightly against his.
"Thank you," she whispered. "For saying that."
Steven pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
Then he sighed dramatically. "By the way…"
"Hm?"
"Leon and Mira arrived earlier."
Veronica blinked. "They were here?"
"Oh yes. Leon was lecturing your koi fish about relationships."
"…I'm scared to ask."
"And Mira ate half the cookies the chef made for you."
Veronica groaned. "Those two—"
Steven chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Come on," he said, voice warm. "Let's join them before they break something expensive."
They walked back together, her hand slipping into his.The garden glowed under the late afternoon sun.
Somewhere inside the house, Mira's laughter echoed. Leon shouted in panic about something dropping.
Veronica leaned into Steven, heart light.
For the first time since waking up…
She wasn't afraid.
That evening…
As Veronica, Steven, Leon, and Mira sat together around the living room — bickering, teasing, eating snacks they pretended not to steal — the mood felt soft, warm, deeply human.
Steven watched Veronica laughing with Mira, eyes sparkling, cheeks flushed.
Yes.
He thought quietly, a tender smile forming.
This is the world I want to protect.
The empire, the power, the future — all of it meant nothing if he couldn't keep this warmth alive.
Veronica glanced at him from across the room, meeting his gaze for a second that lingered just long enough to say everything she didn't voice aloud.
Steven looked back, calm, steady, certain.
We're in this together.
A simple truth.
And for now, that was enough.