The Bigshot's Superstar Wife Chapter 6: Bound by Fate

"I've been watching all your shows," Loveniel confessed, her voice tinged with both pride and concern.

"I can see how much effort you've put in, but I've also seen how much you've suffered. You've endured greatly for soone your age."

Athena's heart ached at the words.

She's such a sweet and gentle mother.

My mother...

Mother...

I finally have a mother!

She could see the worry etched in her mother's expression, and it was clear that despite her daughter's achievents, Loveniel had not been blind to the challenges she faced.

She understands .

"It wasn't easy," Athena admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I wanted to make sothing of myself without relying too much on the family na."

This was Athena's thoughts even before she perished. It's all she wanted to say to you. But couldn't, till her ti stopped.

Loveniel smiled gently, brushing a strand of hair from Athena's face. "You are so much like your father in that way. Determined, strong-willed, and always striving for more."

Father is a great man.

Athena chuckled softly. "I just hope I've made you proud."

I hope Athena's efforts over the past two years won't go to waste. She wants you to be proud, mother.

Her mother's eyes softened even further. "You've always made proud, my dearest. Always."

Thank you...

For the first ti in both her lives, Athena felt the warmth of unconditional love and support.

It was a feeling she had never known before, but now that she had it, she vowed never to take it for granted.

-

Accompanied by her brother, Athena made her way to the Interstellar Bureau of Union and Marriage Council the next morning.

Her goal was to obtain a certification of her single civil status, a necessary step before joining the love-thed variety show her company had arranged for her.

I hope nothing goes wrong.

As they walked side by side, Lawrence, dressed in his military uniform, glanced at her with concern and disapproval.

Don't give that face, brother, it wasn't who scheduled the show!

"Do you really need to participate in this kind of variety show?" he asked, his tone firm yet protective.

I also want to escape, you know... Athena sighed, slightly used to his overprotectiveness.

"The company has already arranged it, and it's a big opportunity for . It's in the form of a live stream, where we'll be living in a monitored compound. Nothing will happen if I don't allow it."

"Are you sure the company won't pressure you into anything?" he pressed.

Athena smiled faintly. I don't know, too. My agent has been handling everything for .

"They won't. Don't forget, I still carry the Derin na when signing contracts."

She sighed. "They wouldn't dare risk dragging our family into any scandal by putting in a compromising situation."

Lawrence didn't look entirely convinced.

Please be convinced!

"I'll support you, but I'll also make sure you're safe. I'm contacting your company's managent before you enter this show."

n and their overprotectiveness...

"Don't argue," he added when Athena opened her mouth to protest. "The power behind our na is a shield. Use it wisely."

Athena nodded, knowing there was no point in arguing with him when he was in this mood.

When they entered the Bureau, the hall was surprisingly empty. There was a minimal, almost uncanny silence in place of the regular commotion of people.

Lawrence glanced around and sighed. "These days, fewer and fewer people are getting married. It's not like before."

Curious, Athena turned to him. "Why? What's changed?"

"It's because of gene compatibility," Lawrence explained.

"In this era, couples need highly compatible genes to ensure a healthy family. If their genes aren't compatible, it could lead to infertility or health complications for any children."

I thought they could use other thods to give birth, but interstellar people still need to match their genes before conceiving?

Athena raised an eyebrow. "Does it really matter that much?"

Lawrence nodded solemnly. "It matters more than you think. For the sake of survival and continuation of strong bloodlines, the Main Interstellar Brain sotis steps in."

"The Main Interstellar Brain? You an it decides who gets married?"

"Yes," Lawrence replied.

"Under specific circumstances..."

"For instance, if soone has made significant contributions to the empire, like a war hero, they might be assigned a partner, even if they've never t each other."

Amazing! But what if you're paired with a serial killer or a psychotic person who can pretend? Will you let yourself suffer in a loveless marriage?

Athena blinked in surprise. "So, you're saying people could get married without even knowing their partner?"

"Correct," Lawrence confird. "The Main Interstellar Brain prioritizes genetic compatibility above all else."

So marriage depends on luck in this case? How lucky can a person be if she marries a prince of the current dynasty?

"It can even extract gates from both parties and create a child to preserve the bloodline, especially in cases where one of them is a hero who's died in battle or is unable to father or bear children naturally."

Athena shuddered at the thought. "That sounds... cold."

What a cool technology!

Lawrence shrugged.

"It's pragmatic. In this era, emotions are sotis secondary to the empire's need for stability and strength. But don't worry," he added, sensing her unease.

I'm not worried!

"You're still young, and you'll have a say in your future."

Athena couldn't help but wonder, though, how much control anyone truly had in this world of advanced technology and strict societal rules.

The certification is here!

When Athena retrieved the docunts she needed, her heart sank as her eyes landed on an unfamiliar red stamp emblazoned across her civil status certification.

How did I...

Her voice trembled as she turned to Lawrence. "Brother, what does this an? Am I... married? How? When?"

Lawrence's brows furrowed as he snatched the docunt from her hand. His expression darkened when he saw the official stamp.

Without a word, he grabbed her wrist and marched toward the director's office, Athena stumbling slightly as she hurried to keep up.

Where are we going? Brother...

The office of Director Avalon Morge was cozy and clinical, illuminated by soft blue lights.

The man himself, a middle-aged official with neatly combed silver hair, greeted them with a professional smile and gestured for them to sit.

"Major General Derin, Miss Derin, what brings you here?"

Lawrence wasted no ti. He slamd the docunt onto the desk, making the director's eyebrows rise slightly.

"Director Morge, what does this an? Is my sister married... secretly?"

Director Morge adjusted his glasses, his smile not faltering. "Indeed, as it states, your sister is married."

Athena gaped at him. "But no one in my family knew about this! How can that be possible?"

The director leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands together.

"The Main Interstellar Brain assigned this marriage. It is a rare but entirely legal process, typically reserved for extraordinary circumstances."

Did I hit my doom?

Lawrence's jaw tightened. "Circumstances? What circumstances? My sister hasn't even t the person, let alone agreed to this!"

Wait, why is my brother so angry, when he seed normal explaining these things earlier? Is he bipolar?

Calm down, brother! Calm down!

Director Morge nodded sympathetically, though his tone remained neutral.

"I understand your frustration, Major General, but the decision is final. The Main Interstellar Brain identified your sister and her... spouse as genetically optimal partners."

So there's no turning back...

"This marriage strengthens not only their bloodlines but also the empire's future. It's an honor, really."