Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 242: Did I Smile?

Chapter 242: Did I Smile?

"Why is she here?"

"Don’t you know? Lyra and the bride-to-be were classmates. They’re really close, like, super close."

By the time Zinnia burst out of the dressing room with the news, everyone quickly realized that "close" was an understatement. Their bond was far deeper—it was practically exceptional.

"Wow, wow, wow! Lyra, you actually came!"

The tall woman in a wedding dress rushed over and threw herself into Lyra’s arms, squeezing her tightly and rubbing her affectionately. Tears welled up in her eyes. "I’m so happy! Thierry and Mandy are here as the best man and maid of honor, and now you’re here too! My wedding is complete!"

Despite Zinnia’s enthusiastic display of emotion, Lyra remained calm and composed, her face a perfect mask of neutrality. When Zinnia continued clinging to her, Lyra let out a quiet sigh, her usual patience cracking just a little.

"Alright, enough," Lyra said, her voice calm but firm. She reached into her Space Button and pulled out a silver chain. "A wedding gift."

"A gift?!" Zinnia’s eyes lit up with excitement as she eagerly accepted the chain.

The necklace weighed about 15 grams, designed in a simple yet elegant vine-like style. Its delicate beauty was understated but refined.

While Zinnia was clearly over the moon about the gift, the reactions of the others nearby were far less enthusiastic.

"This..."

It didn’t seem particularly special—nothing about it screamed expensive or rare. In fact, it looked like something you could pick up from any local accessory shop.

But Zinnia didn’t care what anyone else thought. She treasured the gift, a sincere smile lighting up her face. She took off the necklace she was wearing and removed the ruby pendant that hung from it. This was the Space Button Rajan had custom-designed for her.

"I’ve decided," she said with a determined gleam in her eye, "I’m wearing this one for the wedding." She began to switch the pendants but suddenly stopped. "Wait, there’s no clasp?"

"Give it to me."

Before anyone could react, the silver chain seemed to move on its own. It split open effortlessly, wrapping around Zinnia’s neck before seamlessly rejoining, leaving no trace of where it had come apart.

"Elastic metal? What the..."

Rajan’s face immediately changed, his expression one of disbelief.

"She actually gave THIS to you?" he asked, his voice laced with shock.

Zarek and the others exchanged glances, clearly intrigued. "What is it?" one of them asked.

Rajan blinked and then answered with a hint of concern in his voice, "Zarek should’ve heard of this. It’s the kind of weapon Lyra uses, her signature cold weapon."

At these words, not only Zarek but even their father, the seasoned military man, stiffened, a slight flicker of unease passing over his face.

"That’s... Schedar."

Zinnia, still blissfully unaware of the chain’s true significance, had been expecting to show it off a little. But seeing the stunned expressions on everyone around her, she felt a wave of confusion.

"Wait... is it really that valuable? Should I return it to Lyra?" she asked, her uncertainty creeping in as she began to turn away, clearly considering giving the gift back.

"No need," Rajan said gently, grabbing her arm to stop her. "If she gave it to you, it’s yours. She won’t ask for it back. Besides, you look great with it on."

He understood just how extraordinary Schedar was. The fact that Lyra had given Zinnia a piece of it, and was using her psychokinesis to control it, meant she was perfectly safe. It wouldn’t harm her.

"That’s right, that’s right," Zarek chimed in, having quickly caught on to the significance of the gift. "Miss Shedd would be thrilled to see you wearing her gift at the wedding."

Zinnia smiled mischievously, her fingers tracing the smooth surface of the chain. "Okay, I’ll keep it then."

As the grand wedding march began, the newlyweds took their place on stage.

It was a picture-perfect wedding, the culmination of the Rymes family’s only daughter’s dreams, pulled off without a hitch.

Lyra sat quietly in the audience, her gaze fixed on the stage. There, Zinnia stood beside Rajan, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss, her smile radiant, full of joy.

Rajan’s eyes were red with emotion, each tear a testament to his happiness.

The applause was deafening, the entire atmosphere seeming to join in the celebration. It was a moment of pure, unbridled happiness.

For a fleeting second, Lyra felt a stir of something warm inside her—something close to happiness. It was one of the rare moments when she felt truly involved in someone else’s joy.

When she looked back on this day later, she would find herself remembering that moment, and the corner of her lips would curl into the same small smile she had worn then.

"You actually smiled," a familiar voice suddenly cut through her thoughts.

Lyra turned to see Thierry. He was dressed in his best man attire, watching her with an almost knowing look.

She gave a small nod. "Thierry."

After a brief pause, she asked, almost as if testing the idea, "Did I smile?"

"Yeah, I took a picture," Thierry said casually, holding up his camera and flipping through the photos. "By the way, you really are stunning."

The old Lyra had always been beautiful—her features were flawless—but she had often looked pale and almost fragile.

Now, however, her face was fuller, her eyes sharp and commanding, giving her an entirely different, more striking beauty.

There was power in her gaze now, a look that was impossible to ignore.

At that moment, Zinnia emerged from the bridal room. She had changed out of her wedding dress, her arm linked with Mandy’s.

"Today’s a happy day! Let’s take a group photo!" Zinnia exclaimed, wrapping her left arm around Mandy and her right around Lyra.

Thierry, who was standing beside Lyra, raised his camera.

A soft CLICK, and the picture was captured.

Zinnia leaned forward eagerly to look at the shot. "It’s perfect," she said with a grin. But then her expression shifted, a slight frown forming. "Wait... who’s that?"

In the background of the photo, a woman had walked by at just the right moment. It was Vivian—another one of their old roommates.

The photo, captured on a whim, had turned into a snapshot of fate, with all four of them reunited in the frame, despite the years that had passed.

Mandy chuckled. "The Mendez family has business in Snowfall. Of course, they’d be here."

Zinnia raised an eyebrow, considering. "Should we retake it?"

Lyra glanced at the picture, her eyes narrowing as she noticed the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. It was almost imperceptible. She shrugged and said, "Forget it. People are everywhere, it’s just a background."

Lyra wasn’t in any rush. She decided to stay until Zinnia’s wedding festivities wrapped up, and then she’d head to Planet Nagano with Mandy and Thierry.

After the newlyweds had finished their grand celebrations, Zinnia, looking a little sad and more than a little envious, sighed. "Aww, you two are going together? I wish I could join you."

Though they had all been in the military for over a year, Zinnia still seemed like someone who hadn’t fully shed her desire for simple pleasures.

Mandy laughed, giving her a playful pat. "We’re going for work, not for fun."

But, despite everything, Zinnia was the one who had changed the least.

Thierry flashed a wide grin, showing off his white teeth. "Alright, it’s time to board the ship." He waved at Zinnia. "We’re off!"

Zinnia slapped her face, forcing a smile as she held back her tears. "I can’t let you guys leave with me crying. And you know, I’m planning to have a baby with Raj. Once I’m on maternity leave, I’ll come find you two and we’ll hang out."

She pulled Lyra into a tight hug, sniffled, and added, "Lyra, don’t feel bad. I’ve got your back, always."

"Don’t worry," Lyra replied softly, ruffling her hair in a gesture that felt almost maternal, like she was calming a child.

With that, Lyra turned and walked up the ship’s ramp without looking back.

Zinnia watched the hatch close with a heavy heart, then turned into Rajan’s arms. "I don’t know when we’ll see each other again," she murmured, a subtle sadness creeping into her voice.

Rajan wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. "We’ll see each other soon. You’ve still got me."