The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era [BL]

SEEING that expression, Astrid couldn't help but be nervous for no reason. He couldn't help but feel that something had gone wrong at this very moment. He clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to calm himself down. Telling himself that he was thinking too much.

Logically, how could one think after seeing someone eat a cupcake the same way as their daughter that that person was related to the said daughter? Wasn't that just too much of a leap? Even great detectives wouldn't simply jump to conclusions like that.

If he continued to worry like this, the other might notice that something was wrong. And then, that jump to conclusion might not seem to be impossible anymore. That's why he had to act as normally as he could.

So, to appear less suspicious, he picked up another cupcake and eat it the same way again. Nicol quickly copied him.

The duke, looking at them like that, gazed down. Hiding the expression on his face.

"By the way, Brother Aster, can you tell me what will happen to Luan in [The Great War]? I mean, there are only four episodes left. Caesar seemed to be going dark side, what, with all the violence and killings. Luan is definitely going to be the next Pope. If Caesar continued to carry on as he was, Luan would definitely wage a war against him in the name of justice. But they're friends.

They haven't even met yet. Don't tell me their reunion after so many years would be on the battlefield? Wouldn't that be too sad?"

Nicol's sudden question pulled Astrid's attention from his current predicament. He turned to the boy and a soft smile automatically appeared on his lips.

"Aren't you too young to watch that?" he asked with a raised brow.

"I'm watching the censored version. And Grandpa is always with me whenever I watched it, so there's a parental guidance," Nicol said.

Astrid was surprised that the duke would actually watch the series with Nicol. He didn't know if it was because he had infinite patience with his grandson, or if he just loved him that much. It's probably both.

"So, what will happen next, Brother Aster?" Nicol asked again.

Astrid tapped the boy's nose. "I'm sorry, but I can't give you any spoilers."

Nicol pouted. "Even a little bit?"

"Nope. If I give you one, then you won't be surprised anymore once you watched the remaining episodes," he said.

Nicol sighed as if he couldn't do anything about it. "Okay. I understand."

Astrid poured the other tea. He couldn't tell the other what would happen in the last four episodes, not only because he didn't want to share spoilers, but mostly because of the fate of his character, Luan. If Nicol knew what would happen to his character, the boy might suddenly cry here.

As he and Nicol continued to talk, he noticed a servant walked up to the butler in a rush. He tilted his head, wondering if something had happened. But soon, he found out what it was about.

The butler walked to the table and announced, "Your Grace, Lord Thomas and Lord Cassius are here."

Astrid blinked. Okay. What's this, some kind of family reunion?

"Daddy and Uncle are here?" Nicol asked, looking pretty excited.

As if to answer his question, Thomas and Cassius Grimaldi were seen walking in the direction of the pavilion. It didn't take long for them to arrive. Nicol rushed to his father and the other quickly hugged him up.

"What are you doing here, Dad?" Nicol asked.

"To get you, of course."

"Are we going home? But I'm still talking to Brother Aster. And Grandpa is still here," Nicol said with a pout.

Casey ruffled Nicol's hair as if amused.

Astrid, on the other hand, stood up and politely greeted the two. "Lord Thomas, Lord Cassius."

"Don't be so formal, Aster. Didn't I say you can just call me 'Uncle Casey'?" Casey said as he sat down on one of the chairs there.

Thomas also sat down, letting Nicol sit on the seat beside him.

Astrid only smiled. He didn't really want to call him that in front of the other Grimaldis, especially after his slip-up in front of the duke just now. If he called Casey 'uncle', that might give the duke some weird idea.

"So, how was the photoshoot? Surely, Nikki didn't bother you, right?" Casey asked, glancing at the duke when he said the last part. As if he's truly asking if the duke didn't bother him.

"No, I think the photoshoot went really well," Astrid said. "I hope."

"And I didn't bother Brother Aster!" Nicol quickly added. "Grandpa said not to approach him until his work was over. So, that's what I did."

"Well, at least you still have common sense," Casey mumbled. Although he didn't make it obvious, he was definitely referring to the duke when he said that. Then he smiled brightly at Astrid. "I'm sure the photoshoot result will be great."

"It's already nearing evening," the duke said. "Will you stay for dinner? Your agent can also join us."

Astrid almost raised his head to look at the bright sky. He's pretty sure it's still a few hours before evening came. But he couldn't exactly say that to a duke, right?

Before he could answer or even make an excuse, Nicol jumped to his side. "Please say yes, Brother Aster. Please?"

This was just like when the duke asked him to join them for tea earlier. It's like the other was using Nicol as some sort of 'special weapon' to make sure he wouldn't be able to say 'no'.

Well, that was a pretty good strategy. Because just one look at those big, sapphire blue eyes, it would be hard for anyone to refuse him.

He secretly glanced at both Thomas and Casey, hoping that at least one of them would refute the duke or something. But both didn't speak, as if silently agreeing that he should have dinner with them.

Astrid took a deep breath before smiling and saying, "Thank you for the invitation. I would be more than happy to join you for dinner."