The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 565: A RATHER FAMILIAR SITUATION

BEFORE Astrid could even turn around. Someone had already hugged him from behind. The person behind threw his body at him with so much force that it almost felt like a cannon ball had hit him.

He didnʼt have to fully turn around to see the person behind. He just had to turn his gaze down a bit to know who it was.

What he first saw was a head full of silver hair. The eight-year-old boy raised his head and his sapphire blue eyes twinkled as he looked at him.

”Brother Aster, I missed you!”

Astrid unknowingly smiled. Although he quickly noticed the gaze of the people around focusing on them, and they would most likely recognized, or at least have a clue as to which family he was from, in a minute or so, he didnʼt care as much as he should have.

He crouched down a bit and gave the boy a quick, tight hug. ”Itʼs been too long, Nikki.” He let go of the other and he acted like he was measuring his height. ”Did you get taller?”

Nicol seemed to be very pleased when he heard that, as evidence of the huge grin that appeared on his face. ”Yes. After all, Iʼm eight years old now.”

Ah yes, the practice of adding a year to oneʼs age with the onset of each new year was the way of counting age in this era. Similar to how some Asian countries in his past life did.

But the reason for that was because most of the people in this era were ʼbornʼ in a lab. So, technically, no ʼbirthingʼ was happening. The day the parents picked up their child in the lab would be the date of their official birthday. It would be the one put on official documents.

Thatʼs why celebrating oneʼs birthday was not really a big deal in this era. Although most nobles did do parties and stuff, itʼs not really for the sake of celebrating oneʼs birth but rather just another reason to show their familyʼs opulence to other noble families.

So, technically, to other people, he and Reas were both 19-year-olds now since a new year had already passed. But they were still 18 in their parentsʼ eyes. After all, ever since they were born, their parents hadnʼt missed celebrating their birthday.

Their birthday had always been a special day for the family. A small party full of love and warmth. And good food, of course.

But since both he and Reas were in the capital now, they might not be able to celebrate their birthday together this year.

Astrid turned his focus back to the boy in front of him. ”Now that I see it, youʼre really starting to look like a little gentleman.”

Nikki raised his chin and puffed up his chest, showing how proud he was. He then ran around Astrid.

”Grandpa said that your pictures are being taken here while youʼre modelling the clothes for Uncle Caseyʼs company. Is this one of the clothes? You look really pretty in it!”

Astrid quickly understood how Nicol suddenly appeared here. It was likely the duke who had someone brought the kid over.

And then, he suddenly felt the gaze of the people around more intently. If they now realized which family Nicol belonged to, then it would be easy to infer that the ʼgrandpaʼ and ʼUncle Caseyʼ he was referring to, could possibly be Duke Grimaldi and Cassius Grimaldi.

He wouldnʼt be surprised if some of the people here assumed that he was from some collateral line of the Grimaldi family. Then they would talk about it with people they knew who most likely also worked in the entertainment industry. After that, a rumor would start to float around that heʼs some Nepo baby who relied on his family to reach his current success.

That kind of rumor would be just a level better than people finding out that the Empireʼs prince was in love with him.

Astrid could already feel a headache coming. Even if this rumor didnʼt make it to the public, since the Grimaldi familyʼs PR team would definitely not allow their name to be dragged to the gossip mill, it could still spread in the entertainment industry like wildfire.

The funny thing was, heʼs not from some collateral branch, but a direct like. The duke being his grandfather and all.

Heʼs not blaming Nicol though. Heʼs a kid. Heʼs just excited to see a big brother he liked very much. Besides, how could he even think how his words could potentially affect him?

Although he couldnʼt help but remember that one instance during the launch party of EMMAʼs new perfume line. This situation was almost a copy of that.

Before he could think of how to do some damage control, a voice thatʼs not too loud and yet still carried authority echoed in the manorʼs lobby.

”Nikki, you should not hound Mr. Townsend. Heʼs still at work.”

Astrid turned his gaze to the duke. The other was no longer wearing the overalls he was wearing earlier, but rather a comfortable, but still obviously high-end shirt and slacks. With his silver hair not styled, he didnʼt look much like a grandfather of three.

Sometimes, Astrid couldnʼt really get used to how people in this era who were the same age as the other could look like they were in their early 30s or something. Itʼs like being in a twilight zone or something.

The duke walked in their direction. The staffs who were still loitering around immediately felt intimidated as he walked passed by them. Even if they hadnʼt seen a picture of him online, with how he carried himself and that intimidating atmosphere, surely they would recognize who he was.

Seeing as how they didnʼt know whether to bow or what, itʼs already clear that they had recognized him.

”My apologies, Mr. Townsend, for my grandsonʼs overenthusiasm. You know how much he likes you,” the duke said. ”That last time at the launch party, I wasnʼt able to properly thank you. Itʼs a good thing that Cassius arranged this. Now I can finally say thank you.” He looked straight at Astrid, his eyes softening.

”Thank you for saving my grandson.”