The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 569: TEA PARTY (III)

SEEING that expression, Astrid couldnʼt help but be nervous for no reason. He couldnʼt 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? Wasnʼt that just too much of a leap? Even great detectives wouldnʼt 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. Thatʼs 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 theyʼre friends.

They havenʼt even met yet. Donʼt tell me their reunion after so many years would be on the battlefield? Wouldnʼt that be too sad?”

Nicolʼs sudden question pulled Astridʼs attention from his current predicament. He turned to the boy and a soft smile automatically appeared on his lips.

”Arenʼt you too young to watch that?” he asked with a raised brow.

”Iʼm watching the censored version. And Grandpa is always with me whenever I watched it, so thereʼs a parental guidance,” Nicol said.

Astrid was surprised that the duke would actually watch the series with Nicol. He didnʼt know if it was because he had infinite patience with his grandson, or if he just loved him that much. Itʼs probably both.

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

Astrid tapped the boyʼs nose. ”Iʼm sorry, but I canʼt give you any spoilers.”

Nicol pouted. ”Even a little bit?”

”Nope. If I give you one, then you wonʼt be surprised anymore once you watched the remaining episodes,” he said.

Nicol sighed as if he couldnʼt do anything about it. ”Okay. I understand.”

Astrid poured the other tea. He couldnʼt tell the other what would happen in the last four episodes, not only because he didnʼt 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. Whatʼs 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 didnʼt 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 Iʼm still talking to Brother Aster. And Grandpa is still here,” Nicol said with a pout.

Casey ruffled Nicolʼs hair as if amused.

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

”Donʼt be so formal, Aster. Didnʼt I say you can just call me ʼUncle Caseyʼ?” 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 didnʼt 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 ʼuncleʼ, that might give the duke some weird idea.

”So, how was the photoshoot? Surely, Nikki didnʼt bother you, right?” Casey asked, glancing at the duke when he said the last part. As if heʼs truly asking if the duke didnʼt bother him.

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

”And I didnʼt bother Brother Aster!” Nicol quickly added. ”Grandpa said not to approach him until his work was over. So, thatʼs what I did.”

”Well, at least you still have common sense,” Casey mumbled. Although he didnʼt make it obvious, he was definitely referring to the duke when he said that. Then he smiled brightly at Astrid. ”Iʼm sure the photoshoot result will be great.”

”Itʼs 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. Heʼs pretty sure itʼs still a few hours before evening came. But he couldnʼt 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. Itʼs like the other was using Nicol as some sort of ʼspecial weaponʼ to make sure he wouldnʼt be able to say ʼnoʼ.

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.freeωebnovēl.c૦m

He secretly glanced at both Thomas and Casey, hoping that at least one of them would refute the duke or something. But both didnʼt 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.”