The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 580: MORE THAN GLAD

So, with a trembling voice, he asked, ”You... donʼt hate me?”

Astrid shook his head. ”Why should I? Youʼre as much a victim here as my mother. Besides, you were not even an adult yet when all that happened. Itʼs natural for you to not know what was happening. Especially when youʼre intentionally kept in the dark.

If I hated you when you didnʼt do anything wrong, what would that make me? And as Iʼve said, I quite like you.”

When Casey heard Astridʼs answer, he was finally convinced that what he heard the first time was not just his illusion. He blinked, and he felt something fell from his eyes down to his cheeks. When he raised his hand to his cheek, the wet feeling could be clearly felt.

He was crying.

Upon that realization, he quickly wiped away the tears that had already fallen. ”Sorry, letting you see a grown man cry like this.”

Astrid stared at Casey. The other person was wiping away tears that he likely hadnʼt even realized had fallen. Seeing him like that, Astrid felt a twinge in his heart. He suddenly remembered what his mother had said about Casey before. That the other was a sweet and soft-hearted kid. Two decades later, that probably still hadnʼt changed.

Astrid reached out his hand over the table and held Caseyʼs hand that was placed there. ”No need to apologize. Thereʼs absolutely nothing wrong with a grown man crying.”

Casey finally couldnʼt help but chuckle hearing that. Then he looked at the fair, slender hand on top of his. He put his other hand on top of that hand.

”Thank you... for not hating me. No, for not hating any of us,” he said, almost in a choked sob.

”Thereʼs no need to thank me for that,” Astrid said as he took back his hand, but not before squeezing Caseyʼs hand one last time. ”And I still dislike the duke and Lord Thomas, by the way.”

That made Casey laugh a little. ”I hope Andreas will be as welcoming to me as you have been.”

Astrid thought of his brother. He still hadnʼt told the other that he was meeting Casey today. But knowing Reas, he could already imagine what the otherʼs reaction would be to this little uncle of theirs.

”Well, he probably wouldnʼt react negatively. Just donʼt expect warm hugs and kisses. My brother isnʼt too much into that stuff. And just call him Reas. He very much prefers that,” he said, giving Casey some advice.

Casey nodded, remembering the tall young man he had met before. Andreas, or rather, Reas, definitely did not look the type who would enjoy that type of close contact. Or even this kind of emotional conversation. He might even think itʼs cringe. What if the other thought he was uncool or something?

No, his determination shouldnʼt weaken just because of that. The important thing now was to get closer to his two nephews. He would be the best uncle to them. Just like how he was with Nicol.

”Do you think he would agree to meet me tomorrow?” he asked tentatively, thinking how cadets of the military academy didnʼt have any class during weekends. ”If not, I can meet him anytime heʼs ready.”

”Iʼll tell him today. Iʼm sure he wouldnʼt mind meeting you tomorrow,” Astrid said. ”Just go to my apartment. But do try to be very stealthy about it. You know, we wouldnʼt want a scandal to circle around about a certain noble lord visiting the apartment of some rookie actor.”

Although Astrid said that last part in a joking tone, Casey understood that the other was quite serious about it. Since they couldnʼt just announce to everyone that they were related, they wouldnʼt be able to give a viable reason why he would be visiting Astridʼs apartment in case someone did manage to capture him on camera by doing just that.

Thinking that he couldnʼt even tell anyone about how he had nephews who were a talented actor, and a genius Mecha pilot, the anger in his heart surged once again.

This was all because of those damn Lancasters! Just when would they leave their family alone?

Then that anger quickly shifted to the duke. Instead of solving the problem, he was much more interested in tending their manorsʼ gardens. He had two decades to do something, and yet he didnʼt. Did the other not even think of recognizing any possible children of Emmy in the future?

Casey felt his blood-pressure rising just thinking of that. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He didnʼt want to show an angry expression in front of Astrid.

He smiled and responded to what Astrid said earlier, ”Of course I will not let anyone see me.”

Astrid nodded. Then he suddenly remembered what his mother had told him when he called her earlier. About when if Casey asked to meet her. He thought that was the first thing Casey would ask him. But surprisingly, the other hadnʼt asked him any information about his mother. Casey hadnʼt even asked yet how his mother had been.

He looked meaningfully at the other. Maybe Casey was just being considerate, and he didnʼt want to put him in a difficult situation. After all, meeting him and Reas secretly was definitely not the same as meeting their mother. The other also definitely knew that, so he was trying his best not to bring her up.

He smiled inwardly at that. He no longer hesitated and just asked, ”Uncle Casey, do you want to talk to Mom?”

Casey visibly froze when he asked that question. He obviously wanted to say ʼyesʼ, but he couldnʼt bring himself to. So Astrid decided to make things easier for the other.

”You can use my Terminal and video call her,” he said. ”Iʼm sure sheʼll be more than glad to see you.”