The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

"What the f---!"

He paused the video and then zoomed in. Standing there were Thomas and Cassius Grimaldi.

How did this happen? The only answer he could think of was because they had found out who Aster (and Reas) was.

A lot of questions flashed in his mind. But mostly, he couldn't help but feel guilty because he wasn't able to stop this from happening. How useless was he that he couldn't even keep his promise to help Aster regarding this matter?

After his internal panicking and self-blaming, he quickly called Aster.

----------

After spending half a day with Casey, Thomas, and Nicol, Astrid felt inexplicably drained. It wasn't that he had exerted much effort entertaining them; rather, it seemed as though today's meeting had consumed a week's worth of emotional energy.

Which was rather ironic, considering he was an actor—a profession that thrived on channeling emotions into performances.

Anyway, this meeting ended pretty well. Casey had calmed down because of his talk with Reas. Astrid had noticed that Casey was trying a bit too hard. But because of what Reas had said, he saw how the other visibly relaxed. As if the weight in his shoulders had been lifted.

Having Nicol over for lunch was also a nice addition. The kid certainly brightened the atmosphere. He cutely promised that, even though he really wanted to, he wouldn't tell anyone that Astrid was his cousin, once again very conveniently forgetting that Reas was also his cousin.

Both Casey and Thomas assured them that they wouldn't have to worry about Nicol telling others about their connection. He's a very precocious kid who understood clearly what he should and shouldn't do.

Thomas was a bit of a surprise. The other seemed so serious and set in his ways, so he didn't expect him to apologize so straightforwardly like that. It's a good sign. At least he knew he was in the wrong and he didn't try to shirk his responsibility by saying it was all the duke's fault.

Because of his apology, the time during lunch was much better than he thought it would be.

Astrid couldn't help but think back to that.

=====

"This is really good," Casey said as he was munching on the sweet and sour pork and fried rice. "How can this be so good?"

Thomas also nodded in agreement. His personal favorite must be the fried dumplings, since he had already eaten quite a few.

Nicol bit on an egg roll before looking at Astrid with shining eyes. "Brother Aster, how can you cook like this? Even the vegetables are tasty. Did you actually use magic?"

Astrid chuckled at everyone's reaction. "Thank you. Cooking is actually my hobby, so I'm glad everyone likes it."

"There's no way we wouldn't like it!" Casey said. "But now, you completely ruin us. How can we possibly eat other food when we have already tasted your heavenly cooking skills?"

"True!" Nicol quickly seconded.

Reas only shook his head and looked at them as if thinking that the two had the same brain waves, despite one being an adult and the other being a kid.

Lunch continued on in such a bright atmosphere.

"By the way, Aster, if you need any help in your career, just tell me. If you need any investment for a movie or a series, I'm just one call away," Casey said after a while. The expression on his face looked like it was something he had been meaning to say since earlier. "No, maybe I should just make you the lifetime ambassador of EMMA."

"Uncle Casey, calm down," Astrid said before the other thought of something even more outrageous than that. Especially since Thomas looked like he would also do something similar if he agreed to Casey's proposal. "Haven't you already forgotten what Reas said earlier?"

The overly excited Casey seemed to have calmed down after hearing that. "Right, I'm sorry. I just want to help you reach the top. If there's anyone who deserves it, it's you. Even Reas, I also want to help you be the best Mecha pilot in the whole Empire. So, if you need a new Mecha--"

"Stop," Reas said, cutting off what Casey was about to say. "Please don't involve me in this conversation. I know you mean well, but helping in this way is not needed."

"I agree with Reas," Astrid followed. "If I allow you to help me in that way, if one day it was revealed that I'm your nephew, it would only have a negative effect on me. Many people would think I only got to such a high position because of your help and not because of my talent. So, again, please don't do anything unnecessary. This is a request not only for Uncle Casey but also for Uncle Thomas."

He said the last part while looking at the two back and forth. The two seemed to be disappointed that they couldn't help their nephews advanced on their respective careers, but they still nodded in agreement.

The lunch then continued. And then the harmonious atmosphere was broken again when Nicol asked something that made them all speechless.

"But why wasn't Grandpa invited to this lunch? I also want to let him taste Brother Aster's cooking."

=====

After that, it took Casey and Thomas quite a while to make up excuses that could answer Nicol's question. Since Nicol was pretty close to the duke, they probably didn't want to tarnish the image of the latter. Nicol was still a child, after all. At his age, there's no need for him to hear all the negative things that had happened.

Astrid stood up and was planning to take a bath before sleeping when his Terminal rang.