WULFRIC felt his whole face heating up, almost as if it was put on a steamer.  Although he couldn’t see his face right now, he was certain that it was already beating red.  He wasn’t sure if it was because of shame or shyness.  Wait- what shyness?  How could he, Wulfric de Lunaris be shy?  It was definitely because of shame. 

With the way Aster asked him, more than warning the other about the danger of the entertainment industry, it was like he was praising him instead.  And it was not just a simple praise, it was more like he was putting him on a pedestal.  How could that be not shameful?

How could he not praise it more properly so that Aster could understand what it was he was trying to convey?  This was indeed a fault on his part.  But what’s done was done. 

He cleared his throat and then looked to the side, so that Aster wouldn’t be on his line of vision.  “Is that the point?  I’m telling you that many people would target you just because of your appearance.  Add that to the fact that you also have talent, it would simply be a disaster in the making for you.”

Astrid stared at Wulfric’s side face.  The other’s blush reached from his cheek up to the tip of his ear.  The effect of what he said was even greater than he imagined.  Really, who would have thought that this prince/general also had a cute side to him?

He didn’t even mind his preaching.  Although the way he said it was a bit rough, he understood that it was because he was simply worried for him.  As weird as that might have sounded, considering how they really didn’t have a relationship that let them worry for one another.  Heck, they even just reconciled a moment ago.  But somehow, Astrid could still feel the genuine worry the other had for him. 

It’s truly a wonder why Wulfric would be so concerned about him.  He wouldn’t be so narcissistic as to think that it was because the other liked his face too much.  He could only attribute it to the fact that he left such a great impression on Wulfric.  It’s probably the first time he had met someone who treated him that way.  So, he unknowingly labeled him as someone ‘special’.

Astrid didn’t mind.  Because he couldn’t feel any malice from his ‘special’ treatment.  He just hoped that this ‘specialness’ would only end with the other treating him as a friend.  That’s the best possible outcome he could think of. 

At least, for now.   

“I’ll keep what Your Highness said in mind.  I assure you that I can protect myself and won’t be stupid enough to put myself in danger.  And there’s something that Your Highness should already know,” he said and then smiled before continuing, “I’m not that easy to bully.” 

Wulfric suddenly felt annoyed.  He was not sure if it was because of Aster’s response that obviously didn’t put the danger of the entertainment industry in his eyes.  Or at himself, because he was reminded again of how much of an ass he was during their first meeting.

He cleared his throat to hide his uncomfortable feelings.  “If- if you encounter any problems in the future that you can’t solve, don’t hesitate to contact me.  If- if I’m not busy, I would help.”

Astrid blinked and then resisted the urge to laugh.  Because what he heard sounded like ‘I’m a busy prince but if you need help, I could free my schedule’.  It’s kind of funny and cute as well. 

“Thank you, Your Highness.  I will definitely keep that in mind,” he said in an amused tone.

Wulfric nodded, acting all serious.  “That’s good.”

But in Astrid’s eyes, the other simply looked more like a child acting like an adult.  Which greatly amused him.

Hildred, watching this scene unfold, felt a tad bit sorry for Wulf.  Because he was obviously dancing on the palm of the teenager’s hand.  And their emotionally inept general didn’t even notice it. 

Seeing Wulf like this, if his fascination towards the teenager further developed into something, it would probably not be a smooth road for him.  He then happened to glance at Edmund who was looking at the two with that obvious obliviousness and he suddenly felt that he was not really in the position to comment on Wulf’s future rough road.

To relieve his stress, he asked Astrid, “Is being an actor the reason you moved into the capital with your brother?”

“That’s part of it.  But the major reason was because of our studies,” Astrid answered.  “The capital is the only place that could provide us the right resources for the careers we’ve chosen.”

“If you’re going to be an actor, then how about your brother?” Edmund asked looking genuinely curious.

Before Astrid could answer, he saw Reas walking out of the aircraft’s medical room where the medical cabin was.  He quickly walked towards him and immediately checked his arm that was injured earlier.

“Is it okay now?” he asked.

Reas nodded.  As much as he didn’t want to admit it, that medical cabin was truly top-notch.  His broken bones quickly healed.  He couldn’t even feel any discomfort. 

“How about you?  Did they do anything to you?” he asked while looking warily at the other three people there. 

Astrid pinched his brother’s cheek.  “Stop being paranoid.  What could they possibly do?”

“That’s right.  We’re honorable soldiers of this Empire.  Why would we do something bad to an innocent citizen like Aster?” Wulfric immediately added. 

Astrid was a bit surprised.  He didn’t expect that the other would just so easily call him by his nickname.  It’s as if the other had been calling him that for such a long time.  Reas was also surprised.  But unlike him, his only reaction was to feel annoyed.

To get over the feeling of surprise, Astrid simply decided to answer Edmund’s earlier question.  He turned to the other.

“Regarding Captain Barton’s question earlier, Reas is going to be a soldier.  In fact, he was admitted to the Imperial Military Academy,” he said, linking arms with his brother.  “How great, right?”

Hildred suddenly smiled meaningfully when he heard that.  “What a coincidence.” 

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