AFTER trying to log back into VirtualNet three times and failing again and again, Wulfric almost smashed his virtual pod to pieces. It took all his self control to stop himself in time. If Aster’s face hadn’t appeared in his mind right then, that damn pod would be nothing but broken metal parts right now.

Accepting that he wouldn’t be able to get back unless his stupid body calmed down, he dragged himself to take a cold shower. Not just cold, but balls-freezing, make-your-teeth-chatter cold. And it worked. Because after turning himself into a human icicle, the f*cking system finally let him log back in.

This was exactly what Wulfric saw when he finally returned. His brother and that insufferable drama queen sitting comfortably on the couch where he and Aster had been tangled up just moments before. And to top it all off, Cynric had the gall to threaten Aster that he would punish him.

Wulfric glared at his brother. “Who gave anyone permission to punish Aster?”

Cynric, who had jumped slightly at Wulfric’s sudden arrival, quickly smoothed his expression into playful amusement. “Dear brother,” he said, voice dripping with false cheer, “how lovely of you to join us. Now that you’re here, perhaps you’d like to answer my question instead. What exactly is your relationship with this young man?”

Wulfric completely disregarded his brother, turning to Aster instead. The moment he noticed Aster’s avatar now matched his real appearance, he cursed silently in his head. This was definitely Cynric’s doing.

“Are you okay?” he asked Aster, scanning him from head to toe. “Did they give you any trouble?”

“I’m fine,” Astrid answered, assuring the other. He badly wanted to ask why Wulfric had vanished earlier, but with the emperor and Valentine around, that conversation would have to wait until they were alone.

“Are you really okay?” Wulfric pressed, searching Aster’s face for any sign he might be lying.

“Oh come on, Wulf, don’t be so dramatic,” Cynric said, rolling his eyes. “What exactly could I do to your little lover here? This is VirtualNet. Physical harm isn’t even possible.” Follow current novᴇls on noⅴelfire.net

Wulfric shot his brother a sharp look as he stepped protectively in front of Aster. “Do you really think hurt only comes physically? You could have scarred him psychologically!”

Cynric stared at his brother with genuine confusion, unable to understand why Wulfric was making such exaggerated remarks.

Astrid also felt Wulfric was going a bit overboard. He was just about to say something to calm the other down when Valentine Davis unexpectedly cut in before he could speak.

“Anyone listening to you, Your Highness, would think your… special someone is some delicate greenhouse flower that will wilt at the slightest touch,” Valentine said, his lips curved in a smile that didn’t reach his mocking red eyes.

Wulfric didn’t even spare Valentine a glance, acting as if the man wasn’t worth his time or attention. Instead, he turned to his brother with a completely deadpan expression. “Please do me a favor and remind your dirty little secret sitting there that he’s not part of this discussion. That means he has absolutely no right to butt in and give unnecessary commentaries.”

Cynric frowned when he heard this. If they had been in the real world, the muscle in his jaw would have definitely twitched in irritation. While he was used to Wulfric looking down on Valentine, that didn’t mean he liked it. Because the way Wulfric acted made it seem like he was also looking down on Cynric for being involved with someone like Valentine.

If this had happened before, Cynric would probably have just brushed off the comment. Sure, he would still have been annoyed, but he would have accepted it. But now? When Wulfric was clearly in his own questionable relationship with some rookie actor, his brother’s attitude just reeked of hypocrisy.

He turned his gaze slowly toward Astrid, then back to Wulfric with a cold smile.

“So by your logic,” he said each word deliberately, “this one must be your own dirty little secret then?” His hand gestured dismissively at Astrid. “Or does that label only apply when it’s my relationships you’re judging?”

The air in the room seemed to freeze solid.

Wulfric’s face darkened, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “Don’t you dare compare him to Aster,” he growled, the words sharp enough to cut. “Aster is no dirty secret. If anything, I’m his dirty little secret!”

Wulfric said it so proudly, chin lifted like he’d just declared something noble instead of admitting to being someone’s ‘dirty little secret’.

Cynric’s eyebrows shot up so high they nearly disappeared into his hairline. Then, against all logic, the irritation drained from his expression. His lips twitched. Damn it. His idiot brother’s ridiculous admission was somehow… adorable.

Valentine, meanwhile, choked on nothing but air, his perfect composure crumbling into startled laughter.

Astrid felt intensely grateful this was VirtualNet. If this was the real world, his face would be burning red right now. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, torn between embarrassment and warmth. Wulfric’s proud declaration left him flustered. Was this supposed to be touching or utterly mortifying? He couldn’t decide.

“You’re saying you want everyone to know about your relationship, but little Astrid here is the one who doesn’t want it?” Valentine asked, clear laughter in his voice. He then looked at Cynric meaningfully. “I have to admit, that’s quite enviable.”

Cynric kept his gaze firmly forward, refusing to glance at Valentine. He knew exactly what look the actor would be giving him right now. That hopeful, infuriatingly charming expression he couldn’t afford to acknowledge. Not now. Maybe not ever.

So, he kept his attention locked on his brother instead. “Are you telling me that you like Astrid, but he doesn’t like you back?”

Wulfric looked downright offended by the question. “What do you mean ‘he doesn’t like me back’? Of course he does! We literally just ki—”

Astrid’s hand slapped over Wulfric’s mouth before he could finish that sentence, cutting off whatever embarrassing detail he’d been about to share with the two.

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