The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 737: BACK-AND-FORTH BICKERING

ASTRID turned to the emperor with a polite smile and clarified smoothly, "What Wulf means is that I don’t dislike him."

Then something warm and suspiciously tongue-like brushed his palm. He barely stifled a yelp, snatching his hand away from Wulfric’s mouth to shoot him a sharp look. His glare clearly said, ’What the heck are you doing?’

Wulfric just grinned that infuriating, wolfish grin of his. It’s like he was saying, ’Can you really blame me? When something tasty’s right in front of me, of course I’ll lick it.’

Cynric looked from Wulfric to Astrid and back again, observing their silent conversation. The ease with which they communicated through just glances showed how deeply their relationship had developed. Which only made his curiosity about their relationship deeper.

"So, will one of you finally answer my question?" he asked. "What exactly is your relationship?"

Valentine let out an amused chuckle. "Come on, Cyn, it’s obvious enough already. Didn’t His Highness just declare himself as Astrid’s dirty little secret? Whether they’ve put a name to it or not, there’s clearly something between them. Could be romance, could be just physical, or maybe a fun mix of both." He looked at the two and smiled playfully. "Am I right?"

Astrid had intended to stay silent, but seeing Wulfric about to speak, he quickly cut in first.

"As I mentioned before," he said, keeping his tone respectful but firm, "my relationship with Wulf is private. So, with all due respect, Your Majesty, I’d prefer not to discuss it further."

Wulfric looked at Aster, feeling very impressed. From his words, it sounded like he’d already given Cynric this same answer before. The fact that Aster stood his ground without fear, despite talking to the freaking emperor, filled Wulfric with sudden pride. He had the ridiculous urge to announce to everyone present that this was the person who’d stolen his heart.

But of course, someone had to ruin the moment.

"Looks like your sweetheart here is determined to keep you as his dirty little secret," Valentine said with fake sympathy. "How unfortunate for you, Your Highness."

Wulfric glared at the irritating drama queen, seriously considering whether to pummel him until his avatar glitched out of existence. Actually, why was he even debating it? He should just go ahead and do it. His fingers were already curling into fists when Aster’s voice stopped him.

"There’s nothing unfortunate about it," he said. "Because I know with absolute certainty that I would claim him publicly if our circumstances allowed it. At least I can say that once one particular obstacle is resolved, we’ll have a future." His gaze flicked meaningfully between Valentine and the emperor. "I can’t say the same for... certain others though."

The moment Astrid finished speaking, silence fell. Not just from Valentine, but even the emperor went quiet. Astrid hadn’t planned to speak up at all. But watching Valentine’s constant little digs at Wulfric had rubbed him the wrong way. Staying quiet would have been completely out of character for him.

On hindsight, Astrid realized he probably should have made more effort to impress the emperor. Not because the man was the emperor, but simply because he was Wulfric’s brother, his only family. Wulfric had put in genuine work to win over Astrid’s parents, so returning that effort would only be right.

That had been his original intention. But seeing how the emperor clearly viewed him as just another of Wulfric’s temporary obsessions, something to be replaced once boredom set in, Astrid found his motivation fading. If the other had already decided he was just a temporary phase in Wulfric’s life, why should he bother putting on an act just to be liked? He might as well just be himself.

Anyway, since he had no desire to stay any longer, now seemed like the perfect time to leave while the emperor was still processing what he just said. Who knew if the man might suddenly block him from logging out? The emperor clearly had some level of control over VirtualNet. After all, he’d changed Astrid’s avatar with ridiculous ease earlier.

"I should get going. I still have some things to do." Astrid bowed gracefully toward the emperor. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Your Majesty."

He turned to Wulfric, mouthing ’I’ll call you later’ clearly enough for the prince to read, then immediately logged out before anyone could react.

Cynric blinked at the empty space where Astrid had just been standing. "Did he..." His voice held genuine disbelief. "Did he actually just run away?"

Wulfric was still staring at the empty space where Aster had stood moments ago, his mind briefly blank. He’d been in the middle of admiring Aster’s strong will when the other suddenly logged out. At Cynric’s words, he turned a glare on his brother.

"’Run away’?" he snapped. "Don’t make it sound like Aster’s scared of you. He’s clearly just had enough of your interrogation. Since when do you care about my relationships, anyway? I don’t interfere with whatever you’ve got going on with that drama queen, so why are you so invested in my business?"

Cynric’s patience finally ran out. He stood up and strode towards Wulfric. "You claim you don’t interfere? Then explain why you constantly make those snide comments about Val every time you see him. You might not say it directly, but your disapproval is obvious. Why shouldn’t I be allowed to do the same?"

"Is my situation anything like yours?" Wulfric’s voice grew louder too. "You’re clearly using that man to punish yourself. For some messed up reason, you think being with him proves how ’tainted’ you are - which is bullshit, by the way. So tell me, brother, which one of us is really looking down on whom here?"

The words left Wulfric’s mouth before he could stop them, and instantly he knew he’d crossed a line. He opened his mouth to apologize, but a sudden, violent shove sent him stumbling back from Cynric. When he regained his balance, Valentine stood between them, those usually playful red eyes now glacial with fury.

Valentine’s voice dropped dangerously quiet. "You don’t get to talk to Cyn like that. Not ever."