The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 747: CALLING BACK

ASTRID had not slept yet. He was waiting for Wulfric to call him. He wanted to know how the other’s conversation with the emperor had gone. He really hoped that it went well. Having a brother himself, he knew how difficult it could be when siblings did not get along. Just the thought of not being on good terms with Reas was enough to make him feel upset.

Although they didn’t have the same dynamics as Wulfric and the Emperor, brothers were still brothers. Even if their bond was complicated, a falling out between them would still be painful. So, Astrid hoped for the best for them.

He was in the kitchen, drinking tea, when the call from Wulfric finally came. He quickly answered it. Wulfric’s face appeared on the virtual screen, and Astrid could see immediately that some of the tension was gone from his expression. He looked more relaxed, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

"I take it things went well?" he asked, a warm smile spreading across his face.

Wulfric grinned, a real and easy smile that reached his eyes. "Yes. We talked, and it went much better than I expected."

"That’s really good to hear. I’m happy for you," Astrid said in a warm and sincere voice.

Wulfric’s expression softened. "It’s all thanks to you. Thank you for encouraging me to talk to Cyn."

Astrid shook his head gently. "No, what is there to thank me for? It went well because your own words reached your brother. That was all you."

"Still," Wulfric insisted earnestly. "A part of it was because of you."

Astrid only smiled helplessly because he knew that even if he said no, Wulfric would keep insisting that he had a big part in his reconciliation with the Emperor. So, he asked instead, "How did your conversation go, anyway?"

"I just... talked to him. Really talked. I told him I was sorry and that I meant it. I think he could tell," Wulfric said in a relieved voice mixed with something almost like wonder. "And he opened up to me as well. We said things we should have said years ago. We forgave each other. We even hugged, can you believe that?" He let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "And the weirdest part? I think I gave him some decent advice about his love life. Me, giving love advice. Who would have thought, right? I know it sounds crazy."

Astrid listened, and he could tell from Wulfric’s tone that he had truly enjoyed his conversation with the Emperor. Once again, he felt genuinely happy for him. He let out a soft chuckle when he heard Wulfric’s last comment.

"Well, you do have some experience now," he commented.

Wulfric paused, as if the words had reminded him of something. Then, he looked at Astrid. No, it was more like he stared at him with an intensity that felt almost hungry.

"Yeah," he said, his voice dropping to a low, warm rumble. "We did just kiss, didn’t we?"

Astrid blinked, feeling a little thrown off guard by the sudden mention of the kiss. But he quickly got over his surprise and then acted like he did not know what Wulfric was talking about.

"Really? Did that happen?"

Wulfric played along and acted shocked. He clutched a hand to his chest as if he had been wounded. "How can you play with my heart like this, Aster? I can’t believe you are actually such a player."

Astrid laughed a little. "Okay, fine, we kissed. But does it still count if it happened inside StarNet?"

Wulfric looked affronted, but this time, it was clear he was not acting. "Of course it counts! The sensation we felt might have been just a fraction of what we could have felt if it happened in reality, but that does not mean it did not happen. But if you are still unsure, we can always do a repeat of it in reality."

Astrid watched as the playful glint in Wulfric’s eyes shifted into something far more intense. His gaze locked onto Astrid, and for a moment, it felt less like a look and more like a claim. There was a dark, hungry focus in Wulfric’s expression that made the air between them feel charged despite the distance that separated them.

He subconsciously swallowed, a sudden heat warming his skin. Then he found himself speaking in a voice that was barely above a whisper, "You’re always welcome to try it."

Through the virtual screen, Wulfric’s golden eyes held Astrid’s dark ones with an unwavering intensity. The playful energy from before had melted into something much heavier, a silent understanding passing between them that needed no words. Astrid could feel his own pulse quicken under that steady, penetrating gaze.

"I believe I will," Wulfric said, his voice dropping into a low, confident tone that was more a promise than a statement, a sexy grin spreading across his face.

Astrid’s heart gave a sudden, hard thump in his chest, skipping a beat entirely at Wulfric’s tone and the look on his face. He could feel a faint warmth spread across his cheeks.

Oh boy.

***

Inside the imperial palace, Cynric had just finished his dinner and taken his bath. But now that all of that was done, he no longer had any excuse to put off what he knew he had to do.

He sat down on the edge of his too large bed and opened his Terminal. He knew he should call Valentine now and tell him that they should not meet for a month. Yes, he was planning to do what Wulfric had suggested. He wanted to see what he would truly feel in Valentine’s absence. He still was not sure if this would give him the clarity he needed, but he felt like the answer he had been searching for about his feelings for Valentine might finally become clear after this.

Cynric took a deep breath and dialed Valentine’s number before he could lose his nerve and change his mind.