The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

HILDRED looked at his Terminal, wondering what had suddenly gotten into Wulf.  But as an obedient member of Fenris Squad, he still did as he was told.  He called the manager of the club and requested the list of guests today and the reason why they were here.  The manager knew that he was friends with the owner of the place that's why he didn't hesitate to adhere to his request.

It didn't take long before his Terminal received the information he requested.  He scanned the information with his eyes and he was surprised when he saw a particular name. 

Astrid Townsend.

Wasn't this too much of a big coincidence?

Now he knew why Wulf suddenly made that order.  He had probably seen Astrid Townsend here somewhere.  After all, their general was all in knots because of that teenager.  It didn't last though.  After he had watched that video of the teenager crying in fear and begging for his life, he was in a daze for a day.  And then after he was already back in his usual self. 

So, Hildred didn't think too much of it.  After all, Wulf's interest came and go.  He thought it was the same when it came to the teenager.  But now that he saw him, did his interest return?

Then he suddenly remembered that trending topic from before.  He had almost forgotten about that.  Remembering the look of the teenager on that clip and knowing what kind of situation the other was at that time, he couldn't help but smile.  This was going to be interesting.

"What's wrong?" a voice suddenly asked.

Hildred raised his head from where he was sitting and saw Edmund riding on a horse and stopping near him.  He was holding a cluster of grapes in one hand while the other was holding the reign of the horse.  A sparse of reddish-brown hair was already growing on his former bald head.  After another month, with the help of a fast hair-grower shampoo, it would definitely be back to its old normal length.

He actually considered convincing Edmund into keeping his bald head.  After all, it just made the other more adorable.  He was confident that he could talk him into it.  But then, he would miss running his fingers through his hair.  So, at the end, he decided not to do it.

"Where did you get the grapes?" he asked instead of answering Edmund'd question.

"There's a grape vine not so far from where we are.  I remembered you like this fruit so I picked a cluster," Edmund said.  Then, as if realizing that he just did something 'bad', his face suddenly filled with a worried expression.  "Oh no, do you think the owner will mind?  Should I return it?"

When Edmund said the first part, Hildred felt like his heart was just filled with sweetness.  But when the other said the latter, that sweetness almost evaporataed.

He stood up and snatch the grapes before jumping on his horse.  "You picked it up for me.  Why would you return it?"

Then he kicked the side of the horse, letting it to gallop forward. 

"Wait- Hil!" called Edmund.  When the other didn't respond, he had no choice but to follow.

Hildred bit on one grape.  [Sweet.]

----- 

Wulfric was feeling all antsy.  He was walking back and forth, waiting for Hildred's information to arrive.  He really wanted to know just what was Aster doing in this place.

But before he could receive a reply from Hildred, he first heard the sound of galloping horse hooves.  He raised his head and looked at the distance.  Just as he thought, he saw Hildred and Edmund coming to his direction.  When they reached him, they quickly jumped off from their horses. 

"The information?" he quickly asked Hildred.

Hildred raised one of his brows.  So excited?  He wanted to tease the other about it but decided not to.  At this state, Wulf might just kick him unceremoniously.  So, he also got straight to the point and didn't go around the bush.

"Astrid Townsend is here together with a filming crew that will shoot a music video here," he said.  "Aside from us, they're the only current guests of this place."

Edmund was surprised when he heard that name.  Was Hildred talking about that teenager from Delryria?  Looking at the general's expression, it seemed that that was definitely the case.  Wait- how come he's here?

A filming crew?  Wulfric's brows couldn't help but furrow.  What was Aster doing with a group like that?  Did he and his brother go here at the capital just to work with some filming crew? 

Both of them were only teenagers.  It would be much more believable if they went to the capital to continue their studies.  No, that's not only believable, it's probably most likely the case.  How come he didn't think of that immediately?  It's like the moment he saw Aster, his brain was just suddenly surrounded by a dark fog and he simply couldn't think properly.  Really, just what kind of black magic that kid put on him?

No, the real question here was, and the more important one, what were they doing with a filming crew?  The only possible answer he could think of was that the two were doing part time jobs.

That thought made his brows furrowed even further. 

Even if he had no interest in the entertainment industry, he knew how chaotic that industry was.  A lot of nobles dipped their feet at the dirty water of that industry.  Not only them but also wealthy businessmen and the likes.  It's like a breeding ground of sin. 

Did those two know that or they just didn't care as long as they could earn money?     

With Aster's appearance, he would definitely be targeted by people with bad intentions.  What if someone with power and influence decided that he must have him?  Just thinking of that and his insides were already boiling in anger.  A powerful killing intent emerged from his body.  He already wanted to decimate whoever that person was.

"General, c-calm down," Edmund said, feeling the chills behind his back.  Just how did their general suddenly become angry for no reason?

Hildred was not as ignorant as Edmund and he quickly understood some things.  So, he suggested, "Why don't we go and watch their filming?"