The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

ASTRID was very satisfied with the movie they watched. Since the genre was drama/tragedy, it really showcased Valentine Davis' talent. Watching the other made him even more determined. He believed that having a goal that one wanted to surpass would make a person grow more. 

Valentine Davis was not simply a challenge to him. The other was also someone he needed to surpass to get to the top. It's much better to have a worthy opponent that could inspire him to do his best than to not have one at all. 

"What do you think of the movie?" he asked Wulfric.

When he didn't get an immediate reply, he glanced back at the other and was a bit surprised to see the frowning expression on his face. It seemed as if Wulfric was in deep thought. Because he was so engrossed by the movie, he hardly paid attention to the other. Was there some kind of problem he didn't know about?

"Are you okay, Wulf?" he asked. "Is there something wrong?"

That question brought Wulfric back to his senses. He tried to smile and say, "Nothing. I just suddenly thought of something."

"Something related to Valentine Davis?"

When Astrid saw the other stiffened the moment he mentioned 'Valentine Davis', he knew that he must have hit the nail on the head. He narrowed his eyes at the other. 

"Do you know him personally?" he added, carefully observing the other's expression.

Seeing Aster looking at him as if he was under x-ray vision, he suddenly had an urge to confess everything. But he quickly held himself back. This was something related to his brother. 

"I don't know him personally. But I know of him," he said, but he still felt like he needed to explain some more lest Aster misunderstood him. So, he added, "He's kind of, well, entangled with someone I know. So, my mind just wandered a bit after watching his movie."

Entangled with someone? Could it be another soldier or perhaps a noble? – Astrid thought. He was more inclined to the former. Because Wulfric just wasn't the type to be close with other nobles. He's like a rebel prince who refused to conform to what society expected of him. So, the guess that it was a soldier was more viable.

If it was a soldier, it's definitely one of the captains or that lieutenant. Then, according to what Wulfric said, Valentine Davis actually had a relationship with one of those four. He couldn't believe that he would actually hear such a gold level gossip from Wulfric. Any paparazzi would probably set up a banquet just by knowing this piece of information.

And this guy just told it to him like it was nothing. He smiled a bit helplessly. He understood that it was probably because the other didn't want him to misunderstand anything. That's why he revealed something as close to the truth as he possibly could.

"Such things, it's alright if you don't tell me about it. If you said that it's something personal, I will definitely understand it and would no longer press you about it," he said. "What will you do if I spread this information around?"

"I dare tell you because I know you wouldn't," Wulfric said in a tone of absolute certainty. 

Astrid smiled. "Thank you for your confidence in me. Still, you shouldn't easily tell people about personal things like this. Who knew if there are other people listening in?"

"Don't worry, I'm pretty sure no one heard what I said just now."

Astrid shook his head when he heard that. Because that's hardly the point. But he knew that if continued this topic, their debate would just continue and would definitely head to nowhere. 

He stretched his arm and pinched the other's cheek. "Stubborn."

Wulfric was startled. Before he could react the touch of Aster's fingers on his cheek had already disappeared. 

"Shall we have dinner next?" Aster asked, turning around and smiling at him. 

"O-okay." Wulfric cleared his throat. "I know a place. This time, I promise it won't go wrong just like what happened this morning."

Astrid chuckled at that. "It's fine even if it goes wrong. We can always have a second option."

-----

Wulfric brought Aster to Lake Cassidy. There was a famous floating restaurant there. They offered boat rides to their customers. The customers could have dinner at the boats. 

The day he invited Aster out and the other agreed, he had already reserved the whole place. He also checked a few hours ago to make sure that the restaurant didn't inexplicably close tonight. Thankfully, it didn't.

So, now, they're here. 

Astrid glanced at the restaurant floating on the lake. It had four floors with the one at the bottom being the biggest and the one at the top being the smallest. Much similar to the architecture of a Japanese castle. 

There was a bridge connecting the castle to the shore. Standing before the bridge was a man in a suite. 

"Mr. Wolf, I presume?" the maître 'd of the restaurant, who quickly welcomed them, asked.

"Correct," Wulfric answered.

"Follow me, please," the maître 'd said, gesturing for them to follow.

Wulfric and Astrid followed the other towards a boat anchored on the side of the shore. It was quite big, unlike ordinary boats. It had a table and a pair of chairs. The design was also quite intricate and delicate. 

"Once the two guests go onboard, the boat will automatically send you to the middle of the lake. So, the two can fully enjoy the beauty of Lake Cassidy. You can enter the dishes you wanted at the virtual menu provided for you inside," the maître said. "Please."

The other made a welcome gesture. Wulfric entered the boat first. Once inside, he raised his hand towards Astrid. 

Astrid smiled when he saw this. He put his hand on Wulfric's palm and he jumped to the boat. Because of his sudden action, the boat swayed. Wulfric's first reaction was to hold Astrid's waist and steady him. Astrid wasn't startled and instead smiled at Wulfric.

"Thank you, my prince."