The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

WULFRIC paused in his steps when he saw his brother standing in his office. It was only a few seconds but he managed to get over it quickly and walked forward. 

"Why are you here?" he asked.

"I'm happy to see you too," Cynric replied with a bit of sarcasm. 

"You know what I mean," Wulfric said. "You don't usually see me even if I was about to leave the capital."

"Yes, I won't usually do this. But what can I do? I'm just too curious about what you did yesterday," Cynric said with a teasing smile.

Wulfric's brows furrowed. He should have known that something like this would happen when he received that message from the other yesterday. "Did you have someone investigate what I did yesterday?"

"Please, I'm not that bored," Cynric said. "Although I did ask someone to check who you are with. After all, I can't have my little brother just associate with some random people, right?"

Wulfric frowned, the annoyance on his face could be clearly seen. "Since when did you care who I associate with?"

"I care if it had something to do with your future partner. Especially since it's also related to the future of the Empire."

"My relationship with him has nothing to do with the Empire," Wulfric said through gritted teeth. "Don't try to investigate him."

He was worried that in his brother's investigation, the other would find out about Aster's parents. If Hildred's guess was correct, Aster's mother was the presumed dead daughter of Duke Grimaldi and his father was a criminal wanted by the Empire. If their identities were revealed, it would only bring endless trouble to Aster. 

That incident 20 years ago was still a sensitive topic among the nobles and it caused a huge rift between two bog noble families. Although the Lancasters started to decline after that because of the former emperor's push. They only recovered their prestige because they helped Cynric sit on that throne. 

That's why even if Cynric disliked that family, he was still obligated to side with them. The Lancasters only helped Cynric and yet it always seemed like the former was the one in control. It's something he had always hated. That's why he had tremendous dislike towards that family. 

Wulfric knew that the Lancasters must have something, like an information or the likes, that could force Cynric to favor them. He had already asked the other about it, even indirectly implying that he would take care of the Lancasters if he just gave a word. But Cynric didn't say anything. That didn't mean, Wulfric stopped investigating though.

But he only managed to do so when he was appointed as a general a few years back. Because it was only at that point that the force he managed to slowly built since he entered the army became stable. But even so, he still hadn't found any substantial evidence to prove his claim. 

Cynric was quite surprised by his younger brother's reaction. He thought that the other would vehemently deny that he went out yesterday with someone. Instead, Wulfric wanted him to stop investigating the other person. Wasn't this a direct admission that he was indeed interested in someone? 

The fact that Wulfric didn't want him to investigate could mean two things. He cared too much for this person or there was something about this person that he wanted to hide. 

Cynric stared at his brother and observed his expression. Sadly, he couldn't read anything. Aside from the fact that the other was very annoyed. But wasn't this good? At least, there's finally a development in his brother's love life. This meant that it would no longer be far before the other finally got a partner. Wasn't that what he had always wanted?

Once Wulfric married and had a family of his own, Cynric could finally pass the crown to his brother's eldest child. Then, he could finally be free. 

Free from all these shackles.

"Fine. I won't investigate him," he only said.

Cynric wasn't even planning to do that in the first place. He only investigated because he wanted to make sure that Wulfric did go out on a date yesterday. The identity of the other's date was just a bonus. 

He really didn't care who Wulfric would choose as a partner. His brother was not stupid enough to fall for someone with a bad character. Yes, the person might have flaws. But which human didn't have one? The important thing was that they weren't an outright evil person with no redeeming qualities. 

He was even more relieved when he saw the basic information of the person Wulfric went out with yesterday. An 18-year-old teenager studying at Redwood Academy and currently a newbie actor signed under Polaris. According to his student file, his family owned a farm. He was a top student and didn't have any criminal record.

Cynric wondered at first how could a young, ordinary person attract his brother's attention. But when he saw Astrid Townsend's picture, he kind of understood. With such a beautiful face, even a celibate would be tempted. 

Unexpectedly, his brother was still someone who gets attracted by a person's face. That's fine, really. At least it proved that Wulfric was still human. 

"But try to be more careful," Cynric added. "If it's just me, of course, I wouldn't mind if you choose Astrid Townsend as your legal partner. But others will certainly make a fuss about it. If the two of you are just at the beginning stage of your relationship, it's better to keep a tight lid on it. You don't want your enemies to use him as a dagger to threaten you, am I right?"

Wulfric was stunned when he heard that last part. Yes, he should be more careful from now on. Thankfully, Cynric reminded him of that. He couldn't put Aster in that kind of danger. 

"Thank you, Cyn, for the reminder."

This time, it was Cynric's turn to be stunned. Did Wulfric really just say 'thank you' to him?  He chuckled. It seemed that kid – Astrid – managed to do something impossible.

He tamed a beast.