The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era [BL]

So, with a trembling voice, he asked, "You... don't hate me?"

Astrid shook his head. "Why should I? You're as much a victim here as my mother. Besides, you were not even an adult yet when all that happened. It's natural for you to not know what was happening. Especially when you're intentionally kept in the dark.

If I hated you when you didn't do anything wrong, what would that make me? And as I've said, I quite like you."

When Casey heard Astrid's answer, he was finally convinced that what he heard the first time was not just his illusion. He blinked, and he felt something fell from his eyes down to his cheeks. When he raised his hand to his cheek, the wet feeling could be clearly felt.

He was crying.

Upon that realization, he quickly wiped away the tears that had already fallen. "Sorry, letting you see a grown man cry like this."

Astrid stared at Casey. The other person was wiping away tears that he likely hadn't even realized had fallen. Seeing him like that, Astrid felt a twinge in his heart. He suddenly remembered what his mother had said about Casey before. That the other was a sweet and soft-hearted kid. Two decades later, that probably still hadn't changed.

Astrid reached out his hand over the table and held Casey's hand that was placed there. "No need to apologize. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a grown man crying."

Casey finally couldn't help but chuckle hearing that. Then he looked at the fair, slender hand on top of his. He put his other hand on top of that hand.

"Thank you... for not hating me. No, for not hating any of us," he said, almost in a choked sob.

"There's no need to thank me for that," Astrid said as he took back his hand, but not before squeezing Casey's hand one last time. "And I still dislike the duke and Lord Thomas, by the way."

That made Casey laugh a little. "I hope Andreas will be as welcoming to me as you have been."

Astrid thought of his brother. He still hadn't told the other that he was meeting Casey today. But knowing Reas, he could already imagine what the other's reaction would be to this little uncle of theirs.

"Well, he probably wouldn't react negatively. Just don't expect warm hugs and kisses. My brother isn't too much into that stuff. And just call him Reas. He very much prefers that," he said, giving Casey some advice.

Casey nodded, remembering the tall young man he had met before. Andreas, or rather, Reas, definitely did not look the type who would enjoy that type of close contact. Or even this kind of emotional conversation. He might even think it's cringe. What if the other thought he was uncool or something?

No, his determination shouldn't weaken just because of that. The important thing now was to get closer to his two nephews. He would be the best uncle to them. Just like how he was with Nicol.

"Do you think he would agree to meet me tomorrow?" he asked tentatively, thinking how cadets of the military academy didn't have any class during weekends. "If not, I can meet him anytime he's ready."

"I'll tell him today. I'm sure he wouldn't mind meeting you tomorrow," Astrid said. "Just go to my apartment. But do try to be very stealthy about it. You know, we wouldn't want a scandal to circle around about a certain noble lord visiting the apartment of some rookie actor."

Although Astrid said that last part in a joking tone, Casey understood that the other was quite serious about it. Since they couldn't just announce to everyone that they were related, they wouldn't be able to give a viable reason why he would be visiting Astrid's apartment in case someone did manage to capture him on camera by doing just that.

Thinking that he couldn't even tell anyone about how he had nephews who were a talented actor, and a genius Mecha pilot, the anger in his heart surged once again.

This was all because of those damn Lancasters! Just when would they leave their family alone?

Then that anger quickly shifted to the duke. Instead of solving the problem, he was much more interested in tending their manors' gardens. He had two decades to do something, and yet he didn't. Did the other not even think of recognizing any possible children of Emmy in the future?

Casey felt his blood-pressure rising just thinking of that. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He didn't want to show an angry expression in front of Astrid.

He smiled and responded to what Astrid said earlier, "Of course I will not let anyone see me."

Astrid nodded. Then he suddenly remembered what his mother had told him when he called her earlier. About when if Casey asked to meet her. He thought that was the first thing Casey would ask him. But surprisingly, the other hadn't asked him any information about his mother. Casey hadn't even asked yet how his mother had been.

He looked meaningfully at the other. Maybe Casey was just being considerate, and he didn't want to put him in a difficult situation. After all, meeting him and Reas secretly was definitely not the same as meeting their mother. The other also definitely knew that, so he was trying his best not to bring her up.

He smiled inwardly at that. He no longer hesitated and just asked, "Uncle Casey, do you want to talk to Mom?"

Casey visibly froze when he asked that question. He obviously wanted to say 'yes', but he couldn't bring himself to. So Astrid decided to make things easier for the other.

"You can use my Terminal and video call her," he said. "I'm sure she'll be more than glad to see you."