Chapter 214 - STRETCHING MY LEGS

ASTRID couldn’t stop the amused smile that appeared on his lips.  “Is Your Highness inviting me to live on your planet?”

“That’s how it sounded, right?” Wulfric said, feeling the heat creeping up his nape and ears because of embarrassment.  “I’m- I’m actually just giving an example.  Yes, that was it.  An example.”

Astrid tried his best so he wouldn’t outright laugh or even chuckle.  It was obvious that the other had a problem with this place’s security.  Wulfric just probably wanted to say that at first.  But because of his prompting, the other ended up recommending his own planet as an alternative place to live.

Being a spontaneous response, that meant that Wulfric really meant what he said about letting him live on his planet.  Really, how could this supposedly crazy prince be this adorable?  A word that never in his life would think to associate to Wulfric. 

But there he was, like a kid who had no control over the things he was saying.  So, Astrid knew that what the other just said about living in his planet was what he really felt. 

“Alluna is not the best example though,” Reas suddenly said, interrupting the two.  “It’s on another galaxy, completely far from Redwood Academy where Aster is a student.  It would also be hard for him to pursue his acting career if he were to live somewhere far from the capital.”

Wulfric glanced at Reas, he didn’t know if he should continue to be embarrassed or just be annoyed.  He thought that would be the end of what the other had to say, but lo and behold there’s still more.

“Can you make way?  I can’t go inside with you blocking the doorway like this.”  As if realizing he’s being too rude, he added, “Sir.” 

Wulfric just felt like a vein on his forehead would pop any second now.  What’s the use of calling him ‘sir’ when he had already spoke disrespectfully?  It’s like punching someone for no reason and then saying sorry.

But surprisingly enough, he was already getting used to the other’s impolite speech.  He wasn’t even that mad.  If this was another person, he probably had already sent them flying.  He knew that most of the reason for this was because they were in Aster’s presence.  How could he get angry at this brat when Aster was here?

So, he simply walked inside to ‘make way’ for the other.

Astrid laughed inwardly after witnessing the interaction between the two.  Although Reas acted that way, he could tell that most of his brother’s negative feelings towards Wulfric had already subsided to a very acceptable level.  Wulfric also didn’t lash out at Reas.  So unlike when they first met him at Delryria.

That week-long training must have really done wonders. 

He no longer worried about that and just went straight to the kitchen to prepare lunch.  He wore the apron hanging on a wall rack and then took the ingredients he needed from the pantry.

Seeing this, Wulfric asked, “Do you need help?”

Astrid glanced back at the other.  “No, thank you.  Your Highness is our guest.  It’s impolite to let you help.  Just leave this to me.”

What else could Wulfric do but nod?  If he insisted that would only make him look like he was trying too hard.  Aster might even think that he was being obnoxious or something.  So, he simply sat down on one of the couches on the living room.  He specifically picked the couch where he could watch Aster while he’s cooking.

The other had already started cutting up vegetables.  His actions were natural, as if he had done it so many times.  And maybe he did.  Wulfric still remembered how delicious that dish he tasted when he trespassed at the Townsend home two months ago.  It was something new that he had never eaten before.  That was the first time he thought that a home-cooked meal could actually be so delicious.

He couldn’t wait to taste Aster’s food again.  In truth, that time, he actually considered kidnapping Aster to be his personal chef.  It’s a good thing that he had the foresight not to do it.  Or else, something like being invited here would probably never happen.  Aster would probably not even talk to him cordially.

Watching Aster like this, cooking and having this homely atmosphere around them, he felt a sense of… peace.  Something that hardly ever happened.  He wondered if this was how it would feel like if the two of them were to live together.  At that thought, somehow, this small apartment didn’t seem to be that small anymore.

Then suddenly, a cat’s face appeared in front of Wulfric.  He raised his head and saw Reas gazing down at him while holding a blue cat. 

“Do you like cats?” the teenager asked.  “Sir.”

Wulfric looked at the teenager’s face and he had a feeling that that’s not exactly what the other intended to say.  Just based on his expression, it’s more likely that he’s saying something along the lines of, ‘stop looking at my brother’.

He smiled while gritting his teeth.  He wanted to swat the AI cat away from his face but doing so would probably destroy it.  So, he held it in and just said, “I can’t say that I do.”

“Too bad,” Reas responded with not that much emotion, still standing in front of him.

“Are you going to just stand there?”

“I plan to stretch my legs and I like this spot, so, yes.”

Wulfric could feel that vein on his forehead popping again.  This brat, did he plan to raise his blood pressure while he’s here? 

“Reas, stop teasing His Highness,” Aster’s voice sounded from the kitchen.

Reas clicked his tongue.  “I’m not teasing you, Sir.  I’m simply stretching my legs.”

“Reas!” Aster called in a helpless voice.

Reas sighed and finally sat down to one of the couches.  With that, Wulfric could finally see Aster again.  The other was no longer chopping ingredients and was already putting some vegetables on some cooking utensil he didn’t know the name of.

And a delicious smell started to waft in the air.