The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 261 UNMASKING

Astrid stared at the other. He did remember asking Wulfric in a roundabout way whether he had [Cyberspace] account last time by asking him what account name he was using. 

He asked him that because of his off-hand comment about him having fans. The other directly denied it and said that he only knew about it because of Hildred. Like he just inadvertently saw it from his captain’s account.

”Hmm, so, did you also found out what happened from Captain Hildred?” he asked in an innocent manner.

Wulfric cleared his throat. “Yes. Hil loves to browse [Cyberspace]. It’s his hobby. That’s why when he read that article, he quickly informed me about it.”

Astrid stared at the other’s face. That’s actually a very sound reasoning. If he hadn’t noticed the way Wulfric’s gaze dodged while he was speaking, he might even believe it. 

The last time, when he asked this question and the other gave the same answer, he didn’t think too much. After all, at that time, he hardly believed this guy could have a [Cyberspace] account. But now it’s not the same situation.

Wulfric rushed over here, still in his military uniform, the moment he found out about what happened to him today. Although his reasoning about Hildred telling him about it was pretty believable, the way he said it was the complete opposite of the word. What was that idiom, ‘fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me’. 

”I’m sorry if I asked something I had already asked,” he said. “It’s just that I suddenly remembered this one fan. Their name was White Wolf. I’m not sure if their a male or a female. But with such a name, I couldn’t help but be reminded of you. That’s why I couldn’t help but ask you whether you have a [Cyberspace] account. Of course, I never thought that it’s you. It’s definitely just a coincidence, right?”

Wulfric coughed, covering his lips with his fist. Looking to the side. He was glad that he wasn’t drinking tea at that moment when Aster mentioned ‘White Wolf’. He might have choked in it if he did. Then, he would appear more suspicious. 

He couldn’t let Aster find out that he was ‘White Wolf’. Just thinking of all the things he had posted since making that account, he’d rather buried himself in the ground than admit it was him. The fact that Aster could remember his handle name meant that he left quite the impression. 

If he knew that ‘White Wolf’ and him were one and the same, it would be so embarrassing. How could he still face Aster after that? What if the other thought that he was some kind of creepy stalker who had a hobby of hiding himself online? He absolutely couldn’t let Aster know.

While Wulfric was fretting on his seat, Astrid was observing his every expression. With just a minute, he could already tell the truth. He picked up his cup and drank a sip, hiding the smile that curved his lips. 

Well, well. Hello there Mr. White Wolf.

This was really quite the discovery and quite the surprise if he might add. Thinking of the comments posted by White Wolf, handle name @astridsnumber1fan, he really couldn’t imagine him being Wulfric. 

But the other being ‘White Wolf’ could finally explain a lot of things. Why the other could quickly get evidence to clear his name during that debacle this past weekend. Even giving complete evidence to Ellis. 

He had suspected that it could be him, of course. But his common sense just didn’t allow him to. After all, this was the prince of their Empire. Yet lo and behold, his discovery suggested otherwise.

Astrid put down his cup on the table. He didn’t have any plans to ‘unmask’ Wulfric. At least not now. 

If he did say it, he was sure that the other would stop posting as ‘White Wolf’. For now, he didn’t really want that. He wanted to see more from this online persona. It’s probably unfair to Wulfric, but the other would probably prefer it this way. Because with him thinking that he still didn’t know anything, he could be freer in expressing himself online.

And this would also exempt Wulfric of embarrassment. With how this guy was, he might think this extremely humiliating. Which would then make things awkward for the both of them. Something that he really didn’t want to happen. 

Another thing, if he could read what Wulfric thought, Astrid wouldn’t think of this discovery as creepy at all. In fact, he found it quite, well, adorable. In that Wulfric kind of way. Just imagining him typing all those comments with an annoyed expression could easily put a smile on Astrid’s face. It’s just so uncharacteristically not him.

But this also showed that the other considered him as somewhat special. At least, much special than a normal friend. 

This was not just him being narcissistic and full of himself. Considering Wulfric’s character, there’s no way he would have done such things if he only thought of Astrid as a simple acquaintance. 

Surprisingly enough, Astrid didn’t dislike that thought. If he discovered this when they first met, he might have a very negative reaction towards it. But since the two of them had made considerable improvement in their relationship, he didn’t mind the possibility that Wulfric might think of him as more than a friend.

Of course, this didn’t mean that he would immediately reciprocate. Although he no longer carried any animosity towards Wulfric and he did find him adorable from time to time, that’s barely an indication of anything.

Well, he guessed time would tell.

If Wulfric’s ‘special’ feelings evolved to something more, then it was up to the other whether he could change Astrid’s own feelings to match his. And he’d be waiting. Who knows, maybe Wulfric could surprise him.

For now, it’s probably better to change the subject.

”By the way, I will appear in an episode of a web drama this weekend. If you have free time, maybe you can watch it?”