The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Casey looked at Astrid in surprise. "You really made this? It's so delicious!"

"Thank you, and yes, I made it," Astrid answered.

Even Thomas made a comment. "You can be a professional pastry chef with this level of skill."

"That's right! If you had your own bakery, I'd be there every day buying everything," Casey exclaimed enthusiastically. "But what do you call this? There's something sweet inside. What is it?"

"They're called sesame balls," Astrid answered. "I used red-bean paste as fillings. But savory fillings can also be used, like ground meat."

"It's the first I heard of this kind of snack. Did you, perhaps, invent it?" Thomas asked, as he took another sesame ball from the plate.

"Oh no. I just found it in an old recipe book," Astrid said. He didn't dare take credit for this.

"Aster knows a lot of unknown recipes and they all tasted delicious. He isn't just skilled at making snacks; he's an all-around great cook," Reas remarked, his voice tinged with pride.

Casey didn't doubt what Reas said. If Aster could turn something as unusual-looking as that round dough into such a delicious treat, his cooking skills must truly be exceptional.

"Now, I suddenly want to eat your cooking."

Although he said it jokingly, deep down, he was completely serious. How amazing it would be to eat Astrid's cooking?

"Well, if you're not that busy, you can stay for lunch," Astrid said, not really thinking much of it.

Although he didn't mean anything by it, for Casey and Thomas, it was a huge deal. To get an invitation like this meant another chance to get closer to their nephews. So, how could they refuse it?

Casey was very excited. He wanted to quickly say 'yes'. After all, this chance might not come again so soon. But before he could, Tommy, sitting beside him, suddenly stood up.

Thomas was actually also very excited at the thought of eating his nephew's home-cooked meal. But to just agree here without saying anything was just too shameless. He hadn't even said what he really came here to say. Could he, in good conscience, really eat the food prepared by Astrid like that?

As soon as he stood up, he bowed deeply, almost creating a 90 degrees angle.

"I want to express my deepest apologies for my actions 21 years ago and for the things I should have done but didn't. I understand that any explanation may come across as an excuse, so I offer this apology with the utmost sincerity and humility. You're probably thinking that the one who should be receiving this apology is your mother, and I agree wholeheartedly.

"I plan to do just that once a chance present itself. But that didn't mean the two of you didn't deserve any apology. That's why I'm apologizing like this. There's no need for you to accept this apology or even forgive me. I simply hope for a chance—a chance to demonstrate that you can rely on the Grimaldi family.

"Even if you don't see us as family, that's okay. Just know that we're here now and we're here to stay. We'll provide you with all the support you need. Of course, we'll do our best to respect boundaries. We'll stay in our lane as long as that's what you want. But if you ever face danger or a problem that's too much to handle alone, we'll step in to help in any way we can."

After he said all he wanted to say, Thomas remained silent. But he didn't lift his head. He stayed in that pose, unmoving. Like a criminal waiting for judgment.

Casey was surprised to see Tommy like this. That's probably the longest speech the other had ever given. If Tommy hadn't apologized to him last night, he might have been left with his jaw hanging open right now.

He had never thought he would see the other like this. But even though Tommy's voice sounded like it didn't have any emotions in them, as someone who had grown up with him, Casey could tell that Tommy was very sincere. What he said truly came from the heart.

He glanced at their nephews, wondering if that sincerity had reached them. Despite his own anger towards Tommy and the duke, he still wished for them to have a relationship with the twins.

But when he did, he saw the twins looking at each other instead.

Unbeknownst to Casey, Astrid and Reas were doing some 'eye conversation'.

Astrid: Should we let him off the hook?

Reas: I don't really care, so you decide.

Astrid: Hmm... I'm still not keen on treating him like he's our uncle.

Reas: Who is? Just do what's comfortable.

Astrid: Then, let's just be civil.

After that silent conversation, which only lasted for a few seconds in reality, Astrid finally spoke;

"Please, lift your head, ahm, Uncle Thomas, can we call you that?"

Thomas lifted his head with a bit of force when he heard the other call him 'uncle'. Although he knew it probably didn't mean anything and it was just the other making things less formal, it still made him happy. If they wanted to let him be their uncle, in the familial sense of the word, they would call him 'Uncle Tommy' instead. Just like how they addressed Cassius as 'Uncle Casey'.

But this was fine. He wouldn't be any more greedy than this.

"Thank you," he could only say, his voice sounding hoarse.

"So, will you be staying for lunch?" Astrid asked instead.

"Yes, we will!" Casey quickly said before he was interrupted again.

"Ah, can I arrange for Nicol to be brought here, so he could join us?" Thomas suddenly asked.

Astrid smiled, clearly liking that suggestion. "Sure."