His mother mirrored his father's confusion, her eyes narrowing in disbelief. She crossed her arms tightly, her whole body rigid with tension. Her jaw set, and her lips pressed into a thin, hard line. She took a deep breath, as if trying to steady herself, but her posture remained stiff and unyielding.
The atmosphere was charged with their unspoken disapproval. Neither of them spoke, but the silence was heavy with their anger and confusion.
Astrid could feel the weight of their stares through the screen. He had expected this kind of reaction, but seeing it firsthand was still nerve-wracking. He wondered how he would even proceed with telling them about his relationship with Wulfric if this was already their reaction to just ntioning his na.
"May I ask why the na of the prince suddenly appeared in this conversation?" his mother asked in a very calm voice that it's almost scary.
Astrid took a deep breath. Answering that question felt more challenging than any audition he had ever faced. But he had to. This conversation wouldn't progress unless he revealed the full truth about why Wulfric was willing to help them.
"It all began when we t by coincidence almost half a year ago," Astrid began, his voice steady despite the tension.
Then he began to recount everything that had happened. He described how they t again during the music video shoot, how Wulfric apologized for their initial encounter, and how he had accepted the apology. He detailed how they beca friends, how their bond grew stronger over ti, and finally, how Wulfric confessed his feelings for him. Astrid didn't leave out a single detail.
As he finished his story, he anxiously studied his parents' faces on the virtual screen.
His father's expression hardened, the initial confusion now replaced by a mix of anger and disbelief. His eyes narrowed, and his lips pressed into a thin, disapproving line. It was clear that he was struggling to process the idea that this "lunatic prince" had not only befriended his son, but had also fallen in love with him.
His mother's reaction was equally intense. Her face was a storm of emotions—shock, anger, and a deep-seated mistrust. She shook her head slowly, as if refusing to believe what she had just heard. Her arms remained tightly crossed, her body language screaming how much she's rejecting this idea.
The silence that followed was deafening, filled with their unspoken objections and the weight of their worst impressions of Wulfric. Astrid could feel the intensity of their disapproval through the screen, and it made his heart pound with anxiety.
He had already expected that it wouldn't be easy. But seeing his parents struggle to hold back their anger, knowing that he was the only person they could direct it at right now, was even harder than he anticipated.
The first to break the silence was his father. "No, absolutely not. I don't approve of this!" His voice was firm, but it trembled with barely contained anger. "There's no need to get help from that... that... prince!
If he offered to help, and if he's in love with you, what if he expects sothing in return? What if he forces you to be with him? No! I won't allow that to happen!"
His face flushed with emotion, his fists clenched as he struggled to keep his composure, the fear and protective instinct for his son clearly evident in his eyes.
"Dad, Wulf--"
"Wulf? You're even on a nickna basis?!" his father exclaid, his voice rising sharply.
"Okay. Gage, calm down a bit," his mother cut off what his father was about to say further.
"Emmy--"
A single look from his mother made his father quickly close his mouth. Then she turned to Astrid.
"Were you about to say that the prince isn't doing this for sothing in return?"
Astrid nodded. "I swear, Wulf won't do sothing like that."
His father scoffed at that comnt.
"How can you be so sure?" his mother asked, her tone filled with skepticism and concern.
Astrid took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. "Because I've seen who he really is, beyond all the rumors and the stories. He cares about , genuinely."
His mother shook her head slowly, still not convinced. "But Astrid, people don't change overnight. How do you know he's not just manipulating you? How can you trust him?"
Astrid's gaze was steady as he replied, "He didn't exactly change overnight. It was more gradual. And, not to sound narcissistic, but most of the change he has experienced over the past few months is because of . With others, he can still be the sa difficult person, but when it cos to , he is incredibly understanding and patient. He can be thoughtful, kind, and even sweet.
So, I know, fundantally, he's not the monster everyone makes him out to be."
"Have you considered that he's just showing you what you want to see to gain your trust?" his mother asked.
"Mom, you've talked to him. You know he's not capable of pretending like that. It wouldn't work on , especially. Acting is my job—I can tell when soone is putting on an act," Astrid said. "I know it's hard to believe, but please, just give him a chance."
His father leaned back, his expression a mix of frustration and helplessness. "This is so much to take in."
"I know. But please, accept the help he's offering. At least, with his help, the current situation with the Grimaldis could be solved. Maybe this could even give everyone involved closure," Astrid said, his tone full of pleading. "Please, Mom, Dad."
His mother stared at him and then sighed. "Tell exactly what kind of help the prince is offering."
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