"BROTHER Aster! It's really pretty here!" Nicol called from the treehouse.
Astrid only offered a quiet smile and a wave from below. After the dishes were finally cleaned up, he casually suggested visiting the treehouse, a place he revealed to Nicol as his and Reas' secret hideout. That, of course, instantly sparked the kid's curiosity. And so, here they were.
The real reason behind Astrid's suggestion was to shift Nicol's focus elsewhere, giving him the opportunity to have a private conversation with Wulfric. It seemed Wulfric had picked up on his intention, as he casually instructed Slade to follow Nicol, pretending it was just to make sure the kid didn't get into any trouble.
"It looks like you've found a way into my parents' good graces," Astrid remarked, his voice low enough for only Wulfric to hear. He glanced over at him with a slight smile. "Well done."
