The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era [BL]

AFTER Astrid's successful night at the Silver Moon Awards, a lot of positive things had happened. For one, his followers on [Cyberspace] had reverted back to the numbers before the whole [Star List] debacle. In fact, it even slightly increased to more than 15 million.

Not only that, he also received a lot of interview invites. From magazines to interview programs and talk shows. There were also variety programs and guesting in currently airing TV series. But Ellis decided not to pick any of those and just chose one magazine and one interview program.

According to her, there was no need for that since he would be able to appear to a number of them once the promotion for [Serendipitous Summer] started. [The Great War] still had four episodes left before it ended, so there really wasn't a need for any TV show guesting.

Although there were a lot of magazines and talk show invitations, there was no need to appear in every single one of them. He just had to appear in the most reputable one. It didn't need to be the most popular, it just needed to have a good reputation amongst the public. Especially if he wanted to maintain his 'expensive yet approachable' image.

That might sound a bit... utilitarian. But that's just how things worked in this industry. Creating an image for the public. That didn't mean he's not treating his fans genuinely. He had worked long enough in the entertainment industry in his past life to know that not treating your fans right would just lead to the destruction of one's career.

After all, the support of fans was crucial for an artist's success.

Astrid was currently with Ellis. They were in the car on their way to the photoshoot location for the magazine [Vivique]. It's a fashion magazine that often collaborated with high-end brands. Featuring them, not only for the promoting the brand but also the people wearing them.

The photoshoot he would do today would be for the next month's issue. And it's a collaboration with EMMA. He would be wearing clothes for EMMA's Chrome Collection. It's the name of the new collection EMMA would be releasing next month. The red coat he wore in the Silver Moon Awards was part of it.

And yes, Ellis was finally able to reach a consensus with EMMA just two days ago. She negotiated to the best of her abilities, which ended with the addition of a lot of zeros in his bank account. Let's just say that it's almost ten times of what they paid him for the perfume campaign.

One might say that it's too much. But that pay was for a three-year ambassadorship. He was confident that his 'value' by next year would definitely not be the same as it was now. It would be much, much higher. So, there was no loss, even if they gave him that much money to be their ambassador.

Of course, there was an additional clause. That if his reputation suffered any setbacks, they would have to pay for the damages it would cause to the brand. Which was a natural course of action.

It's not a cause for worry though. Since he was confident that he could keep his reputation squeaky clean. It wasn't really that hard to do. As long as he didn't do something that's considered morally wrong, then it should be fine.

It wouldn't even matter if others create a scandal about him. Because that's just it - a made-up thing that could easily be proven as untrue. So, there was no need to worry about it.

Anyway, since he already had enough money, more than enough actually, he could probably start the renovation of his apartment. Before that, he had to talk about it with the building owner first.

He just hoped Wulfric wouldn't actually give the apartment rooms he needed for free. Knowing the other, it would certainly be possible for him to do exactly that. As the voice of reason between the two of them, he should prevent that from happening.

"I think we're here."

Ellis' voice pulled him from his own thoughts. When he heard what the other said, he instinctively glanced out of the window. There, at a distance, was a manor.

It stood proudly amidst vast open fields. Its exterior, crafted from warm-toned bricks, echoed a rustic charm that seamlessly blended with the surrounding countryside. Nestled against a backdrop of rolling hills, the manor emanated a serene and unassuming grandeur.

As there was no imposing gate, the landscape unfolded freely, allowing the manor to coexist harmoniously with the endless expanse of greenery. A gravel pathway led to the entrance, lined with age-old trees that swayed gently in the breeze. The manor's charm lay not only in its simplicity but also in the seamless integration with the natural beauty that enveloped it.

And this manor was one of the many that belonged to the Grimaldi family.

Yes, you heard that right. It's a place that was owned by the Grimaldis.

When the negotiation for this contract was done, he was told by Ellis that the location for the photoshoot would be on one of the manor's of Grimaldi family here in the capital star. It's located very far from the city center. Which could be considered a countryside in this era.

There's really nothing Astrid could do about it since it had already been decided. He should probably be grateful that it would take place in a Grimaldi manor, and not at their main mansion. At least he wouldn't have to meet the duke here.

Although they had met at that party, he still didn't feel comfortable around the other. How could he when he knew how the other had treated his mother? Unless something happened to change his mind, it would be difficult for him to be comfortable around the other.

Ellis stared at the manor at a distance and couldn't help but let out a whistle of admiration. "With that beautiful manor, this photoshoot will definitely turn out amazing."

Astrid returned his gaze back at the manor. "Yes, I do hope it would."