Chapter 694 - 694: HIS ROOM AT THE GRIMALDI MANSION
ASTRID glanced around the room where Thomas had led him. The space blended timeless elegance with contemporary design. Its high ceilings were adorned with intricate moldings that hinted at its aristocratic roots. The walls were painted in a soft, neutral tone, accented by large windows framed with sleek, minimalist drapes that would probably let in natural light easily.
The furniture was a mix of classic and modern styles. A soft velvet sofa sat next to a glass coffee table, while a vintage chandelier hung above, its crystals sparkling in the light. Against one wall was a large, four-poster bed with a simple, clean-lined frame. The dark wood stood out against the crisp white sheets and soft, neutral blankets. The room felt elegant but not overdone, blending old-world charm with modern simplicity.
Astrid walked toward the window and brushed aside the drapes, looking up at the night sky. When he and Casey had arrived at the mansion earlier, Thomas was still awake, clearly waiting for them. Casey had suggested the three of them have a late-night drink, but Thomas had disagreed, pointing out that Astrid must be exhausted after the long day. Instead, he sent Casey to his room and then personally led Astrid to his.
Thomas explained that this room and the one next to it had been redecorated specifically for Astrid and Reas to use whenever they visited the mansion. The rooms were theirs, and once they felt comfortable, they could consider the mansion a second home.
The way Thomas spoke was very measured, like he was still figuring out how to navigate this new dynamic. There was a slight awkwardness in his words. It was clear he was trying—to connect, to make Astrid feel welcome, to close the gap that years apart had created. He could see the effort, the genuine desire to get closer, not just to him but to Reas too.
It would likely take time before Astrid and Reas could truly feel at ease around Thomas—and their grandfather, for that matter. But at least everyone was making an effort, trying their best to create a genuine connection. That was a start, and for now, it was enough.
Astrid walked to the bathroom. Thomas had told him it was fully stocked with clean towels, bathrobes, and toiletries. The closet was also filled with clothes—sleepwear for the night and outfits for the next day. Everything he might need had already been prepared.
He stepped into the bathroom, immediately struck by its clean, luxurious design. The walls were lined with smooth marble, and a large, freestanding bathtub sat in the center, surrounded by sleek fixtures. To one side was a spacious glass shower, and opposite it, a discreet door that would probably lead to the toilet. The double vanity was topped with polished stone, and modern touches like minimalist lighting and clean lines gave the space a balanced, functional feel.
Astrid decided to take a bath instead of a shower because he wanted to relax after the long day he had. He walked over to the bathtub. On the side of the tub was a small control panel with options to set the water temperature and even add scents to the bath.
He tapped the screen, adjusting the temperature to his liking, then paused when it came to selecting a scent. One option caught his attention—sandalwood. It was a warm and earthy scent that felt both grounding and masculine. For a moment, he hesitated, his finger hovering over the panel. It’s because the aroma reminded him of a certain someone with white hair and golden eyes. Choosing it almost felt like he wanted to smell the same as the other.
The thought made him smile faintly. Yes, it wasn’t just Wulfric who remembered a scent—Astrid did, too. Though, unlike Wulfric, it wasn’t something that had left a deep impression on him. The jasmine flowers earlier had stirred the memory of it, bringing back the way Wulfric’s sandalwood scent had lingered in his mind. It wasn’t something he thought about often, but for some reason, he couldn’t push it aside at this moment.
Finally, he no longer stopped himself and just selected it, letting the scent infuse into the water as the tub began to fill.
Astrid quickly undressed and stepped into the tub, sinking into the warm water. The heat immediately began to ease the tension in his muscles, the sandalwood scent wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. He leaned back, letting the water cover him up to his shoulders, and closed his eyes. The stress of the day seemed to melt away with each passing second, the quiet of the room and the soothing warmth of the bath creating a perfect moment of calm. For the first time that night, he felt truly relaxed.
Then he suddenly remembered there was something he wanted to ask Wulfric. But since he was already in the tub, relaxed and half-submerged in the warm water, he figured it could wait until later. As he sank deeper into the bath, a mischievous idea popped into his head.
—–
After about 30 minutes of soaking, Astrid finally got out of the tub, feeling like the fatigue in his body had been completely washed away. He dried off and wrapped himself in a soft bathrobe before heading to the closet. When he opened it, he was surprised to find it wasn’t just a regular closet—it was a walk-in one, spacious and neatly organized.
He didn’t have time to explore the walk-in closet fully, so he quickly picked out a comfortable pair of cotton pajamas. After getting dressed, he sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled out his Terminal, calling Wulfric.
The call connected almost immediately, and Wulfric’s handsome face appeared on the screen. His excitement was obvious in his expression.
“Aster!” Wulfric greeted, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. “Are you back from the after-party? Oh, and I watched the livestream of the show, by the way. You were incredible. If you weren’t an actor, you’d probably put all those models out of a job.”
Astrid blinked, then a soft laugh escaped his lips because of the barrage of compliments.
“Thanks,” he said, still smiling. “But I think the models are safe for now.”