Anthom's Luna

Chapter 2

Aurora sat with her chin resting lightly on her knuckles, her elbow pressed against the side of her chair, a bored but deadly calm carved into her face. Serena’s voice echoed in the wide dining hall, her tone light but laced with her usual whines.

"Honestly, he doesn't even look at me. Do you know how frustrating that is? I'm his wife! Four years and he barely... I don't even know if I’m married or just a placeholder!"

Aurora didn’t respond. She didn’t need to. Her sharp, sarcastic tongue wasn’t meant for every moment—just the right ones. She sipped her drink slowly, letting the ice tap the rim of the glass, her silver-white hair falling in waves around her shoulder.

"He’s always gone," Serena continued, tilting her head dramatically at her mother. "Business this, business that. He doesn't touch me, doesn't talk to me, doesn't even sleep in the same room. What kind of man does that?"

"A smart one," Aurora muttered into her glass.

"What did you say?!" Serena shot back with a frown.

Aurora turned to her, an innocent smile curling her lips. "Oh, nothing. Just admiring the chandelier. It has more stability than some marriages."

Serena’s eyes widened in shock. Her mother gasped. Mr. Gava cleared his throat.

Before any more words could fly across the table, a loud bang shattered the mood—no, the entire wall. Anthom had stood up and fired his gun directly at the ceiling, leaving a neat, smoking hole above them. Dust and silence rained over the table.

Everyone froze.

Serena screamed, diving beneath the table. Her mother yelped, clutching her husband. Mr. Gava blinked in horror, his lips trembling as he tried to steady himself.

Aurora didn’t flinch. Her glass paused mid-air, then she smirked, lowering it slowly. "Hoho... At least this dinner’s not a complete waste of my makeup."

Across the table, a presence burned into her skin. She shifted her gaze slightly and saw him—the man they were trying to set her up with. Roland Marce, heir to the Marce Shipping Syndicate. His eyes watched her with something too eager, too strange. Lust? Madness? Possession? She couldn’t tell—and didn’t care to.

She turned fully to meet his stare, then smiled.

Not a soft smile.

No, this one was terrifying.

The kind that promised ruin.

Roland’s face paled immediately.

Anthom, unfazed, dropped the gun on the table with a loud clatter and turned toward Mr. Gava, his voice cool and slow.

"Why did you call me here? I told you I had important work. Did you call me to listen to your family drama, or what? Have I been too kind to you, Gava?"

Mr. Gava stood, his hands trembling. "Ahaha! No, no, son-in-law, it’s nothing like that. I just... I thought we could talk a little business—and family! You see, it's been four years. You and Serena… don’t you think it’s time to have kids? Hahaha..."

He laughed awkwardly, but his eyes screamed panic.

Anthom didn’t move. Didn’t blink. Just stared.

Then, finally, he looked up again.

"Tell me, Mr. Gava. Who is the most worthless person in this room, according to you?"

The room turned cold.

Mr. Gava blinked. "W-What do you mean...?"

Anthom’s voice dropped a note lower. "I’ll ask again. Who do you deem worthless in this room?"

"W-Worthless...? N-No one is worthless. Everyone matters in their own way," Mr. Gava replied quickly, putting on his most righteous tone.

Anthom leaned back.

"Are you playing smart with me?"

Mr. Gava stiffened. Sweat rolled down his temple. "The maids! It’s the maids, of course! Worthless, lazy, always slow! If you want, I can give them to you."

Anthom smiled. It was worse than any scowl.

Without warning, he picked the gun back up and fired.

Once.

Twice.

Two maids collapsed to the floor.

Screams broke out across the table. Serena’s mother fainted. Serena wet herself and collapsed to the ground, shaking. Roland fell out of his chair, crying openly.

But Aurora—Aurora sat up straighter.

Her throat was dry. She gulped.

Damn it... this guy isn’t to be messed with.

Anthom placed the gun back down, slowly.

Then looked at Serena, who was shivering on the floor.

"Child, with you, what’s your worth?"

Serena’s mouth trembled. No words came.

Just sobs.

And across the table, Aurora couldn’t help but grin.