CHAPTER TWO; A seat at the table
996 Words
The dining hall doors stood open.
Luna drew in a quiet breath before stepping inside.
The room was as grand as every other part of the Calipps estate. Sunlight poured through towering stained-glass windows, casting colorful reflections across the polished marble floor. A crystal chandelier sparkled overhead, while a dining table long enough to seat thirty stretched through the center of the room.
Only six seats were occupied.
Her siblings.
Their laughter echoed softly through the hall until one of them noticed her.
"Luna," Adrian called with a grin. "You finally decided to join us."
She smiled faintly before taking the empty chair beside him.
"I wasn't late."
"No," another brother teased. "You just enjoy making Father wait."
Everyone chuckled.
Everyone except Luna.
They all knew their father disliked waiting.
A servant silently poured tea into Luna's cup.
"Thank you," she said.
The young maid blinked in surprise before bowing her head.
"You... you're welcome, Miss."
Luna noticed Adrian watching her.
"You really should stop thanking the servants."
"Why?"
"They're only doing their job."
"They're still people."
Her brother simply shrugged.
Before Luna could respond—
The room fell silent.
Every servant immediately stepped back.
Every sibling straightened in their chair.
The atmosphere shifted so suddenly it felt as though the air itself had grown heavier.
Alexander Calipps entered.
He walked with calm confidence, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His silver hair was neatly combed back, and despite the streaks of age around his eyes, he carried himself with effortless authority.
He didn't need bodyguards inside his own home.
He didn't need to raise his voice.
His presence alone commanded attention.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Father," his children answered together.
Only after he sat did everyone else take their seats.
Alexander looked around the table before his icy blue eyes softened.
"My Little Moon."
He smiled at Luna.
"You look tired."
Luna forced a smile.
"I didn't sleep very well."
"The dream again?"
She hesitated.
"...Yes."
For the briefest moment, concern crossed his face.
"You should rest more."
"I'll be fine."
He nodded once before turning to the servants.
"Breakfast."
Within seconds, plates filled the table.
Fresh bread.
Fruit.
Tea.
Eggs.
Everything was served with military precision.
The only sounds were silverware against porcelain and quiet conversation.
Until Adrian folded his newspaper.
"The Whitmores refused again."
Another sibling laughed.
"They're brave."
"No," another corrected. "Just foolish."
Luna looked between them.
"Who are the Whitmores?"
"A family that owns land on the eastern border," Adrian explained. "Father wants it."
"We've offered them more money than they'll ever earn in their lifetime."
"And they still said no."
Luna frowned.
"Maybe they simply don't want to leave."
Several of her siblings exchanged amused glances.
One even laughed.
Alexander calmly stirred his tea.
"And if they never sell?" Luna asked.
The room became deathly quiet.
The grandfather clock in the corner ticked loudly.
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
Alexander placed his teacup onto its saucer.
"If they refuse," he said calmly, "they will eventually understand why refusing this family has never ended well."
His tone never changed.
It wasn't angry.
It wasn't threatening.
Yet every servant lowered their eyes.
A spoon suddenly slipped from a maid's trembling hands.
It struck the marble floor with a sharp clang.
The young woman immediately froze.
Her breathing became uneven.
"I'm... I'm so sorry, sir."
Luna instinctively started to rise.
"It was only an acc—"
"Leave it."
Alexander never looked at the spoon.
He simply continued eating.
The maid nodded so quickly tears filled her eyes.
"Y-Yes, sir."
No one moved.
The spoon remained exactly where it had fallen.
Not a single servant dared pick it up.
Luna slowly sat back down, confused.
Why was everyone so afraid?
Her father hadn't shouted.
He hadn't threatened anyone.
He'd only spoken two words.
Breakfast continued as though nothing had happened.
Yet the knot in Luna's stomach refused to disappear.
Nearly twenty minutes later, Alexander dabbed a napkin against his lips before standing.
"I have business to attend to."
Every servant bowed.
Every sibling stood.
Luna watched her father button his jacket.
"Will you be gone long?" she asked.
"I'm not sure."
He smiled warmly.
"Don't forget."
She tilted her head.
"The Ashcroft family joins us for dinner tomorrow."
Luna sighed inwardly.
"I remember."
Her father chuckled softly.
"I know arranged engagements aren't exciting."
A few of her siblings smirked.
"But one day," he continued, "you'll understand why they're necessary."
Luna merely nodded.
She had been promised to the Ashcroft heir since childhood.
She barely knew him.
It wasn't something she thought about often.
It was simply... expected.
As expected as breathing.
Alexander kissed the top of her head.
"My Little Moon."
Then he walked away.
Only after the massive doors closed behind him did the servants finally move.
One elderly butler hurried over and quietly picked up the forgotten spoon.
Almost instantly, conversation returned.
Laughter.
Relief.
Even the servants seemed able to breathe again.
Luna frowned.
Her eyes wandered toward the hallway outside the dining room.
Portraits of generations of Calipps lined the walls.
One after another.
Until...
There was an empty space.
Four brass hooks protruded from the wall where a large painting had clearly hung for many years.
The wallpaper behind it was lighter than the rest.
She stared.
"Clara."
The older maid approached.
"Yes, Miss?"
"What portrait used to hang there?"
For the first time since Luna had known her...
Clara hesitated.
Only for a heartbeat.
Then she lowered her eyes.
"I don't remember."
Luna looked at her.
"You've worked here since before I was born."
"...Some memories are better left forgotten."
Before Luna could ask another question, Clara quietly excused herself and disappeared down the corridor.
Luna turned back toward the empty wall.
For reasons she couldn't explain...
It felt as though something—or someone—had been erased from the Calipps family.
And deep inside, she couldn't shake the feeling that one day...
She would find out why.
- Writer
