In recent years, Luna's dedication and honesty had kept her company almost trouble-free. She believed in running her business ethically, and her commitment to quality had won the trust of her clients and employees alike. Because of her values, she was never one to fear unforeseen issues—if you do no wrong, you have nothing to hide. But despite her careful management, a problem had finally surfaced.
Taking a measured sip of tea, Luna broke the silence. "There's been a problem with a shipment from the factory in Nauru County."
Anos, usually indifferent to business matters, was attentive now. "What kind of problem?" he asked, his concern genuine.
"It's a batch of our high-end garments," she explained. "They're supposed to have Elemental enhancements, but these ones... don't. They've lost their properties and are basically regular clothes. And given the price we charge, it's understandable that customers are unhappy."
These premium items were some of Luna's proudest products—clothing enhanced with Elements to keep wearers warm in winter, cool in summer, or give a slight speed boost during activities. Without these Elemental properties, they were just expensive, ordinary clothing.
"Do you think they didn't add the Elemental crystals?" Anos asked, his brow furrowing. Seeing Luna so burdened made him wish he'd been more involved. She had carried the weight of the company alone for too long.
Luna shook her head thoughtfully. "They should have. It's unlikely they'd make such a careless error. I suspect the issue lies with the crystals themselves. I've already asked the factory to investigate. If they can't resolve it, I'll have to go to Nauru County myself to handle it."
Typically, Luna would've rushed to the site at the first sign of trouble. But Anos had come to see her today, and she had chosen to stay. It was a small decision, yet it showed how important he was to her.
"If it comes to that, I'll go with you," Anos offered. "Or better yet, I can go and take care of it for you."
Luna's eyes widened, surprised. "You'd do that?" she asked with a slight smile.
Anos chuckled. "What? Don't think I'm capable? I am your favorite sibling, aren't I?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn
"Sure, sure," she said, shaking her head and rolling her eyes, clearly entertained by his cheeky response.
Just then, Anos heard a familiar chime in his mind: Ding... Sensing joy in your sister's heart, Scumbag Value +10,000.
Anos stifled a laugh at the strange notification. Reaching into his bag, he pulled out three small, glowing fruits and handed them to Luna. "Here, eat these. They'll help boost your energy—and maybe take some of the stress off."
Luna looked at the fruits with curiosity. She had no idea where Anos had managed to get hold of such rare items, but she didn't question it. If he wanted her to know, he'd tell her.
"Alright," she said softly, nodding as she accepted them. The appreciation in her gaze was unmistakable, and for the first time, Anos felt a real desire to step up—to help Luna shoulder the responsibilities she had carried for so long. Find adventures at empire
Over the past few days, Anos had collected a wealth of Scum Points—over 2 million, to be exact. He'd just exchanged a good portion of them for Experience Fruits, handing three to Luna. He could have given her more, but he wanted her to adjust to the gradual boost. The remaining fruits he kept for himself, knowing they'd push him to a new level.
Anos shrugged casually and stretched out his arm with a playful grin. "How about holding my arm on the way out? It'll make the walk back much more interesting."
Luna raised an eyebrow, caught between amusement and mild exasperation. "You're pushing your luck, you know that?" she replied with a faint smile. But she brushed off his offer with a gentle shake of her head, her cheeks tinged pink. "Maybe once we're away from the office. Besides," she added, glancing around the corridor, "you know I keep things professional here."
Anos chuckled, letting his arm drop. He knew Luna had a reputation for being collected and reserved, the "ice queen" of her company. While she was more relaxed around him, she still kept up that composed image in public.
They left the building and soon made their way back to Luna's apartment, where she opened the door and immediately paused, her eyes widening in surprise. "Wow, it's so warm and cozy in here... Did you turn on the heat?"
Anos, stepping in behind her, pointed toward the dining area with a grin. "Not quite. I set up a small thermostat near the table so the food would stay warm."
Luna's gaze traveled to the dining table, where a feast was laid out, every dish meticulously arranged. Plates piled high with vibrant, fresh ingredients filled the air with an array of rich, tantalizing aromas. Her eyes sparkled with surprise as she took in the scene, her face a mix of curiosity and delight.
"You..." she began softly, her gaze lingering on him in amazement. She opened her mouth to say more, but only a single word escaped her lips, as if she were at a loss for how to express her gratitude.
"Go ahead and wash up," Anos said with a gentle smile. "Dinner's ready, so let's dig in while it's still warm." He reached out, tapping her cheek with a playful touch.
Her cheeks flushed a light shade of pink as she gently brushed his hand away, her eyes still locked on the spread of dishes. "Did... did you really make all this?"
"Of course!" he replied proudly. "I got home early, picked up some fresh ingredients, and put in a little effort to surprise you. I figured it was time I show you just how good I am in the kitchen."
Luna gave him a skeptical look, though it was clear she was impressed. She inspected the dishes with a touch of amazement, noting how each one looked as if it had been crafted by a professional chef. "Since when did you become such a culinary expert?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and a hint of admiration.
Anos chuckled and gestured for her to take a seat. "Sit down and find out. You can critique my skills after you've tasted everything."
As Luna settled into her seat, she couldn't help but marvel at the detail in each dish. The appetizers were colorful and artfully plated, while the main course featured her favorite flavors, perfectly balanced and aromatic. She took a small bite, her eyes widening as she tasted the first forkful.
"This is... delicious," she murmured, almost in disbelief. "It's really, really good, Anos."
Anos beamed, watching her reaction with satisfaction. "Glad you like it. I guess all that practice has finally paid off. I wanted you to come home to something special tonight."
As they continued eating, they talked about the day and laughed over small stories, the comfortable warmth between them filling the room. For once, Luna allowed herself to let go of her usual poise, savoring the meal and the moment.
....