"I love him, and he is my friend."

The two families sat at the dining table, where the dishes varied, but the quality remained the same—it was clear that Vitus's mother was a skilled cook.

Aurelius's mother smiled and said, "You are truly talented, madam! I wish you could teach me, as I am not very good in the kitchen. In fact, I only know fashion design."

Vitus's mother beamed with joy and replied, "Of course! And I think we have something in common—I also embroider my family's clothes by hand."

Aurelius's mother laughed and said, "Oh no, madam, it's different. I used to work internationally as a well-known fashion designer in a foreign country. But I decided to leave my job for a while to focus on raising Aurelius properly."

Aurelius's father added, "It's a great sacrifice, my dear." Then he turned to Vitus's parents and said, "You know, fashion changes quickly, and being absent even for a day can make a huge impact. Everyone knows my wife as a prominent name in the world of fashion and beauty, but she chose to step away for years to raise our dear Aurelius."

Vitus's parents did not fully understand the nature of her work, but Vitus himself seemed interested—not in the glamorous woman's career, but in how she spoke.

Aurelius's mother looked at her husband, laughing, and said, "But my dear, you're the complete opposite of me! Look at yourself, always traveling to find the Ord Stone. Don't you think that affects Aurelius?"

Her husband chuckled and replied, "My dear, if I find the stone, the one who will benefit the most is Aurelius. You know that."

Vitus stared at the couple in awe, a mix of admiration and astonishment. Despite their differences, their conversations never turned into arguments. His own parents, who only seemed to agree when being harsh with him, remained silent, listening to the engaging and pleasant conversation.

Meanwhile, Aurelius ate happily, focused on the delicious flavors, listening to his parents but not looking at them directly. Once his parents finished speaking, he said eagerly, "Auntie, please teach my mother! I loved your food!"

The woman's face lit up with joy, as if it was the first time she had ever received such a compliment. She said, "Of course! And I hope, my dear, that you befriend my son Vitus. He's a kind boy, not as he seems. Please, don't be afraid of him."

Vitus's father interjected, "My son Vitus, despite his ugliness, is kind and loyal. Try befriending him—you might like spending time with him."

Aurelius's parents were shocked by the way they spoke about their son, while Vitus lowered his gaze, playing with the edge of his shirt, avoiding eye contact with everyone.

Aurelius's mother was about to scold them for their words, but Aurelius's father held her hand, signaling her to remain silent.

But Aurelius did not understand that—or perhaps he didn't want to. He suddenly slammed his hands on the table, startling everyone, and shouted, "Sir, I don't understand why you say such things about Vitus! He's amazing, and I won't accept hearing this about him!"

Vitus's mother tried to calm him down and thank him for his kindness, but Aurelius looked straight into her eyes and declared, "I am the one who needs Vitus's friendship—I don't expect gratitude for it. You don't realize how valuable he is! My father, my mother, sir, this morning, Vitus saved my life from a terrifying snake! He's hardworking, strong, and incredible. I like him a lot!"

Aurelius's words struck Vitus like lightning. His eyes shone with happiness and gratitude.

Then, with teary eyes, he looked at Aurelius and whispered, "Thank you..."

Aurelius's father smiled and said, "Amazing, Aurelius! You got your first school friend before even starting!"