Xanthia had become quite familiar with the sensation of holding Luciel’s hand. She couldn’t help but notice that Luciel’s palm was always warmer than her own, the heat offering a sense of comfort as they walked together.

  Luciel, raised in a pampered household where chores were nothing more than a distant concept, had hands as delicate as porcein. They were soft, almost ethereal, as though they belonged to someone rare and precious.

  In contrast, Luciel found Xanthia’s slender, graceful hand to be cool to the touch, carrying a faint fragrance that made the sensation of holding it feel like caressing smooth, fine fabric—something she found herself reluctant to ever let go of.

  Within their innocent friendship, Luciel often took on the more proactive role, doting on Xanthia with the affection of an older sister. After all, Xanthia’s delicate and endearing appearance made it impossible for anyone not to want to protect her, whether a brother or a sister.

  Luciel, on the other hand, exuded the aura of an older sister. Her figure was striking, with a maturity about her that turned heads, especially with her figure that seemed far more developed than most girls her age. She often showed affection for Xanthia in pyful ways, teasing her with gentle hugs and cheek rubs, indulging in small, endearing acts that Xanthia, ever the good sport, simply reveled in.

  Luciel’s vitality was unmistakable. With her bold beauty and piercing gaze, it was no wonder the boys considered her the “queen of the girls” or the “css beauty.”

  Despite this, Luciel’s slightly tanned complexion and more down-to-earth style left her with fewer admirers compared to the cool, aloof Elena La Loannou. Elena had a way of leaving the boys in a constant state of hope, toying with their affections as she led them on with her mysterious allure. She made them feel like they had a chance, even if they didn’t.

  As for Xanthia, she had gained a certain popurity among her cssmates. Many boys admired her from a distance, but none dared approach her. They respected her academic excellence too much, believing that a retionship might interfere with her studies.

  To the more self-assured boys, Xanthia appeared approachable—her warm smile and easygoing nature made her seem like someone easy to win over. But this was a misunderstanding. Xanthia didn’t offer attention because she was easy to charm; she simply enjoyed the company of others, whether boy or girl, as long as they could entertain her. Those who mistook her kindness for vulnerability soon found themselves caught in a game they were ill-prepared for.

  Like Elena, Xanthia was constantly seeking something. While Elena sought affection and attention, Xanthia sought challenges, finding enjoyment in antagonizing those who were foolish enough to cross her. Her “suffering points” became her strange source of amusement.

  At that moment, as Xanthia held Luciel’s hand, she spotted Luciel’s parents at the school gates.

  It was no surprise that Luciel’s parents were impressive. After all, they had raised someone as beautiful and confident as Luciel. Her father, Lucindo, carried a thermos of homemade food, his figure slightly rounded but still strong. His hair had yet to show any signs of thinning, and he held himself with an easy, quiet confidence. Luciel’s mother, Sariel, a professional hairdresser, had an effortless elegance about her, her appearance polished and welcoming.

  “Mom, Dad, this is Xanthia, my good friend!” Luciel beamed, proud to introduce her.

  Luciel had long considered meeting Xanthia at school one of the best decisions she had ever made. The friendship had been a source of joy and comfort. Xanthia had helped her with her studies, and learning about Xanthia’s difficult past had only deepened Luciel’s appreciation for her.

  Xanthia, ever confident in social situations, greeted them warmly with a bright, sweet smile. “Hello, Uncle, Auntie!”

  Her charm was undeniable—her voice soft and melodious, and her presence graceful. Lucindo, ever reserved, gave a polite smile and murmured a greeting, but Sariel’s face lit up immediately. “Hello! You’re absolutely adorable! Thank you so much for looking out for Lucy at school.”

  “Oh, no, no,” Xanthia waved it off with a pyful grin. “Luciel is the one who’s been taking care of me. She’s the one full of energy, bringing everyone together! She’s the ‘big sister’ of the girls!”

  Sariel smiled, already feeling at ease with the girl. She knew her daughter well, but there was something about Xanthia’s cheerful, bright personality that stood out. Despite everything Xanthia had been through, she carried herself with an optimism that Sariel admired deeply.

  “I think you’ve made a wonderful friend, Lucy,” Sariel said thoughtfully. “Someone like her… she’s got a strong heart. I can see it.”

  After exchanging a few more words, the group made their way to the cafeteria, where Luciel’s parents had prepared a home-cooked meal. Sariel had cooked everything herself, using fresh ingredients from their family’s fish pond. The spread was generous, reflecting the warmth and care they put into their family life.

  Lucindo, although quiet, was passionate about fishing, and Sariel often indulged his hobby. Their retionship was built on mutual respect, even if their interests didn’t always align.

  The meal was a hit. As they sat down, Lucindo id out the dishes, and Xanthia took a bite of the food, her compliments sincere and detailed. Sariel, whose cooking was often taken for granted by her family, was touched by the praise.

  “You’re a natural!” Sariel beamed. “Maybe you could teach me a few tricks sometime.”

  Xanthia’s bright demeanor and keen sense of hospitality made her easy to get along with. By the end of the meal, Sariel was practically glowing with pride, her fondness for Xanthia growing with every word spoken.

  Luciel, sitting across from them, couldn’t help but feel a little surprised at how quickly her mother had taken to Xanthia. It wasn’t that she was jealous, but it was hard not to notice the bond that was forming between the two.

  Eventually, Xanthia, always mindful of others, excused herself. She had an appointment to keep with Dionysius at his art studio, something she was not about to miss.

  As she left, the Lebrador family continued to speak highly of her. Sariel even casually wondered if she might meet Xanthia’s parents at the next parent-teacher meeting, but Luciel shook her head. “It’s unlikely. Her father doesn’t come to meetings, and her mother passed away a long time ago…”

  The conversation shifted to Dionysius, Xanthia’s older brother, and the ck of parental support both of them had grown accustomed to. Despite their emotional neglect, both Xanthia and Dionysius had turned out strong—though it wasn’t without a price.