CHAPTER - 125

  Narrator: With the avalanche of clothes received from Iris and Valeria, Dav unlocked a new expression worthy of a seasoned monk:

  eyes closed, weary face, as if to say, "After today, I can pass on in peace."

  After their wild shopping spree, they took a break in a quiet little place known for its excellent kebabs.

  The professors sat at a central table, while the guards occupied the surrounding ones to ensure the group’s privacy.

  Dav looked at Vik and, with a silly face while biting into his kebab, said in a low voice:

  "Make sure you all eat too, or I’ll get angry."

  Vik, showing a small smile, got up to buy kebabs and drinks for the four guards, then joined them to eat together.

  Rafael, not a big fan of mixed meat, went for a chicken salad with fries instead.

  After the snack, the group resumed their walk, looking around peacefully.

  Iris and Valeria noticed happy couples holding hands and walking together laughing, embraced.

  Valeria, seeing the scene, firmly took Dav’s hand, while Iris clung to his arm, giggling.

  Selene, watching all of this, was growing increasingly surprised, mouth slightly open, thinking several times:

  They really don’t care about prejudice, from what I can see.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Meanwhile, the kids—with the money given by Dav—were having a blast at the arcade, trying out every kind of prize machine.

  Soon after, they dragged Arthur with them to MegaBurger, determined to show him the wonders of common food.

  Once inside, they ordered cheese fries with bacon, huge burgers with onion rings and barbecue chicken.

  Arthur, sitting with the others while waiting for the food, felt a little uncomfortable, not used to any of this.

  But he steeled himself so he wouldn’t ruin the others’ day.

  When the waitress arrived with the trays full of food, Arthur stood up and, with noble courtesy, bowed in thanks, embarrassing the girl, who returned to the counter smiling amid laughter.

  When he saw the food—so different from the elegant dishes fit for a prince—Arthur was left speechless.

  "Where are the utensils?"

  he asked, prompting a moment of silence, until Elysia, without hesitation, said:

  "Your hands are more than enough."

  Surprised, Arthur mimicked their every move, eating with his hands, no napkins, loving every bite.

  For the first time, he felt free—no judging stares, no pressure.

  Leona handed him a packet:

  "Here, try these! These are the fries I told you about!"

  Arthur took a piece cautiously, like a hesitant little bird.

  Then his eyes lit up, and he started eating them eagerly, happy as a child.

  Leona, satisfied, gave him a look that said "Told you so," and they all kept eating like cheerful, hungry little piglets.

  Meanwhile, Dav entered a small occult shop.

  An old lady behind the counter was arranging curious items.

  Hearing the door creak, she looked up:

  "How can I help you, my dears?"

  The six of them looked around, amazed by the variety of strange objects, and approached the counter.

  Iris, smiling, asked the woman if she could read their future using cards.

  The woman dimmed the lights, pulled out a deck, and laid three cards on the counter, face down.

  Looking at Iris, she asked:

  "What do you want to know? The past or the future?"

  Iris, excited, answered immediately: "The future".

  The old woman turned the cards over one by one.

  The first: a woman wielding a sword.

  The second: a crying infant.

  The third: a shadowy figure, seen from behind, indistinct.

  Touching each card slowly, the woman said:

  "You will have to fight to protect what will be yours from something… or someone.

  But it doesn’t mean the one you’ll fight is truly him... or that he’ll be the one to strike first.

  Iris, a bit doubtful, thanked the old woman nonetheless, still smiling, but with a heart full of thoughts."

  END OF CHAPTER - 125