Later, silence pervades, as not a single breeze stirs. Darkness engulfs everything, akin to a starless void, obscuring all. Suddenly, a creaking noise twists through the air, shattering the thick stillness.

     A white wooden door swings open slowly, and light from the hallway spills in like the morning rays of yellowish-orange sunlight. With a snap of fingers, all candles, from those on the desk to the chandeliers, flicker to life, illuminating the room and unveiling every detail in every corner. A floral damask, as white as a brilliant flash, adorns the walls. Milky-white wooden panelings with golden linings grace the lower portions of each corner. And the tranquil, gentle moonlight filters through a broad, arched window on the opposite side of the room.

     The beige wooden floor groans with each step, but the resounding footsteps halt in the centre of the room. A circular carpet, as soft and white as a polar bear's fur, rests under the pearl chandelier. Bookshelves stand beside drawers and tall cabinets, while a flat desk occupies a corner. Meanwhile, pots brim with blooming purple flowers, infusing the room with colourful shades.

     On the right side of the room, three white canopy beds with curtains matching those on the window await. Warm pillows rest atop mint blankets, covering the plush, cotton-soft mattresses. The bed sheets are neatly smoothed, devoid of any creases and wrinkles.

     Victoria, Elizabeth, Albert, George, and Jean bounce on the floor, feeling the thrill underneath their feet. They swiftly enter and explore their surroundings. Victoria briefly peeks under a bed while Albert gazes at the shimmering stars through the window. Meanwhile, Elizabeth pulls the wardrobe's doors open, greeted by dazzling, colourful dresses. George's eyes fixate on the blooming flowers in the pots while Jean stands still between his parents, his smile revealing bright, white teeth.

"Wow!" Victoria gasped, her eyes widening.

"The dresses! Are they for us!?" Elizabeth leapt in joy.

"Those dresses are indeed for you, girls!" Gregory said, placing his hands on his hips with a wide grin.

"The room is so big!" Albert huffed, his voice filled with awe. "So big~"

"Look at the flowers," George pointed out, sniffing the purple blooms' pollen.

"Aren't they pretty?" Victoria asked George, standing by his side.

Gregory inquired, "Are you enjoying your new room?"

"Yes!" the children chorused their response.

As Oliver placed a hand on Jean's head, he spoke. "For now, this is where you, kids, will stay until you each have separate rooms as young adolescents. Renovating the other guest rooms into suitable bedrooms will take plenty of time."

"Father, I want to say I'm already grateful," Victoria approached Oliver and Gregory, her bashfulness mixed with overflowing happiness.

Elizabeth hurried forward and added, "We're grateful, too!"

Oliver smiled warmly at them.

"Splendid!" Gregory asked, his voice soft yet deep. "So! Do you need anything else, children?"

"We're already contented!" Victoria spread her arms. "Are you?" she turned to Elizabeth.

"I am!" Elizabeth nodded.

The children faced their parents with bright smiles.

"Mr Oliver, Mr Gregor— no, I mean, Fathers! We are so thankful that you have given us this wonderful chance to start a new life... with you as our parents," Victoria expressed sincerely.

"Thank you very much," Elizabeth placed her hands on her back and lowered her head. "...Fathers," she glanced up slowly.

"Yeah!" Albert jumped.

"Mhm!" George nodded rapidly, closing his eyes.

Oliver placed a hand on his chest and bowed his head slightly. "We're glad to make your wishes come true," he said.

"But we also want to express our gratitude to you, our children, for accepting us as your adoptive parents," Gregory's face softened as he glanced at Oliver. "...For accepting people like us..."

Oliver smiled at Gregory, then turned to address the children. "We're grateful that you embraced being part of our family, even... without a mother."

"Nope, Father, you are the mother," Elizabeth pointed at Oliver. "And Father, you are the father," she grinned, looking at Gregory.

"Mhmh," Oliver giggled. "You can also consider your aunts as mother figures."

"No, no! I see you as both a mother and a father combined," Elizabeth insisted.

"If that's not confusing for you, then," Oliver giggled, shaking his head and shrugging lightly.

"Now, children, we need to go downstairs. Is there anything else you would like before we leave?" Gregory asked.

"We have everything we need and want," Victoria said, biting her lip.

"In that case, goodnight, everyone!" Gregory said, bidding them a pleasant smile.

The children then hugged their parents. "Goodnight, Dads!"

"Goodnight!"

After a long, tight cuddle that filled everyone's hearts with peaceful warmth, Oliver and Gregory left the room, closing the door gently behind them.

Suddenly, Elizabeth gasped. "Ah!" She brought her hands up to her face.

"What's wrong?" Victoria asked.

"Can you believe it!?" Elizabeth's eyes widened with excitement.

"Hm?" Victoria's curiosity piqued, causing her head to tilt.

"We are now officially the legal children of Mr Oliver Podeshire and Mr Gregory Hidesine!" Elizabeth squealed, her feet springing off the floor.

Victoria, Albert, and George joined in with their squeals. "Yee!!"

Jean's mouth remained shut, but his smile grew wider as he watched the others cheer.

"Wait a minute! We're all siblings now!" Victoria realized.

"That means George is my brother, too!?" Elizabeth pointed at George.

"And Albert is my brother!" Victoria squeezed her palms together.

Suddenly, all the children looked at Jean, awaiting his reaction.

Jean's face paled, his eyes widening in shock. "Hm—"

"Jean, you're our brother now, too!" Victoria shrieked with excitement.

The children quickly swarmed around Jean, wrapping their arms tightly around him.

"Hehe!" Jean giggled as the children's arms tickled him.

When they finally let go, Victoria raised a finger and said, "But we also have to remember... we have to be good!"

"Yes, we must be good," Elizabeth agreed.

"Yes!" Jean uttered.