As Sarrah gawked at the sight of the scattered leftovers on the table, a thought struck her. "Oh, uh, Oli?" she called out, seeking an explanation. "Why did you introduce Ed as your children's uncle?"

"Hey—" Edgar crossed his arms, leering at Sarrah.

"And why did you introduce us as their aunts, too?" Sarrah continued, narrowing her eyes as she glared at Edgar.

"Fair," Edgar conceded.

"Oh, heh," Oliver responded with a sincere expression that matched the calmness in his voice, causing anyone who heard him to feel a soothing sensation in their ears. "It's because you, my friends, are already like my brother and sisters. We may not be blood-related, but after everything we've been through, my heart concludes that each of you is now my family," he explained.

"Oh," Sarrah felt her heart racing within her chest upon hearing Oliver's kind and passionate words. "...Wow."

"Aw," Sophia smiled, placing her left palm over her chest. "I felt moved. I've realized I've felt the same way for a long time now." Her eyes glistened with tears.

"Hm," Bethany's eyes sparkled with tears of compassion. "Thank you for considering us part of your family."

"Mhm," Sarrah nodded, her eyes feeling heavy after Oliver's words.

Edgar noticed the girls' faces softening with proud and grateful smiles spreading across their cheeks. "Eh? Why are you girls so emotional?" he asked, suppressing a giggle upon witnessing their emotions. "Your eyes are already glistening. What's up with that? Haha!"

Sarrah's smile transformed into a narrowed frown. "It's because we have emotions while you don't," she scoffed. "Men."

"Says the person who always speaks in a flat, monotonous voice," Edgar retorted, turning his back to Sarrah.

"Excuse me?—" Sarrah felt a surge of offence splashing over her.

"Hehehe," Oliver giggled, placing a hand over his mouth. "And it's because of the care we have shared that we are already like a family," he added.

"Well, honestly, Oliver, I see you as a brother, but not Ed," Sarrah placed her hands on her hips.

"Pfft," Edgar rolled his eyes.

"Hm," Gregory giggled in the background, gently shaking his head from side to side.

     The night sky comes alive with the radiant glow of the crescent moon, mirroring the brilliance of sunlight on untouched snow. As the moon ascends higher in the mid-sky, the stars twinkle like specks of dust in the velvety expanse of the dark-blue night. The celestial heavens paint a bioluminescent tapestry across the space as the gentle breeze sings through the air, causing tree branches to sway.

     In a cosy bedroom, Victoria, Elizabeth, Albert, George, and Jean gather on the plush carpet beneath the soft glow of the chandelier. They huddle together, wrapped in the fragrance of blooming roses and the delicate aroma of fine tea, their attire pristine and white as porcelain. The boys don fresh, laced shirts, shorts, and knee-length socks, while the girls wear light, flowing cotton chemises that skim their stockings.

     The children's eyes remain fixed on Oliver, their mouths agape in awe. Leaning forward, their heads tilt in rapt attention as their father's words transport them into a realm of enchantment they yearn to experience. Oliver's deep, catchy voice resonates, captivating their ears and drawing them closer.

     Seated upon the floor, facing his children, Oliver's laced, elbow-length shirt and shorts drape over his stockings. Cradling a storybook in his hands, he flips its pages, his gaze alternating between his kids and the text. And with a voice that rises and falls dramatically, he reads aloud, immersing them in the tale.

"Robert made the ultimate sacrifice for his wicked brother, Jacob, despite Jacob's vilest schemes," Oliver narrated, pitching high and low. "This act caused Jacob to awaken to his mistakes. The dark magic that had corrupted his heart dissipated, and his soul returned to its pure state. Realizing that he couldn't live without his brother, Jacob surrendered once and for all, allowing the world to judge his fate. Through these revelations, one can find peace and love that would help them to forsake their hate..."

"Wow..." Albert mumbled, his eyes wide with astonishment.

"The ending is sad..." Elizabeth frowned. "Why does Robert have to sacrifice himself for the bad guy?"

"Hm," Oliver closed the book with its thick cover, taking a moment to ponder before responding calmly. "It's because... actions speak louder than words. Jacob would have remained evil if Robert had only told his brother he loved him without acting upon that love. But by giving his life for Jacob, Robert's sacrifice made Jacob confront his wrongdoings."

"Ohh..." Elizabeth's eyes shined with a tinge of sadness for the character. "I suppose it had to be the hard way..."

"But I wonder... what exactly happened to Jacob?" Victoria scratched the back of her head.

"Who knows how their world works? But, if I were to speculate, perhaps Jacob faced some form of punishment for the harm he caused?" Oliver thought.

"What kind of punishment?" Victoria wondered.

"A kind of punishment children like you shouldn't know," Oliver laughed.

"Oh," Victoria sighed, her gleaming eyes revealing her thirst for a genuine answer.

"Anyways, it's almost nine in the evening. Time for all of you to get some rest!" Oliver announced.

"Ow..." the children groaned in playful protest.

"Hehe." Oliver bid his farewell with a gentle, soothing voice. "Goodnight." He leaned down and kissed each of his children's foreheads, one by one.

"Goodnight, Father!"

"Sleep well, kids!"

     As Oliver stood up and approached the door to leave, Jean turned to his left. He gazed through the window, and the moonlight shined in his eyes. Although Jean's mouth remained silent, his mind was bustling with countless questions as he watched a shooting star bolt across the starry expanse.