The winter of 1100 was exceptionally quiet.
When the wind blew, the window frames rattled once, followed by the soft pitter-patter of snowflakes against the glass.
It was a sound so faint it could hardly be called a noise at all.
Yet, that sound served only to highlight the warmth gathered inside the house.
The kettle atop the stove hissed with a low, rhythmic breath, and the Christmas tree standing in the center of the living room glittered, though still unfinished.
Several strings of bulbs blinked in a steady, pulsing glow.
This was not the hollow emptiness left behind when people departed.
Rather, the gaps in this house were the kind that would soon be filled.
Theresia knew this well.
That was why she moved with such leisurely grace, letting the time pass slowly. Even while drying the dishes, she would pause to gaze out the window, watching the snow pile up in silence.
From the direction of the kitchen, the Doctor appeared without a sound.
Their footsteps were entirely weightless.
The Doctor squatted before the tree, picking up and setting down the strings of lights. They measured the distance between the bulbs with their fingers, then moved one over just a fraction.
Then, they tilted their head in contemplation.
"Based on my subjective analysis... the aesthetics of this spacing are exactly 0.7 units unsatisfactory!"
Theresia laughed as she set down a water glass.
"What kind of unit is that?"
"A sensory unit. I have a natural talent for quantifying perception into numerical data. I am a genius, after all."
"Using that talent for Christmas decorating is certainly a fresh approach."
"'Fresh,' you say? Doesn't everyone else live like this?"
The Doctor's serious mutter caused Theresia to laugh even harder.
The laughter warmed the house further.
Just then, the door opened, and a draft of cold air rushed into the living room.
"I am not late, it seems. Or perhaps, one could argue I am early. Is that it...?"
It was Kal'tsit.
As soon as she entered, her eyes swept the surroundings. She checked the tree's wiring, the position of the stove, whether the windows were locked, and if the steam from the kettle was too intense. Finally, she looked at Theresia's face.
She checked under her eyes, the color of her lips, and the backs of her hands.
"Your eyes look more dehydrated today. Where is the moisturizer?"
Theresia raised a hand, gently cutting off Kal'tsit's clinical assessment.
"It's not a check-up day, it's Christmas. If you start a medical exam the moment you walk through the door, I'll actually get grumpy. Seriously, what happened to your personality while I was asleep?"
Kal'tsit fell silent, then let out a short, breathy sigh.
"...There is no need for you to know that now. I apologize. It wasn't an exam, merely an observation—"
"If an observation goes on that long, it's an exam."
Theresia smiled and took Kal'tsit's coat to hang it up. Kal'tsit eventually stopped speaking and simply nodded. It was a nod that seemed to say she was letting it go, at least for today.
The door opened again shortly after.
This time, laughter arrived first.
It was a bright, vibrant energy.
"Lady Theresia! And Miss Kal'tsit!"
Amiya entered, shaking the snow off her clothes. Even at twenty years old, her eyes were still brimming with curiosity. Though the outdoor chill clung to her collar, her face was flushed a warm red.
"Lady Theresia, I'm here! And... has my uncle not arrived yet?"
Amiya glanced around the house, pausing when she spotted the Doctor engaged in a fierce wrestling match with the massive tree.
"The Doctor is already... in a duel with the tree, I see."
"It's not a duel, it's a negotiation."
"Ahaha... Is that so...?"
The Doctor's solemn reply made Amiya giggle. She approached Kal'tsit and wrapped both hands around her companion's palms.
"Your hands are freezing. You didn't wear gloves, did you?"
"Amiya, your hands are cold as well. Your breathing. And your lip color is—"
As Kal'tsit instinctively began another lecture, Theresia pressed a plate into her hands.
"It's a cake plate. Tell me, doesn't it look delicious?"
"...The decorations are quite lovely. It looks appetizing."
Kal'tsit held the plate, her words threatening to trail off, but she finally closed her lips. Theresia smiled tenderly.
The doorbell rang again.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
"Why aren't you opening the door?!"
"W, we're not opening it because you're too loud—"
"Be quiet, Doctor! And my name is Wisheradel now!"
Wisheradel had arrived.
Seeing Wisheradel outside the door, with snow beginning to pile atop her head, Amiya gave an awkward smile and opened the door.
The fuming Wisheradel entered, her hair decorated with snowflakes.
"Ugh... Doctor, I won't let this go. I really need to pull a major prank on you to make you come to your senses—"
"Wisheradel."
"M-My Lord!!"
Her fury was instantly extinguished by a single word from Theresia.
Like a puppy that hadn't seen its master for a month, she watched Theresia prepare the table with such intensity it was a miracle she wasn't drooling.
"...Aren't you going to help?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't take orders from a paranoid cat like you—"
"Wisheradel, would you like to help me?"
"Eh? I'm coming! Just a second!"
The house was becoming increasingly lively. Finally, the home was beginning to fill with people.
With every opening of the door, snow blew in, followed by another person.
Amfielice Windermere entered first, followed by Kent and then Delphine.
Delphine ran inside a beat ahead of her mother before stopping dead at the threshold. It was adorable to see the realization hit her that she needed to greet the adults properly. Yet, even in her hesitation, she didn't let go of Kent's hand, clutching it tightly.
Delphine spoke clearly.
"Merry Christmas to you all."
Amfielice lightly brushed Delphine's shoulder and added in a low voice, "You don't have to be so formal. You look too stiff and scary, don't you think?"
Delphine looked up at her mother.
"Mother, you're always scary even when you aren't trying."
Kent gave a small chuckle from the side. It was a cautious laugh, as if he hadn't used his voice for such things in a very long time. Seeing Kent's laughter, Amfielice's gaze softened slightly.
Theresia waved warmly.
"Welcome. Delphine, the tree is still unfinished. Would you like to help?"
Delphine's face brightened instantly.
"Yes! I'm good at decorating. Even though Daddy always says I'm clumsy."
Kent shrugged his shoulders defensively.
"I never said you were clumsy. Your mother did."
Amfielice tilted her head ever so slightly.
"I was only stating the facts...."
The sincerity in her response made everyone laugh.
Next to enter was Feliksa.
Feliksa was precise even in the way she removed her coat. She tidied her hair until not a single strand was out of place and lined up her shoes perfectly. Her face, however, seemed a bit flushed.
She greeted Theresia first, then bowed politely to Kal'tsit. She paused briefly before the Doctor, but eventually greeted them with the same respectful bow.
Finally, her gaze drifted to an empty spot in the living room.
A seat still waiting to be occupied. The seat where Bak Si-hoon would naturally sit once he arrived.
Feliksa carefully held up a paper bag.
"I have brought... gifts. Something for him, and things for everyone else as well."
Amiya whispered with wide eyes, "Miss Feliksa is still so serious today."
"Seriousness reduces mistakes. Whether in daily life or in the workplace."
Feliksa's serious answer only made the situation funnier. Amiya swallowed her laughter.
Then, at long last, the door opened one more time.
This time, something preceded the snow.
Grumbling.
Wrangel and Maxim entered together. Both were aging, but their humor had only become more wicked with time. Even as they brushed off the snow, their eyes were already hunting for a target.
Maxim looked around the room and remarked, "Good grief, the protagonist is late today too."
Wrangel immediately picked up the thread. "He's not late; he's probably agonizing over whether to come, checking the direction of his sister-in-law one more time before committing. Isn't that right, Lady Theresia?"
Theresia laughed and took their coats.
"Your tongues are remarkably fast for such cold weather."
"An Ursus man must have a fast tongue even in this weather to be considered a true man," Maxim stated matter-of-factly.
Amfielice added quietly, "...You couldn't say a single word last Christmas because you were shivering so much."
"No, no~ That was because my sister-in-law wasn't here, but this time—"
Kent tried to suppress his amusement but failed. Delphine blinked at the adults, looking fascinated.
Just before the final empty space was filled, the Doctor hopped up from the tree and pulled a bundle of slips from their pocket. Each slip was the same size, with identical folds and texture.
"Let's do a gift exchange. The rules are simple. Draw a number, and upon receiving a gift, you must praise the giver for thirty seconds. And no speeches allowed. Especially you, Kal'tsit."
Kal'tsit instinctively glared at the Doctor and opened her mouth to speak.
"Why are you targeting only me? Furthermore, if speeches are prohibited, the logical rationale—"
Theresia intervened immediately.
"Explanations are prohibited today, Kal'tsit. If those are the Doctor's rules, let's just follow them."
Kal'tsit looked at Theresia for a moment, then let out a deep sigh and stared at her plate.
"...Fine."
The Doctor nodded, satisfied, and added, "One more rule. The praise must be valid. No forced compliments."
Wisheradel raised her hand. "Then can I praise Lady Theresia now? Lady Theresia is beautiful and warm and kind and... and—"
"And a genius who makes great clothes but is terrible with machinery," the Doctor interrupted, finishing for the vocabulary-lacking Wisheradel. This time, everyone laughed. As the laughter swelled, even the hiss of the kettle on the stove seemed to sound warmer.
Then, the door opened.
A voice entered before the wind.
"Am I late?"
It was Bak Si-hoon.
********************************
The moment I grasped the doorknob, my fingertips went numb. It had been snowing. It hadn't fallen heavily, but it had fallen for a long time. Constant snow has a way of soaking a person in silence.
My shoulders were heavy, and thin layers of slush clung to the tips of my gloves. When I pushed the door open, a blast of warm air hit my face.
The scent of the hearth, a fragrance like cinnamon, the smell of baking bread. And the sound of laughter. Taking it all in, I gave an embarrassed smile.
"Am I late?"
My voice came out softer than intended. To be honest, I felt a bit shy. Everyone else had arrived ahead of me, leaving me as the final guest.
But as expected, my people didn't care about such things. Amiya was the first to rush over.
"Uncle!"
Heh... 'Uncle.' I suppose all that time I spent playing with her in the past really paid off. To think I'm an uncle now... Me, an uncle...!
"You've grown. You're almost tall enough to pretend you're taller than me."
"You're way taller than me, so saying that just sounds like you're teasing!"
Her tone was so much like a mischievous adult that I couldn't help but chuckle. I patted Amiya on the head. Her hair was warm—so warm I felt bad about my cold hands.
My eyes naturally searched for Theresia. She was by the kitchen, holding a cup. Simply by standing there, she gave the impression of being in her 'rightful place.' A person can fit a location, but Theresia was so beautiful she made the location fit her.
She caught my gaze and smiled. Without a word. That smile of hers was always like that—not meant for a crowd, but a smile meant only for me. My own expression changed a beat later to match hers. My tardiness always seems to happen right at that point.
Wrangel and Maxim opened their mouths simultaneously, as if they'd been waiting for this moment.
"Agh, the main event is late again."
"Did you spend all day agonizing over a Christmas present? Hey, did you only just buy it?"
I paused while taking off my coat. Even in old age, their tongues were fast. No, maybe they got faster because they're old.
"I didn't agonize over it."
When I spoke defensively, Maxim slapped my shoulder. "Sure, sure. You always just dive right in without a second thought. So why do you suddenly lose your words when you're in front of your lady?"
Wrangel gave a sly grin. "A man who manages a whole nation can't even get a sentence out."
"I manage plenty of organizations just fine, okay?? And I'm a good public speaker!"
As soon as I said that, Theresia leaned toward me and asked quite naturally, "So, what are you going to do for me today?"
For a moment, my heart felt like it had stopped. I don't know why that question was so difficult. Designing a state, constructing the future, giving speeches before the citizens—those things were easy. But for some reason, whenever I stood before her, the words wouldn't flow.
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. Meanwhile, Wrangel and Maxim were practically vibrating with joy. Those two were thoroughly enjoying my misfortune.
Maxim stage-whispered loudly, "Here it comes. Now's the time. 'You're beautiful today.' That's all you need."
Wrangel nodded in agreement. "Just say it. It's so simple. You know I've practically got a harem."
You should never trust the romantic advice of friends. It's usually a trap. Instead of speaking, I pressed the cup I'd been warming by the stove into Theresia's hands. Because my hands were cold, and I worried hers might be too.
"Here, something warm. Your hands might be cold."
My voice dropped low again. Theresia narrowed her eyes as she took the cup. "Heh... I didn't expect that."
In that instant, I let out a secret breath of relief. I survived!!
From behind me came two simultaneous clicks of the tongue.
"Look at that. He's a complete amateur, but his luck is damnably good."
"Exactly. That was a cowardly but effective move."
I wanted to turn around and retort, but Theresia was smiling, so I let it slide. Sometimes, letting it slide feels more like a victory.
Everyone was already gathered in the living room. "It's nice to have everyone here," I said without thinking. Theresia looked up at me with a smile, and at that gaze, I felt my face turning even redder.
...To be honest, my heart was pounding so hard I felt like I might faint. Feliksa was already organizing the gift bags. She was still a very disciplined person, but today that discipline was directed toward sincerity rather than sharp edges. The moment she saw me, she gave a proper salute.
"You have arrived. Merry Christmas to you."
"Merry Christmas, Feliksa. Make sure to enjoy yourself."
At those words, her face turned bright red. "O-Of course! I shall enjoy myself with the utmost effort!"
Wrangel laughed beside her. "I can't tell if she's here to have fun or just to get teased."
Meanwhile, the Doctor was holding a string of lights in front of the tree. They measured the gaps with their fingers, then tilted their head. "Amiya, this spacing is aesthetically 0.7 Donk-meters unsatisfactory. Right?"
Amiya shot back immediately, "What on Terra is a 'Donk-meter'?"
"A Donkey-unit."
"Sigh... I keep telling you, I'm a rabbit, not a donkey..."
"Not a donkey? But your hair is brown and your ears are so long—"
Wisheradel, who had been joinly pestering Amiya alongside the Doctor, suddenly collapsed after being struck on the head with the flat of Amiya's 'Talulah-slaying' blade. A few bumps were already forming on her head.
...Should have watched your step.
In the meantime, Kal'tsit looked like she was dying to say something to Theresia. "Theresia, your eyes look drier today. The moisturizer I gave you—"
Theresia cut her off immediately. "Today isn't a consultation day, it's Christmas. Eat your cake."
And so, Kal'tsit was forced to stare at her plate with her mouth stuffed with cake. The peacefulness of the sight eased my heart. Amiya whispered beside me, "Miss Kal'tsit and Miss Wisheradel are remarkably quiet today."
"Because Theresia is here."
Amiya nodded as I spoke. Watching her, I suddenly remembered twenty years ago and couldn't help but smile. Just then, the Doctor clapped twice.
"Alright, time to draw numbers. Hurry up. We have gifts to exchange."
"Is drawing numbers really necessary?" Amiya asked.
"Yes. You have to do this kind of thing on days like today. Just like that tree that we'd never normally have in the house!"
The Doctor pointed at the tree, and the lights flickered as if in response. The timing was so perfect that everyone laughed once more. Hands reached out to pick the slips of paper. Delphine tried to grab a slip without letting go of her mother's hand, so Kent eventually picked one for her. Delphine took the slip and hopped away in delight.
The first gifts were exchanged, then the second. They weren't extravagant. Handmade cookies, old records, small books, scarves, gloves. But the hands that received them made them feel grand. The time held within those hands sparkled in the young and ran deep in the old.
Amiya's eyes glittered as she held a small wooden doll she'd received from me. "What is this?"
"It looks like you."
"Me? I look this cute?" Amiya asked, comparing herself to the doll with such seriousness that I couldn't help but laugh.
"You look exactly that cute when you smile."
Amiya paused, then laughed heartily. "Uncle, you've become quite the smooth talker lately since you're always with Lady Theresia, haven't you?"
Wrangel chimed in from the side, "He used to stammer just at the mention of the letter 'T' when her ladyship wasn't around."
Theresia smiled and raised her cup. "He has to do better now that I'm here."
I nodded and looked at her with a satisfied smile. "Yes. I'll do better." Those short words seemed to warm the air in the house once more.
When it was Delphine's turn, she handed a small box to Feliksa. There was a ribbon on the box, though the knot was slightly crooked. Delphine looked ashamed of the imperfection and spoke bashfully. "I tied it myself. Even if it's a bit... strange—"
The moment Feliksa received the box, her face softened completely. It wasn't the expression of a Bureau Chief, but of a human being receiving a gift from a niece. "It is perfect. This... is truly a precious treasure."
Delphine's eyes went wide. "The ribbon knot is?"
"Binding a person's heart is," the Doctor added quietly.
"Mm, exactly. A ribbon symbolizes a bond."
Kal'tsit murmured softly, "...This house is strangely rational today. I feel like I have less to say."
Theresia laughed. "That's why you should just eat your cake, Kal'tsit."
Kal'tsit finally took a bite. Her expression didn't change much, but her gaze softened ever so slightly. Amiya noticed and whispered, "Miss Kal'tsit can smile too. Last time she was crying her heart out...."
Kal'tsit retorted instantly, "I have never cried. Nor have I smiled."
Theresia pointed to the corner of Kal'tsit's mouth. "What about right now?" Kal'tsit couldn't argue further, likely realizing how absurd her denial was.
Meanwhile, Delphine took charge of the tree decorations. There were branches she couldn't reach, and she stood on her tiptoes. "...I can't reach."
Without a word, Kent lifted her up. Delphine grabbed Kent's shoulders as if it were the most natural thing in the world and hung the ornament. Seeing this, one corner of Amfielice's mouth twitched upward just slightly. Kent spoke softly to Delphine, "Take your time. It's alright if you drop it."
Delphine nodded. Then, she looked at her mother and tilted her head. "Why are you smiling, Mommy?"
Amfielice said plainly, "It was just funny to see you holding onto your father so tightly."
Kent's ears turned a faint red. I swallowed my laughter at the sight. Theresia didn't miss it. She nudged my elbow gently. "Did you see Kent's ears turning red?"
"I saw. Must be nice... being a family."
As I spoke quietly, Theresia looked up at me for a moment. Her eyebrows curved like crescent moons, and my own mirrored her smile. Our hearts seemed to touch through that laughter.
**********************
As the night deepened, the interior of the house grew even brighter. The darker the shadows outside the window, the more vividly the light bulbs, the stove, and the faces of the people shone. The Doctor pulled out a camera—an old film camera.
"Let's take a group photo."
"Where did you find that antique?"
"In the storage room. Anyway, hush, hurry up. Everyone in view. Who's going to frame the shot? Theresia? Amiya?"
Maxim crossed his arms and shook his head. "Here we go again. Doctor, forget the composition and just take the picture."
"If I 'just' take it, it'll look like an awkward class photo from the start of the semester!"
Theresia patted the Doctor's shoulder lightly. "Alright, Doctor. Do it your way. But if it takes too long, I'm turning off all the tree lights."
"Negotiation complete."
The Doctor immediately began positioning everyone. Amfielice and Kent were placed beside Delphine, who stood right in front of the tree. Wrangel and Maxim were put near the stove. Feliksa tried to retreat into a corner but was dragged into the center by Amiya. Wisheradel poked her head out from behind Theresia.
Kal'tsit tried to back away at first, but Theresia grabbed her wrist and pulled her alongside. Kal'tsit tried to protest, "I—" but Theresia spoke over her immediately. "Today, we do it together." Kal'tsit stood her ground, silenced.
I stood in the center, next to Theresia. Naturally, like a man who had been there from the very beginning. Theresia looked at me and beamed. I smiled back. The Doctor peered through the lens and nodded.
"Good. Now's the moment. I won't tell you to smile. Just... as you are. Three, two—"
—Click!
I was happy. In that moment, the mere fact that we were in the same frame was enough. After the photo was taken, the living room fell back into a comfortable disarray.
Delphine played in front of the stove, Amiya and Wisheradel grabbed more cookies, Wrangel and Maxim searched for new ways to tease me, and Feliksa quietly helped Theresia by clearing plates. Kal'tsit looked like she wanted to give a long speech about everything she was seeing, but she was constantly thwarted by Theresia.
Eventually, I slipped outside into the quiet with Theresia. When I opened the door, the cold air brushed against my face. The sounds of laughter from the house leaked out through the gap in the door, following us. But the outside was peaceful in its own right. The sky was heavy with snow, and footprints were slowly being covered on the path.
Theresia linked her arm with mine. Quite naturally. I spoke softly, "Today... is good."
Theresia tilted her head. "What is your favorite part?"
I paused for a moment. But this time, I didn't agonize. I had something I wanted to say. "Being here with you. That's the best part."
Theresia's eyes softened even further. Instead of responding with words, she gripped my hand tightly. Her hand was warm and soft. Suddenly, Wrangel's voice erupted from inside the house.
"Hey, you amateur! Now! Say one more thing—"
Immediately followed by Wisheradel's shout, "Lady Theresia! Push him just a little more!!"
They were all gathered at the window, watching us. Everyone was shouting their own words of encouragement. Theresia laughed at the sounds drifting out to us. I laughed too.
Snowflakes settled on our hair and melted almost instantly. Theresia said, "I wish tomorrow could be like this too."
I answered, "Tomorrow, and the day after. If you want it to be."
Theresia inhaled sharply at those words, then let out a warm breath. The Christmas lights blinked behind the window. The snow fell silently.
Theresia laughed aloud, and I joined her. Snowflakes landed on our shoulders and melted. It didn't take long for the cold droplets to turn into warmth. Theresia gripped my hand firmly. I didn't let go.
And then, I simply said it.
"Merry Christmas, Theresia."
Theresia replied, "Merry Christmas, Si-hoon."
The moment that name reached my ears, the world seemed to grow even quieter. ...And both our faces turned bright red. We quickly opened the door and hurried back inside.
"One! Two! Three!!"
In that moment, small party poppers went off in front of us.
""Merry Christmas!!""
Everyone laughed with joy. I was happy, through and through. Now, looking forward to the next Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you all.