Winter arrived rapidly after Orion''s return.


    With the cold temperatures washing over Horizon, the plane turned differently from its standard green scenery.


    The fairies, the sirens, and the arachnea all were used to it by now, as they went through its first arrival a year prior.


    Through Titania and the Tree of Life, the trees, and plants managed to survive the coldness, compared to the ones on Triazils.


    Avoiding fall altogether, a strange landscape spread in all directions.


    As the first snowflakes dropped from the clouds, a pure white snow blanketed the green grass.


    It was at that time that Orion, who was staring through the window, recalled a discussion he had with Noah.


    As he pondered, ignoring the ruckus caused by his companions behind his back, an idea emerged.


    Decided on making it a reality, he nodded to himself.


    He walked out of his house and searched around.


    "It''s so cold!"


    Karteira shivered next to him, wearing the fluffy coat she had received from Orion.


    "It''s not that bad."


    A few of them had followed him, and one of the women who did was May. With a neutral expression, she shrugged.


    "I don''t want to hear that from someone who lived most of her life surrounded by snow. We''re not built the same."


    Breathing the hot air from her lungs on the tips of her fingers, she glared at May.


    "Why are we even outside at this time? I want to feel toasty again!"


    Mia and Nia also followed behind. That was the entire group at that moment.


    Orion already made plans before exiting his house with Amelia, who stayed behind. Olivia stayed with her after overhearing part of their conversation, which made things easier for Amelia.


    Senia and Deveralna weren''t good with freezing temperatures, so they stayed behind.


    As for Tetra, she spent most of her time with Henrietta, which was normal. Unless she could spend quality time with Orion, she would not leave her friend''s side.


    "Catch!"


    A snowball came flying straight toward Orion. For a split instant, both he and May remembered something similar, as the cold ball of snow grazed his cheek.


    With a smile, he turned to Nia.


    "Don''t start a battle you aren''t guaranteed to win."


    As he started at the fairy mischievously sticking her tongue out, he noticed a tree that looked fancy enough to satisfy him.


    Walking past everyone, he placed his hand over Nia''s head before patting her lightly.


    At the same time, he looked at the growing pine sapling.


    "Is that what you came out to search for?"


    Mia was the first to walk to his side. Orion touched the tree''s small trunk before observing its state.


    "Yes. It seems perfectly fine as is, so there shouldn''t be any problem if I take it with me."


    "This small tree? Why?"


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Karteira and May were confused. For what reason would he need to cut down a tree in this season?


    There was no need to build a structure or to create firewood.


    "Orion. Does that have something to do with Noah?"


    With a sneaky smile, he turned to Mia.


    "Who knows?"


    Kneeling in front of the pine tree, which was barely taller than him, Orion placed both hands on its trunk.


    "Like this?"


    A blade of darkness traveled under his hands, slicing the tree with one swift action.


    "Alright."


    Standing up with the pine tree between his hands, he walked a few steps forward before placing it over his shoulder.


    "Let''s get home. I wouldn''t want any of you to freeze out here."


    Staring at Karteira, who was turning pale from the cold, he smiled.


    "Sure."


    While discussing the reason for his venture outside, they returned home.


    ...


    "Oh."


    Approaching his home, Orion, and the others, noticed a few more people than usual.


    A few women were standing perfectly still on the side of the entrance, while he noticed a few others inside the house through the window.


    "Are Olivia''s maids here?"


    "Seems like it. She might have asked them to come here for something."


    With the pine tree over his shoulder, he continued to walk.


    After a few minutes, he stopped, a few meters from the door.


    "You can go in first."


    Stabbing the tree into the snow, he gestured for them to go in.


    "Alright."


    Without questioning if he was going to enter too, they rushed inside the house to feel more comfortable.


    As the door closed, he carefully walked around the tree and plucked the dead branches off.


    At the same time, he looked at the two who were guarding his home.


    "If you were trying to hide the fact that you are freezing, you should try better."


    Dropping a branch, he smiled at Eden and Alice.


    "..."


    They silently stared at him.


    "Did Olivia tell you to stay guard outside? That would surprise me if she did."


    Making sure the tree was perfect, he double-checked it.


    "Perfect."


    Nodding proudly, he picked up the tree again.


    "Alright. You two, get those feet moving. If you don''t go in, I''ll drag you in myself."


    "Today is a special day. Since I''ve decided that it is special, you don''t have to worry about anything. Just enjoy your time."


    "That''s all you need to be concerned about."


    As Eden opened the door for him, she looked at Alice with a perplexed expression.


    "Y-Yes, Master."


    "You first."


    Orion gave them no chance to refuse.


    With defeated smiles, the two maids entered the house, feeling the heat wash away the chill.


    Carefully pulling the pine tree inside his home, Orion watched as Eden closed the door behind him. Just as he asked, they both were inside the house.


    "You''re finally back! I''ve prepared everything as you wanted."


    Amelia leaned over the couch she was standing behind as she turned to him with a massive grin.


    At her feet was a large pot. Orion nodded and entered the living room with the tree in hand.


    Without wasting a second, he placed it inside the pot under everyone''s gaze.


    Everyone was here. His partners, his daughter, his parents, his mother-in-law, and the twenty-seven maids.


    The house was more crowded than usual, but he didn''t mind it at all.


    "Let me fill this rapidly..."


    Amelia used the earth element and filled the pot with fresh dirt, stabilizing the tree at the same time.


    Orion finally let go of the tree and took a step back to admire it.


    "Can we start?"


    Olivia walked next to him with a box in her hands. In fact, a few of her maids also held similar boxes.


    "You''re good to go."


    Giving her a thumbs up, Amelia walked away.


    "Nice!"


    Rushing toward the tree, Olivia pulled out from the box various types of decorations.


    "Oh!"


    As more and more decorations were placed on it, a strange mood filled with joy took over the room.


    With one look, Orion gathered that the spheres they were placing on the branches were made with magic.


    All forms of elements were used to make beautiful and striking ornaments, like a sphere with sparkly stars inside it or a pitch-black sphere made with dark magic.


    Once Olivia began, her maids followed in her footsteps and placed one decoration each on the tree.


    "Hmm~"


    In his eyes, something was missing. He turned to Karteira, who was watching from the furthest couch, before walking toward her.


    He sat next to her and whispered something in her ear.


    "..."


    She lifted an eyebrow before a smile formed on her lips.


    "I can do that."


    "That''s great."


    Extending her hands in between her and Orion, she formed a light in between them.


    Orion placed one hand over and one below hers, creating a sort of box that contained the speck of light.


    Adding to her magic, he let out his own light magic and mixed it with Karteira''s.


    As it grew, they slowly moved their hands further away. Manipulating the light together, a star with five branches formed.


    It shone a pulsing light that satisfied both of them.


    "Thank you."


    "Haha~"


    Karteira smiled warmly as Orion picked up the decoration he made with her. He carefully walked between the maids and approached the decorated tree.


    With a swift movement, he dropped the light star above the top of the pine tree.


    "Perfect!"


    As the final touches were being added, Amelia gave one last decoration to everyone.


    Every member of the family placed their sphere on the tree, and a sense of accomplishment washed over them.


    "Just like Noah said."


    "I knew it was from Noah."


    Mia placed her sphere on one of the branches while glancing over her shoulder toward Orion.


    "So, do you mind telling us what this is all about?"


    Amelia, who had followed the idea until now but was ultimately in the dark, asked him.


    Staring at the tree, Orion smiled.


    "I heard a story from Noah. One that I took a particular liking to."


    "He told me that where he came from, they celebrate a day in winter by decorating a tree like this."


    The flickering light of the star and the elemental spheres reflected in his eyes. They all noticed the enthusiasm in his behavior, which was beyond unusual.


    "Well, it''s an interesting event. If you''re happy, I don''t think we have anything against it."


    At Amelia''s assessment, the other began to smile. It was rare for Orion to be ''normal''.


    If one decorated tree was all it took, in no way they would be against it.


    To the maids, this small event was like a dream. They had forgotten about their duties without noticing it and were enjoying every moment of it.


    Marie, who idolized Orion, felt even more inclined to follow his orders. She was silently observing his gestures while letting the mood take over her actions.


    Every maid under Olivia appeared as a normal woman for once, talking about mundane topics they would rarely talk about.


    ...


    As time went on, a considerable feast was prepared by the cooks of the family.


    Before dinner, Orion invited the Remnants staying in the guest house. Since Nylon was also staying there as part of his training, he was also invited.


    He also went to pick up Titania, who was watching over her children. Not long after, he forcefully dragged the Lords out of their cities.


    A wild night of festivities, which happened so rarely for those people who suffered tragedies after tragedies, brought everyone even closer than ever.


    The men drank together while talking about random topics. Even Reon, who never touched alcohol, enjoyed the day with everyone.


    One of Orion''s hopeful events was brought to reality as he drank with Elliott, Nylon, Florian, and Eric.


    On the other side, the women were discussing in groups, splitting and gathering as time passed.


    The very first ''Winter Tree'' gathering officially ended as they all parted before midnight, not a single one of them intoxicated.


    It ended with smiles and happiness, leaving a powerful impression in everyone''s minds.


    With the one the most affected being Orion.