Once again, Christmas has come knocking at our door, and we are all busy preparing for the festive season. Despite the fact that we are all getting on in years, our passion for decorating the Christmas tree has never waned. Diana and I follow the traditional method of hanging baubles and bells on the branches, with a few strands of tinsel wound around them. Thena arranges paper deer and swans, the likes of which she learned from the latest magazines. David, my younger brother, instead of hanging stockings for "Father Christmas" to fill with gifts, took his old hats, gloves, and even tiny shoes and hung them up. He called it creative, but his creativity snapped a few branches when Christmas Eve had not even arrived yet.

This year's Christmas is like any other year, the atmosphere is bustling and warm, but I feel something strange. In a moment of idleness, I walk along the corridors of my castle, and an eerie silence descends. Not entirely empty, but it seems that half of my servants have disappeared. The long-standing ones are still there, but I cannot see many unfamiliar faces. I asked the old steward, Enzo's father, and he said that they went somewhere else to work. I am surprised because the wages for my servants are not cheap, why would they go somewhere else that pays more? I am eager to know who they are, why they are so extravagant, while this year is not as successful as last year for houses like us. I feel that my family has been taken for granted, and we truly do not deserve such ingratitude.

When the afternoon gradually fades and the courtyard outside is covered with scraps of snow, my siblings and I rush out like bees out of a hive. We only wait for the snow season to throw snowballs at each other. It is rare for a family whose grown-up children are old enough to start their own small family to still have such happy moments for each other. This family is my fortress. This family is my source of life. Looking at the smile on Diana's lips, watching Thena run faster than the wind to avoid the snowballs, and watching David have to swallow two "bullets" from his two older sisters in the face and fall over, I stand aside and pray that the gods will keep these moments forever.

Enzo is also passing by now, with a box of decoration tools in his hand. Suddenly, an insane and mischievous idea jumps into my head. I take a snowball and throw it towards him while he is not paying attention. Oh! I do not know which holy spirit has blessed me, but the snowball hits him right in the face. Enzo falls down in surprise, the box he is holding drops and everything inside scatters all over the place. I scream in shock, but also laugh with delight. My younger siblings cheer along. Each of them takes a snowball and continuously throws them at Enzo, despite his raised hand pleading for a ceasefire. But who wants the fun to end early? I also hope to pull him along, considering it as one of my efforts to introduce him to everyone in the house.

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Amidst the excitement of us all, Enzo finally resists. He laughs sarcastically and takes off his woollen hat. He stands up, holding a large snowball in his hand. He glances at each of us but ends up staring intently at me. I only catch a glimpse of his smirk before my eyes shut reflexively, and I fall backwards. Oh my! The snowball hits me square in the face, leaving me feeling like a tightrope walker falling freely. Enzo quickly defeats the rebellious groups of Thena, David, and Diana. He takes on all four of us alone. Enzo, a large and stocky general, is surprisingly agile. The four of us sisters unite and attack him together. Laughter echoes throughout, warming even the remotest of places.

I stop for a moment to catch my breath. As the last rays of sun are about to disappear, I look into the house. In my father’s study, I see my parents discussing something. My mind tries to imagine what it could be, but a snowball hits my face and pulls me into the fun. Well, tonight is Christmas Eve, so let's forget all worries and sadness. The last snowballs return to the white snow as the sun sets completely, and the night birds begin to rustle.

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I am seated beside a harp, my fingers gliding along the strings as Diana sings beside me. Tonight is a peaceful night, perfect for a rendition of "O Holy Night". My family is gathered on the sofa, swaying to the rhythm of Diana's voice. Outside, snow falls gently, as if drawn to the music. My fingers know the way and I need not look for the next note. Instead, I use the time to gaze upon my family. As I grow older, I realise the time I have left with them is limited. My father - the epitome of a gentleman, my mother - strict but understanding, Thena - my mischievous and creative sister, David - confident and cheerful in his own way, and my youngest sister Diana - sweet and thoughtful. One day, I will venture far from home, but I will carry these memories with me. And here comes Enzo, whom I will depart with.

We exchange Christmas cards, taking turns to read aloud our sentiments for the occasion. I am the last to go, and I can see my father shedding tears as I fold the card back. Though we do not understand what has happened, like a chain reaction, we all shed tears. We all embrace my father. Perhaps it has been too long since we have had a hug. I kiss my father on the cheek, hoping he will tell us what is going on. But he only wipes the tears from his face and assures us that everything is alright. He claps his hands and signals us to continue with the singing. Though I still ponder my father's peculiar behaviour, I set it aside and return to my harp. This time, I will perform a solo of "O Holy Night". I rarely sing, but when I do, everyone is enraptured.