Inside the kitchenette of the Splenai Castle, Splero was cooking a tofu turkey while Michelle was mixing the dough for the tacos that she would make after her husband was done in using the stove oven.

'Sweetheart?'

'Hmm?'

'Are you done with the tofu turkey?'

'It's almost done, Michelle.'

'Okay.'

The absolute monarch kept on looking at the tofu turkey that was being cooked inside the oven. When the machine gave off a few beeps, Splero wore a pair of cooking mittens and he removed the baked meal to cool it off. The savory aroma of the tofu turkey makes the arctic vixen pleased.

'Wow. That tofu turkey smells so good, dear.'

'Thanks, Michelle. I been cooking these meals for a long time.'

'Really?'

'Yep. I always know how to make this long before the conflict.'

'That's fantastic. I hope our guests would like it.'

'They would, girl. They would also love the dessert of carrot-blueberry pie slices as well.'

The arctic vixen giggled as she places taco-shaped dough on the oven. Splero was wiping his hands on the apron he was wearing.

'I'm going to check up on Chimpan, Kalir and Malir for a while, dear.'

'OK then.'

The absolute monarch smiled and he left the kitchenette. When Splero appeared at the living room, he could see Chimpan, Kalir and Malir preparing the gift boxes. The living room around them was being decorated with Christmas lights, festoons and chrysanthemums. There were also red socks and candy canes hanging near the fireplace and the windows. An ancient WW-1 era radio was also playing 'God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen' throughout the entire room.

While the trio were all busy, Splero approached them and he cleared his throat.

'Hey there, guys. How's the gift boxes for our guests?'

'Everything was being prepared, Dad.'

'He's right, Your Highness. Mae and Gregg as well with Nick and Judy would all be so thrilled to their gifts that were brought in for them.'

'It sure does, guys.'

Splero chuckled. He then noticed that the fireplace wasn't been lit yet so the Emperor approaches it and after he placed a few lumps of coals and sticks of firewood, he ignited it with a lighter and the fireplace lights up with a warm healthy fire. He then turned around and faces the others.

'Let's prepare our celebration with the close friends of our imperial colonies, everybody. I could feel the merriness within me.'

The others snickered as they continued in preparing the gift boxes that they would be giving to the guests. Splero then faces to Malir.

'Malir.'

'Yes, Sire?'

'Can you please head to the market and buy some colored ribbons. I'm going to make something extra for the guests.'

'Right away, Sire.'

Splero then gave him some of his pocket money and the timber wolf then left.

'Dad?'

'Yep?'

'What are you going to make from the colored ribbons?'

'Some special badges, my dear Son.'

'I see. Can I help you with that?'

'Sure thing, Kalir.'

The human monarch chuckled as he brushed his heir's forehead with his palm.

...

After preparing everything inside and around the Splenai Castle, Splero and the others were setting up their special dinner when a few series of knocks greeted them from their front door.

'Who's that?'

'I'll go check, Dad.'

Kalir stood up from the living room couch and he approached the door. When the Akita wolf-dog opened the door, Nick was standing in front of him. Judy, Mae and Gregg were also tailing behind him.

'Hey there, man.'

'Ah! Welcome to the Splenai Castle, guys. Come right in.'

Kalir turned his back around.

'Dad, they're here!'

As the others entered, Splero appeared.

'Ah, Whaji Davay!'

'Hey there, Sire.'

'Hello there, Wilde! It's been a while.'

'Though we came here for a good celebration with you and the others.'

'How thoughtful of you, man. I really do appreciate it.'

Judy giggled as she helped in placing Mae's jacket on the couch.

'We're all here to make the celebration a bit more merrier.'

Mae and Gregg both nodded in reply.

'We really wanted to savor in, Splero.'

'Yeah. Me too.'

Splero smiled.

'That's great, guys. Thanks.'

Michelle and Chimpan appeared from the kitchenette.

'Oh look! There they are.'

'Great greetings, guys!'

'Hey there, Chimpan. Hay ya, Michelle.'

The arctic vixen waved at Nick.

'Hey there, Nick.'

With everyone in the living room except for Malir, Splero clapped his hands.

'Okay. Now that everyone's here, shall we all relax our paws out in the fireplace? I'm sure everyone would have some cold paws from the trip outside.'

'Sure thing, Sire. I guess I could use some warmth from there.'

'Yeah. Me too.'

'Count me in then.'

Splero chuckled as Mae, Gregg and Judy sat near to the fireplace. Kalir then poked the fireplace with a metal poker as the trio warmth themselves up in the front of the fire.

'Please make yourselves comfy and warm near the fireplace, guys. After that, we'll be serving dinner in a few moments.'

Nick and Mae perked up.

'Really?'

'What's the meal?'

'Tofu turkey, tacos and a dessert of carrot-blueberry pie slices.'

'Tasty!'

'Man, I never knew that there was carrot-blueberry pie slices for dessert, Sire.'

Judy teases the fox by nudging him with her elbow. Mae's face simply shined with delight upon hearing that tacos were also being made as well for dinner.

'Whoa there, Mae. What makes you smile and all?'

'The tacos, dude. Tacos.'

Gregg smirked.

'Oh boy. There goes the taco girl.'

Michelle giggled as Malir appeared.

'Hey there, guys. I didn't know that everyone had finally arrived.'

'Oh. They sure do, man.'

'By the way, where have you been?'

'Sorry for the delay, Splero. I was caught in a minor rush hour traffic.'

'Well then. That doesn't matter much, Malir. At least you came here in a nick of time.'

'Y-Yeah.'

Splero nodded with a smile towards the timber wolf.