A commotion broke out in the Amerotha Forest. The reason was that Addy Roberto Munest, a forest ranger, had found a baby girl during his morning patrol. The baby was wrapped in a thick blanket and lying in the dense undergrowth, as if abandoned without a trace.
With great caution, Addy crouched down and examined the surroundings, trying to find any clues as to who might have left such a small baby in the Amerotha forest. But he found nothing.
Addy had no choice. He couldn’t leave the baby alone in the forest. His plan was to take the baby to the forest office and let those with more authority take action.
Unfortunately, all those plans were shattered the moment Addy reached out and held the baby. A warmth spread through his body and he felt an alien pulse in his heart. He couldn’t breathe, the air was trapped in his chest, and when he forced himself to breathe, he inhaled the baby’s scent as well.
Addy smiled broadly with tears in his eyes. It was then that he realized he had fallen in love. He had fallen in love with a little girl of unknown origin.
With this realization, a certainty grew in Addy’s mind. He was sure that not only had he fallen in love and would love the baby, but he also bet that his wife would feel the same way, and it proved true.
Hilary Russell immediately left her cooking at home. She, who had no patrol schedule that morning, rushed to the office when she received a call from Addy. Her heart was pounding and the world seemed to stop when she arrived.
Addy greeted Hilary’s arrival as she held the baby. He smiled and said, “Look, Hilary. Isn’t she adorable?”
It wasn’t long before Hilary felt joy swell in her chest. She pressed her lips together, afraid to sob, but her shoulders still shook with tears of happiness. “Oh God, Addy.”
Addy allowed Hilary to take the baby. He watched as Hilary held the baby with great care and affection. “You like her, don’t you?”
“Like her?” Hilary bit her lower lip, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I love her. Oh, God. It’s just unbelievable. How can I love someone when we’ve only just met?”
Addy stroked Hilary’s back and smiled with emotion. “I feel it too, Hilary. I’ve suddenly fallen in love with her and that’s why I called you,” he said, taking a deep breath. He thought he needed to calm himself down a bit from the beautiful possibility he was striving for. “I’ve contacted the authorities and they’re investigating. But if the baby’s parents aren’t found, we can go to the palace.”
Hilary tried to hold her breath, but Addy’s words had given her hope. “Y-you’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Of course.” Addy nodded once. “I am serious. I really hope Vione can be our daughter.”
Hilary blinked. “Vione?”
Addy took a piece of paper out of his pocket. He showed the name written on it, just one word. “I found this paper in her blanket. Her name is Vione.”
“Vione,” Hilary whispered as she looked at the baby. Then she noticed the baby wriggling, as if in response to her name. “That’s a beautiful name. It’s very fitting for her.”
Addy nodded, completely agreeing with Hilary’s opinion. To him, the name truly reflected the essence of the baby, hinting at something deeper than just an identity. He felt that there was a strength and mystery surrounding the name, as if Vione had a great destiny that had been set for her from birth.
Addy’s intuition seemed to be confirmed when Ayla visited them. Especially a week later, after officials confirmed that they had found no clues or traces that could lead them to Vione’s parents. The palace decided to allow the Munest family to become Vione’s new family, and Ayla said:
“She is very lucky to have been found by you. She will live happily, and you will love each other forever. I also hope you can take good care of her. She is a hope.”
Addy wasn’t sure if he understood Ayla’s words literally. But he didn’t ask further when Ayla asked Hilary for permission to hold Vione for a moment.
Addy could sense that Ayla loved Vione as much as she did. Her eyes seemed to sparkle when she looked at Vione.
But what Addy and Hilary didn’t know was that Ayla was about to seize a precious opportunity. She cradled Vione, turned slightly so Addy and Hilary wouldn’t see, and whispered, “I’m glad we met, Vione. You are just as I saw you. Your soul is so pure, and the name Vione is perfect for you. You…”
Ayla’s movements stopped. She no longer rocked Vione as the world seemed to freeze for her. Time stood still, her eyes became empty and another vision appeared. She had a vision.
“I didn’t see you yesterday, Vione.”
“Oh, Usher. I didn’t go to the palace with Mama yesterday. That’s because Papa had a patrol schedule and I went with him.”
“Was it so nice for you to play in the Amerotha Forest?”
“Yes, playing there is indeed a lot of fun. I don’t know why, but I always feel at peace there.”
“I hope you can take me there one day.”
“Can I? Shouldn’t you be studying and practicing every day, Usher?”
“Well, I think I can get a day off. Besides, everyone has a few days off.”
Ayla blinked. Her vision ended and she smiled at Vione. “You’re going to be good friends, Vione.”
“What did you say, Ayla?”
Reflexively, Ayla turned to find Hilary asking. “Nothing. I just wished her a happy life.” She handed Vione back to Hilary. “I hope you take care of yourselves. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need anything. I’m leaving.”
Addy and Hilary watched Ayla leave with questioning looks on their faces. They looked at each other and could guess each other’s thoughts.
“I know Ayla is a good person. After all, she is the Sacred Elder. She cares for everyone, but there seems to be something strange. Don’t you think so, Addy?”
Addy sighed. “It seems that she cares so much for Vione that she didn’t think twice about coming to us.”
“That’s what I think,” Hilary said, gently rubbing Vione’s back. “Besides, she even prayed for Vione without us asking her to.”
Confusion filled Addy and Hilary’s minds, but fortunately it didn’t last long. When Vione began to laugh, all their thoughts vanished. They forgot about the oddities and focused solely on Vione, who became more amazing with each passing day.
Addy and Hilary put their curiosity aside. They thought Ayla’s attention was a blessing, even if it seemed strange. So, they decided not to worry about it. Besides, time seemed to fly and before they knew it, the years had passed without them noticing.
Now Addy and Hilary’s world was complete. Their lives had become more beautiful, and the reason was a tiny baby found on the edge of the Amerotha Forest, who had lived with them for years, growing up healthy and happy, and becoming an extraordinary little girl they named Vione Celestie Munest.
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