The yearly heavest of the Argent forest is massive and successful than the previous year. The finest woods in the forest, mineral ores for keeping the machinery and rare herbs amassed was abounding that could cover for a decade. Mrs. Leonagen's excellent delegation and deployment this year achieved remarkable feat to the Marrons territory. Welcomed by the enthusiastic crowd, the Marron could rival the Capital's commerce and trade with it's bountiful supplies. No wonder they never opened their gates to any messenger or noble from Argent. Even the diplomats and delegation from the neighboring kingdom never passes the heart of Marron and always redirected to the arid lands beneath their gates.
"Isn't it the land of Marron beautiful?" Cielo tapped Cara while leading her to the castle of Marron. She was placed care under Mrs. Leonagen who directly served the Duke wondering what happens to her now. She was guided to the quarters where the Head Mistress resides.
"The chief supervises everything. She wanted to talk to you about your stay." Cielo accompany her to the Head.
Mrs. Leonagen was known to be strict. The success behind the harvest was due to her excellent management. With her keen observation, Cara couldn't predict what would her life be in this territory.
"You may leave us Cielo." gesturing her compang to the door. Cielo quickly withdrew from the quarters. It was only her and the head mistress.
Looking at the girl with no hint of nervousness just plain curiousity, she was somehow surprised. Maybe this child is really too naive to understand how things work. She surely in her teens as her features were not yet developed and her frail body is too small to be a proper lady. She is surely malnourished.
"What do you think of Marron?"
Cara looked at her and this time she never looked away.
"It was green." she plainly answered and then gaze outside the window looking at the wide garden outside.
"You mean it was supposed to be barren."
"But it has thriving fields," she answered innocently. She truly is surprised how.
"It was temporary. The moment the barrier of the territory failed, what you've seen outside the walls of this place will too deserted."
Then Cara looked nervously at her. She is surely not someone to offend.
"We found you in the Argent forest which still belongs to the Marron. We are forbidden to go to the capital. Instead of leaving you die in that forest to be shred by animals, we brought you here."
She agreed. Her death awaits her in that forest if she hadn't found by on of the lumberjacks. Though she accepted her supposed to be end by not dying in the Capital, she somehow clueless how to stay in this territory.
"I am in your hands." She timidly replied. She was trapped in a child's body and her unknown origin will not favor her. She is an unknown person in this place. She was no illegitimate child of a Duke nor the blessed Saintess in the empire.
"Looking at your imprints, you are probably a child who used to live in the temple. You are surely fortunate for children of God was highly treasured in this place."
"So madam I.."
"You will be sent to the orphanage away from the town. You will live as a servant of the nuns. Unless you want to be nun yourself and serve the temple, you can live her forever. "
"Will I not be sent or chased away?"
She asked desperately as she was too happy to stay here for as longs as it was far away from the chaos and doom of the royals.
"Unless you want to be one of the Duke servants, you may stay here."
She shook her head and agreed to the earlier proposal. She was accustomed serving the temple than serving the Duke's castle. She could hamper the works of the servants.
"I am content to serve God will all of my life Madam." she replied decisively.
"So it's settle then. I already arranged your departure a day before tomorrow. So stay with the servants for the mean time."
The days passed by quickly and it was time for Cara to be sent to the orphanage. She bid goodbye to the female servants as she grew closer to them after staying with them for a while. Cielo, who was in her mother's age hugged her before she got in the carriage.
"Ara my child, please grew up healthily in the orphanage. We will visit you from time to time."
She just nodded shyly as she clutched the clothes they gave to her. It was from their daughters who worn them in her age.
"Here," Cielo placed lemon candies in her hands. "Make sure to eat well."
"I will." She looked at the servants one last time then boarded in the carriage. With their teary exchange of goodbyes, she knew that she will go to a place that she will call home. She is no longer Cara Margaux of Equinox household nor the Saintess. Here, she is Ara. And her life begins with serving the people as atoning for her previous lifetimes.
Looking the carriage departs from her office, Mrs. Leonagen knows that the child will be taken care off very well by her sister. That nun is really fond of children. She will surely bloomed carefree in that place.
Marron territory is truly beautiful and blessed. The green fields who once thought a desserted tundra and depressing winter streches to nowhere. The field if blanketed with beautiful flowers and bountiful crops to were the carriage passes. The ephemeral scent greeted her that calms her nervousness. She even forgot that she was an adult in her two lifetimes and allow her child self drown in naivety and curiousness around her. Even the accompanying servant was amused as she looked with wonders ath the scenery outside. They haven't exchanged conversation yet the child-like demeanor coveys that this child is indeed peculiar. Her name is Elvira who assists Sister Leonacen who supervise the orphanage. They were shortly notified that a child was with them during the wood harvest and she was a child of a temple of unknown origin. She couldn't identify the child's script print and only the high priests can identify. Knowing she was left to die in the forest, she took pity to this child.
The Capital is always known to dump people in the forest. It happens that the child is fortunate to survive. What do they call her again? The letter said she was named Ara. The women randomly named her after selecting from their daughters or sisters name.
"Ara." Elivira softly spoken. Ara halted and looked at her.
"Do you find Marron amusing?"
She looked again at the wide fields then to Elvira.
"Yes."
"Good. Then you will like the Orphanage of Il Marre more."
Puzzled, she knows that wherever the place that she can't recall her previous life definitely better. She abandoned her past and starting over as Ara. Cara is no longer existed.
The journey to Il Marre lasted for 3 days trip. Before her is the huge building with beautiful garden. Little toddlers were playing in the yard while the older ones helped the chores. Ara who is used to serve the people in the temple was pleased the sight.
So this is where I live. She inwardly muttered to herself.
"Ara, this is your new home." It was Sister Leonacen welcomes her happily.
"I am indeed home." She hugged the sister unconsiously and cried to her heart's out. Her heart is too tired from all her bad experiences in the past. She never feels so placid until now. A warm embrace and succeeding pat on her back ensures her that she doesn't need to struggle all those things. And living in this place is all that she could hope for in this lifetime.
"You are safe here Ara." Leoncen coax her for her to subside crying. "You must have suffered a lot."
Indeed she did. All the suffering she encountered in the past and pain that haunted her. They could never reach them again. Her messed and tangled her was tuggled neatly by the head nun. Elvira behind her also supported.
"Do you think the heavens heard me when I prayed to take me a place of peace," her little voice finally heard.
"Yes. That's why God take you to this place. It might be to short to be heaven but I'll make sure it will be a paradise for you and the children. So will you promise me that you will live here happily?"
"Please." Then Ara hugged her tighter. She clung to a portion of her peace.
"Then shall I introduce you to the family?"
Leonacen and Elvira lead her to the building to meet the children. Everyone was delighted to meet her and her heart in deep peace finally had a place she belongs and place she calls home.