A Fate Bound Together

Deep in a forest far from civilization, lived a twenty-year-old young woman alongside an elderly grandmother who had resided there for decades.

Their lives were simple, far removed from luxury and the hustle and bustle of city life. Yet, amidst the towering trees and blooming wild flowers, the two found a peace beyond measure.

The young woman's name was Celina Roseanne Maelyn.

She had golden blonde hair that shimmered softly whenever caught by the sunlight filtering through the leaves. Her pair of eyes were a clear blue, resembling a vast and soothing spring sky. Her face possessed a gentle beauty, with a natural glow that made her look like a flower blooming amidst the quietude of nature.

There was something captivating about her—not merely her lovely features, but also a sense of serenity that seemed to blend seamlessly with the life around her.

Celina had spent most of her life in that place.

The Agriul Forest.

A vast expanse of green, far away from the noise of the city or the lives of the nobility. Though called a forest, Agriul was not a place filled with the threat of wild beasts.

On the contrary, the area was known as a safe and peaceful haven, prompting many elderly people to choose it as the place to spend the rest of their days.

The cool air, fertile soil, and utterly peaceful atmosphere made Agriul feel like a small world set apart from the outside world.

There, time seemed to move at a slower pace.

A river split through the forest area, its water so clear that small pebbles at the riverbed could easily be seen. Its soft trickling sound hummed gently, becoming a natural melody that accompanied the daily lives of Agriul's residents.

Along the riverbanks, wild flowers grew gracefully. Their petals swayed with the breeze, while green grass stretched between the roots of the trees.

Not far from there lay the small gardens owned by the forest dwellers.

Various plants grew abundantly—from vegetables and spices to flowers tended with meticulous care. The scent of damp earth and fresh foliage became a familiar part of their daily life.

Small animals also lived side by side with humans.

Nimble squirrels scampered between tree trunks, soft-furred rabbits hopped across the grass, while a few cats strolled leisurely around the wooden houses. Birds chirped from behind the branches, as if welcoming the morning with songs that were never quite the same.

Agriul was a place where nature and human life blended in perfect harmony.

It was in the midst of this tranquility that Celina grew up.

Far away from anything that might be waiting for her out there, she spent her days simply, accompanied by a grandmother who had become the most important part of her life.

Celina was sitting near the window of their wooden house. Her slender fingers moved deftly, embroidering thread onto fabric to mend a piece of clothing she was sewing.

The late afternoon sunlight seeped through the window gap, illuminating her golden blonde hair that draped softly over her shoulders. Every now and then, the wind carried the scent of leaves from outside, creating a deeply soothing atmosphere.

However, the sound of the wooden door opening made the girl turn her head.

An old woman entered the house with light steps. Even though she had reached the age of seventy, her posture remained upright and her movements quite nimble. Fine wrinkles adorned her face, but they did not diminish the warmth radiating from her in the slightest.

Her name was Aldith Mabel.

A grandmother who had lived in the Agriul Forest for decades, working as a baker in a small shop owned by a local resident.

Celina put her sewing down on her lap and offered a sweet smile.

"Welcome home, Grandma."

Aldith returned the smile. She approached the girl she had come to regard as her own granddaughter, then held out a small paper bag.

"I brought something for you."

Celina took the bag with curiosity. As she unfolded it, a mouthwatering sweet aroma immediately greeted her senses.

Her pair of blue eyes sparkled brightly.

Inside were a few pieces of cheese brownies—her favorite treat, boasting a delicious combination of chocolate and cheese flavors.

"Wow! Thank you, Grandma!" she exclaimed joyfully.

Aldith chuckled at the girl's delight.

"You always look so happy whenever you get sweet food."

Celina took a piece of the brownie, then looked at her grandmother with a beaming smile.

"Because your baking is always so delicious, Grandma!"

"What a sweet child." Aldith gently stroked the top of Celina's head. "Don't shower me with too many compliments, or you'll make my head swell."

Celina let out a soft laugh and offered a piece of the brownie to her.

"Then you have to eat some too, Grandma."

Aldith accepted the piece with a warm smile.

That evening, the two sat side by side in the living room of their wooden house. The golden light of the sun slipped through the window, wrapping the room in gentle warmth.

On the small table, a plate of cheese brownies was served between two cups of warm tea. The sweet aroma of chocolate blended with the fragrance of the tea, accompanying their simple conversation.

Celina took a bite of a brownie, then glanced at Aldith, who was enjoying her tea.

"Grandma, please let me work," she said softly.

Aldith raised an eyebrow and turned to the girl.

Celina lowered her head for a moment, her fingers nervously clutching the edge of her skirt.

"I can't just sit around at home while you have to work so hard every day."

Aldith chuckled softly. She placed her cup on the table and looked at Celina with deep affection.

"It's alright, sweetheart. Taking care of our garden is more than enough."

"But, Grandma..." Celina took a long breath. "You're getting older. You should be resting, not working continuously at the bakery."

Aldith narrowed her eyes, feigning offense.

"Are you teasing me? You cheeky child!"

She promptly tossed a small rag lying nearby toward Celina. The girl laughed as she managed to catch it with both hands.

"I'm sorry, Grandma!" she called out amidst her laughter. "But I'm truly worried. If you fall ill, I would be so sad."

Aldith let out a small huff, though the smile at the corner of her lips could not be hidden.

"In that case, don't make me feel like an utterly useless old grandmother."

Celina shook her head quickly.

"You're not useless, Grandma. You are the most precious person to me."

Instantly, Aldith's expression softened. She reached out and gently caressed Celina's cheek.

"Ah, this child... You always know how to leave me speechless."

Celina smiled, leaning her head against her grandmother's shoulder.

"Because I love you, Grandma."

Aldith stroked the girl's golden hair. "And I love you too, Celina. More than you could ever imagine."

Celina resumed enjoying the cheese brownie in her hand. She picked off a bit of shredded cheese sprinkled on top of the pastry and popped it into her mouth. The sweet chocolate flavor combined with the savory cheese brought a satisfied smile to her face.

Meanwhile, Aldith calmly sipped her warm tea.

"We're out of firewood," Celina said after swallowing her food. "I'll go gather some after this."

Aldith turned and gave a slow nod. "Alright. Fortunately, a friend of mine gave me some fresh fish earlier this afternoon."

Celina's expression instantly brightened. Both her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

"Really? Wow! Then we'll have grilled fish for dinner!"

Aldith let out a soft laugh at the girl's reaction.

"It seems you're more excited about hearing about food than gathering firewood."

Celina pursed her lips, slightly bashful. "Of course! Your grilled fish is so delicious, Grandma."

"Then don't forget to gather enough wood. I don't want our fish to be only half-cooked."

"Alright, Grandma!" Celina replied cheerfully.

Aldith shook her head gently, smiling at her granddaughter's antics.

"Silly child. Twenty years old, yet still so easily coaxed with food."

Celina giggled and went back to eating the cheese brownie in her hand.

Outside the window, the late afternoon sunlight slowly faded, leaving behind hues of orange glowing amidst the trees of the Agriul Forest.

After finishing her snack, Celina immediately prepared to gather firewood. She grabbed a small basket and pulled the wooden cart she usually used to transport her haul.

The task was not unfamiliar to her. Celina was used to exploring deeper parts of the forest to get enough dry wood for their daily needs. She knew the small paths in Agriul very well, so she had no need to feel lost even when walking quite far from home.

Every now and then, she bent down to pick up twigs and dry pieces of wood scattered among the leaves.

One by one, the pieces of wood were placed into the cart until the pile grew higher.

Her golden blonde hair, tied back in a ponytail, moved softly with every movement of her body. A few strands came loose and fell around her face, but Celina did not pay them much mind.

"Hello, Celina." An old man's voice sounded from behind her.

Celina stopped her work and turned around. Not far from her stood an elderly man in simple clothing and a slightly worn fabric cap.

It was Baret, their eighty-year-old neighbor. Though his hair was completely white, his posture remained upright and vigorous. In fact, he still frequently performed various chores around his house without much complaint.

Celina smiled warmly. "Hello, Mr. Baret! What are you up to?"

Baret lifted the woven basket he was carrying.

"I just picked some apples from the orchard. The trees are bearing a lot of fruit this year."

Celina glanced at the basket with keen interest. "Oh, it looks like there are so many!"

"Indeed. The tree is quite old, but it still faithfully produces fruit." Baret chuckled. "Are you gathering firewood yourself?"

Celina nodded, pointing toward her cart. "Yes. Our supply of wood at home has run out."

"I see. You really are a hardworking child."

Celina blushed slightly.

"Not really, sir. I'm just helping Grandma Aldith."

"Ah, is that old woman still busy working at her bakery?"

Celina let out a soft sigh and then nodded. "That's right. Even though I've told her to rest countless times."

Baret laughed heartily. "Hahaha! Do you think she'd listen to you? Aldith has been stubborn since the old days."

Celina joined in with a small laugh. "It certainly seems that way."

Baret then observed the pile of wood inside the cart.

"Well then, don't push yourself too hard. The sun will be setting soon."

"Alright, Mr. Baret. Thank you for reminding me."

"I'll be heading home now. My wife must be waiting for me."

Celina nodded politely. "Have a safe walk back!"

Baret raised his hand in farewell before resuming his walk down the path.

Celina turned back to her cart. There were still a few pieces of wood to collect before she could head home.

An afternoon in Agriul always felt so peaceful. Amidst the sound of rustling leaves and the chirping of birds beginning to return to their nests, Celina quietly continued her work.

Dusk slowly blanketed the Agriul Forest. The sun began to sink behind the tall trees, leaving behind streaks of golden-orange adorning the sky. The light that previously illuminated the path grew dimmer, replaced by the lengthening shadows of the trees stretching across the grass.

Celina had finished gathering the firewood. With both hands gripping the handles of the cart, she began walking home along the path she knew so well.

The wooden wheels creaked softly every time they rolled over the uneven ground.

Along the way, several rabbits were seen hopping between the bushes. Some stopped for a moment, peeking at Celina with perked-up ears and a small twitching nose.

The girl smiled at their antics. "Hello~" she greeted softly.

One of the rabbits immediately hopped away, vanishing behind the grass.

Celina giggled softly before resuming her journey.

Not long after, their wooden house came into view among the trees. Thin smoke billowed from the chimney, signaling that Aldith had already begun preparing dinner.

Arriving in the yard, Celina found her grandmother sitting near the wooden table. Several fresh fish had been cleaned and placed on a tray, while various cooking spices were neatly arranged beside them.

Celina smiled brightly.

"The firewood has arrived, Grandma!"

Aldith turned and saw the cart full of wood behind the girl.

"Goodness, did you gather that much?"

Celina nodded proudly.

"Of course! It should be enough for a few days."

"That's good. Bring some near the stove, and store the rest in the small shed."

"Alright!"

Celina began unloading the wood from the cart. After placing a few pieces near the stove, she approached Aldith and peeked at the tray of fish.

"Have you seasoned them yet, Grandma?"

"Not all of them. I'm still getting the garlic and herbs ready."

Celina carefully picked up a piece of fish.

"In that way, let me help."

Aldith glanced at her with a smile.

"Very well. You can help brush on the seasoning. But don't use too much, or the flavor will change."

Celina nodded enthusiastically.

"Don't worry, Grandma. I'm quite skilled at it!"

"Is that so? Well then, let's see the result later."

Celina let out a small laugh.

Celina and Aldith began preparing the stove in the kitchen. Several pieces of firewood were placed inside and lit until a small flame began to flicker. Slowly, the orange glow licked the bottom of the stove, spreading warmth throughout the room.

Celina stood beside the kitchen counter, brushing the blended spices evenly across the surface of the fish. The aroma of garlic, herbs, and a hint of lime juice filled the air. She made sure every part was evenly coated before placing the fish onto the grill.

Aldith adjusted the embers so the heat wouldn't be too intense. Every now and then, she flipped the fish with iron tongs, letting both sides cook slowly.

A soft sizzle was heard whenever oil and seasoning dripped onto the hot embers. The savory scent of grilled fish began to fill the kitchen, blending with the fragrance of burning wood.

Celina occasionally helped fan the embers to keep them burning. A few strands of her golden hair fell around her face, forcing her to tuck them back behind her ear.

Before long, the surface of the fish turned golden-brown with slightly crispy edges. Aldith brushed on the remaining seasoning to enhance the flavor, while Celina arranged clean plates on the dining table.

Night grew deeper in the Agriul Forest.

Outside the house, the sound of crickets began to echo among the trees. The light of the oil lamp illuminated the simple room, while the warmth of the stove and the aroma of grilled fish made their night feel so comforting.

Once all the fish were fully cooked, Aldith lifted them from the grill and arranged them on a large plate.

Their simple dinner was finally ready to be served.

Night grew deeper. Silence blanketed the Agriul Forest, with only the sound of crickets and the rustle of the wind occasionally heard from behind the windows of the wooden house.

Aldith had already retired to her room earlier. Meanwhile, in another room, Celina was still awake, an oil lamp illuminating her study desk.

Before her lay an open Biology book with several neatly organized pages of notes. Her slender fingers occasionally moved the pen, jotting down important points from her reading into a small notebook.

Although she did not pursue higher education after finishing school, Celina never let her knowledge stop there. She consistently took the time to review the various subjects she had been taught during her school years.

To her, learning was not something that had to be done out of demand or obligation. There was a unique joy every time she discovered something new and understood something she had never known before.

Biology was one of her favorite subjects. She loved studying the lives of living things, recognizing various types of plants, and understanding how nature works.

Her love for knowledge also made her fond of spending time reading books and writing. The small bookshelf in the corner of her room was filled with various reading materials, ranging from textbooks and personal notes to a few storybooks she occasionally read before bed.

Amidst a simple life far from the hustle and bustle of the city, those books served as a small window for Celina to get to know a wider world.

The sound of rustling bushes suddenly echoed from outside her bedroom window.

Celina, who was busy reading, immediately stopped the movement of her pen. She raised her head, then slowly turned toward the tightly closed wooden window.

Through the glass, she could see the shadows of trees illuminated by moonlight. Small branches swayed in the wind, while the surrounding foliage moved gently.

Celina's forehead furrowed slightly.

"Is that a rabbit?" she murmured softly.

She leaned her face slightly closer to the glass, trying to observe the bushes not far from her window.

However, not a single animal was in sight. Only the leaves swayed occasionally, as if nothing had happened.

After observing the outside for a moment, Celina finally sat back down calmly.

She straightened her book, picked up the pen she had set on the table, and resumed her notes.

The light of the oil lamp once again illuminated her serious face, while night continued to blanket the Agriul Forest in silence.

Morning had arrived in the Agriul Forest. Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage, illuminating the paths and wooden houses now bustling with the activities of their residents.

Aldith had left for work at her bakery since early morning. Meanwhile, Celina chose to spend her time tending to the small garden located not far from their house.

The garden was filled with various kinds of vegetables and fruits grown with meticulous care. There were cucumbers, tomatoes, bird's eye chilies, spinach, and several fruit plants thriving in the corner of the garden.

The harvest served as their daily food source. Aside from saving expenses, vegetables and fruits picked directly from the soil tasted much fresher. They didn't always need to go to the market to get ingredients.

Celina wore a simple dress with an apron tied around her waist. A wide-brimmed gardening hat protected her head from the sunlight, while the small string under her chin moved softly whenever the wind blew.

She squatted among the rows of plants, then began loosening the soil with a small trowel.

Her fingers occasionally parted the leaves to check on vegetables that were ripe and ready to be harvested. Several cucumbers hung among the green vines, while plump red tomatoes hid behind lush leaves.

Celina picked them one by one carefully so the plant stems wouldn't get damaged.

Afterward, she moved on to the bird's eye chili plants. Small, bright red fruits grew in clusters among the green leaves. She selected the ripe chilies and placed them into the woven basket set beside her.

Not far away, spinach grew with fresh leaves covering the surface of the soil. Celina inspected a few clumps before plucking the plants that were ready to be harvested.

Occasionally, she paused to clear away weeds growing around the roots of the plants. She also watered the parts of the garden where the soil was beginning to dry using a watering can from the small well near the house.

Morning dew still clung to several leaves, reflecting the sunlight like tiny crystal droplets.

A butterfly fluttered past flowers blooming at the edge of the garden. A few small birds perched on the wooden fence, chirping while occasionally hopping from one branch to another.

Celina enjoyed the atmosphere peacefully.

To her, tending the garden was not merely a household chore. There was a unique satisfaction in seeing plants that were once only tiny seeds now growing lush and bearing fruit.

Amidst the simplicity of her life, that small garden was one of the things she was most grateful for.

"Good morning, Celina!"

A friendly greeting rang out from the path crossing the side of the garden.

Celina, who was busy picking a few tomatoes, immediately looked up. Her gaze landed on an elderly woman walking past the low wooden fence in front of her house.

The woman was Mrs. Grace, Mr. Baret's wife. She was no longer young, but her face still radiated warmth. She wore a simple long dress with a thin shawl draped over her shoulders.

Celina smiled brightly and waved her small hand. "Good morning, Mrs. Grace! I hope you have a wonderful day!"

Grace chuckled at the girl's cheerfulness. "Ah, you're always so cheerful every morning. Harvesting vegetables?"

Celina nodded while showing her woven basket.

"That's right! I'm gathering some vegetables for our lunch supplies."

Grace glanced at the contents of the basket. "Your tomatoes look so fresh. Your garden is growing exceptionally well this year."

"Thank you! I tend to it every day with Grandma Aldith."

"In that case, you must let her know that I'd like to buy some tomatoes later. As it happens, my supply at home has run out."

Celina nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! I'll prepare them for you."

Grace smiled with satisfaction. "Thank you, dear. Oh, has Aldith already left for work?"

"Yes. Grandma left early this morning."

"I see. Pass along my regards to her if you run into each other later."

"I will, Mrs. Grace!"

The old woman resumed her walk down the path. She occasionally turned back and waved before finally disappearing behind the trees.

Celina returned the wave with a small smile, then turned back to her garden.

Mornings in Agriul were always filled with warm greetings from people who had long been a part of each other's lives. They didn't have much, but it was simple kindnesses like that which made the place feel like home.

Celina took off her gardening hat and used it to fan her face for a moment. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand and let out a relieved breath.

Her gaze shifted to the woven basket beside her. The basket was now nearly full of various harvest yields, ranging from cucumbers, red tomatoes, bird's eye chilies, to several bundles of fresh spinach.

Celina tilted her head, observing the fruits of her labor.

This should be enough.

She squatted down to tidy up the vegetables piled inside the basket, making sure nothing would fall out on the way home.

With a little remaining strength, Celina lifted the basket using both hands. It was quite heavy, causing her steps to slow slightly as she began to leave the garden.

Every now and then, she paused briefly to readjust her grip before continuing her journey.

Her work that morning was finished. Their garden had been watered, the ripe vegetables harvested, and the weeds disrupting the plants had been cleared away.

Upon arriving near the house, Celina placed the basket on the wooden bench on the porch. She rubbed her palms together, then looked toward the trees lining the path leading to the river.

After this, I'll go take a bath in the river.

A small smile graced her face. After spending the morning gardening under the sun, just imagining the cool river water already made her feel refreshed.