Lulled by tales of moon sprites, Mia slept soundly. However, Aribelle was unable to do the same. Lying beside the girl on the straw mattress, she stared vacantly at the blank plaster ceiling. Watching as the tiny patch of sky visible through a single square window turned a shade of deep royal blue.
Putting aside the fact that moon sprites were almost certainly a figment of her imagination, she was cursed with the knowledge of her true whereabouts last night. Troubled that the list of her transgressions was growing at a rate of knots, she slid from the mattress.
Crouching on the cold flagstones, Aribelle reached for the still muddy and worn shoes positioned neatly at the foot of the bed. Careful not to wake Mia, she tucked the wool blanket around the young girl.
Standing, she regarded the girl fondly for a second, listening to her steady breathing. Like Mia, the other orphans slept on the floor around them. Some snored from under their rough woolen blankets, others sprawling out atop the lumpy straw mattresses. Aribelle tiptoed between each. Stopping once-in-awhile to adjust their blankets or to smooth the hair away from their eyes, as she progressed slowly towards a petite arched entry.
Aribelle had spent four blissfully peaceful years with her father. An avid botanist, they walked in the woods around their modest cabin every day, until his passing. What became of her mother? She had been too afraid to ask. Although he had cherished her, Aribelle noticed the odd melancholic moods that seized her father. Gazing out into the forest, she recognized the look of regret and longing left behind by loss as it gradually began to wear on his features.
After she had lost him to sickness, Aribelle had spent many nights in the cabin until she wandered into the little square in front of the Abbey. Collapsing on its steps, it had been home ever since.
Her heart making a new home here amongst the Sisters and her adopted siblings over time, it was a happy upbringing. That was until, Aribelle began to identify events that preluded the official narrative of 'Forbidden Heart'. As a commoner, this knowledge did her relatively little good. Aribelle had no money or power with which to sway what had already been preordained by the novel and had better chances of being trampled by the Prince's horse over gaining an audience with him. However, the people she cared about were not nameless extras to be used as a tragic catalyst to a ridiculous love story.
It was possibly because of this kind of thinking that Aribelle still remained a warden of the Church at the age of twenty-three. Uncommon for anyone of marriageable or working age to remain in the Abbey, unless they too became a servant of God, she was what the Sisters liked to refer to as a 'special circumstance'.
A spinster even in her previous life, Aribelle was capable. So as not to become a burden, she cared for the children and took on odd jobs to spare the Abbey of expenses when needed. Everyday was not without struggle, but she rejoiced in the simple blessings they had to offer. It's not all so bad, she thought looking back over the little figures sleeping soundly in the dim light, I'm happy here at least.
Having safely navigated the sleeping children, Aribelle turned a corner out of the archway. Surprised to find Sister Clarence approaching from down the hall, she jumped in fright.
Lit by a gas lamp the lines of her chalky face seemed more severe than usual, as she spoke.
"Good you're already awake, Aribelle."
"Is something the matter Sister?" Aribelle replied. Already suspicious towards the cause of their meeting, she was grateful there was only the small flame to see by. Hoping it was enough to conceal the uneasiness on her face Aribelle awaited the Sister's response.
"There's been a terrible flood in the slums." She reported gravely. "Fortunately, no one died, but many have been displaced."
"I understand," She said, without Clarence having to explain more "I'll go there and help relocate those effected."
In truth Aribelle was partially relieved by upon hearing no one had drowned. However, she tried her best not to let it reflect in her voice. "Let the children sleep for now." Said Aribelle, instinctively directing her attention towards the doorway.
Sister Clarence agreed with a considered nod, before handing her the lamp and promptly shooing her along the corridor.