Identifying a note of suspicion in his tone, Aribelle answered cautiously. "That's a very keen observation, Captain Artegon. I cannot say that I disagree." She replied.
Met now with the full extent of his critical gaze fall upon her, she felt a shiver run through her spine. Telling herself it was impossible for the Captain to have sniffed her out so quickly after having just returned to the capital, Aribelle attempted to calm her nerves. "Of course, how would one know, unless they possessed the ability see the future." Captain Artegon remarked nonchalantly.
"Haha, yes, wouldn't that be a marvelous talent indeed!" said Aribelle, her reply sounding disingenuous.
The muscles in her shoulders and neck tightening as she demanded for their movements to appear natural. Aribelle became weary that she would inadvertently expose her secret during their conversation. Desperate, she began to pray for a well-timed disaster to befall her. Once this fervent wish was denied to her, Aribelle cursed the author inwardly 'I swear if I have another life after this one, I'll dedicate it to finding and hurting you!'
However, it seemed that Aribelle may have been granted an angel instead. Taking the form of Marten, they intervened at this time. "Sister, we need to distribute the food." He reminded her. Patiently waiting the entire time they conversed, Aribelle was grateful that Marten chosen to rescue her from the uncomfortable line of inquiry.
Of course, Captain Artegon, who was unsatisfied with permitting her this sudden exit, detained her a moment further. "Sister?" he posed the question seemingly surprised, "Have you sworn your vows to the Church, Milady?"
"No Captain, I am simply a ward of the Church but a sister to Marten." Aribelle answered plainly. Regarding the boy, her demeanor softened slightly.
Even displaying an acute smile on the edge of her mouth, the Captain observed this change in her interestedly. "That's fortunate." He remarked, again as a gleam flashed across his eyes. "I should let you get on with your errand then, I hope we should meet again soon." The Captain of the Lion Guard concluded, finally releasing her from their strained discussion. Quickly making a shallow curtsey, she took her leave of him swiftly.
Eager to vacate the premise whilst Captain Artegon was still present, her and Marten went about their original mission of distributing food to the City Watchmen. Recognized by most due to her frequent visits to see Mikel since he had been a trainee on the Watch, they were greeted warmly and their offerings with gratitude. After distributing the last of the food and providing some rudimentary first aid to those employed in rebuilding the lower town, both commenced their walk back to the Abbey.
After sauntering along the streets, liberated from their heavy loads without a word passing between them for some time. Marten finally voiced what had evidently been weighing on his mind since her conversation with Captain Artegon, "Did you know that the dragon would come, Ari?" he asked somber.
Unlike everyone else at the Abbey, Marten only ever called Aribelle by her nickname when he was being serious about something in particular. Knowing he had spent enough time around adults and was too perceptive to have missed a mention of the nature of their concerns towards her. Aribelle was not entirely surprised that he had been able to reach a conclusion from her interaction with the Captain.
Not attempt to dodge his question in anyway, she replied "I had a notion, yes." Casting her gaze up towards the sky thoughtfully, she recalled the way it had looked the night Cassius attacked. The mixture of fear and awe still fresh in her mind, the memory evoked in her a sense of melancholy as she watched the clouds overhead darken.
"Are you a monster like me then?" he asked. Marten's tone completely devoid of emotion, Aribelle stopped to consider him ardently upon hearing the question. "You are no monster, Marten." She stated firmly.
Unsurprisingly, like many of the orphans that came to the Abbey, Marten's past was tragic. Although, Aribelle had not known the details of origins until several years after she had found him starving on the streets. The Sisters had told her that his mother had worked in the Red Light District. Although she had sought to love him initially, the financial strain and burden of Marten displaying some degree of magic prowess at a young age began to weigh too heavily on her. Ultimately coming to hate him by the time she had met her gruesome death, Marten had been subjected to a great deal of suffering before they met. Although, Aribelle could not guarantee that he would not encounter more in the future. She was determined to shield him from it for as long as he remained under her care.
Noticing that she continued to stare at him, the boy turned away from her seemingly bothered by her compassionate gaze. Sighing, as she wondered from whom he acquired this habit of hiding his emotions, Aribelle spoke to his back. "Marten, I'll say it as many times as it takes for you to believe it, but there is nothing you can do that would make me think of you as a monster."
"Nothing?" he repeated apprehensive towards whether she would be able to keep her word.
"Absolutely nothing." Aribelle replied, smiling at the boy as he peeked over his shoulder at her. "You will always be my brother, Marten." she affirmed.
Receiving a minute nod from him, Aribelle then took his hand in her hers as they resumed their stroll silent back to the Abbey.