In the medical room at Ztatzav Orphanage,
The atmosphere in that place was very quiet because no one else had come there yet. A girl with short, black hair stared at the face of her new friend who was lying on the bed. There were no moans from Alexa, but the bruises on the Chosen One’s face and the corners of her lips caught her attention.
“Poor Alexa. She has never done anything bad, but why do Odessa and her group always like to bother her? Are they not human, so they can just hurt others? Their behaviour is disgusting.” Aileen said in a low tone, as if not wanting to disturb the sleep of the first daughter of the couple, Tristian Varden Writh and Lavena Isolda Keira.
Just as she finished saying so, the pale white woman suddenly heard a sound and immediately turned to the source. As it turned out, Madame Ethnia had just come out of the room specially reserved by the Healer. Aileen was instantly relieved that no one else had entered the medical room,
“Aileen? Why are you still here? Are you not going to class?” The silver-haired woman asked the student who was still sitting next to Alexa’s bed, and the patient was still fast asleep.
“No, Madame. I want to accompany Alexa. Before my friends left, I told them I would be excused from the next lesson.” Aileen answered politely, and what she said was true.
“Alright then. The important thing is that you have asked for permission. If you do not do it, I will not allow you to stay here longer.” The thirty-seven-year-old woman gave a warning at the end of the sentence, but the tone of voice was gentle, so the other person did not take offence at all. Aileen was grateful that Madame Ethnia did not kick her out of the infirmary, as she was reluctant to leave her poor new friend.
“Thank you, Madame Ethnia.” The girl, who was the same age as Alexa, still expressed her gratitude, and the Healer smiled sweetly.
“You are welcome. If I may know, when did you become friends with Alexa?” Madame Ethnia asked another question, as she was curious about how the Messenger of Goddess Magia managed to have several friends at once.
“We met Alexa during the holidays, Madame. She seemed alone and scared, so Sam called her first.” The oval-faced girl answered the question honestly. Aileen still vividly remembered meeting the chestnut brown-haired girl and how happy Alexa looked when she saw that she and her three friends accepted her to play together.
“Ah, I see. I am glad you guys want to be friends with Alexa. People have always hated her for no reason. That is why she has been so quiet and only talks when asked.” The one-hundred-and-sixty-seven-centimetre-tall woman was happy with Samuel’s decision. Aiden, Aileen, and Adaline wanted to hang out with a young lady who received the most hate in the orphanage.
Twin sister Adaline Petmurzkha remembered something but hesitated to ask the Healer about it. After a few seconds of silence, Aileen tried to find the courage as her curiosity overcame her reluctance. “Excuse me, Madame Ethnia. Can I ask you something?”
A woman who had worked for seventeen years at the orphanage as a Healer frowned, but she nodded anyway, wanting to hear what kind of question the young girl had in mind. When she saw Madame Ethnia’s reaction, Aileen was a little hesitant but still had to come forward because it was too late to retreat. “Er… does Madame know anything about Alexa’s past? I mean… is it true that people say she was a witch?”
The interlocutor’s expression changed as soon as possible and did not focus on Aileen. She was reminded of Madame Aufrodine’s near-death experience due to the arrival of a baby girl named Alexa by Goddess Magia. Aileen observed the change in Madame Ethnia’s expression, so suspicions began to arise within the girl about the Healer. However, she did not dare to speak to her first, as she was waiting for a definite answer from her.
Madame Ethnia had finally found a suitable answer, so she turned to the other person. “There was nothing unusual when Alexa entered the orphanage. If I am not mistaken, Aiden, you, and Adaline also arrived here first. I checked on you guys, and nothing unusual was found.”
Madame Ethnia’s second sentence caught Aileen’s attention without further ado. The grey-eyed woman, on the other hand, wished that the subject of Alexa would stop immediately, as she was trying not to talk about things she should keep hidden. “Did me, Aiden, and Adaline enter the orphanage together or separately, Madame? Excuse me if I ask again.”
“No, the three of you did not enter at the same time. Twelve years ago, Aiden was the first to show up at the orphanage, then you and Adaline, the third Alexa, and finally Samuel.” Madame Ethnia was relieved that she did not have to explain about the granddaughter of Sir Elmer Louis Writh and Madame Phoenix Lily Katira to Aileen.
“Ah, I see. I just found out about all that, Madame.” The young lady was happy to hear such news and was not surprised that the five of them were now best friends, even though Alexa was the last to join their circle of friends. Madame Ethnia felt guilty for keeping Alexa’s secret but remembered her promise to Madame Loiston.
“Yes. There is nothing strange about any of you. So, if anyone is gossiping about any of you five, then you already know from me that it is not true.” Madame Ethnia already wanted to close the conversation, as she wanted to prevent unnecessary conversations with Aileen.
“I understand, Madame. Thank you for your answers.” The green-eyed girl was satisfied with the explanations and did not want to ask the Healer any more questions.
“You are welcome. I want to check on Alexa’s condition first.” After saying so, Madame Ethnia approached the first daughter of the couple, Tristian Varden Writh and Lavena Isolda Keira. Aileen rose to her feet from the chair and then walked five steps to avoid interfering with the Healer performing her duty.
It was quiet in the room again. Aileen could only watch what the full-bodied woman was doing to the patient, and she had no intention of starting a new conversation with her. In the midst of the silence that dominated there, an idea crossed the mind of the virgin who was still watching Madame Ethnia without blinking.
I was relieved because what many people thought about Alexa, including that moron Odessa and her evil group, was not proven. But why did I see something strange in Madame Ethnia’s face before she answered my question? Is she hiding something from me? Thought Aileen, who found it strange that the Healer’s demeanour looked strange in her eyes.
In less than five minutes, Madame Ethnia had finished checking on Alexa. The sharp-nosed woman was still asleep, and there was no sign of waking up. A woman wearing a white dress smiled as she looked at the patient, then she turned to Aileen, who had been looking at her. “Alexa will wake up in a few hours. You can do it if you want to return to the room. I will take care of her.”
“Thank you, Madame, but I want to stay here.” Aileen refused subtly, so the interlocutor no longer wanted to force her.
“Okay. If Aileen wants to eat or go to the bathroom, you can knock on that door, and I will be here as soon as possible.” The same woman said as she pointed to the door where there was a room that only the Healer could enter. The young teen nodded, understanding what she was saying.
“I will do it, Madame. I will knock on that door if anyone is looking for you.” That slender girl promised to do as the Healer asked. Madame Ethnia was stunned at Aileen’s determination, and then she smiled as she nodded to her.
“Thank you, Aileen.” Madame Ethnia walked away as soon as she finished saying that. Meanwhile, the girl, who had a height of one hundred and sixty-five centimetres tall, could only watch the Healer’s departure. She continued to perform the same actions, and when the target entered another room, Aileen turned her attention to a bed that someone had occupied.
“If Aiden, Samuel, and Adaline are back here, I can rest easier. I was surprised by Madame Ethnia’s attitude, but I guess it was impossible that she remembered the other events that had happened after Alexa was born. I am not sure if that girl is a witch like people are accusing her of being,” muttered Aileen, who turned her head towards the exit as she seemed to hear footsteps approaching.
***