Ruth looked around her as she lay on her bed. She found herself surrounded by curtains and there was the scent of lemons in the air.
She was wearing white pajamas and her feet were bare. She got up again and felt dizzy, "Whoa", she gripped the sheets.
Ruth heard footsteps approaching her. The curtains parted to reveal a middle-aged woman in a nurse's uniform. She smiled kindly, "Ah, you're awake. I was starting to get worried."
"Where am I?", Ruth asked, rubbing her head. "You are in the infirmary of the academy. I am Emily Frit, the academy nurse.", the nurse replied.
"Oh. Okay, so did I hurt anyone? How did I get here? How long was I out?", Ruth asked in one breath.
"Whoa. Slow down. I'll tell you everything.", Emily held out her palms. "First, don't worry. No one else was hurt."
"Thank goodness", Ruth sighed in relief.
"For your second question. Instructor Seventeen brought you into the infirmary.", Emily answered.
"You were a wreck. Unconscious, ice-cold, severe blood loss, pierced bones, internal bleeding. Honestly, I didn't even know you would make it out alive. That Aeva curse is nasty."
"Yeah. It is.", Ruth agreed. "So how long was I out?", she asked again. "A week", Emily replied. Ruth was surprised.
Emily continued, "To be honest. I expected you to be out much longer but you recovered fast. You must thank instructor Seventeen. If he didn't bring you in time, you would've been in really deep trouble."
"The young man even gave some suggestions which even I, a powerful healer had to admit, were really effective.", Emily nodded her head with approval.
"Oh. Well, thank you.", Ruth bowed her head in gratitude and proceeded to get off the bed. She felt a little dizzy as her feet touched the ground.
"You shouldn't move right now. You need rest.", Emily said with concern.
"It's okay. I feel better.", Ruth insisted and stopped when she noticed something. She can't feel the constant and painful stinging on her back due to the curse.
'What is happening?', she thought and turned to Emily, "Um, is there a changing room?", she asked.
Emily nodded, "Yes there is.", she turned around and went outside the curtains. She returned with Ruth's clothes in her hands, "They were ripped so I mended them.", she handed them to Ruth.
"Thank you.", Ruth grabbed them and went to the changing room. Inside the changing room, she took off her pajama top and looked at her back in the mirror.
"No way.", she said in surprise. The curse mark on her back that plagued her since she was born and the cause of the tragedy ten years ago was gone. The spot where the mark was on her back was unscathed.
It was as if she never had the curse mark in the first place.
"You are free.", Juniper's words resonated in her mind.
'How?', she thought. She had a vague memory of Seventeen coming at her and placing his hand on her back as he said something.
'Did he dispel the curse? Does that mean what grandma told mom came true?', these questions swirled in her mind.
She quickly changed into her own clothes. As she exited the changing room, a glint of silver to her right caught the corner of her eye.
She turned and almost did a double-take. Perched on a window and looking straight at her was a Moon Falcon. Its silver feathers ruffled in the wind and its intelligent black eyes glinted.
Before Ruth could process the scene, the falcon spread its wings and flew away with a beautiful cry. Ruth rushed to the window and looked out. A single silver feather landed on the windowsill.
"What is the matter instructor Ruth?", Emily came behind her. "I just saw a Moon Falcon.", Ruth replied in amazement.
"Ah, that is Selene. She is instructor Seventeen's companion. She would come here every day to see how you were doing.", Emily said, "She is a beautiful bird."
"Indeed.", Ruth agreed. She didn't know Seventeen had a Moon Falcon as a companion. She remembered him mentioning the name Selene when he tried to explain why he crashed on her carriage.
"So that is Selene.", she said and turned to Emily, "Do you know where Seventeen is?"
"Well, I believe he is taking a class right now.", Emily replied after thinking for a minute. "Thank you.", Ruth said and proceeded towards the doors of the infirmary.
"Are you sure you're alright?", Emily asked again. "I've never felt better.", Ruth replied with a smile and exited the infirmary.
She rushed along the huge corridors of the academy towards what she hoped was the way to the classroom of Special class A. The corridors were empty as it was the morning class session.
Soon she found herself lost, 'How big is this damn building?', Ruth thought as she leaned against a wall to catch her breath.
Suddenly she heard a soft cry. She saw Selene the Moon Falcon flying to the corridor to her right. She followed the bird and after some time she reached a classroom with the sign 'SPECIAL CLASS A'.
Ruth heard Seventeen taking a class about barriers. She stood in the doorway panting.
Seventeen stopped talking. She noticed everyone's eyes on her. Selene the falcon perched on the teacher's desk and looked at her.
Seventeen smiled, "Hey ice queen. Looks like you're awake.", he turned to the class, "You guys know her by now, this is Ruth Aeva and she is going to be your second instructor."
The students got up and bowed to her. She nodded in return. Ruth turned towards Seventeen and asked, "What did you do?"
Seventeen looked confused, "What?"
"My curse mark vanished when I woke up.", Ruth said. "I shouldn't have done that?", Seventeen asked.
Ruth shook her head, "It's not like that. I'm happy that the curse is no more but how did you do it?", she asked.
"Oh. Do you remember the Code Cancel I used to negate your attack? I used that on the curse and it worked.", Seventeen replied.
"Really?", Ruth was surprised. She couldn't believe it was that easy. Seventeen looked at her, "Is there a problem."
"Oh no, there is no problem.", Ruth couldn't forget that she fought this person a week ago. How could she thank him? She felt her face getting hot.
Ruth swallowed her pride and bowed to Seventeen, "Thank you for saving me.", she said. Seventeen looked surprised, "Wow. Didn't expect you of all people to thank me."
"Consider it a privilege.", Ruth immediately switched to her icy demeanor.
"Alright.", Seventeen shrugged. He then smiled, "Are you forgetting something?", he asked.
"What?", Ruth asked.
"The deal where the loser of the duel has to apologize and obey the winner for a week?"
"Oh", Ruth's face paled.
"If I remember, I won the duel before your curse went ballistic", Seventeen recalled, "Now what am I going to make you do?", he wondered aloud with a mischievous smile.
Ruth felt nervous. She has no idea what Seventeen will make her do.
Seventeen turned to the class, "Okay everyone! We're getting a maid for a week!", he announced.
"A what?", Ray asked. "A maid, you idiot.", Minerva said. "Why and how are we getting a maid for a week?", Robin asked.
Seventeen looked at Ruth with the same mischievous smile. Realization dawned on everyone, including Ruth.
"Oh no. Not happening.", she shook her head.
"No use denying it ice queen. You have to do it. Also, don't forget to get the maid outfit.", Seventeen said with an evil smile.
Ruth sighed, "You are an infuriating man."
"I presume you were planning on making me a butler if you had won?", Seventeen asked. Ruth was surprised, "How did you know?". she asked.
Seventeen winked, "A guess."
"Now, for the apology.", he looked at the students, "Guys, I will be right back. Please revise barrier enchantments until I return and Ray, please stay in your seat. Selene, you're in charge."
The Moon Falcon nodded. Ruth found it weird to see a bird being in charge of students.
"You trust Selene more than me?.", Ray asked in a hurt voice that obviously sounded fake.
"The day I trust you is the day an Elder Dragon wakes up and takes a stroll on the academy grounds.", Seventeen declared.
"When is that?"
"Never."
Seventeen motioned to Ruth and exited the class. "There is someone you have to meet.", He said and started walking. Ruth followed him.
Seventeen looked at her and smiled, "I'm glad that you're okay. Looks like you don't have to worry about the curse from now on."
"I don't hear the gladness in your voice.", Ruth noted. Seventeen chuckled.
They soon reached a familiar door, "The headmaster's office?", Ruth asked. "He was worried about you. He visited the infirmary every day. Seems like you were his best student.", Seventeen said and knocked.
"Come in.", Zephyrus said.
They entered and saw Zephyrus doing some paperwork. When he saw Ruth, he froze. A smile broke on his face, "Thank goodness you're alright!", he exclaimed in relief.
"Headmaster.", Ruth didn't know what to say, "I'm sorry for causing you to worry", she said.
"It's alright. I remember the times when you caused a lot of trouble with that icy attitude of yours. Compared to then this is quite tame.", Zephyrus chuckled.
Ruth's face went red, "Oh."
Zephyrus laughed, "Well, I have some good news for you. Seventeen knows about the Aeva curse and offered to remove it for your brother and grandmother."
"Seriously?", Ruth looked at Seventeen. He just shrugged, "Well, I am getting an apology and a maid for a week. So why not?"
"A maid?", Zephyrus was confused.
Seventeen reminded him about the deal. Zephyrus laughed, "Well I can't help you with that Ruth. You did lose the duel."
"I know.", Ruth rolled her eyes. She turned to Seventeen and bowed her head, "I apologize for my rude behavior towards you."
"You don't sound apologetic but whatever.", Seventeen shrugged and held out his hand.
"Looking forward to working with you Ruth Aeva.", he said drily.
Ruth noticed that it was the first time he addressed her by name. "Me too.", she said and both of them shook hands.
"I can't believe I'm seeing you two shaking hands.", Zephyrus said.
"The world is a surprising place.", Seventeen said, "Now, I presume you know what to do as a maid?"
"Of course I do!", Ruth snapped, "Goodness, you're annoying."
Seventeen laughed, "Okay so let's decide on what you're going to teach. Discuss it with headmaster Zephyrus. I'll be going to make sure Selene doesn't peck Ray to death."
Saying this he left the room.
"Where did you find this guy, Headmaster?", Ruth asked Zephyrus. He shrugged, "He just came to me on a fine sunny day."
"But who is that man? He was able to neutralize a curse with ease.", Ruth looked at Zephyrus who simply smiled.
"You will find out when the time is right. But for now, Seventeen will be a mystery to everyone. He is a bright young man. Not to mention he's really handsome and perfect. You might fall for him. After all, he saved you", Zephyrus winked.
"No way! This is not a fairy tale.", Ruth said, her face turning red, "That man is the most annoying person I have ever met.", she huffed.
Zephyrus raised an eyebrow, "Sure. Now, let's discuss the subjects you want to take. You also need to know your students right?", he sat down on his chair.
"Yeah. They seem like a handful.", Ruth sat down.
"Don't worry. You will have a great time.", Zephyrus assured with a smile.
Ruth smiled back. She finally felt a huge relief. She was sure her sister would be watching her right now with a huge smile.
"I'm finally free, Juniper."