The atmosphere at the base camp was tense, the field left in ruins. The ground was riddled with holes, no longer concealing its identity. Ivy was able to unleash her magic freely. The last time Ivy had used her most potent spell to kill the monsters that resembled pangolins in her eyes but had faces like wild boars. Ivy emerged from the relatively thick mist, breathless but managing to control her mana and aura simultaneously. This time, Ivy didn't feel as tired. She half-ran towards where Race, Winter, and a few guards were standing, separated by her protective barrier.

Ivy chanted a spell and then began to lift the barrier. She approached Race and Winter, who were now standing side by side. Ivy came to Race first, but contrary to Ivy's expectations, Race took a step back.

"Race," Ivy whispered in disbelief at Race's demeanor.

"Why are you so selfish? What if you had gotten hurt by those monsters?" Race spoke coldly.

"Race, I'm fine. Look!" Ivy pleaded, showing her unscathed body.

Instead of accepting what Ivy said, Race huffed now. He took another step back, shaking his head in disbelief at Ivy's actions.
"Maybe you're fine now, but what if you got hurt because of your reckless behavior? What am I supposed to do with my life then, Ivy?"

Race's voice unconsciously grew louder as he spoke out of anger. He then left abruptly, leaving Ivy stunned by his reaction. After a few seconds, Ivy took a deep breath and gently wiped her face. The guards watching Ivy also began to disperse one by one. Ivy then remembered Winter. She turned her gaze to Winter and observed him from head to toe.

"You're alright, aren't you, Winter?" Ivy asked while continuing to study him.

Instead of answering Ivy's question, Winter approached and hugged Ivy tightly.
"What were you doing, Iv? What if you had been hurt earlier?" Winter asked, his voice trembling.

Taken aback by Winter's current behavior, Ivy didn't respond immediately. Her body even tensed slightly, and she looked around, noticing that the guards were still watching her and Winter.
"Winter, what are you doing?"

"Be quiet, Iv! I'm just calming my own heart. You know."

"What?"

"I was scared of losing you just now. I was afraid Race's dream would come true. I was scared, Iv."

Winter held Ivy tighter, imagining the dream Race had told him about. Winter truly loved Ivy, even though he knew she was his cousin's wife. Winter couldn't help but fall in love with Ivy.

"Race's dream? What's that?" Ivy thought.
***
Gareta had just finished helping Ivy tidy her hair while engaging in casual conversation. The sound of a knock on Ivy's door made them turn their heads towards the door simultaneously.
"Who's there?" Ivy asked Gareta.

"I don't know, Young Mistress," Gareta replied, shrugging his shoulders in uncertainty.

"Come in!" Ivy instructed, curious to know who was knocking.

The door opened shortly after, and Miranda entered, slightly bowing her body.
"Dinner is ready, Young Mistress," Miranda said politely.

"Oh... Why so early? It doesn't seem like dinner time yet," Gareta interjected, a bit puzzled.

"It's already dinner time, Gareta. Wouldn't it be better if Young Mistress didn't eat too late?" Miranda retorted, smiling faintly.

"Why is this girl getting weirder?" Gareta thought, finding it hard to believe that Miranda had changed and was willing to accept Ivy as the mistress of the pavilion.

"Thank you, Miranda. After Gareta finishes styling my hair, I will go to the dining table," Ivy intervened in the conversation between Gareta and Miranda.

"Very well, Young Mistress Ivy. I'll excuse myself back to the kitchen," Miranda excused herself and left.

Once Miranda was gone, Gareta looked at Ivy.
"Don't trust her too much, Young Mistress Ivy. You surely remember how she used to be, right?"

"Yes, I remember, but isn't it possible for someone to change suddenly when they realize their mistakes, Gareta?"

"Yes, that's possible, but not for Miranda. I implore you not to trust her too much, and please remain cautious, Young Mistress," Gareta pleaded again.

Ivy smiled and nodded her head in agreement with Gareta's words.

After finishing dinner, Ivy returned to her room. She sat by the window, opening her book on magic. According to Tesla, Ivy needed to learn a lot to balance the two energies within her body. While reading her book, Ivy caught a fleeting glimpse of something that would happen in the future. Startled, she dropped her book.

"What was that?" Ivy asked, not understanding the vision she had just witnessed.

Ivy then collected her concentration and slowly closed her eyes. Several upcoming events became clear to her. These events took place during the annual royal competition festival. After a while of seeing these predictions, Ivy opened her eyes slowly.

"Not due to monsters, but this is purely an accident. So, how can I prevent this? Race won't agree if I try to stop him from participating in the horse race," Ivy said, starting to feel confused about what to do.

She took a deep breath and then gazed out the window. Just then, she saw Race outside the pavilion, looking towards her.
"Race," Ivy whispered in slight surprise, realizing her husband was outside.

Ivy was about to step out of the pavilion to meet Race.
"No need to come down! I'm coming up."
Race shouted from below, causing Ivy to look at him again. For some reason, Ivy started to cry. She vividly remembered how Race hadn't returned home for the past few days due to their argument over the events at the base camp. Ivy nodded, agreeing with Race's words.
***
Miranda had just entered her room. Since returning to Ivy's pavilion, Miranda had a separate room from Selina and Gareta. Miranda's room was in a corner at the back, quite far from the kitchen. She closed her door gently after ensuring no one was in the corridor outside her room. Miranda locked her door and then walked quickly to her bed. Upon reaching her bed, Miranda took two white paper packages from her work attire's pocket. The dark green powder was visible inside them. Miranda smiled faintly as she looked at the powder.

"It seems that Mistress's desire to get rid of Young Mistress is quite strong," Miranda remarked.

"Judging from the color alone, this is not an ordinary poison," Miranda continued her monologue.

Shortly afterward, Miranda neatly wrapped the powder again. She then unfolded the other piece of paper. Inside the paper was a short and to-the-point letter.

"Do it carefully! This powder is quite dangerous; give her one spoonful before she sleeps each night. Don't give her more, or it might lead to your exposure."

Miranda nodded in understanding of the instructions in the letter. She folded the paper neatly once more, then opened a drawer in her desk and placed both pieces inside. Miranda smiled slightly and then headed towards the bathroom.

"I need to take a shower and then go to sleep," she monologued.

In Ivy's room, Race was sitting in a chair facing Ivy. Ivy occasionally looked at Race, who was continuously staring at her.
"Race, why are you staring at me like that? What's your purpose for coming home tonight?" Ivy asked, a little apprehensive.

"Do I need a reason to come home to where my wife is?" Race retorted, turning the question back on Ivy.

Ivy fell silent, looking at Race once more.
"Are you not mad at me anymore?" Ivy asked again.

"I still am," Race answered curtly.

Taken aback, Ivy drew a sharp breath. A few seconds later, Ivy lowered her head in defeat.
"I apologize, Race."

"If you apologize, does everything change?"

"Not necessarily."

"I still feel an overwhelming sense of worry, don't I? Seeing my wife run towards countless monsters. Facing those monsters alone while I, as your husband, can only watch in distress."

Race began to express what he felt that day. Ivy raised her head again and looked at Race.
"I'm sorry, it's my duty as a seer to protect the crown prince and my husband."
Once again, Ivy gave the same explanation.

"Then, don't I have the duty and the right to protect my wife?" Race asked, looking intently at Ivy.

Ivy couldn't answer; she felt guilty and understood Race's feelings.
"Iv," Race called again.

"Yes?" Ivy responded.

"Don't approach danger in front of me anymore. Do you want to watch me die from worry?"

"Race, don't talk like that!" Ivy retorted quickly.

Race smiled at Ivy's response.
"Then, let me protect you. You do have a duty to protect Winter, but between the two of us, we're different. It's my obligation to protect you, not the other way around."

Ivy couldn't respond; she was utterly confused now. Every time she saw Race in danger, Ivy couldn't help but want to protect him. However, what Race said was true. Ivy remained silent while Race stood up and approached Ivy in her chair.

Race knelt on the floor and gently took Ivy's hand.
"I beg you, don't make me worry again, Iv," he pleaded.

Ivy looked at Race with teary eyes now.
"But what about my predictions about you, Race? How can I ignore things I can prevent?"
Ivy's voice began to tremble as she fought back tears.

"We can face them together; let me do my role as your husband. Please give me a reason to be useful to you."

Tears streamed down Ivy's face as she heard her husband's words. Race wasn't useless, but this was all due to Ivy's abilities.
"Why was I born as the child of a seer and a sorceress?" Ivy lamented her talents.

Ivy hugged Race without hesitation, apologizing to him. Race smiled and gently stroked Ivy's hair.
***