The room where the kingdom's essential officials were gathered was quite tense. King Michel was examining all the preparations for the annual kingdom festival. Frowning, King Michel then looked towards Ivy.

"Why does the basecamp need to be moved temporarily?" he asked Ivy.

"I apologize, King Michel. It's all because the current condition of the basecamp field isn't suitable for training. A few days ago, there was an attack by monsters attempting to steal the ruby stone in the basecamp field," Ivy explained, lowering her gaze respectfully.

"What? Another monster attack? What about Winter?" King Michel asked in a panic.

"The crown prince is safe, King Michel. I've protected him with a protective barrier that cannot be breached by anyone, including the forest monsters."
Ivy's response relieved King Michel, who let out a sigh of relief. Hearing Ivy's explanation, some of the kingdom's dignitaries whispered to each other. Some praised her, while others sneered, considering Ivy's actions cunning.

King Michel could hear the murmurs even though they weren't clear. He cleared his throat, silencing them all. King Michel looked at Ivy again, still respectfully bowing her head.
"How are you going to handle this, Iv? I don't want the annual festival in the eastern region to be disrupted by monster attacks again," King Michel began to press Ivy once more.

Ivy slightly raised her head to look at King Michel. She took a deep breath, gathering all the courage she had.
"I can assure you that Crown Prince Winter will be fine. I can also ensure that the upcoming annual festival will proceed smoothly, King Michel. I've prepared everything as best as I can; I will ensure the safety of everyone."

"Good, I trust you, Iv. But if you fail, do you know what I'll do to you?" King Michel said, once again slightly intimidating Ivy.

Ivy smiled and nodded firmly while looking at King Michel. She had made sure all the competition arenas were safe from monster attacks. She had also provided Winter with protective amulets and protective barrier powder in Winter's room, and the surroundings of Winter's pavilion were impenetrable.

"I have one task left to ensure that Race isn't hurt in the horse competition," Ivy thought, gazing at King Michel.
***
Ivy had just finished drinking the warm milk prepared by Gareta. She intended to continue gathering her energy to have good stamina and protect everyone in the eastern region. After taking a few sips of the milk Gareta had prepared, Ivy stopped and looked at the glass, puzzled.

"Why does the taste of the milk feel different?" Ivy mumbled.

"What do you mean?" Race asked, stepping out of the bathroom and seeing Ivy looking at the glass strangely.

Ivy looked at the source of Race's voice, smiled, and shook her head slowly.
"It's nothing, just a little different. The milk is still fresh as usual," Ivy said before taking another sip without looking at Race again.

Race smiled and walked over to Ivy, sitting on the bed's edge. He sat beside her and observed his wife, who appeared healthier.
"So now you're focused on gaining weight?" Race teased Ivy, who seemed to be drinking milk before bed quite often.

Ivy looked at Race, furrowing her brow in confusion.
"What do you mean, Race? This milk is to boost my energy in the morning. I need to balance my hara and mana. If they're balanced, then I won't need to heal with Tesla anymore," Ivy explained.

"Balanced?" Race asked.

"Yeah, if they're not balanced, then I..."

"Stop right there! I don't want to hear it!" Race interrupted, having heard about Ivy's unbalanced energy before.

Ivy chuckled at Race's reaction. She never imagined that she would be so cherished by Race now. Even just hearing about something negative that might happen to her was enough for Race not to want to listen anymore.
"Don't laugh! I really don't want anything to happen to you, Iv. Drink milk from the dairy farm every day, even if you finish it all yourself, I don't mind. As long as you're healthy and well by my side," Race said.

Ivy smiled and nodded in agreement. She placed the glass she had been holding on the table. Then, she wrapped her arms around Race's waist and rested her head on his chest.
"Thank you," Ivy said.

"For what?" Race asked, puzzled.

"Thank you for accepting me as your wife now. It still feels like a dream, Race."

"Ugh, don't think like that anymore! You're not dreaming, Iv. I truly love you now," Race said, tightening his embrace around Ivy.

"Yeah, I can feel it."

"Is that true?"

"Of course, you even got jealous when I was sitting with Winter. But I had a strong reason for that."

Hearing Ivy's words, Race remembered the incident when Winter had difficulty breathing at the base camp some time ago. He released his embrace on Ivy. They gazed at each other now, Ivy furrowing her brow in confusion.

"Why?" she asked.

"If you really have a reason for that, does it have something to do with Winter's condition you said he's currently sick?" Race asked with a serious expression.

Ivy nodded, confirming Race's question. Race's eyes widened in surprise; he had lived and been by Winter's side for years, so how could he not know anything about Winter's illness?

"So, what's the illness? What have you done to cure Winter? On the day the basecamp was attacked by monsters again, Winter was in pain and struggling to breathe," Race explained to Ivy.

Ivy's brow furrowed even more; she recalled performing healing magic on Winter. Then, why was Winter still feeling pain?

"Iv, answer me!" Race urged again.

Ivy looked at Race and then took a deep breath.
"I'm not sure about Winter's illness. But I did perform healing magic on him some time ago. If it didn't work properly, then something must be wrong."

"Can you make sure of it later?" Race asked, filled with hope.

Ivy looked at her husband momentarily, clearly seeing his worried expression. She smiled faintly and nodded her head slowly.
"I will make sure of it again. I'll find out directly from Winter if necessary."

"Yes, you must. You have to make Winter well again. Please, Iv."

Ivy smiled again, hearing Race's hopeful words. She then nodded in agreement to Race's request.

Outside Ivy and Race's pavilion, Miranda was looking around to make sure no one was watching her. Once she felt safe, she called someone using a specific code. Before long, a guard who had brought poison powder and a letter from Lady Maria arrived. They both looked around, ensuring the coast was clear.

"Take this! Deliver it to Lady Maria. I can't do it myself this time," Miranda said, handing over a letter to the guard.

"Alright, and I also have something from Lady Maria. She said this is the last package," the guard replied.

"The last package?" Miranda confirmed her hearing.

"Yes, the last package. Because after this, she said her legs will weaken, and then she will die."

Upon hearing the guard's words, Miranda couldn't help but laugh. She tightly held the package containing the poison powder and stared at it with a face full of hatred.
***