Ivy recounted all the visions she had seen before drinking the poisoned wine. Ivy couldn't allow the poison intended for her to be consumed by Race instead. Ivy had also received a vision indicating that Miranda was the one who had given her the poison. Every action Miranda had taken was depicted in Ivy's eyes. Unfortunately, Ivy had realized this too late, as there were already traces of poison in her body since Miranda's return to the pavilion. Fortunately, Ivy's abilities as a witch periodically repelled the toxins from her body.

Race remained silent as he listened to Ivy's story. He could only gaze at his wife with a sorrowful expression. Ivy gently held Race's cheek and smiled.
"Enough, aren't I fine now?" Ivy said.

"What if you had died? What would become of me? Who would I hold accountable?" Race asked again, his voice flat, and he looked intently at Ivy.

Race was still frustrated by the sight of his wife sacrificing herself without considering his feelings. Ivy was undoubtedly a kind person, but not towards herself. Race sighed in frustration and then turned his face away.

"Miranda should be punished severely," Race stated.

"And what about your parents? They ordered Miranda. It's not fair to Miranda, Race. You can't possibly punish your own parents. After all, they are my parents too, right?"

Race looked back at Ivy with a frustrated expression. How could Ivy still defend her parents like this? It was clear that Ivy's death was their plan.

"Are you still speaking like that? I will punish them too, Iv. I will find evidence and teach them all a lesson for causing you pain."

Race immediately rose from his seat; he didn't want to wait any longer. He needed to meet with Doha or Tesla to learn about the type of poison Miranda used. Ivy quickly grabbed Race's hand to stop him from leaving.

"Where are you going?" Ivy asked.

Race looked at Ivy and then roughly brushed off her hand.
"Let go of me! I will hold everyone accountable for disturbing my happiness."

Race quickly walked away from Ivy's bedside. Seeing this, Ivy also hurriedly got out of bed.
"Race, wait!"

However, Ivy still weakened, stumbled, and fell to the floor, startling Race. He turned back and saw Ivy on the floor, grimacing in pain.

"Iv!" Race exclaimed as he rushed over to Ivy.

"Why would you do something so foolish? Why did you get out of bed? You're not strong enough to get up yet."
Race couldn't control his emotions, and his voice grew louder as he scolded Ivy. Despite his frustration, Race helped Ivy get up from the floor.

Race picked Ivy up and gently placed her back onto the bed. Ivy quickly caught Race's hand again to prevent him from leaving.
"Race, please don't go anywhere! I beg you to control your emotions!" Ivy pleaded.

Race looked at Ivy with a frustrated expression, but before he could say anything, they heard a knock on the open bedroom door. Both Race and Ivy turned their attention to the door.

"Tesla, Doha?" Race said, puzzled as to why both individuals treating Ivy were now at the door.

Race then looked at Ivy with a worried expression. He was afraid that this had something to do with Ivy's condition.
***
The atmosphere in the palace appears very lively. Today marks the opening day of the annual festival in the eastern region. All the guests have arrived along with their chosen knights to participate in the competition. Winter is busy greeting all the guests alongside his parents. Occasionally, Winter looks towards the entrance because he last saw Ivy or Race yesterday.

King Michel notices the unease on Winter's face. He clears his throat and gently pats Winter's shoulder.
"What troubles you, Winter?" he asks.

Winter looks towards his father and forces a smile. He shakes his head slowly.
"Nothing, Father."

"Don't lie! Your face can't hide the truth, Winter."
King Michel urges his son to be honest.

Winter doesn't immediately respond and only gazes at his father worriedly.
"Could something significant be about to happen? And yes, why hasn't Ivy been here since yesterday?"
King Michel starts panicking as he didn't see Ivy yesterday. Queen Nami, who initially didn't know anything, also becomes uncomfortable seeing her husband suddenly anxious.

"What's going on?" Queen Nami asks.

"Why hasn't Ivy arrived? Race is also completely absent," King Michel says.

Queen Nami then scans the entire palace room filled with people. She nods, affirming King Michel's words.
"You're right, my husband. Where could the two of them have gone? It's not usual for Race to be this late," Queen Nami says, perplexing.

King Michel becomes even more worried because there's a possibility that today, another sent monster might appear to disrupt this annual festival.

In the distance, Mrs. Maria and Mr. Milano are standing side by side. Both of them are looking towards King Michel and their small family.
"They must be looking for Ivy now," Mr. Milano says without looking at his wife.

"You're right, dear. It seems like they're in a panic," Mrs. Maria responds.

"Of course, they're panicked. Isn't Ivy their shield, especially for Winter? So, is Ivy and Race's absence today due to your successful plan?" Mr. Milano asks, then glances at his wife.

Mrs. Maria smiles meaningfully at her husband. She nods slowly.
"It seems that way, according to the dose of poison I sent to Miranda. Ivy should have been gone yesterday," Mrs. Maria explains in a hushed tone.

Mr. Milano smiles satisfactorily, nodding slowly while looking towards his sibling and their family.
"I don't want all of you to be destroyed, but I'm even more determined to prevent my son from being ruined by his witch wife," Mr. Milano thinks.

"Why is something strange happening? If my plan to eliminate Ivy succeeded, why is there no report from Miranda? Why isn't there any commotion occurring? This should have been a sensational matter in Ivy's pavilion," Mrs. Maria ponders.
***
Ivy strolls, guided by Race.
"You don't have to come to the palace. Just let me go," Race says, still trying to persuade his wife to change her mind about attending the festival's opening event.

"I can't, I have to make sure today's opening goes smoothly. You might have trouble if there are any monsters that show up," Ivy rejects Race's suggestion.

"Ugh, you're so stubborn."
Race gets frustrated again; he needs help getting his wife to give in.

Ivy chuckles softly at Race's frustrated expression. She then tightly holds onto her husband's arm.
"Aren't I with you? You said you'd protect me while I protect Winter and the kingdom," Ivy says while looking at her husband.

Race also gazes at Ivy, sighs deeply, and nods in agreement.
"You're right."

"Then let's go and don't worry about anything! I'll be fine with you, and we have to show everyone that I'm okay too, right? Right?"

Race looks at his wife with a compassionate expression. He truly understands all the difficulties Ivy has faced since becoming his wife. Despite that, Ivy has never complained and has only grown stronger to continue protecting Race.

Race takes a deep breath and then nods in agreement to Ivy's words. He then hugs Ivy tightly.
"I'm sorry, Iv. You always get hurt because of being my wife."

"But you also know, right? I'm happy being your wife."

Race nods his head again, affirming Ivy's statement. They embrace tightly in front of the carriage that will take them to the palace.
***