Ivy stood behind Race, who was gazing out of the window. The rain had been pouring heavily since last night. Today, Ivy and Race couldn't go anywhere because the rain showed no signs of stopping. Ivy walked closer to Race and gently touched the hem of his shirt.

"Race," Ivy called.

Race was startled and reflexively pushed Ivy's hand away. He looked at Ivy, who was once again surprised by Race's reaction.

"What's wrong? Why did you startle me like that all of a sudden?" Race asked, appearing guilty.

Ivy stared at Race with trembling eyes, trying her best not to cry. She didn't want Race to get angrier if he saw her crying.

"Race, can we talk for a moment?" Ivy asked with a trembling voice.

"About what?" Race asked with a puzzled frown. Ivy usually only asked like this after speaking.

"It's all about Winter," Ivy said with a softer voice, fearing Race's reaction.

"Winter? What else is there about him?" Race asked, his tone growing uncomfortable.

Ivy didn't respond immediately and stared at her husband intently. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly.

"Before I tell you everything I know about Winter's illness, can I explain my meeting with Winter that night?" Ivy asked.

"Why do you need to explain it again? Isn't everything already clear? You met in the middle of the night, and Winter hugged you. I also heard what he said to you, Iv."

"Does that mean you also heard what I said to Winter? Then why do you still doubt me?"

Race fell silent upon hearing Ivy's words. It was true that he had also heard Ivy's explicit and unwavering rejection of Winter's feelings. However, he still couldn't shake off his jealousy, seeing the woman he loved embracing her cousin.

"All right, if you think I have the same feelings as Winter, I can guess that you didn't hear what I said that night. I'll forget everything you accused me of, Race. Because I never liked Winter, not for a single moment. I protected and cared for Winter because he is your cousin."

Ivy spoke firmly and plainly, then took a deep breath and composed herself. She wanted to cry because of her pain, but she didn't want to give Race more reasons to be angry with her.

Race could see that his wife was trying not to cry. Knowing he had hurt Ivy, he felt even more guilty for his jealousy. Race took a step closer to Ivy, intending to reach for her hand, but Ivy turned away.

We can't discuss this now. I need some fresh air. I'll excuse myself from the room, Race," Ivy said, then walked away, leaving Race surprised.

***
The chirping of birds made Ivy slowly open her eyes. She looked out of the window and realized it was morning. Ivy stretched and blinked several times. She was gathering her senses now and was surprised to find herself in her room. Ivy quickly sat up, causing Race, sleeping next to her, to wake up.

"What's wrong, Iv? Did you have a nightmare again?" Race asked, somehow being wide awake.

Ivy looked at Race with a puzzled expression. As far as she remembered, she had been sleeping in Race's study last night, reading her magic books in search of a solution for Winter.

"Who brought me here?" Ivy asked innocently.

"It was me, why?" Race replied.

"Why did you bring me here? I didn't want to sleep in the same room with you. I..."

Race didn't let Ivy continue her sentence; he hugged her to silence her.

"Am I not allowed to sleep in the same room with my own wife?" Race asked.

Ivy didn't respond immediately and didn't return Race's embrace. Her feelings were mixed now. Race's behavior in the past few days had made her angry, but she couldn't deny that she didn't want to lose him either.

"Ivy, can you forgive me?" Race asked again.

Ivy still didn't move, remaining silent. She was torn and didn't know how to act.

"Ivy," Race called again.

Instead of answering, Ivy began to sob and hugged Race tightly.

"I can't bear to lose you either, Race. Why were you so mean to me for the past few days?" Ivy cried.

Race smiled upon hearing Ivy cry while scolding him. He tightened his embrace around Ivy, gently patting her back to calm her down.

"Ivy and Race are now at the dining table. Ivy's face looks swollen, and she's busy cutting her food in front of her. Gareta, who noticed Ivy's swollen face, occasionally glances at Race, who appears calm.

"Didn't Mr. Race carry Miss Ivy last night? Why is Miss Ivy's face swollen this morning? Did they have a big fight?" Gareta thinks, growing suspicious.

Selina, Gareta's coworker, is also puzzled. She knows the two of them have been cold to each other for the past few days, but this is the first time Selina has seen Ivy with a swollen face while Race looks calm.

"Is this because Mr. Race said that Miranda is the girl he has to protect? Is Miss Ivy jealous?" Selina and Gareta both think at the same time.

"Race, can we talk while we eat, Iv?" Race's question to Ivy makes Selina and Gareta look at them simultaneously.

Ivy didn't respond immediately and looked at Race. "After we eat, there's a lot I need to tell you, Race."

After speaking, Ivy looked at Gareta and Selina.

"After this, please make the tea I brewed yesterday, Gareta. Race's condition is still not too good, and that tea can help improve his stamina," Ivy instructed Gareta.

"Very well, Miss Ivy," Gareta replied.

"I'm fine, Iv. I don't need anything," Race said.

Ivy looked at Race and sighed deeply. "You still don't want to drink my brewed tea? In that case, call Miranda back here! It seems you prefer her tea," Ivy stated firmly, returning her focus to her meal.

Race was stunned by Ivy's words, and Gareta and Selina seemed to have figured something out.

"Is Miss Ivy jealous because Mr. Race mentioned that Miranda is the girl he has to protect?" Selina and Gareta thought simultaneously.

***
Ivy and Race are now in the backyard garden. Since becoming the kingdom's seer, Ivy has rarely visited the park that Race had specially created for her.

"Iv," Race called, reaching for Ivy's hand.

Ivy looked at Race. "What is it?" she replied curtly.

"So, what do you want to discuss about Winter?" Race asked.

"Many things, one of them being the forest monsters that are after him. It turns out Winter's birth, a result of an agreement between King Michel and Queen Nami with the leader of the forest monsters, will actually lead to the destruction by the forest monsters. That's why Winter has always been the primary target of the forest monsters," Ivy explained.

Race was astonished beyond belief. He stared at Ivy with disbelief.

"I'm serious. This is all I heard directly from King Michel. Queen Nami couldn't conceive, but it would affect the throne, so they did anything, including agreeing with the leader of the forest monsters."

Race was even more shocked and couldn't believe what he was learning.
***