"So, because of that, you're very kind to Miranda, but sorry, Race, you seem a bit excessive to me," Ivy said after hearing Race's entire story about Miranda.

Race furrowed his brow in confusion upon hearing Ivy's words.

"She's just Willinga's ex-girlfriend. It doesn't mean you have to look after her once Willinga is gone. Did Willinga entrust her to you?" Ivy asked her husband.

Race shook his head slowly in response. Ivy continued to smile and then sighed deeply.

"Look! Willinga didn't even entrust Miranda to you, so why do you feel the need to protect her?" Ivy asked.

"Because she's the woman Willinga loved, Iv. So, to me, I should protect her too," Race replied without hesitation.

Ivy stared at her husband, who looked genuinely serious. For some reason, Ivy felt jealous hearing Race's words; she thought Race was too excessive. How her wife looked at him made Race furrow his brow and realize something.

"Iv, you're not jealous of my story, are you? I just want to protect what Willinga loved. As her brother, I just want to stand in for her."

Ivy sighed deeply after hearing Race's words and turned her face away.

"Why don't you just marry Miranda then?" Ivy said and then walked away, leaving Race behind.

Race widened his eyes in surprise at Ivy's words. He rubbed his forehead, realizing that Ivy must be angry now.

***
In her Winter Pavilion, Winter had just spread the powder that Ivy had given her. Winter always remembered Ivy's advice to protect herself from the monsters that targeted her. After completing her ritual, Winter washed her hands and sighed deeply.

"How long will I be like this?" Winter mumbled to herself while looking at her reflection in the mirror.

Winter sighed again and went to her bed. She had just laid down and was about to close her eyes when someone knocked on her bedroom door.

"Who is it?" Winter asked.

"The Crown Prince, Young Master Race, is here with Mistress Ivy," a servant of Winter's replied from outside the room.

"Race and Ivy? Why are they here so late at night?" Winter muttered, feeling a bit puzzled.

Winter got up from her bed and walked out of her room. She approached Race and Ivy, who were in the living room. They were silent and didn't speak to each other, which puzzled Winter. Seeing Race occasionally stealing glances at Ivy made Winter believe they were having a cold war. Winter smiled faintly because she didn't expect Ivy to be angry with Race. She walked closer to them and cleared her throat.

"What brings you both here so late at night?" Winter asked.

"Winter," Race and Ivy greeted simultaneously, standing up and bowed.

"Ah, you two, why are you being so formal? Please, have a seat!" Winter said and then sat down in front of Race and Ivy.

Following Winter's words, Ivy and Race sat back in their respective chairs.

"So, what brings you here so late at night?" Winter asked again.

Race looked at Ivy, who suddenly wanted to come here. Ivy took a small notebook from her pocket and handed it to Winter.

"What is this?" Winter asked as she took the book.

"This is a notebook for you, Winter. I've prepared a healing magic schedule and soul-locking spells for you. Starting next week, I will come to perform healing magic for you every three days," Ivy explained.

"Soul-locking spells? What's that, Iv?" Race interjected because he needed to learn about Ivy's plans.

Ivy glanced briefly at her husband, then back at Winter. Seeing Race made Ivy a bit angry; she still vividly remembered what Miranda meant to her. If Ivy and Race had not been married, Race might have married Miranda under the pretext of protecting her.

"Soul-locking is to purify your soul, making it more resistant to the monsters. In addition to healing magic, it can also strengthen your soul. I will find a way to stop the agreement your father and mother made with the leader of the forest monsters."

Ivy explained everything to Winter, and Race took a deep breath and turned his face away.

"Why am I being ignored, Ivy?" Race shouted in frustration, and Winter and Ivy could hear his complaint.

Winter widened her eyes upon hearing Race's outburst; she didn't know her cousin could grumble like this. Ivy sighed heavily in response to Race's complaint.

"I didn't invite you here, so why did you come? Or is it because this pavilion is close to the palace, so you can also check on your favorite servant?" Ivy said, displaying a negative attitude toward Race.

Race quickly turned his head toward Ivy, making her look at him now.

"Why are you talking like that, Iv? I came here because it's late, and I can't let you go alone to this pavilion. It's too dangerous for you as a woman," Race said, giving his reason.

Ivy smiled faintly and then ignored Race. She looked back at Winter and took something out of her pocket.

"Wear this, Winter! It's a new bracelet for you, and I've already added healing magic to it. Starting next week, I will come to perform healing magic for you every three days," Ivy said.

"Ivy! Why do you keep ignoring me?" Race shouted in frustration, seeing his wife continuously ignoring him. Winter and Ivy both looked at Race, surprised by his childish outburst.

***
Ivy half-dragged Race, who was still upset with Ivy. Ivy felt embarrassed by Race's behavior in front of Winter earlier. Race's actions were unusual for him. Usually, Race would be cold and dignified, but tonight, he acted like a child who Ivy was ignoring.

Winter smiled at them after Race and Ivy got on the horse-drawn carriage.

"Why did Race act like that?" Winter murmured and then chose to return to her pavilion.

Ivy held her head inside the carriage and looked out the window. She was still angry and trying to control her emotions. Seeing this, Race, sitting before Ivy, moved to her side and held his wife's hand.

"Iv, don't be angry! I acted that way earlier because I was upset that you ignored me and talked to Winter instead," Race said.

Ivy looked at Race and then sighed deeply.

"But wasn't that the reason I went to Winter's pavilion in the first place, Race? So, why did you act like that earlier?" Ivy asked, still puzzled by Race's behavior.

"I don't like it when you ignore me, Iv."

"Then, why did I act that way? If you still think Miranda needs your protection, why don't you just bring her back to your pavilion? Make her your personal servant again, but don't let her come to my pavilion."

"Ivy! It's not like that."

Ivy remained silent upon hearing Race raise his voice and looked at her husband with a cold expression.

"She even wanted me to disappear and not be by your side, Race. Then, why do you still want to protect her? A woman you yourself admitted had poisoned me. Regardless of why she did it, if she didn't hate me, she wouldn't have done such a cruel thing to me. Do you still want to protect her, Race?" Ivy asked, emphasizing each word.
***