King Michel's residence was bustling with people because there was a visit from the northern and western kingdoms today. King Okra and King Charles had intentionally come to discuss the construction of a new road that would pass through this eastern region. King Michel had just served dessert to the two other rulers. King Okra speared a piece of peach with his fork.

"How is everything here, King Michel? I've heard that ever since you acquired the royal seer, everything has been running smoothly," King Okra remarked.

"Ah, you mean Ivy? Yes, she's been very helpful here. We're fortunate that Race married Ivy," replied King Michel.

"Rumors about Ivy have always been true. In the West, she's quite a topic of conversation. It's not just her beauty; she's also so devoted and helpful to the Marionet family," added King Charles.

King Okra observed the two kings before him, then inserted a grape into his mouth, smiling slyly.
"So, Ivy's presence here differs from her in the north," King Okra said afterwards.

"What do you mean, King Okra?" King Charles asked, confused.

King Michel sighed profoundly and then glanced at King Charles.
"Ivy is a descendant of seers and the last witch in the north. In the north, Ivy's parents were killed for predicting the downfall of the northern kingdom," King Michel explained without being prompted by King Okra.

"Because of that, after you've gotten what you want by using Ivy, I want you to eliminate her, King Michel."
King Okra interjected and left King Charles and King Michel wide-eyed and incredulous.

"She will become the destroyer of my kingdom, so eliminate her! If not, I will have to do it myself in my way," continued King Okra, finishing his wine.

***

A new horse-drawn carriage had just stopped in front of a magnificent house. Shortly after, Ivy stepped out and descended the carriage steps, returning home to the east. Gareta followed closely behind Ivy. Ivy looked at Gareta and smiled gently.

"This used to be my home, Gareta," Ivy said.

Gareta observed Ivy's opulent house without showing any sign of happiness or awe. Instead, his eyes welled up with tears. Gareta then looked at Ivy and gently took her hand.
"Young lady, will you be alright entering without Master Race?" Gareta asked with concern.

Ivy smiled and held Gareta's hand in return.
"Aren't I with you?"

"You're right, Young Lady. I will protect you in place of Master Race."
Gareta suddenly became enthusiastic after hearing Ivy's words. Ivy, in turn, chuckled softly at her beloved servant's response. Ivy nodded and held Gareta's hand firmly.

"Let's go inside, Gareta!" Ivy invited.

"Alright, Young Lady Ivy," Gareta agreed.

They both entered the luxurious house of the Marionet family with confident steps.

In the east, Race was training with some new guards. He couldn't focus, as he could see what was happening to Ivy in the west. Naturally, this made it difficult for Race to train the new guards effectively today.

Winter noticed Race's restlessness and approached his cousin, who had just arrived. Some of the guards who were training immediately saluted Winter. Winter nodded in response to their salute, while Race turned around because all the guards had just saluted, indicating that a royal figure had arrived.

"Winter?"

"Yeah, it's me. What are you doing?" Winter asked.

"As you can see, I'm training the guards," Race replied.

"Are you sure? Weren't you daydreaming the whole time, Race?" Winter remarked.

The guards glanced at each other while Race sighed heavily and nodded slightly. Winter smiled thinly and then led his cousin away from the guards.

"Continue your training! Take a break after lunch!" Race ordered before they were entirely out of sight.

"Alright," all the guards responded in unison.

Race and Winter were now sitting in Race's resting area. Winter poured wine into Race's glass.
"I don't drink wine anymore, Winter," Race declined.

Winter furrowed his brow in disbelief and stopped pouring wine into Race's glass. He then exchanged his empty glass with Race.

"Why?" Winter asked.

"I'm traumatized by the sight of that wine," Race explained. He couldn't take his eyes off the red wine in Winter's glass.

"Traumatized?"

"Yes, Ivy almost left me forever because of that red wine she drank. She sacrificed herself for me. Seeing that wine makes me feel the pain Ivy felt," Race revealed, not once taking his eyes off the red wine in Winter's glass.

Winter looked at his glass and quickly drank the wine. He did not know Race's fear and trauma regarding that particular drink.

"I'm sorry, I had no idea, Race," Winter said after finishing his wine.

Race didn't respond immediately and looked at Winter. Race smiled faintly and then replaced the contents of Winter's glass with plain water.
"This is better for your health, Winter," he said.

Winter smiled at Race and nodded. They both drank the water together.
"It tastes bland," Winter remarked and put his glass down.

"Of course, it's just plain water, Winter," Race replied.

"You're right, Race. So, can you now tell me why you looked so gloomy and lost in thought during your training earlier?" Winter didn't keep his curiosity waiting, as he wasn't patient.

"You can't pretend you didn't see it, Winter."

"Of course not, why would I?"

Race remained silent, looking in a different direction.
"I'm thinking about Ivy," he finally said.

Winter furrowed his brow.
"Ivy? What happened to her?" Winter asked again.

"Nothing happened."

"Then?"

"I'm afraid she'll get hurt again, Winter."

"Why would she get hurt? Is she fighting monsters or something?"
Winter was becoming impatient with Race, thinking Race was too cryptic.

"She's not facing monsters now."

"Then what? Can't you tell the story without cutting it into pieces?"
Winter was getting frustrated and even snorted.

"Be patient, Winter!" Race said after laughing.

"I can't! Just tell me what's happening with Ivy!"

Race was silent, and Winter's reaction made him realize that Winter was genuinely worried. Race smiled faintly and then sighed heavily.

"She's gone back to the east, Winter."

Winter widened his eyes in disbelief at what he had just heard.
"Why?" he asked.

***

Slap!!!

A hard slap landed on Ivy's cheek, nearly causing Race's wife to stumble.

"Why are you so ungrateful, Ivy? We raised you and even married you to a formidable knight, and now you're in this comfortable position. How dare you now want to break away from the Marionet family?"

Mr. Marques Marionet was genuinely furious. Ivy held her cheek, which was stinging from the blow. She had just asked to be released from the Marionet family. Ivy wanted to reclaim her birth parents' name. She tried to end the partnership between her adoptive parents and Race's parents.

After her cheek stopped hurting too much, Ivy looked back at Mr. Marques. She took a deep breath.

"Let me go, or I will tell King Charles I've been mistreated here. Mother's reputation will be ruined, and the ruby stones you've hoarded won't be the only source of income for this region anymore, Father."
With all her courage, Ivy threatened Mr. Marques. Lady Liana, her adoptive mother, stood up and stared at Ivy in disbelief.

***