Race remained silent throughout the journey back to his pavilion. This time, he was furious, including at Ivy. Race had suspected Ivy was hiding something, but he never imagined the issue was this significant. He was even almost angry at his father, who seemed to be the instigator behind King Michel's decision. While Race understood this wasn't an easy decision for King Michel, he couldn't accept that Ivy had to be involved in the war.

Considering his wife would face danger again, Race lost his patience and angrily struck the chair beside him. Race had returned home alone because Ivy had to continue treating Winter, but he no longer wanted to linger in the palace. He was thoroughly fed up with the oppressive atmosphere of the castle, which had always restrained him.

"How can I sabotage this ridiculous plan? Why not just relieve Ivy of her position?" Race muttered as he continued to search for ways to thwart the plan, even though all parties, including Ivy, had already approved it.

In Winter's pavilion, Ivy had just finished her healing magic. Ivy opened her eyes and found herself locking eyes with Winter. Ivy smiled and gently released Winter's hand.

"The therapy for today is finished, Winter. Rest now!" Ivy said, shifting her gaze away.

Ignoring Ivy's words, Winter continued to stare at her intensely. Feeling his persistent gaze, Ivy looked back at Winter and cleared her throat nervously.

"Why do you keep staring at me like that, Winter?" Ivy asked, feeling a bit awkward.

"Do you already know about all this? Do you know that we will be at war with the Northern kingdom?" Winter inquired, adopting an intimidating tone.

Ivy didn't immediately respond; she looked at Winter and then smiled faintly.

"Isn't that no longer a secret, Winter? I clearly saw a vision long ago about myself having to confront the people from where I was born," Ivy said, feeling a little sad about having to fight against the region of her birth.

"That's not the only issue, Iv! More than that, you're a woman. Why did my father order you to join the battle? It's ridiculous!" Winter was just as angry as Race, and he couldn't bear the thought of Ivy participating in the war solely because she was the source.

Ivy smiled faintly and then sighed deeply. "You don't need to worry, Winter! Am I not an ordinary woman either? I possess strong magical abilities, and I can foresee the future. Doesn't that make me a complete package for a weapon in this Eastern kingdom?" Ivy's words successfully left Winter feeling somewhat chastened. It was the same thing he had thought about Ivy before.
***

Ivy gently knocked on the reading room door where Race had locked himself. Ivy had just returned from Winter's pavilion. As she was about to enter the room, Gareta had complained to Ivy that Race had locked himself inside and hadn't come out since returning from the palace.

"Race, won't you talk to me?" Ivy asked, knocking on the reading room door once more.

Still, Ivy has yet to receive a response from Race Inside. She sighed deeply and knocked on the door again.

"Race, don't be like this! We need to talk, and you need to eat and drink. I don't want you to get sick over something so trivial," Ivy said, continuing to persuade Race.

Still, there was yet to be a response from Race. Ivy was starting to lose her patience. She sighed and was about to turn away from the reading room. But before she could take many steps, the reading room door opened from the inside, causing Ivy to turn back around. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Race finally coming out.

"You finally came out, Race."

"Why are you talking like that?" Suddenly, Race asked in a slightly raised voice. Ivy furrowed her brow in confusion, not understanding the meaning behind Race's question.

"What do you mean, Race?"

"Why do you consider going to war so trivial? Why do you think that going to war is not a big deal? It's your life at stake in this war, Ivy! Do you really want me to stand by and watch you go into something so dangerous?"

Race, who had been holding back his emotions, finally exploded in anger and raised his voice. Ivy was taken aback because she hadn't expected Race to be this angry. She looked at Race and deeply breathed, trying to quell her fear. She was trying to understand Race's perspective.

Ivy then took a step forward and gently took Race's hand. "Race, why are you so angry like this? I know that going to war is extremely dangerous, but do you forget who I am? I will be fine and protect you and Winter."

Ivy tried reassuring Race that this was easy for her as a witch and an oracle. However, Race became even angrier and forcefully pulled his hand away from Ivy.

"You always talk so easily. You never think about my feelings, Iv. You must know how much I love you. How can I bear to see you hurt? I'm not like Father, King Michel, or Winter, who use you as a tool. I'm the one who least wants you to become a pawn here. Understand me, Iv!"

Race raised his voice even louder, leaving Ivy stunned because instead of softening, Race was becoming even angrier. After shouting like that, Race returned to the reading room and locked the door from the inside. Ivy was still in shock and held her pounding chest. She took a deep breath and looked sadly at the closed door.

"Sorry, Race. At least this way, I can still be by your side," Ivy whispered.
***
It was already the third day of Race isolating himself in the reading room. Food and drinks delivered there always came back untouched or with only slight signs of consumption. Ivy was growing frustrated with Race, who behaved like a sulking child. Ivy was contemplating how to get Race out of the reading room. She looked out of her bedroom window, lost in thought when suddenly the door to her room opened from the outside. Ivy reflexively turned her gaze towards the door.

"Race, you finally came out," Ivy exclaimed with immense relief upon seeing her husband emerge from the reading room.

Ivy walked towards Race, and he did the same. He then embraced Ivy tightly once they were close. Ivy was slightly surprised by the sudden hug, not just because she noticed that Race's body was running a fever, and his heartbeat sounded exceptionally fast.

"Race, are you sick? Why did you just come out? Come on, lie down; I'll treat you!" Ivy said in a panic.

Race didn't respond; he held Ivy tightly as if he feared losing her.

"Race, please follow me! You're sick, Race," Ivy pleaded again.

"It's only this illness that will make everything fail, Iv. If this will ruin everything, I'm even willing to be sick or die right now," Race monologued silently.
***