Ivy and Race's room was so quiet. Ivy had just finished wiping the cold sweat from Race's body. Her husband's face was so pale, and Ivy looked very confused. Doha had already checked on Race earlier, but his fever hadn't gone down yet. Ivy kept gazing at Race's pale face with a sad expression.

"Is this how you express anger at me? I prefer the way you used to be, getting mad and scolding me when you thought I was wrong," Ivy said, gently stroking Race's still-unconscious hair.

Ivy sighed profoundly and glanced at the door because someone was knocking outside.

"Who is it?" Ivy asked briefly.

"It's me, Selina, Mrs. Ivy," Selina replied from outside.

"Come in, Selina!" Ivy ordered.

Selina immediately opened the bedroom door and entered with Gareta, pushing a cart filled with food and drinks.

"Mrs. Ivy, it's dinner time. We brought the food here because we knew Mrs. Ivy wouldn't leave Mr. Race alone," Gareta said, bowing to greet Ivy.

Ivy smiled and shuffled from her seat, looking at her two beloved servants.

"Thank you, just leave the food there! I will definitely eat it later," Ivy said.

"Mrs. Ivy, you must eat. Don't let yourself get sick like Mr. Race," Selina said with concern.

Ivy smiled again and nodded her head slowly. "Yes, I will eat. Oh, did Doha follow my request to stay in the pavilion tonight? I'm worried about Race's condition without Doha here," Ivy said, recalling Race's condition.

"Yes, Mrs. Ivy, Doha, the healthcare expert, is still here. She said to call her anytime if needed."

Upon hearing Selina's words, Ivy sighed with relief and smiled at her two servants. "You can return to the kitchen now. I will call for you after I've eaten," Ivy said.

"Alright, we'll take our leave," Gareta and Selina said in unison.

Ivy nodded in agreement. She looked back at Race after her two servants left. Ivy felt sad again as she saw her husband in pain.

"Race, please recover quickly! I can't bear to see you like this," Ivy pleaded.

It was late at night when Race groaned softly and opened his eyes. He winced as he felt a throbbing headache; a long sleep didn't instantly cure him. Race scanned his surroundings and realized he was in his room with Ivy by his side. He gently massaged his head and noticed someone holding his other hand. Race looked at his hand and then glanced at Ivy, sleeping in a chair. Ivy didn't let go of Race's hand for a moment.

"Why are you sleeping while sitting?" Race said weakly.

Race carefully released his hand from Ivy's grip. Perhaps out of exhaustion, Ivy didn't wake up at all. Race smiled faintly and then tried to sit up. He leaned back and gazed at Ivy's peaceful sleeping face.

"How could I ever lose a woman like you, Iv? I love you so much," Race whispered.

"I will do anything to prevent that war," Race said again.
***
Winter was busy training the soldiers who were being prepared for war. Winter hadn't heard any news about Race being ill, and he kept looking towards the camp's gate, waiting for Race's arrival. Winter was growing frustrated because the person he had been waiting for had not yet appeared. After some time, he decided to end the training as he deemed it sufficient.

All the soldiers respectfully bowed to Winter and left the training ground. Winter himself sighed deeply as he walked away from the field. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Ivy approaching.

"Good afternoon, Winter," Ivy greeted, bowing her head in acknowledgment.

"Winter, why are you here?" Winter asked, feeling a bit puzzled.

"Yes, I'm sorry I had to come here now. Today is your therapy schedule, Winter. I couldn't wait until later because of Race," Ivy explained.

"Because of Race? Why him?" Winter asked, still confused.

Winter and Ivy were now in a resting room. Ivy had just finished performing healing magic on Winter. Ivy took a deep breath and then opened her eyes.

"It's done, Winter," Ivy said.

Winter nodded and continued to gaze at Ivy. "Iv, how can you still come here if Race is sick? Can he be left alone there?" Winter asked, concerned.

"I still have to come here, Winter. It's my duty, and healing you is my priority now. I asked Race for permission, and he didn't mind," Ivy replied, explaining to Winter.

"Couldn't you send someone to fetch me instead?"

Ivy smiled upon hearing Winter's words. This crown prince was different from the other crown princes Ivy knew. Winter was genuinely kind and humble.

"That wouldn't be appropriate, Winter," Ivy replied.

"It's not inappropriate, Ivy. Everything has a reason. May I accompany you to the pavilion? I want to see Race," Winter asked.

Ivy glanced at Winter briefly, then smiled and nodded in agreement.
"Of course, Winter."
***
King Michel was reading a report from the soldiers stationed at the eastern and northern borders. He grumbled in anger as he read the information.

"Why can't King Okra just wait for a moment?" King Michel exclaimed, gesturing as he tossed the scroll from the soldier.

"I apologize, King Michel. King Okra has never been known for his patience," the Minister of Defense of the eastern kingdom replied.

"So, what should we do now? They've started moving to attack us," King Michel asked, looking towards the Minister of Defense.

"Our soldiers at the border are numerous and capable, King Michel. If they encounter difficulties, we can send more troops. The border troops haven't confirmed the number of troops being sent to attack our territory," the Minister of Defense explained.

King Michel fell silent upon hearing the explanation from his Minister of Defense. He appeared deep in thought and then glanced at Lord Milano, his brother, who had cleared his throat softly.

"Do you have something to say, Brother?" King Michel inquired.

"May I?" Lord Milano asked.

"Of course, go ahead," King Michel replied.

Lord Milano did not respond immediately. He looked briefly at all the ministers gathered in the palace.

"I have a proposal to ensure that the northern kingdom's troops do not reach our territory, but I need all of your approval for this," Lord Milano said.

All the ministers in attendance nodded in agreement, as did King Michel. Lord Milano then smiled faintly and cleared his throat once more.

"You all surely remember the prophecy of the northern kingdom's downfall. Why don't we make that a reality? Don't we have a very powerful tool to make it happen?"

Lord Milano began speaking, but it only puzzled everyone, including King Michel.

"What do you mean, Brother? What kind of tool do we have?" King Michel asked.

Lord Milano looked at King Michel and then smiled slightly. "My daughter, isn't she descended from a seer and the last witch in the north? She can be the tool we use to defeat the northern kingdom with a single stroke."

King Michel still couldn't fully grasp his brother's words. Some of the ministers present began to understand, while others were still confused.

"Let them try to breach our borders, allow King Okra to deploy all his troops first. After that, send Ivy to the border. We'll force her to use her magic to defeat them all. Then we'll attack the northern kingdom, and with Ivy's magic, we'll conquer it. This way, our territory will expand even further, King Michel."

King Michel widened his eyes in disbelief at his brother's plan. Wasn't that incredibly dangerous for Ivy? She was just a woman with magic and prophecy abilities. Could Ivy take on all of them?
***