Ivy groaned softly and then shifted her stiff body. It turned out she had fallen asleep in her chair. Ivy yawned and looked towards the window.

"I fell asleep while sitting?" she said.

Ivy attempted to stand up but suddenly stumbled, feeling weak.

"Is it because I didn't eat anything yesterday? It seems like I have no energy left," Ivy said, sitting back in her chair.

She took a deep breath and looked out the window again.

"It seems very sunny today. I want to take a walk outside," Ivy monologued.

Soon, the door to Ivy's room opened slowly, but Ivy paid no attention to it. She assumed it was probably Gareta or, if not, Selina. Ivy didn't even consider the possibility of it being Miranda, as Miranda hadn't attended to her needs since Lady Maria's arrival.

"I'm not ready to eat or bathe yet, Gareta, Selina," Ivy said without turning or taking her eyes off the window.

Strangely, there was yet to be a response from either Gareta or Selina. Suddenly, Ivy felt herself being lifted. She was surprised to find herself being carried by Race.

"Race?" Ivy whispered in disbelief, staring at her husband with wide eyes.

"Yes, it's me. You need to bathe and eat. Look at yourself, you're like a living corpse. Worn-out clothes, pale face. Didn't you say you didn't want to die anymore?" Race said, carrying Ivy towards the bathroom without delay.

"Why did you come here now? What's the urgency this time? And how did you know I didn't eat yesterday? Did Gareta report it?" Ivy asked rapidly.

Race has yet to respond to any of Ivy's questions. The cold man stared at Ivy and then placed her in the bathtub, which was quite large.

"Bathe! I'll wait for you outside," Race said, not answering any of Ivy's questions.

Race turned around and was about to leave Ivy in the bathroom, but Ivy quickly grabbed his hand.

"Why are you carrying me? Am I so repulsive to you that you don't want me to touch you at all?" Ivy asked, her voice trembling.

No matter how hard Ivy tried to hold herself back from thinking about Race's behavior, it still hurt her deeply. Ivy couldn't understand why everyone seemed to dislike her so much.

"What did I do wrong to you, Race? Why don't you want me to touch you? And why did you agree to marry me if you didn't even want me?" Ivy asked again.

Ivy was now crying, while Race remained silent and turned away from Ivy. Ivy wiped her tears with her other hand.

"Is it because I'm descended from witches? So, you find me repulsive and evil?" Ivy continued, sobbing uncontrollably.

Race widened his eyes in surprise at Ivy's question. Race had never thought of Ivy in that way. He let go of Ivy's hand and turned towards her.

"I don't think like that. Stop crying, or I'll get angry with you!" Race said, stroking the back of Ivy's head.

“Why are you hugging me if you don't want me to touch you, Race? You're hurting my heart.” Race didn't respond to Ivy's words.
***
Race gently wiped his face and took a deep breath. He waited for Ivy to finish changing clothes while sitting in the chair. Race was haunted by his dream from the previous night when he saw Ivy crying and vomiting. Race also saw Ivy fainting from not eating anything. He felt guilty for his rough behavior.

Soon, Ivy's dressing room opened, catching Race's attention. His wife was wearing a casual peach-colored dress, which Race considered more suitable for sleepwear than everyday use at home. Moreover, Ivy was a daughter-in-law of the Agnito family, who should be wearing luxurious and glamorous clothes.

"Are the clothes I bought really this ugly?" Race asked, holding Ivy's dress with a slightly displeased expression.

"No, they're all nice," Ivy replied.

"Then why are you wearing sleepwear? Especially when you're with your husband now."

"This is not sleepwear, Race."

"But it looks like sleepwear to me. Are you really going to wear this to accompany me to the palace?" Race stared at Ivy intently.

Ivy widened her eyes in disbelief at what she heard.

"The palace?" she asked.

"Well, I have to introduce you to the King and Queen. Father and Mother are already there," Race explained.

"Why didn't you mention it earlier? Let me change clothes first."

Without thinking twice, Ivy rushed back to the dressing room. Race himself smiled a little, finding Ivy's behavior amusing.

"Foolish," he whispered.
***
"So this is your daughter-in-law, as the rumors have it. She is truly beautiful," King Micel said, looking toward Ivy.

Ivy lowered her head in embarrassment while the Queen smiled and nodded, agreeing with her husband.

"You're absolutely right, King. Ivy is indeed beautiful. No wonder Race didn't refuse when he was arranged to marry her," the Queen said.

"Of course, she's beautiful. She is a Marionet noble's daughter, after all. They must have prepared all their daughters as best as possible to become the wives of other nobles," Mr. Milano Agnito, Race's father, said.

King Micel laughed and nodded in agreement. Ivy felt embarrassed hearing their conversation. She lowered her head and took a deep breath to calm her dizziness. Race reached out and held Ivy's hand.

"Stay calm, I'm here," Race whispered.

Ivy looked at Race, becoming more confused by his sudden drastic change in attitude towards her.

"What did Race actually eat? Why is he so gentle with me?" Ivy wondered, still looking at Race with a bewildered expression.

Shortly after, Winter arrived and greeted everyone in the palace's reception room.

"Sorry, I'm late, Father, Mother," Winter said.

"Where have you been? Didn't I tell you to come on time? Don't you want to see Race's wife?" King Micel said.

Winter didn't answer and looked towards Race and Ivy alternately now. Winter smiled faintly when he saw Ivy, and Race noticed that sweet but subtle smile. Unconsciously, Race snorted in annoyance and tightened his grip on Ivy's hand.

"I have actually met Ivy before," Winter suddenly spoke up.

"Really? How is that possible?" the Queen asked, surprised.

"Indeed, as the Queen said, how could you have met Ivy? She has been staying in the pavilion all day," Lady Maria added, also feeling perplexed.

Winter smiled meaningfully, looking at Race and staring intently at his cousin.

"I accompanied Race from the base camp to the pavilion several times. Ivy has become like a friend to me and is close to me, just like Race," Winter explained.

Everyone except for Race and Ivy was shocked to hear Winter's words. On the other hand, Race felt disgusted listening to Winter's nonsense, while Ivy smiled happily, realizing that she was considered a friend by Winter. Since long ago, Ivy had never had any friends and spent her days helping the Marionet family.
***