Ivy was helping Race put on his attire. Today, Race had resumed his duties at the palace. After finishing and ensuring that Race's attire was impeccable, Ivy looked at Race and gave him a faint smile.

"You look even more handsome today, Race," Ivy complimented.

"Don't try to console me, Iv. No matter how much you console me, I still can't bear to see you leave," Race said, still not in agreement with King Michel's command.

"Race, we've discussed this, haven't we? I'll be fine. Remember, I'm a seer. My visions have never been wrong," Ivy reassured.

Race didn't respond immediately and instead gazed at Ivy. He let out a deep sigh and then embraced his wife.

"I'm afraid something might happen to you, Iv."

"Race, trust me. I'll be fine for you."

Race sighed heavily and tightened his embrace around Ivy. He didn't want to part with his wife.

In the end, Ivy followed King Michel's command. She led the war alongside the soldiers, who were not in small numbers. Meanwhile, Winter and Race remained behind to guard the kingdom in case their troops were defeated, and the enemy penetrated their borders.

Ivy departed for the border this morning, and Race escorted her to her carriage. Before she climbed into the horse-drawn carriage, Ivy looked at Race and gave him a faint smile. She gently brushed his cheek and then embraced her husband warmly.

"I'll be fine, Race," Ivy reassured him again.

"Yeah, I know."

"In that case, don't let my departure leave you with a sad face, Race," Ivy requested.

Race didn't immediately respond but instead held Ivy tightly. He knew his wife was a powerful witch, but he still couldn't help feeling anxious about her going to war while he stayed behind, waiting at the palace.

"Race," Ivy called out.

"Yes?" Race replied, releasing his embrace and looking at Ivy.

Ivy waited to speak. Instead, she leaned in slightly, raised her face, and gently kissed Race's lips. Race was initially surprised, but after a few seconds, he gently held Ivy's neck and responded to her kiss. The two of them shared a passionate kiss amid their turbulent emotions.
***
Mr. Marques had just thrown a bag of gold coins onto the table. After inspecting its contents, one of his trusted subordinates quickly grabbed the bag, smiled, and turned his gaze toward Mr. Milano.

"What is our task now?" he asked.

"Send both magic and a disease to the east!" declared Mr. Marques.

The subordinate furrowed his brow in confusion. "Magic? Isn't your daughter in the east, sir?"

"You're correct. My main target is, in fact, that girl."

"How can that be? She's your own daughter!"

"Don't ask too many questions! Just do as I command. If you succeed in killing that girl now, I'll even add a bonus for you," Mr. Marques emphasized, glaring at the subordinate. The subordinate nodded in agreement with Mr. Marques's request.

As Mr. Marques planned, the people in the eastern region were suddenly struck by a mysterious disease. It all started with villagers in the east drinking from the river, their daily water source. Many children and adults fell ill with a mysterious fever. Their bodies turned red, and they complained of intense heat coursing through them.

The situation in the eastern region became critical and uncontrollable. King Michel called for an emergency meeting with his kingdom's dignitaries. Winter attended the meeting, but Race was absent as he had to remain on guard at the palace's main gate.

"If only Lady Ivy were here, she might have a solution to this epidemic, King Michel," one of the kingdom's dignitaries said.

"That's true. Lady Ivy must have a way to counter this disease. So, what should we do now?" another dignitary added.

Hearing the remarks of the two dignitaries, Mr. Milano let out a soft snort. He then glanced at King Michel and cleared his throat.

"Let's wait for Ivy's return. Our messenger reported that she had successfully repelled the northern invaders and sent them back to where they came from," Mr. Milano suggested.

Upon hearing this, Winter, who had remained silent, reacted. He looked at his uncle, seeking an explanation. King Michel sighed and nodded slowly.

"You're right, Brother. Let's wait for Ivy to return. If our calculations are correct, she should be back on time," King Michel said.

"But, King Michel, many villagers are already falling ill. What if there are casualties by the time she arrives?" another dignitary protested.

"Shouldn't we consider recalling Lady Ivy? We can defeat the northern territory without her, King Michel," another suggested.

"Hey! Our plan is already set, why should we change it now? Let Ivy finish her task first," Mr. Milano protested, clearly irritated.

"Isn't that a good idea, Uncle? Ivy's presence is really needed here. Wouldn't it be more beneficial if she were here instead of leading the war as a woman?" Winter finally spoke up.

All the kingdom's dignitaries turned their attention to Winter. Each of them nodded in agreement, endorsing Winter's words. Mr. Milano remained silent because what Winter had said was undeniably true. Meanwhile, King Michel appeared deep in thought and looked thoughtfully at Winter.
***
Race had just entered the room, and Ivy's gaze followed him as he looked around the room and heaved a sigh. He clutched his now thundering chest.

"Why haven't you come back, Iv? Didn't you promise to return soon?" Race whispered to himself.

Race then walked towards the window, which was Ivy's favorite spot. He gently opened the window and looked outside. Race recalled the first time Ivy came to this pavilion. Race even once dreamed Ivy wanted to end her life by jumping from this window.

Race looked down and then towards the gate, clearly visible from the window.

"Is this how you felt when you were lonely, Iv? It truly hurts not having you by my side," Race continued to speak to himself.

Race then sighed deeply. He was about to close the window but reconsidered as he saw the gate was open, and a horse-drawn carriage he recognized entered the pavilion area. Race furrowed his brow in confusion, closed the window, and left his room.

Race and Winter were now in the backyard garden. They were both drinking tea, tea that Ivy had made from scratch. Race stared into his teacup, a faint smile on his lips, before placing the cup on the table.

"Is the tea good?" Race asked.

"Yes, it's very good. Unlike the tea I had the last time," Winter replied.

"This is Ivy's own blend. She deliberately cuts the tea leaves, dries them, and blends them herself."

Winter fell silent upon hearing Race's explanation, realizing how much his cousin missed his wife. Race sighed and then looked towards the flowers that Ivy diligently cared for.

"She's so patient, Winter. She never got angry with me despite how often I hurt her. She tends to these flowers with patience and dedication. Not only that, she loves me so much that she wasn't even tempted by the crown prince, even though he's much more handsome than I am," Race said, looking at Winter with a smile.

Winter widened his eyes and then snorted in annoyance.

"I know about that too," he said.

"How can I live without her, Winter? What if she gets hurt leading that war?" Race asked, his voice trembling.
***