Ivy was forcibly taken to the royal prison after all of King Michel's orders were issued. Race vehemently opposed everything, even daring to confront and beat the guards who captured Ivy. However, Race's efforts were in vain, as Ivy was still taken to the royal prison. Ivy now sits in a damp and cold corner of the room. She doesn't resist or lament her fate. Ivy is aware of everything about to happen. Surprisingly, she is grateful that her husband won't be the one to execute her.

Sitting on the cold floor, Ivy is startled by the sound of the door being pounded from outside. The iron door makes a loud noise, causing Ivy to jump halfway.

"Your meal is ready, Miss Ivy," the prison guard says.

Ivy stands up and walks towards the iron door. The guard then opens it from the outside, and shortly after, Miranda enters carrying a tray of food for Ivy. Miranda places it roughly on the floor, then looks at Ivy mockingly.

"People from the lower class will always remain lowly. Isn't that right, Ivy Marionet? Ah, not Ivy Linton the witch."

Miranda speaks with emphasis and smiles cynically at Ivy. Ivy, however, doesn't get angry at Miranda's treatment. Instead, Race's wife smiles thinly and then stares sharply at Miranda.

"Isn't it still better to be me than you? I may end up in this cold prison, but I am Race's wife. Not a woman who loves a man that can never be possessed until death."

Slap!

A rugged slap lands on Ivy's cheek. Feeling the heat radiating through her cheek, Ivy holds onto it as it throbs in pain.

"I no longer have magical powers to heal this," Ivy monologues.

"Watch your words, witch! You know nothing about me and Willingga. So don't speak recklessly."

Miranda, furious, leaves Ivy alone. Ivy watches Miranda leave and then sighs deeply.

"Why did I let myself be provoked? I should have been able to control my emotions," Ivy says.
***
Race continues to pursue King Michel, hoping his uncle will revoke Ivy's sentence. However, King Michel remains indifferent to Race's pleas, sticking firmly to his decision. For him, Ivy must be dealt with now before things escalate further. Despite Race's repeated attempts to meet King Michel, his uncle refuses, knowing he would relent if he saw Race.

Race slumps into a chair in the Winter pavilion's living room. Winter has just poured red wine into his glass and Race.

"Don't worry about it!" Winter says calmly.

Race looks at Winter and then snorts in frustration. "You say not to worry when my wife is sentenced to death? Are you mad, Winter? Is this how you love Ivy? Are you willing to let her die for a mistake she didn't commit?"

Race becomes emotional and glares at Winter. Winter, on the other hand, smiles faintly at Race's response.

"Drink your wine first!" Winter hands the glass of red wine to Race.

Looking at the red wine in the glass, Race suddenly becomes uneasy. He quickly averts his gaze, not wanting to see the glass. "Get rid of it, Winter! Haven't I told you I don't drink wine?" Race retorts.

Winter raises an eyebrow, realizing something. "Are you really traumatized by red wine?" he asks.

"Well, if you were in my position, you would feel the same trauma. I still remember Ivy vomiting blood because of red wine," Race explains.

Winter stares at his cousin intently, then takes a deep and heavy breath. He then removes all the red wine, including his own, from the table.

"Waiter!" Winter calls.

A servant quickly comes and bows respectfully. "What can I do for you, Crown Prince?"

"Take away these wines. Bring us some plain water or hot tea. Ah, does Ivy's concoction tea still exist?" Winter asks.

"It does."

"Bring us that," Winter says, and the servant obediently leaves the living room. Shortly after, Winter looks at Race again.

"Race, don't worry about anything. We can free Ivy from this punishment as usual," Winter begins to reassure Race.

"With what? Your father is so stubborn," Race grumbles.

"Well, I know because I inherited that trait from him," Winter agrees.

Race looks at Winter and then chuckles. His cousin is indeed skilled at lightening the mood. Winter also laughs and sighs in relief.

"Finally, you're smiling, Race," Winter thinks.

A few seconds later, the laughter fades, and Race becomes serious and sad again. "How can I help Ivy?" he asks.

"Kidnap Ivy! Aren't you strong enough to fight the prison guards?" Winter gives a calm and impractical solution. Race looks at Winter with disbelief. Winter, however, smiles faintly and then hands an envelope to Race.

"Take this money, go far to the east. With no Ivy here and you gone, everything will be forgotten."

Race looks at his cousin incredulously. How could Winter suggest such a ridiculous solution?
***
Ivy had just fallen asleep when she woke up again, disturbed by a dream that seemed more like a prophecy to her. She sat up and rubbed her face slowly.

"Why would Race take such a step?" Ivy murmured, puzzled.

As she was musing to herself, the door to Ivy's cell opened abruptly with a loud kick from Race. The man who loved Ivy so much barged in and immediately embraced her.

"Race, why are you doing this?" Ivy asked, returning Race's hug.

"There's no other way. This way, you can be free and won't die senselessly. Come on, let's get out of here, Iv!" Race said, releasing Ivy from the embrace.

"This is not right, Race! You'll get into big trouble because of this," Ivy refused to leave.

"No, we'll go far where they won't find us. Come on!" Race pulled Ivy's hand forcefully, but Ivy refused to move her feet. She shook her head slowly, rejecting Race's invitation.

"This is not right, Race! Don't do this!"

Race couldn't believe what he heard from Ivy. He looked at Ivy with a furrowed brow.

"Why don't you want to? Do you want to leave me like this? Is that it?" Race started losing his patience, and Ivy let go of Race's hand.

"I don't want you to get into trouble because of me, Race. So, don't play around like this."

"Ivy! What do you mean by playing around? I just want to save my wife from danger. You're not guilty, Iv. So how can I accept all of this?"

Ivy stared intently at her husband. She then smiled faintly and gently held Race's cheek.

"Forgive me for always being your biggest burden. Let destiny remain unchanged this time, Race. I've troubled you and Winter enough. You should be happy with or without me," Ivy said.

Race roughly pushed away Ivy's hand.

"Do you think I can still be happy without you? Oh no! You're mistaken, Iv. If you die, I'll die too. Before that, let's go and fight to change our fate for the last time."

Race forcibly pulled Ivy's hand again. He took Ivy out of the cell and tried to save her as much as possible. When they reached the front of the cell door, King Michel was already waiting for them. Race and Ivy stopped walking and stared blankly at King Michel.

"What are you doing, Race?"
***