King Michel was gathered with the kingdom's dignitaries. There was a report about the movement of northern forces towards the border. They have yet to learn the purpose of their return to the eastern region. This made King Michel anxious once again.

"So, King Michel, how is it? I believe the spread of the news about Mrs. Ivy's impending execution has given the northern forces courage," one of the kingdom's dignitaries expressed his concerns.

King Michel did not immediately respond and seemed lost in thought. Mr. Milano cleared his throat and approached King Michel.
"It seems what Winter said is happening, King Michel," he said.

King Michel looked towards Mr. Milano, agreeing with his brother's thoughts.
"You're right, Brother. So, what should we do now?" King Michel asked.

Mr. Milano fell silent and looked at his younger brother.
"There's no other way," he said.

"Are you suggesting freeing Ivy? How is that possible? She is involved in many things, Brother," King Michel objected.

"Not necessarily. It could be false accusations without a solid foundation because Ivy happens to be the adopted daughter of the Marionet family. This might not have happened if Race hadn't reported Mr. Marionet and Mrs. Liana. Race wouldn't have reported them if Ivy hadn't been hurt by her adoptive parents," Winter said. King Michel, Mr. Milano, and everyone present looked at Winter entirely. Winter wore a severe expression but smiled inwardly.

"My plan succeeded; this will surely shake Father's resolve," Winter thought, triumphant.

King Michel and Mr. Milano seemed deep in thought, while Winter smiled victoriously, seeing everyone in the palace deep in opinion.

Busy with their thoughts, suddenly, a roar was heard from outside the palace. Everyone looked outside, and then time seemed to stand still. In the prison, Race, who was drinking, didn't move like a statue. Unlike everyone else, Ivy, on the other hand, could still move freely. Ivy smiled happily because her plan and Tesla's had succeeded.

"Today Tesla did it," Ivy said, smiling but looking sad now.

After time returned to what Ivy wanted, Race, who had just opened his eyes because he dreamt of Ivy jumping from his room's window, was shocked. He quickly got out of bed and went to the bathroom. After cleaning himself, Race didn't linger and headed straight to Ivy's pavilion.

In the horse carriage, Race kept squeezing his hands, feeling worried.
"Why did you choose this option, Iv? Why didn't you choose to reverse time before you went to the east? It's closer. Why did you reverse it too far."

Race kept talking to himself. It turned out that this magic didn't work on Race; it needed to be clarified what went wrong with Tesla's magic. What was certain was that Race could still remember everything that happened before time reversed like this. Before reaching Ivy's pavilion, the horse-drawn carriage Race was stopped. Race raised his eyebrows in confusion because the carriage suddenly stopped.

"What's going on, why did the driver stop?" Race asked.

Before the driver could answer, the door of Race's carriage opened from the outside. Race was slightly surprised and became alert, but it turned out that Tesla had entered the carriage. Race looked puzzled by Tesla's presence, while Tesla bowed politely to greet Race.

"Sorry for interrupting your journey, Master Race," Tesla said.

"What are you doing here, Tesla?" Race asked.

Tesla didn't answer immediately; instead, he smiled while looking at Race.
"It seems my magic doesn't work on you, Master Race. You still remember me," Tesla said.

"Your magic? So, this isn't Ivy's magic?" Race asked, confused.

Tesla shook his head slowly.
"Ivy can't do something this big anymore, Master Race."

"Why is that?"

Tesla took a deep breath and then smiled faintly.
"The continuous weakening and imbalance of Ivy's energy caused her magic to start malfunctioning. The last time she might have used it was to communicate with me," Tesla explained.

Race's eyes widened in disbelief upon hearing Tesla's words. Meanwhile, Tesla smiled again at Race.
"Young Master Race, there's no need to be surprised. This, in fact, will be very good for Ivy. This way, Ivy will never be used as a tool in this eastern region," Tesla stated.

Initially, Race was stunned by Tesla's words, but shortly after, he nodded in agreement with Tesla.
"You're right," Race whispered.

"Young Master Race," Tesla called again.

"Yes, what is it, Tesla?"

"Can I ask something from you for Ivy?"

Race furrowed his brows in confusion.
"What?" he asked briefly.
***
Race sat next to Ivy, meticulously cleaning her hands with warm water. He wiped Ivy's hands with care and gentleness.

"You, always enjoy being in the backyard. Look at your hands; they're covered in dust because of that," Race remarked.

Ivy didn't respond and continued to gaze at Race intently.
"What is this? Why doesn't Tesla's magic work on Race? Does Race have some special abilities aside from seeing the future in his dreams?" Ivy wondered, asking herself.

"After this, I'll ask Gareta to prepare a bath for you. I'll go back to the pavilion to handle the dismissal letters for Miranda. If I don't take care of it, and Mother finds out about what happened earlier, she'll be angry and punish Miranda even more severely," Race said.

Initially feeling somewhat relieved, Ivy realized how cunning Miranda was, and disappointment crept back in.
"So, you're still thinking about Miranda even though she said such vulgar things?" Ivy murmured, lowering her head in disappointment.

Race stopped cleaning Ivy's hands. He looked at his wife and then smiled faintly.
"Why? Are you jealous now? Is this how you act when you're jealous?" Race teased.

Ivy nodded quickly and shrugged her head unjustifiably. "Not so, just..."

Again, Ivy couldn't continue his speech because Race now kisses Ivy's lips. Race continues to enjoy his kiss with Ivy, and Race holds his back head while Ivy has his waist and kisses Race back, too. Ivy can't keep herself from not doing the same thing with Race.

After a few seconds of kissing, the two took off each other's kiss. Race and Ivy look at each other now.
"Sorry, I can't hold on to myself, Iv," Race said.

"Hold what?" asked Ivy, confused.

"Everything, starting with my feelings and also my wishes. Looks like your bathroom should be postponed first, Iv," Race said again.

"What? What do you mean, Race?" Ivy needs clarification on what Race is saying right now.

"Let's make a boy or a girl, it doesn't matter which one is going to be born."

Ivy herself spread her eyes, surprised. The thing Race said is the same as it was then.
"What is this? Why am I getting more confused?"

***