"Why did you go out? Your condition is still like this," Race said as he helped Ivy stand upright.

Ivy looked at Race and held her hand to keep herself from falling. "I'm sorry, Race," she whispered.

"Yes, you're indeed at fault. Why did you come to the basecamp and help us fight those creatures? Winter and I could handle them on our own," Race said, staring at Ivy intently.

"I didn't want to see you and Winter get hurt. Don't forget, besides being a descendant of witches, I'm also the last seer in the north," Ivy said softly.

Winter was even more surprised by Ivy's words. Winter looked at Ivy in disbelief and then glanced at Race as if seeking an explanation. Race nodded slowly.

"You're not lying to me, are you?" Winter finally found his voice.

"No, Winter, I am indeed a descendant of witches and a seer. I was adopted by the Marionet family after my parents and relatives passed away. I'm sorry for hiding this significant truth," Ivy assured Winter.

Winter stared at Ivy, still unable to believe it. Winter needed clarification about what to do next. Today's events had wholly shocked him. Race looked at Ivy, who now appeared guilty. He gently touched Ivy's shoulder and warmly embraced his wife.

"Now it's better for you to go inside and rest! Your condition is still weak," Race said.

Ivy restrained herself from entering the room as Race suggested. "Wait, Race!"

"What is it? What else do you want?"

"Winter already knows about all of this. I'm sorry, I couldn't keep my promise not to use magic here. I couldn't just stand by when you and Winter were in danger," Ivy said, looking at Race with teary eyes.

Race couldn't say anything at the moment. He could only gaze at Ivy. Shortly after, Ivy shifted her gaze to Winter. She took a deep breath and gave Winter a faint smile.

"Winter, I'm sorry if this truth surprised you. The fact is, I am a witch descendant who is so despised in this eastern region. I..."

Ivy paused and looked at Race first. Then, she took another deep breath and closed her eyes slowly, avoiding eye contact with Race.

"I'm willing to be expelled from here. I'll leave this place if my presence becomes a problem for Race," Ivy concluded, bowing her head.
***
Gareta was carrying a basin filled with hot water for Ivy. Earlier, Race had asked Gareta to bring it. Since Ivy was injured and had lost much of her strength, Race had been staying in the pavilion to accompany her. Winter, on the other hand, had yet to revisit Ivy. However, the truth about Ivy's identity had not spread anywhere. Only Race and Winter knew who Ivy indeed was.

Gareta stopped at the wide-open doorway, where Race was helping Ivy to sit. Gareta fell silent and smiled happily to himself. "It seems that young master Race truly loves Miss Ivy," Gareta thought.

"Are you going to bathe again? This is the second time you're bathing this morning, Iv," Race said as he tried to help Ivy get off the bed.

"Oh no, Miss Ivy wants to bathe again. Mr. Race might see all of Miss Ivy's scars," Gareta thought, quickly walking towards Race and Ivy.

"Let me assist Miss Ivy in bathing, young master Race," Gareta suddenly interrupted.

Race looked at Gareta with a surprised expression. How could his servant suddenly enter and startle him like this? "You startled me, Gareta," Race retorted.

"Let me bathe with Gareta, Race. I just want to immerse my overheated body," Ivy said, realizing what Gareta was doing to protect her.

Race looked back and forth between Ivy and Gareta, took a deep breath, and shook his head firmly. He lifted Ivy's seemingly light body. "If you want to soak in water, I can accompany you. You don't have to be with someone else," Race said, carrying Ivy in a bridal style into the bathroom. Before fully entering the bathroom, Race stopped and looked at Gareta, who appeared panicked.

"Gareta, prepare some food for Ivy and me, and tell Selina to call the healthcare expert again. It seems that the effects of that incident haven't improved in Ivy's body," Race said.

With a panicked expression, fearing that Race would discover all of Ivy's scars, Gareta obediently nodded in agreement with Race's instructions.

Race placed Ivy in the bathtub filled with cold water that he had prepared inside the bathroom. Ivy leaned back against the tub while continuously observing Race, who attentively poured water over her body while still wearing her nightgown.

"Don't keep looking at me like that, Iv! If there's something you want to know, just ask!" Race said, seemingly ignoring Ivy but aware she kept staring at him.

Ivy didn't immediately respond to Race's words, as she had yet to hear a response from Ivy. Race then looked at Ivy, furrowing his brow in confusion. "Why do you keep staring at me like that?" he asked, curious.

Ivy slowly shook her head and turned away, refusing to meet Race's gaze. "Iv, what are you thinking?" Race asked again.

"Nothing."

"Then why does your face look so sad?"

"I'm not sad. Why would I be?"

"Then? What does that look in your eyes mean?" Race pressed, staring intently at Ivy.

Ivy waited to answer. She stared at Race, tracing his handsome face. It was the first time Ivy could look at her husband's face clearly and clearly. She just realized she had two different eyelids, one monolid, and the other double eyelid.

"Race, why are you being so kind to me now? Is it because I'll be expelled from here soon?" Ivy finally voiced her thoughts.

"Expelled? By whom?" Race asked, confused.

Ivy gave a faint smile and then looked away. "Didn't you say it yourself that witches are highly disliked here? The people in this eastern region think that witches are evil and manipulative."

"That's true."

"Ah, so it's true that I'll be expelled from this area soon."

"Who said that?" Race inquired.

Ivy furrowed her brow in confusion and looked at Race with a mixed expression of astonishment and confusion. "Didn't Winter already know who I truly am? He surely wouldn't stay silent and let all of this unfold. If that's the case, you shouldn't be treating me so kindly, Race."

Race fell silent and stared at Ivy. After a moment, he let out an exasperated sigh and stopped pouring water over Ivy's body.

"So, that's what's going on in your head?"

"Isn't that the logical conclusion?" Ivy thought.

"Ugh... besides being able to use magic and make predictions, is there anything else you can understand? That's why you're so foolish," Race scolded Ivy again, his tone filled with emphasis. Ivy's heart stabbed upon hearing Race's words. She turned her face away and nodded softly.

"I am foolish," she whispered.

"Yes, you're incredibly foolish. If Winter intended to expel you from the east, he wouldn't wait for days. Once he found out that you're a descendant of witches, he would have already driven you away, Iv."

Ivy nodded in agreement, her head bowing slightly. But a few seconds later, she widened her eyes in surprise and looked at Race again after fully processing his words.

"What do you mean, Race?"

Race sighed and poured water over Ivy's head more forcefully. "Look at how foolish you are, Iv!" he exclaimed, frustrated.

Ivy wiped her wet face and looked at Race with a bewildered expression. She was genuinely unsure of her thoughts now.

"Race, what do you mean Winter doesn't mind who I really am?" Ivy asked, trying to convince herself.

Race didn't immediately answer and stared intently at Ivy. He nodded in agreement, and Ivy's face lit up with joy.

"Is that true? How is it possible? Race, tell me how it could happen!" Ivy eagerly requested.

"Ugh... it's not important. Let's quickly finish your bath, and then you need to be examined again," Race said, resuming pouring water over Ivy's body. It was then that Race noticed the scar on Ivy's shoulder that her hair had covered, but the fault was now clearly visible due to her wet hair.

Ivy, who had been smiling to herself, suddenly stopped smiling as Race touched her shoulder. "What kind of scar is this, Iv? Why is it so..."

Race widened his eyes in disbelief as he saw the wide scar on Ivy's shoulder. He then pushed aside Ivy's hair, revealing more spots on her back and near her neck. Race looked at Ivy with a face full of question marks now. He needed an explanation from his wife at this moment.
***