Ivy has just finished being examined by a healthcare expert. Race continues to accompany Ivy as she retakes her medicine.

"If her condition doesn't improve soon, it seems we should explore other alternatives, young Master Race," the healthcare expert said to Race.

"What other alternatives? Is Ivy's condition that serious?" Race asked, suddenly becoming worried about Ivy.

"Miss Ivy's body is actually quite weak, and it's evident from her pulse. Miss Ivy needs complete rest and she could recover quickly if treated by a sorcerer with healing magic," the healthcare expert explained in detail to Race.

Upon hearing the sorcerer's name, Ivy reacted immediately and quickly grabbed Race's hand. Realizing again that she touched her husband without permission, Ivy swiftly released Race's hand.

"Sorry," she whispered.

Race only glanced briefly at Ivy and then looked at her hand that let go of his so abruptly.

"I don't need healing magic. I'm perfectly fine," Ivy said to the healthcare expert.

"But your condition is indeed not fine, Miss Ivy," the healthcare expert replied.

Ivy smiled weakly and shook her head gently.

"I will recover soon, no need to worry. Is the examination over?" Ivy asked.

"Find the sorcerer with healing magic quickly! I don't like having sick people in my pavilion. Do you understand, healthcare expert Doha?" Race interrupted, suddenly instructing the healthcare expert to find a healing sorcerer for Ivy immediately.

Ivy turned quickly towards Race, widening her eyes in disbelief. She shook her head quickly, refusing.

"I don't need that."

"That's your opinion, but I trust the healthcare expert more than I trust you," Race said coldly.

The healthcare expert left after the examination. Race escorted Ivy to the front of her room's door. Ivy tried to sit up and chose to get off her bed. Hearing someone's footsteps, Race turned around and approached Ivy.

"Why did you get off the bed? You could have called me to help you. Ivy looked at her hand, which was held by Race. She quickly pulled away and stepped back.

"I can stand on my own," she whispered.

Ivy's behavior took aback race. Perhaps his usual rough attitude towards Ivy had led her to act this way. Race sighed in frustration and stepped forward, carrying Ivy back to her bed.

"I don't believe you," Race said.

"Why are you carrying me again? Aren't I so disgusting to you, Race?" Ivy asked, staring at Race intently.

Since Race saw Ivy's scars earlier, Ivy's mind was filled with many questions. Race didn't ask or press Ivy to explain anything, which made Ivy think that Race found her disgusting. Ivy had prepared herself mentally and emotionally if Race ever decided to kick her out.

"Who said that?" Race asked, wrapping Ivy with a blanket.

"In a moment, you'll feel drowsy. Rest while you still can. Hopefully, the healthcare expert can find the healing sorcerer quickly," Race continued.

Ivy didn't respond and just stared at Race now. Being scrutinized like that by Ivy, Race could guess what was on her mind.

"Don't think I won't ask about those scars on your body. I'm just postponing asking you that. Your health is more important right now," Race said.

Ivy pursed her lips and nodded slowly as if having received an answer to what was on her mind.

"Oh, one more thing, I have to go to the palace today. King Micael summoned me," Race said again.

Ivy widened her eyes and looked frightened. She was afraid that Winter might tell her father what she knew. Race himself gave a faint smile, observing Ivy's expression.

"Don't think too much! King Micael only wants to discuss the relocation of the basecamp," Race reassured Ivy.

Ivy sighed and touched her chest before looking back at Race. Seeing Ivy's relief when her fears proved unfounded, Race couldn't help but feel sorry for his wife.

"Are you that afraid of being kicked out of here? Then why did you say you're ready to leave whenever I want to kick you out?" Race asked.

Ivy waited to answer. She looked at Race and then gave a faint smile. She lowered her head and took a deep breath.

"I am indeed prepared to be kicked out by you anytime, Race. It's just that..."

"Just that what?"

"I don't know where to go after being kicked out of here."

Race furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Wasn't Ivy a noblewoman, even if she was adopted? Why would she be unsure of where to go?

"This must be related to the scars on Ivy's body," Race thought.

Shortly after, Ivy smiled and raised her head again to look at Race.

"Don't pay attention to what I said. Wherever I go when you kick me out, it won't be your concern, right? It won't bother you," Ivy said.

Race fell silent and just looked at Ivy now. He cleared his throat and stood up from where he had been sitting on the edge of the bed.

"It's up to you to think whatever you want! I have to go now," he said.

"Uh, be careful, Race."

"Sure."

Race walked away, leaving Ivy still gazing at his back.

"What is this, Race? I can't help but care when facing you," Ivy thought.

Ivy realized she couldn't deny that having Race by her side made her feel calm, and she couldn't bear to see him hurt. Just by looking into the prophecy, Ivy could already sense how painful it would be to see Race injured.

Race, who had reached the door of Ivy's room, stopped and turned back to look at Ivy again. Ivy raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

"Thank you, Ivy," Race said.

"For what?" Ivy asked, confused.

"Thank you for helping me and Winter, even at the cost of sacrificing yourself," Race stated before leaving, leaving Ivy stunned by his words.

"He thanked me?" Ivy mumbled to herself in disbelief.
***
Winter got off the horse-drawn carriage that brought him to Race's pavilion. He heard from his guards that Race had returned to his residence. Winter approached Race and sat directly in front of him.

"Doesn't the crown prince have any manners?" Race asked without diverting his gaze from the papers.

"Tsk, it's not the time for manners, especially with you, who happens to be my own brother," Winter retorted, staring intensely at Race.

"So, what's so urgent that you came here?" Race asked again, still not looking at Winter.

"Why did you only come back now? It's been days since you returned to Ivy's pavilion," Winter questioned.

Race raised an eyebrow and closed the document he was reading. Finally, Winter's question succeeded in making Race look at him.

"What's wrong with that?" Race asked.

"What's wrong? Aren't you never fond of Ivy, and you didn't even want to marry her in the first place? So why are you taking care of her now that she's sick? It's quite amusing, isn't it, Race?"

Race fell silent upon hearing Winter's question. He then looked at Winter intensely and sighed deeply for a moment.

"Can you explain to me what's so amusing about it? You shouldn't forget that Ivy's current condition is due to her help to us."

"You're right, but..."

"But what? You yourself said she's my wife. So, it's my duty to take care of her regardless of whether I hope for it or like her."

Race interrupted Winter's words, leaving him speechless. Winter looked at Race and was now trying to come up with another reason.

"So, why did you come to see me now, Winter? What you said earlier was just an excuse, right?

Winter seemed like he was caught stealing, and he looked away and cleared his throat softly.

"How's Ivy, Race? I heard she's seriously injured and needs a healing sorcerer."

Winter's words surprised Race. How did his cousin know about that? Was Ivy so important to Winter that he went to such lengths to discover everything about her?

"Let's take Ivy to the north. Aren't there many sorcerers there?" Winter suggested.

Race didn't immediately respond and just looked at Winter now. He couldn't quite comprehend why Winter showed so much concern for Ivy.

"Winter," Race called.

"Yes?" Winter answered briefly.

"Why are you so concerned about Ivy? Don't you already know that she's also a sorcerer?" Race asked, probing.

Winter fell silent. He couldn't possibly tell Race the truth right now. Even Winter himself didn't fully understand his feelings at the moment.
***