Ivy slowly bowed her head as she saw Winter coming to visit her.
"Welcome to my pavilion, Crown Prince Winter," Ivy said politely.

Since that day, the two of them hadn't seen each other. Ivy felt a bit awkward and also afraid to meet Winter. Now, Ivy regretted her somewhat strange behavior.
"What have I done," Ivy muttered to herself.

Winter raised an eyebrow, feeling puzzled by Ivy's actions.
"Hey! What are you doing, Iv?" he asked, not holding back his bewilderment.

"I don't know, I'm confused myself," Ivy replied, lightly tapping her forehead.

Winter chuckled softly at Ivy's behavior. He reached out and held Ivy's hand to stop her from tapping her forehead.
"Hey! That will hurt you," Winter said.

Ivy was slightly surprised by Winter's actions. She could feel how warm Winter's hand was as he held hers. Ivy looked at their hands and then, a moment later, shifted her gaze to Winter's face.
"Don't do that! You'll hurt yourself later," Winter said again.

Ivy gazed at Winter with her innocent face. She nodded slowly, obediently agreeing with Winter's words.
"His hand grip is so different from Race's. Winter's hand is warmer," Ivy thought to herself.

She didn't realize how silly she looked just staring at Winter now while Winter himself laughed softly and ruffled Ivy's hair gently.
"Why are you so funny, Iv? Have you always been this funny?" Winter asked.

"Um... I guess so."
Ivy was indeed very amusing, responding to Winter's words like that. It was no wonder Winter burst into laughter because of Ivy's antics.

Now Ivy and Winter are in the backyard garden. Race instructed the servants to set up a table and chairs in the backyard garden because Ivy loved the place so much. Ivy didn't even know when Race started caring about her, even in minor matters.

"This place is getting better," Winter said, looking around the garden.

"Yeah, Race ordered the servants to rearrange this garden," Ivy confirmed.

"Really? I didn't expect Race to care about small things like this," Winter remarked, sipping his drink. For some reason, Winter suddenly felt annoyed without any apparent cause.

Ivy looked at Winter with a furrowed brow. Just from his tone of voice, she could sense that Winter was getting irritated.
"Why are you suddenly so irritated, Winter?"

Winter didn't immediately answer Ivy's question; instead, he stared at Ivy intently.
"Caught on?" he asked.

"Um... very obvious," Ivy answered, confirming.

Once again, Winter remained silent and continued to gaze at Ivy. A moment later, he smiled faintly and took another sip of his drink. On the other hand, Ivy raised an eyebrow in confusion at Winter's response.
"There's something strange about me," Winter muttered.

"Seems like it," Ivy quipped, confirming.

Once again, Ivy's response made Winter laugh. He nodded and then shifted his gaze elsewhere.
"Isn't it you who makes me feel strange like this?" Winter said, successfully rendering Ivy speechless and wide-eyed.

"Me?" Ivy asked in disbelief.

Winter looked at Ivy and nodded slowly.
"Yes, you."

"How could that be?"

"I don't know, it seems like you're good at stirring the hearts of otherwise calm men here."

Ivy was puzzled by Winter's words. She was about to respond again when suddenly she was taken aback by a fleeting vision involving Winter. Ivy held her chest, feeling her heart racing suddenly. Seeing Ivy's strange expression, Winter furrowed his brow.

"Why?" Winter asked, a hint of panic creeping into his voice.

Ivy waited to respond. She closed her eyes again to focus on seeing what would happen to Winter.
"Hey! Ivy!" Winter called out again.

Ivy continued to remain unresponsive and looked around the garden. Her gaze then shifted to the forest not far from the park.
"From there again? What's really going on there?" Ivy murmured to herself.

"Ivy, what's going on? Why are you acting strange?" Winter asked, his voice slightly raised.

Before long, a bow and arrow could be seen rapidly targeting Winter. Ivy's eyes widened in surprise.
"Why so quickly?" she exclaimed, then pulled Winter to stand, taking the arrow herself on her arm.

"Aaaa..."
Ivy screamed in pain, holding her bleeding arm.

"Iv!"
Winter shouted in panic at seeing Ivy injured. He was about to approach Ivy, but she quickly pushed him away.

"Stay away, Winter! There are more arrows!"
Ivy then chanted a spell, and several arrows were now directed toward her. Ivy deflected some pointers, but the last golden hand struck her left chest.

"Ivy!"
***
Race had just finished training the new guards and had collapsed into a chair in his room. He let out a deep, heavy sigh.
"Why do I feel such an urge to go to Ivy's pavilion right now?" Race muttered, gazing at the ceiling of his room.

Race was startled when suddenly, there was a knock on his door from the outside.
"Come in!" Race said shortly.

The door to Race's room opened shortly after, revealing Miranda's presence. Race's trusted servant entered with a tray of drinks for Race. Miranda placed the glass on the table.
"Is there anything else you need, Young Master Race?" Miranda asked.

Race glanced briefly at Miranda and then took his drink.
"No, I'm going to Ivy's pavilion. I'll have dinner there," Race said, sipping his drink.

Miranda's face hardened, showing her displeasure. She didn't respond to Race's statement; instead, she stared at him intently. A moment later, Miranda's expression changed again. She smirked and cleared her throat. Race furrowed his brow, assuming Miranda had left his room. He looked up and stared at Miranda now.

"What's wrong? Why are you still here?" Race asked, confused.

"Why go to Ivy's pavilion? There seems to be something you don't know, Young Master Race," Miranda said, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"Do I have to tell you why I'm going to Ivy's pavilion? She's my wife, in case you remember, Miranda."

"I remember very well, Young Master Race, but have you found out that Ivy is friends with a sorcerer?"

Miranda's words took aback race. He looked at Miranda with wide eyes. Miranda laughed at Race's expression.
"Judging by your expression, I guess my assumption is correct. Ivy is friends with a sorcerer, and she even brought the sorcerer into the pavilion. Isn't that outrageous? My relationship with your sister was frowned upon because I come from a humble background. What's the difference with Ivy? She's just a lucky orphan. Now she's befriending a sorcerer. Isn't that unfair to me and Willingga, Race?"

Race was even more shocked hearing Miranda's words. He was reminded of how his sister left due to their parents opposing her relationship with Miranda.
***
"Shouldn't we inform Young Master Race, Young Master Winter?" Gareta said with concern while holding Ivy's unconscious hand.

"No! Race is busy at the base camp," Winter prohibited.

"But Young Master Race should know."

"Gareta! Listen to me! Ivy will be fine. The medical expert is treating her," Winter reassured Gareta.

Gareta was slightly startled by Winter's outburst, his courage shrinking due to Winter's tone. Gareta nodded slowly in agreement with Winter's words and then looked at Ivy again.
"Young Lady, wake up! If you're okay, you should wake up."

"Gareta! Let Ivy rest! Don't wake her up!"

"Young Master Winter, don't stop me from doing this or that. Let me ease my own mind."

Winter sighed in annoyance and turned his face away. Shortly after, he looked at Gareta again.
"Gareta," he called.

"Yes, Young Master Winter. What is it?" Gareta replied without looking in Winter's direction at all.

Winter sighed in frustration at Gareta, who didn't even bother to look at him and was only focused on Ivy with worry.
"You're so worried about Ivy that you don't even spare a glance for me."

Gareta cursed herself now; she hadn't meant to ignore Winter. She was just worried about Ivy, who hadn't regained consciousness yet. Gareta then looked at Winter and cupped her hands together.

"I'm sorry, Young Master Winter. I didn't mean to disregard you," Gareta said.

Winter chuckled softly at Gareta's expression.
"It's alright! Can you get me a drink? I'm thirsty, and my hands are shaking like this," Winter said, showing his slightly trembling hand.

Gareta was surprised to see Winter's sweaty and trembling hand.
"Young Master, why? Can thirst make someone like this?"

Gareta started to panic again and held onto Winter's hand. Indeed, the Crown Prince's hand was quite cold.
"I'll fetch you a drink."

Gareta hurriedly left Winter alone in Ivy's room. Winter laughed at Gareta's behavior, and a moment later, he placed his hand over his chest and looked at Ivy.
"Thank you for helping me again, Iv," Winter whispered.
***