Mrs. Maria sipped her herbal tea slowly, her face looking serious as if contemplating something. A moment later, she set down the cup she was holding and called for Miranda from the kitchen. With a slight hurry, Miranda entered the living room and respectfully bowed.

"What is it, Madam, that you're calling me?" Miranda asked.

"I have a task for you," replied Mrs. Maria succinctly.

"What task, Madam?" Miranda inquired again.

Mrs. Maria didn't answer immediately; she merely gazed at Miranda. She cleared her throat softly and then rose from her seated position. She approached Miranda and whispered something to the servant who intensely disliked Ivy.

Elsewhere, Ivy was strolling around the bungalow pavilion that had been Race's residence for a while. Ivy was quite fond of the backyard of this pavilion. There was a large fish pond in the middle of the garden, and in the center, there was a statue of a person pouring water from a pitcher. Ivy smiled happily as she dipped her hand into the water in the pond. Suddenly, her smile faded, and the girl slowly closed her eyes.

"What is this? Why would this pond turn into a place of misfortune for Race and Winter?" Ivy mumbled to herself.

Ivy, who had been crouching down, now chose to stand and was about to re-enter the pavilion. However, her intention was interrupted by Mrs. Maria's approach to the garden.

"Mother," Ivy greeted politely.

"What are you doing here?" Mrs. Maria asked.

"I... I was just taking a walk, Mother."

"For what? You're not even going to stay here. Shouldn't you return to your pavilion now?"
Mrs. Maria's tone indicated that she was now driving Ivy away.

"But I'm waiting for Race, Mother. He told me to wait here; he's training the new guards with Winter."
Ivy refused to obey her mother-in-law's command; she didn't want to break her promise to Race to wait for him to return.

"Quite bold of you, calling the crown prince by his name? Who do you think you are, Ivy?"
Mrs. Maria sounded angry upon hearing Ivy's words, although she wasn't truly upset about Ivy addressing Winter by his name. She was merely testing Ivy's response to her.

"I apologize, Mother. I'm used to calling him by his name. I'll be more careful when addressing the crown prince."

Unexpectedly for Mrs. Maria, Ivy immediately apologized and politely lowered her body and head. This behavior was quite different from the story told by Miranda, who said that Ivy was hot-tempered and only good in front of others.
***
Race and Winter entered the bungalow pavilion together, scanning the area as they couldn't find Ivy anywhere.

"Iv, where are you?" called out Race.

"Ivy? She's here?" Winter interjected, asking Race.

"Yes, she's here. I brought her here and intend to stay for a few days with Ivy. At least until the first phase of training is complete," Race explained.

"Staying here with Ivy?"
Winter seemed incredulous at what he had just heard. Winter even looked at Race with a puzzled and slightly jealous expression.

"Yes, I've decided to accept Ivy as my wife. I've begun to love her, Winter."
With straightforwardness, Race confessed his feelings to Winter, and Winter's expression hardened. He truly felt as if Race were mocking him, his hands clenched in anger.

"How could you like Ivy? Did she use her sorcerer friend to enchant you, Young Master Race? You can't possibly love a woman like Ivy."

Suddenly, Miranda, who arrived carrying a bowl of warm water for Race and Winter to wash their hands, spoke up. Winter and Race both turned their attention to Miranda, and their brows furrowed in confusion.

Ivy herself was in her pavilion. Ivy finally chose to go home after being dismissed by her mother-in-law earlier. She let out a deep sigh and was currently looking out of the window.

"Has Race returned? He must be looking for me," Ivy mumbled to herself.

"I shouldn't have come back earlier," she continued, rubbing her face gently.

Not long after, a knocking sound on her bedroom door made Ivy shift her gaze.

"Come in!" she ordered briefly.

The door to Ivy's room opened, and Selina walked in.

"Dinner is ready, Young Mistress Iv," Selina said.

"Alright, let's go to the dining room together," Ivy invited Selina.

They both exited the room, with Ivy engaging Selina in conversation as they headed towards the dining room. However, all of a sudden, Ivy stopped walking. Once again, she could see the premonition of what was to happen to Winter and Race. Ivy took a deep breath and was about to close her eyes to focus on what was about to unfold.

"What's wrong, Young Mistress Iv? Why did you stop?" Selina's question startled Ivy, and Ivy cursed herself for acting carelessly.

"Selina might end up knowing my biggest secret," Ivy thought, then shook her head at Selina.

"Nothing, Selina. Let's continue to the dining room!" Ivy urged Selina to walk again, to which Selina nodded.

"I can do the divination later. Hopefully, it won't happen today," Ivy thought in a silent monologue.
***
At the dining table, Ivy needed to be more focused on eating. Instead, She was busy trying to divine anything she could see. Unfortunately, Ivy found herself unable to see anything.

"Will that happen in the future? Why can't I see anything now?" Ivy continued her internal monologue.

Selina and Gareta, noticing Ivy's strange expression, exchanged glances.

"Young Mistress," Gareta dared to call out.

Hearing her name, Ivy reflexively turned and looked at Gareta.

"What is it, Gareta?"

"Young Mistress, what's wrong? Why do you look like you're thinking about something?"

Ivy sighed profoundly and then lowered her head.

"I'm thinking about Race. Has he had dinner too?" Ivy half-lied to her two servants.

"Hey! Why bother thinking about something so trivial, Young Mistress? Isn't Miranda there? She's the one who's been taking care of all of Young Master Race's needs. Why are you thinking about it just now?" Selina retorted, followed by a small laugh.

Gareta widened her eyes in disbelief upon hearing Selina's words. She looked at her friend with an incredulous expression. A moment later, Ivy lowered her head again and gave a faint smile.

"You're right. Why should I be concerned about Race? Miranda is better at taking care of Race than I am," Ivy whispered, feeling hurt by Selina's words.

Selina realized she had made a mistake and looked at Gareta, who glared at her. Selina hadn't meant anything by her comment; she was just responding to Ivy's worries based on her thoughts. Selina then slapped her lips while cursing herself.

"Never mind, both of you go back to the kitchen! I'm done eating," Ivy said, her appetite wholly gone. She stood up and walked away, leaving her two servants behind.

"Are you crazy?" Gareta protested to Selina.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt Young Mistress Ivy's feelings," Selina said.

"Ugh... you should apologize to Young Mistress Ivy instead of me," Gareta retorted and followed Ivy, leaving Selina behind.
***
Late into the night, Ivy had a disturbing dream. She opened her eyes and stared blankly ahead. Her face was filled with fear, and she looked out the window reflexively.

"Who wants to harm Winter? Is it a human or a monster? Why is he living in the nearby forest?" Ivy questioned with a puzzled expression.

Ivy quickly got up from her bed and went to the dressing room. She wore warm clothes and decided to meet either Race or, if not him, Winter. She had to warn them to be cautious from now on.

"Race could get hurt if he protects Winter, but Winter mustn't get hurt either," Ivy panicked and walked briskly out of her room.

Half-running, Ivy left the pavilion and stopped on the front terrace, looking confused.

"What should I do? Should I use my magic to get there quickly?" Ivy mumbled, unsure of what to do.

Frustrated by her limited options due to her location in the pavilion, Ivy paced back and forth, thinking hard. She stomped her foot in frustration and began reciting a spell.

"Sorry, Race, I'm using magic again," Ivy said before her body lifted off the ground as if she were incredibly light.

Selina rubbed her eyes in disbelief, unable to believe what she saw. What started as her wanting to check on Ivy in her room had turned into witnessing Ivy floating and astonishingly disappearing before her eyes.

"What is this? Am I dreaming?" Selina continued to rub her eyes, finding it hard to believe.
***