Selina continued pondering what she had seen last night, trying to understand everything. She shook her head softly and took a deep breath.

"Forget it! Besides, Young Mistress was in her room this morning, so maybe I was just dreaming last night," Selina monologued and resumed chopping the vegetables she was preparing for breakfast.

Before long, Selina threw her knife down roughly and let out a frustrated groan.

"But I'm pretty sure I wasn't dreaming last night," she concluded.

"Hey! What are you muttering to yourself about?"
Miranda's voice, coming from who knows where, made Selina turn towards the sound. She raised an eyebrow, feeling surprised.

"Why are you here so early in the morning? Did Young Master Race come here too?" Selina asked.

"Well... he came here early this morning along with Crown Prince Winter," Miranda confirmed.

"What? Doesn't that mean I have to add more to the breakfast menu?" Selina exclaimed, starting to panic.

"Don't freak out like that! I'm here, aren't I? We can cook together. Gareta is probably taking care of our spoiled Young Mistress," Miranda retorted, her facial expression growing less pleased.

"You mean Young Mistress Ivy? Don't talk like that, Miranda! If Young Master Race hears that, you might get into trouble."

Selina tried to remind her coworker, and Miranda snorted quietly. She then stood beside Selina and started helping with the cooking.

"It won't be a problem. Race won't get angry with me."

Selina couldn't believe her ears upon hearing Miranda's words. How could Miranda casually refer to her employer by just his name like that?

In Ivy's room, she scrutinized herself in the mirror. Ivy applied a thin layer of powder to her face and lowered her trembling hand.

"Ah... my confidence has diminished a lot because of last night," she murmured.

"Confidence? What is it, Young Mistress Ivy?"
Gareta's question made Ivy widen her eyes. She slapped her lips for being so careless. Ivy then turned around to face Gareta.

"It's nothing, Gareta."

"Then why does your face look so tired, Young Mistress? Does it have something to do with what you mentioned earlier? What happened last night?"
Gareta started interrogating Ivy, and hearing the consecutive questions from Gareta left Ivy trying to figure out how to respond. She could only look at Gareta with a bewildered and awkward expression.

Not long after, a knocking sound came from Ivy's bedroom door. Both Ivy and Gareta turned their heads towards the door simultaneously.

"Thank goodness, whoever it is, they've saved me," Ivy mumbled.

"Who is it?" Gareta asked without opening Ivy's bedroom door.

"Young Master Race is waiting at the dining table. Is Young Mistress going to take much longer to get ready?" a guard's voice came from outside Ivy's room.

"Race is here?" Ivy whispered to herself.

Gareta and Ivy exchanged a glance now. Both felt puzzled by Race's unexpected presence.
***
Ivy walked ahead of Race and Winter. Following Ivy's invitation, the three of them were heading to the backyard garden. Upon reaching the chairs Race had prepared, Ivy sat down and gestured for Race and Winter to join her.

"Do we have to chat here? It's quite cold outside," Race commented, showing concern as he looked at Ivy's tired face.

"It's safer here," Ivy explained why she wanted to talk to them in the backyard garden.

"Alright, let's just speed up the discussion then. What do you want to talk about, Iv? Your visit to my pavilion last night truly surprised me," Winter began the conversation.

Hearing that, Race quickly turned his head towards Ivy, his face showing a hint of annoyance at Winter's words.

"So, you met Winter first?" Race asked irritably.

"I had to, because Winter was the one in danger. I was just escorting him to your pavilion," Ivy explained her purpose for meeting with Winter.

"Still, you should have met with me first. I could better protect Winter."

"Race, I can protect Winter too. Haven't you forgotten that I'm a sorceress?"
Race and Winter looked at Ivy now, each lost in their thoughts. On the other hand, Ivy gave a faint smile and held Race's hand on the table.

"No need to worry! I can take care of myself and protect both you and Winter."

Race snorted and turned his face away.

"That's my duty, not yours."

On the other hand, Winter remained silent and stared at Ivy in disbelief.

"You truly are the best combo I could have, Ivy," he thought.

Ivy gave a slight smile as she observed Race sulking. She then took a deep breath, feeling her energy levels irregular.

"I need to explain everything quickly before my energy levels make me faint in front of Race and Winter," Ivy thought.

After her inner monologue, Ivy looked at Winter while still holding Race's hand. With her other hand, she took something from her dress pocket. She presented an object that was neatly wrapped.

"Carry this with you wherever you go, Winter. It will protect you from the monster that's targeting you now," Ivy said.

"Monster?"
Race and Winter spoke simultaneously, looking at Ivy in disbelief. Ivy, now with a severe expression, nodded her head in confirmation.

"I'm not sure if it's a human filled with hatred or a monster. What's certain is that it's after you, Winter. It's hiding in that forest."

Ivy pointed towards the forest that was visible from Ivy's backyard garden. Race and Winter followed the direction indicated by Ivy.

"How do you know about this? Since when?" Race asked, his worry resurfacing due to his wife's words.

"I found out last night that the monster was hiding there, but the incidents where the monster harmed Winter have occurred twice. First, when the golden arrow pierced my body, and secondly, a while ago when I was severely injured," Ivy explained casually.

Race and Winter couldn't believe what Ivy said; they stared at her.

"So, it's true you were hurt because of me," Winter said.

Ivy smiled and nodded gently.
"It's okay, for me, your safety and Race's are paramount. If something happens to you, Race will definitely be in trouble too. So, I'll help Race protect you," Ivy stated.

Race was taken aback by Ivy's words, looking at his wife with a pained expression. Ivy, on the other hand, smiled sweetly at Winter.

"It turns out I've been really foolish to waste a woman as wonderful as you, Iv," Winter said.
***
Ivy had just entered her room and sat on the edge of the bed, holding her chest in pain. She let out a soft sigh and began to sweat.

"How is this possible? How can I protect Winter and Race if using even a bit more magic leaves me exhausted like this?" Ivy murmured as she felt her whole body ache, particularly her chest.

She took a deep breath to alleviate the growing pain. "I need to use one of the skills to heal myself," Ivy thought, adjusting to a comfortable position.

Ivy closed her eyes and focused her thoughts. She recited a mantra she knew for self-healing. After a while, she opened her eyes again and took a deep breath.

"I think I need Tesla," she whispered, realizing she struggled to control her energy.

Not long after, Ivy's bedroom door opened from the outside. She was startled and looked towards the door with wide eyes. Upon seeing Race entering, Ivy held her chest and released a relieved breath.

"Turns out it's you, Race."

"Yes, it's me."

Race walked towards Ivy on the bed, sitting down beside her. Ivy was now looking at him.

"What's going on?" Ivy asked, confused by Race's demeanor and gaze.

Race waited to answer. Instead, he moved closer and hugged Ivy tightly. Ivy felt his anxious breath.

"What's wrong, Race? What's bothering you?"

"You."

"Me?"

Ivy released herself from Race's embrace and looked at her husband, puzzled.

"Why me?"

Race didn't respond right away but hugged Ivy tightly again.

"How do I heal you, Ivy? I know you're in pain right now. Do you need Tesla, the healing sorceress?"

"Race, how did you know?"

"I know, Iv. I just haven't been very perceptive all this time. I'm sorry for not being a good husband to you. Let's go to Tesla. I'll heal you."

Ivy didn't respond but remembered Tesla's words. She smiled and shook her head gently.

"Your hug has already revitalized my mana, Race. I can heal myself."

Race furrowed his brows and released his hug on Ivy. He looked at her with a puzzled and disbelieving expression.

"My hug?"

"Yes."

"How is that possible?"

Ivy gave a slight smile and hugged Race again.

"Because you've shown me affection, Race, and I've grown to love you too."

This statement made Race smile shyly. He tightened his embrace around Ivy. Unbeknownst to them, someone outside the door was gripping the doorknob tightly.
***