Ivy was being assisted with her dress by Gareta; the pavilion where she lived had been a bit bustling since morning. Ivy didn't know what was happening, and Race had not been seen since yesterday. After Gareta finished adjusting Ivy's dress, she smiled and looked at Ivy's reflection in the mirror.

"You look so beautiful, Miss Ivy," Gareta said.

Ivy looked at Gareta and then gave a faint smile.
"You're flattering me too much, Gareta. I'm not as beautiful as you say," Ivy said shyly.

"That's your opinion, Miss Ivy. Now that all your preparations are done, how about we get ready to meet the guests?" Gareta suggested.

Ivy furrowed her brows in confusion.
"Guests? What do you mean, Gareta?"

"Don't you know that today there's a celebration for your appointment as the royal seer?"

Gareta's words surprised Ivy. Wasn't Race against Winter's decree? Ivy quickly grabbed Gareta's hand.
"How is that possible? And where's Race? Why hasn't he come home since yesterday?" Ivy asked.

Gareta appeared confused in answering Ivy's question; she also needed to figure out what kept Race from returning. Gareta had only been instructed to prepare Ivy for this event.

"Gareta! Why are you staying silent?"
Ivy slightly raised her voice, feeling frustrated with Gareta's lack of response.

"I don't know, Miss Ivy. Young Master Race only told me that I had to assist you in getting ready for everything."

"Is he angry because something he dislikes has ended up happening?" Ivy murmured.

"I'm not angry, Ivy."
Race's sudden voice sounded, causing Ivy and Gareta to look toward the bedroom door. Ivy stood up from her seated position while Gareta stepped back a bit to allow Race to approach Ivy.

"I'll take my leave, Miss Ivy, Young Master Race."
Gareta excused herself and left, giving Race and Ivy privacy to talk.

The husband and wife looked at each other now. Ivy then approached Race and immediately hugged her husband.
"Race, why didn't you come home last night?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, I had to prepare all of this event," Race answered while gently stroking Ivy's head.

Ivy then released the hug and gazed intently at her husband.
"Race, why is this event being held? Didn't you disagree with Winter's order?"

Race waited to answer Ivy's question. He took a deep breath and then gently held his wife's cheek. Race gave a faint smile and softly stroked Ivy's cheek.
"Ivy, I'm sorry."

"Sorry? For what?"

"I don't have the power or strength to cancel Winter's decree. You have to become the royal seer because of that."

Ivy smiled and then wrapped her arms around Race's waist. She rested her head on Race's chest.
"Why are you apologizing? You did nothing wrong, Race. In fact, I'm glad you won't get into trouble because of me."

"How can you say that? You'll be in trouble once you become the royal seer, Iv."
Race thought to himself and hugged Ivy tightly. He tried to find solace by embracing Ivy now.
***
After Ivy's appointment ceremony as the royal seer was over, she had just changed into her nightclothes. Race was lying on the bed in the same clothes he had worn earlier.
"Don't you want to change your clothes first?" Ivy asked as she walked closer to Race.

Race looked at Ivy and then gave a faint smile. He shifted to a sitting position and gently patted the bed, inviting Ivy to sit at the edge. Ivy complied with Race's gesture and sat down beside him. Both of them remained silent, just looking at each other.

"Ivy," Race called.

"Yes?"

"Are you happy being my wife?"

Ivy furrowed her brows in confusion. It was unusual for Race to ask her something like this.
"If I'm not happy, why would I stay here, Race?"

"You're right."

"What's wrong? Are you uncomfortable with me being here? Are you still struggling to accept me as your wife?" Ivy murmured, lowering her head.

Race smiled faintly and shook his head. He then gently stroked Ivy's head.
"Why would you think that? Can't you sense my feelings for you, Iv?" Race asked, making Ivy lift her head to meet his gaze.

"I can."

"Then why talk like that?"

"Why are you asking like that?"

Race chuckled softly; Ivy could be quite like this. He then pulled Ivy into a tight embrace. The man, restless since meeting his father, sighed deeply.

"I've failed to protect you. So, I'm afraid you won't be happy with me, Iv."

"Failed? What do you mean, Race?"

Race released the embrace and looked intently at Ivy.
"Starting tomorrow, you'll be with Winter all day. You'll face many difficulties when you choose to be Winter's shield. There's nothing more of a failure than not being able to keep you away from that, Iv."

Ivy smiled and shook her head gently. She could see her husband's worried expression. However, Ivy felt happy because she was finally valuable to Race.
"For me, being useful to you is enough, Race. I have magic skills and the ability to predict the future. Isn't that a jackpot? I can protect myself while looking after you and Winter."

Ivy tried to reassure Race not to worry about anything. Yet, Ivy had yet to learn that Race's concerns were well-founded and had strong reasons.

"Aren't you afraid of being in danger because of this?" Race asked again.

"Isn't it that I'm with you, Race?"
Ivy smiled warmly and continued to reassure Race.

Race took a deep breath and hugged Ivy tightly again.
"You don't know what you'll go through later, Iv. I can see all of it. If you want to keep protecting me, I'll keep protecting you from all the bad things that might happen to you. Trust me, Iv!" Race said, confusing Ivy even more about why he talked like this. Ivy simply nodded in agreement without asking further about Race's true intentions.
***
Ivy eventually began her role as the royal seer. Every day, she had a steady job of continuously monitoring the events in the kingdom. Occasionally, Ivy went to foreign regions with Winter to expand the ruby business and influence.

The day finally arrived for King Michel's birthday celebration. The royal palace was being cleaned and adorned. King Michel appointed Ivy to oversee the event, which meant she was always present in the castle and rarely returned to her pavilion.

"Ivy," Winter called as he arrived with Race.

Ivy looked towards the source of the voice and smiled happily.
"Winter, Race. Uh... I mean, Your Highness," Ivy corrected herself, realizing her mistake in addressing the Crown Prince by just his name.

Race chuckled at Ivy's surprised expression, and Winter, who was no less handsome than Race, burst into laughter. Ivy rubbed her head in embarrassment.

"Why are you here?" Ivy asked.

"We're here to fetch you. King Michel wants to meet with you," Race said as he walked towards his wife, while Winter's expression showed displeasure.

"Is there something wrong?" Ivy asked, reaching out to hold Race's hand.

Suddenly, Ivy had a fleeting vision of chaos during King Michel's birthday party. She let go of Race's hand and stepped back, her face showing panic and paleness.

"What's wrong, Iv?" Race asked with concern.
Ivy didn't answer and just looked between Winter and Race, her expression alternating.

At the residence, King Michel was having tea with Queen Nami. King Michel appeared cheerful, while Queen Nami seemed to be in a somewhat unsettled state.
"King Michel," Queen Nami called.

"Yes? What is it?" King Michel asked, looking towards the Queen.

"Honestly, I'm uncomfortable with Ivy always being close to Winter. Especially since she's been entrusted with organizing your birthday celebration," Queen Nami expressed unease.

"Do you think I'm comfortable with it? I just want to comply with Winter's wishes. I won't sit idly by and let a seer and potentially wicked sorceress be around our son," King Michel stated.

Queen Nami furrowed her brows in confusion while King Michel gave a small chuckle and sipped his tea.
"Ivy won't last long as the royal seer. Since when have people from the east liked seers? This is just my way of getting rid of that girl. She won't have the strength to stand against the forest monsters that will surely disrupt my birthday celebration," King Michel explained.

"Forest monsters? Is this your plan to eliminate Ivy in some sort of accident?" Queen Nami inquired, convincing herself of her thoughts.

King Michel didn't answer; he just looked at the Queen with a meaningful smile.
***