Ivy was pacing around her room, ready for King Michel's birthday celebration. However, she wondered how she could divert Race's attention so that he would refrain from interfering with her efforts to protect everyone in the palace.

"If I set up protections in the palace, it requires a lot of energy. Tesla warned me not to use haras, but if I use mana, what should I do?" Ivy mumbled to herself while staring at her own hands.

Too absorbed in making a decision, Ivy didn't notice Race entering the room. Race furrowed his brows in confusion as he saw Ivy lost in thought.

"What's going on, Iv?" Race asked.

Ivy looked up and was slightly surprised to see Race.
"Race."

"Yes, it's me. Didn't you hear me coming?"

Ivy looked a bit embarrassed and then gave a faint smile. She shook her head, but she walked closer to Race.
"Sorry, I was too focused on thinking."

"Thinking about what?"
Race felt a little suspicious hearing Ivy's answer. On the other hand, Ivy waited to respond to Race's question. She just stared at him intently.

"If I don't tell him the truth, he'll be angry. But if I do, he might get hurt."
Ivy was getting even more confused about what decision to make.

"Ivy, what's going on? Are you hiding something from me?" Race pressed, holding both of Ivy's hands.

Ivy shook her head softly and then held Race's hands gently.
"I will tell you everything, but promise not to get angry! I can assure you that I'll be able to handle all of this."
Race raised an eyebrow, puzzled by what Ivy was about to say.
***
The atmosphere in the royal palace was becoming lively. Everyone in attendance was paired up, and the faces of King Michel and Queen Nami radiated happiness. Winter stood beside his mother. Lord Milano and Lady Maria, as did Race and Ivy, stood beside Winter.

Ivy had erected protective barriers since the event began. She was focusing hard to conserve her haras energy, while Race had positioned several guards throughout the palace to be on alert. Ivy had informed Race about everything—the chaos that would ensue if the forest monsters managed to breach the castle. Winter was also aware of it all, allowing Ivy to be vigilant and avoid the impending disaster.

Race looked at Ivy, who suddenly started sweating. He held his wife's hand and looked at Ivy with concern.
"Are you okay?" Race asked.

Ivy looked at Race and then shook her head slightly while smiling.
"I'm fine."

"But you're sweating, Iv."

"It's because my energy is being expended. The forest monsters will come soon and try to breach the palace. I have to stand at the entrance to strengthen this barrier," Ivy explained to Race.

"Don't! Stay here! I can protect everyone here without your magic."

Race suddenly worried about Ivy; he didn't want his wife to endanger herself.

"Race, we agreed on this plan, right? I promise I'll take care of myself. Your task is to protect our parents, the king, the queen, and Winter. I'll be the one safeguarding those inside the palace."

Confident in her decision, Ivy let go of Race's hand quickly. She bowed to King Michel and Queen Nami. King Michel nodded his head as if understanding Ivy's intentions. Afterward, Ivy left her husband's family.

Lady Maria looked at Lord Milano, sensing that something was amiss. Lord Milano gave a faint smile and then nodded subtly to his wife.

Ivy walked quickly towards the entrance. Upon reaching there, she closed the massive doors herself. After finishing that, Ivy began reciting magical incantations and thickening the protective barrier around the palace. She focused on her task, closing her eyes while chanting. At that moment, Ivy had a glimpse of a vision—Race injured by the monsters that managed to enter and endanger Winter. Ivy opened her eyes wide and looked towards Race, who was far away.

"No! I've sealed this entrance so the monsters can't breach it. How did they manage to get in?"
Ivy pondered intensely and then realized that the monsters might come through the window to Race's right. She dashed back towards Race, trying to avoid causing a commotion that would ruin King Michel's birthday celebration.

Ivy gripped Race's hand tightly, causing him to look at her with concern as her hand felt cold as ice.
"Iv."

"Listen to me! Get out of this area! Take your family and the royal family away from this window. The tea event is about to begin in the back building; the forest monsters will be deceived and find this room empty. That's when I can eliminate the monsters."
Ivy gave Race instructions, but he shook his head vigorously.

"No, I'm staying here."
Race refused and tightened his grip on Ivy's hand.

"Race, please! Follow my words. I'll join you after it's all done."
Ivy released Race's hand quickly and looked towards Winter.

"Crown Prince, take everyone to the tea area now."

Winter nodded in agreement. He then forcefully pulled Race away from the hall. Following the protocol's relocation direction, everyone followed King Michel's footsteps. Race was half-dragged by Winter and Lord Milano. Ivy smiled, satisfied that she had convinced her husband to leave the hall.

Ivy extended her hand again and recited a spell.
"If my calculations are correct, the monsters should be above the palace by now. In a matter of seconds, my haras protective barrier will break due to my waning energy," Ivy thought while continuing to recite the incantation.

"Before this building explodes, I need to get out first to directly confront these monsters."
Ivy opened her eyes wide and recited another mantra, allowing herself to levitate. She left the palace through the window using her powers. Ivy now hovered right in front of the forest monster resembling a dragon. They locked eyes with each other.

"Why do you always stand in my way? Do you want to die?"
The monster roared after speaking to Ivy.

"No, I actually want to live a long life, but I must protect the ones I love. Don't harm anyone here."

"Who are you? I don't have to listen to your words!"
The monster grew furious and began attacking Ivy. With her powers, Ivy fought the beast as best as she could.

"Fortunately, there's only one monster. Whoever sent it to disrupt today seems rather foolish," Ivy thought while continuing to battle the monster using her magic.
***
The atmosphere at the tea area seemed calm and composed. Race kept looking towards the main hall, which appeared undisturbed and empty.

"Why isn't Ivy here yet?"
Race continued to be restless, pacing back and forth.

Winter swiftly held Race's arm and then pointed towards Ivy, walking towards them.
"Ivy is fine, calm down!"

Race looked in the direction Winter indicated, and without hesitation, he rushed over to Ivy. King Michel himself was slightly skeptical at seeing Ivy unscathed.

"How could this happen, my husband? Is Ivy's magic really that powerful?" Queen Nami asked, showing a hint of disbelief at Ivy's condition.

"I don't know," King Michel replied shortly.

"It turns out Ivy is not just capable of magic; she's actually incredibly skilled," thought Lord Milano to himself.

"Race could be in trouble because of Ivy," murmured Lady Maria inwardly.

"Iv."
Race hurriedly embraced Ivy, and Ivy responded to the hug gently.

"I promised I would be alright, didn't I?"

Race nodded in agreement, and Ivy smiled, then let out a deep, heavy sigh.
"Your embrace replenishes my mana, Race, but my harass energy is depleted. I could die if they are not balanced," Ivy thought before everything darkened.
***