"Don't want to get up?" Ivy asked, gently stroking Race's cheek.

"No," Race answered shortly.

Ivy sighed deeply. She then got up from the edge of the bed and adjusted the blanket around Race.
"Fine, if you don't want to get up, can I take a shower now?" Ivy said, excusing herself.

Ivy had already started walking towards the bathroom, but Race quickly grabbed Ivy's hand, making her turn back to look at her husband.
"Why?" Ivy asked.

Race, who had opened his eyes, gazed into Ivy's eyes. Race took a deep, heavy breath and pulled Ivy back to sit on the bed.
"What's the matter, Race?" Ivy asked again.

"Is it true that you have to start fortune-telling at the palace again today?" Race asked, with a worried expression and a reluctant tone.

Ivy smiled and nodded her head gently.
"Didn't we discuss this last night?"

"But you're not fully recovered yet."

"Who said that? Tesla has already reduced my healing therapy schedule. Besides, my energy can be replenished every day now."
Ivy smiled softly at Race, while Race looked gloomy and genuinely unwilling to let his wife go back to work at the palace as a seer.

Ivy reached out her hand and gently caressed Race's cheek. Ivy smiled warmly, even though Race's facial expression differed significantly from hers.
"Race, didn't you agree that I should continue working as the palace seer? Besides, this is a direct order from the King. If I refuse, it might cause problems for Father and Mother."

"I know."

"Well, then don't wear that expression. How can I work peacefully with that look on your face?"

"I'm worried, Iv."

"I know, but can't you protect me? We'll still be in the same palace building, even if not every day. And, you can still see whatever happens to me, right?"

Race was surprised to hear Ivy's words.
"Iv, do you know about my abilities?" Race asked in astonishment.

"Not entirely, but it seems like you can see my future and Winter's. That's why you can protect both me and Winter. Isn't that right?" Ivy said, smiling.

"You're right, Iv. I can indeed see the future through dreams," Race confirmed Ivy's statement.

"It turns out what Tesla said was true. Race might also have the same dream as mine," Ivy thought.

"Is there something else you know besides that?" Race asked, suspicious of Ivy's silence.

Ivy smiled and then shook her head slightly. She then hugged Race without hesitation. Ivy rested her head against Race's chest.
"Race," she called.

"Yes?"

"Don't worry about me anymore. We can walk together for the sake of Winter's safety and the integrity of the Eastern Kingdom. Isn't that right?"

Race let out a heavy sigh, and with a heavy heart, he nodded in agreement with Ivy's words.
"I'll be fine, as long as you're fine, Race."

"I'm not fine if you're hurt," Race quickly retorted.

"I'll be fine for your sake. I promise," Ivy reassured Race.

"You have to be."

"Yeah."

"Even though in the end, it might be you who will kill me, Race," Ivy thought.
***
After returning to her role as the kingdom's seer, Ivy encountered several complex problems. This included solving a recent raid at the base camp. Ivy worked diligently and kept a close eye on Winter, accompanying him wherever he went. This increased the frequency of Winter's interactions with Ivy.

Winter and Ivy were together on this particular day, heading to the location where the annual kingdom festival would be held. Ivy looked around the vast expanse of the field, took a deep breath, and slowly closed her eyes. After reciting a mantra, Ivy raised her hands and placed protective symbols around the area. Winter observed Ivy closely, and after a few moments, Ivy lowered her hands and let out a relieved yet heavy sigh.

"Are you okay?" Winter asked quickly.

Ivy looked at Winter and smiled faintly, shaking her head slightly.
"I'm fine."

"But your face suddenly turned pale, Iv."

"Don't worry, it's normal when I expend a lot of energy. My mana will replenish it naturally," Ivy explained.

"Haras? Mana? What is it?"
Winter seemed puzzled by Ivy's words, and Ivy chuckled softly at Winter's response.

"Basically, those two energies are within my body. If they're not balanced, I'll die."

This statement from Ivy surprised Winter. His eyes widened, and he held his chest, feeling a throbbing pain.

"Ah..." Winter groaned in pain.

"Winter, what's wrong?"
Ivy panicked as she saw Winter in pain, but Winter didn't answer. He still held his chest, feeling the throbbing pain. Without wasting time, Ivy recited a healing mantra and attempted to place her hand on Winter's chest to ease his pain.

"No need! Just fetch my medicine from the pocket of my robe, Iv."
Winter stopped Ivy from treating him. Ivy looked at Winter with disbelief.

"Hurry, Iv!"

Ivy quickly snapped out of surprise and began searching for the medicine Winter mentioned. After finding two pouches, Ivy picked the one she believed to be Winter's medicine, as the other was his talisman.

"Here." Ivy handed the pouch to Winter.

Without delay, Winter swiftly consumed several pills from the pouch. Ivy watched Winter closely and quietly continued to recite mantras, secretly treating Winter with her touch on his back without Winter's knowledge.

After a few minutes, Winter seemed to improve. His face was still pale, but he was no longer in pain. The medicine he had taken was taking effect.

"Winter, are you okay?" Ivy asked.

"Yeah, no need to worry!" Winter replied, looking at Ivy and smiling.

Ivy sighed in relief and then blew on her own hands, rubbing Winter's back.
"You'll feel drowsy soon, so let's head back to the carriage," Ivy suggested.

"Did you recite a mantra for me?" Winter asked, looking at Ivy.

"Yes, so you can rest," Ivy confirmed.

"But what about your energy?"

"Tsk! Don't worry about me! Let's go back to the carriage and return to your pavilion," Ivy urged, leading Winter toward the carriage that would take them back home.

Winter was genuinely overcome by drowsiness inside the carriage due to Ivy's use of magic. Ivy had reasons for doing so – she wanted to continue treating Winter on their way home. Ivy was a bit worried seeing Winter in pain. She glanced at Winter, whose head nodded a few times as he began to doze off. A few seconds later, Ivy shifted her gaze away as Winter opened his eyes again, looking at Ivy. Winter took a deep breath and then moved to sit beside Ivy.

"Sorry, I'm moving to your side," Winter said.

Ivy didn't respond, simply looking at Winter now. Winter then reclined and rested his head on Ivy's lap without permission.
"I'm sorry, I'm sure you're uncomfortable with this, but sitting and sleeping that way isn't comfortable for me either," Winter said, closing his eyes.

"Winter, are you sure it's okay to sleep like this? Your legs might hurt due to the curled-up position," Ivy said, worried that Winter might be uncomfortable with his sleeping posture.

Winter opened his eyes again, and the two of them locked eyes. Winter gave a faint smile and then shook his head gently.
"I'm more comfortable like this, Iv. Please let me rest for a while. We won't be long until we reach my pavilion. Let me sleep now," Winter said, closing his eyes again.

"Al... alright." Ivy agreed with Winter's request.

"This way, I can perform healing magic on Winter without any hindrance," Ivy thought, feeling fortunate. She smiled contentedly and allowed Winter's sleeping position to remain as it was while she began to perform magic to heal him.

What Winter said was indeed true. They had only spent a little bit inside the carriage. Only about 3 to 4 hours. The horse-drawn carriage that carried them both stopped right before Winter's pavilion. The carriage door quickly swung open, causing Ivy's eyes to widen.

"Race," Ivy called.

Just like Ivy, Race also widened his eyes in surprise upon seeing the position of the two significant individuals to him.
"Ivy."
***