Ivy woke up in the morning, feeling her legs a bit stiff. She started to massage her legs gently, and Race, who had just come out of the changing room, furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Why?" he asked, walking over to Ivy and sitting at the edge of the bed.

"I don't know, my legs have been feeling stiff in the morning for a few days now. And now they're a bit numb," Ivy explained, still massaging her legs gently and using a bit of her magic to help heal them.

"In that case, you don't need to go to the palace today. Rest! I'll have someone call Tesla here," Race said in a sudden panic, showing concern.

Ivy looked at Race and then smiled faintly. She shook her head slightly, declining her husband's suggestion.

"Today is the final preparation day before the annual competition festival next week, Race."

"I know, which is why you should rest! You can do that tomorrow."

"I can't skip going to the palace. I already made a promise with Winter to visit the location for the last time today."

Race sighed deeply as he realized he couldn't persuade his wife to rest in the pavilion. He nodded in agreement with Ivy's words. A moment later, Race gently lifted Ivy from the bed.

"In that case, let's take a warm bath, and I'll also apply a warm compress to your legs."

Ivy was slightly surprised by Race's actions but smiled joyfully and nodded enthusiastically.

"Sure, let's do it!"
***
Winter and Ivy were now at the competition venue, with Race also present and overseeing the security arrangements with the guards at various corners of the forum.

"So, the horse race is also happening here?" Winter asked, looking at Ivy.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot about the horse race. Race will get hurt during that," Ivy thought, recalling that her husband had been seriously injured during that race.

Ivy didn't answer Winter's question and was lost in thought. She inadvertently ignores Winter and tries to find a way to prevent Race from participating in the race.

"Ivy!" Winter called out again, feeling ignored by Ivy.

Ivy jolted and then looked at Winter. She smiled sheepishly and apologized.

"What are you thinking?" Winter asked, sensing that Ivy was hiding something.

"Nothing, Winter."

"Impossible! You're not being honest with me?" Winter asked again.

Ivy fell silent again and just stared at Winter. The two of them exchanged glances, but they were interrupted by the sound of Race clearing his throat, surprising them both.

"Race," Ivy called out, looking at her husband.

"What were you talking about? Why do you both look so serious?" Race asked.

"Just ask your wife here! It seems she's hiding something," Winter said, pointing at Ivy.

Race then turned to look at Ivy, his brow furrowing and raising an eyebrow as if asking what was happening.

"Nothing serious, Race. Winter just misunderstood. I was thinking about adding protective enchantments to the horse race route. However, it seems my energy isn't that abundant," Ivy said, not entirely lying since she had indeed been planning that.

"If you can't manage it, don't force yourself! Just make sure that King Michel, Queen Nami, and Winter are all safe during the festival. That's your main duty, Iv!" Race interjected, looking at his wife intently.

"And what about you?" Ivy whispered, lowering her head.

Winter and Race exchanged glances, and Winter smiled wistfully, realizing how deeply Ivy cared for Race. Winter then took a deep breath and patted Race's shoulder gently.

"Don't worry. Race is the strongest knight in the east. He has protected me for years, Iv!"

Ivy looked at Winter and then glanced at Race. Race smiled at Ivy and nodded, reassuring her.

"Winter's right."

"But I'm still afraid you'll get hurt," Ivy thought.
***
Ivy had just received a letter from her parents. They were still angry with Race's behavior and asked Ivy to meet them in the west. Ivy sighed profoundly and then placed the letter on the table. She lay down and stared up at the ceiling of her room. Lost in thought, Ivy heard a knock on her door from the outside. She looked at the door and raised an eyebrow.

"Who is it?" Ivy asked, finding it strange that someone wanted to see her at this hour.

"It's me, Miranda, Miss," came a voice from outside.

"Miranda?" Ivy murmured, incredulous that Miranda had come to her room at this hour.

"Come in!" Ivy instructed.

The door to Ivy's room opened, and Miranda entered with a tray holding a glass of milk.
"I almost forgot. Thank you for bringing me this milk, Miranda," Ivy said, realizing she hadn't had her milk tonight.

"I always remember what you need, Miss," Miranda said with a smile as she approached Ivy's bed.

Without hesitation, Ivy took the glass of milk and immediately took a sip. Miranda continued to watch Ivy's actions, her expression filled with satisfaction. After finishing the milk, Ivy returned the empty glass to Miranda's tray.

"Thank you," Ivy said.

"You're welcome, Miss," Miranda replied, bowing slightly before excusing herself to leave.

Ivy nodded in agreement, and Miranda left the room. Ivy tilted her head slightly, feeling something was off.
"Why does the milk keep tasting strange? Tonight, it's slightly bitter," she murmured.

Deciding not to dwell on her thoughts, Ivy shrugged her shoulders and lay back down. She pulled the blanket up to her neck and tried to sleep. But before falling asleep, Ivy opened her eyes again, feeling her leg throbbing. She sat up and gently massaged her leg.

"What's really going on with my leg?" Ivy said, reciting a healing spell to treat her leg.

Once she felt better, Ivy exhaled profoundly and lay back down. She then remembered that Race had yet to return.
"Is he sleeping in his pavilion?" Ivy wondered, looking towards the bedroom door.

Not wanting to overthink things, Ivy closed her eyes once again. Since she was sleepy, she quickly drifted off and heard nothing else around her.
***
"Wake her up, Doha!" Race shouted in deep worry as Ivy remained unresponsive in her sleep.

Doha bowed his head, his voice trembling.
"I'm sorry, Master Race. Miss Ivy won't wake up again."

Race widened his eyes in disbelief, as did Gareta, who was now beside Race.
"Miss Ivy!"

Gareta cried out and then burst into loud sobs. She threw herself onto Ivy's bed, where Ivy lay pale and motionless.

On the other hand, Race started laughing, shaking his head in disbelief at what he was hearing from Doha.
"Don't joke around, Doha! I pay you to heal my sick family. So why did I pay you if you can't even wake up my wife who's sleeping?"

Race's anger surged, and his voice grew louder. Doha gazed at Race with a look of pity.
"Master Race, I apologize, but Miss Ivy is truly gone. I don't know how to wake her up anymore."

Race's anger intensified, and he glared at Doha intensely. He gripped Doha's collar roughly.
"My wife won't die this easily, Doha! She's a witch and a seer. She would know what's happening before we do. Yesterday she was worried about me and Winter. She wouldn't leave me alone like this, Doha!"

"Master, I'm sorry," Doha said, his voice filled with apologies. He was shaken by Ivy's sudden death, which seemed to result from her consuming something poisonous. A glass of wine on Ivy's table contains white powder resembling undissolved medication.
***