King Michel walked up to Mr. Milano and Madame Maria. Race's parents then bowed in greeting to King Michel.

"Where are Race and Ivy?" asked King Michel to the point.

"I don't know either, there is no news of them," replied Mr. Milano.

Madame Maria then took her husband's arm gently.
"Did something happen to them? Why did they suddenly disappear like this?" said Mrs. Maria in a panicked tone.

Mr. Milano looked at his wife, as well as King Michel.
"What do you mean, brother? What happened to them?" asked King Michel.

"I don't know, but I have a bad feeling. Race doesn't usually disappear like this?" repeated Madame Maria.

King Michel began to panic and worried that the annual festival's opening ceremony today would be a mess. He was sure that the forest monsters would come, considering that this was a royal yearly event and every year, Race had always been able to fight off the monsters.

"My plans for today have failed, what if this event is ruined because there is no Race or Ivy?" King Michel monologued.

Winter herself could see the panicked faces of her father and her two uncles and aunts from where she stood now with her mother. Winter then looked at her mother and smiled slightly.
"Mother, I'm going to see my father and uncle first," she excused herself.

"What for?" asked Queen Nami, a little surprised.

"Nothing, it's just that something seems to have happened. I'll be there for a while," repeated Winter.

Queen Nami finally nodded in agreement. Queen Nami could also guess that something had happened by seeing the expression on her husband's face alone.

After being beside those adults with evil intentions, Winter bowed her body politely.
"What happened, Father, Uncle?" she asked later as she looked at her father and uncle.

"Race and Ivy haven't come until now. We're worried that something happened to them," said Mrs. Maria, who answered Winter's question.

"What happened? Wouldn't Uncle and Auntie know immediately if anything happened to them?" said Winter, confused by Race's mother's words.

"That's right, isn't it? If the girl was dead, wouldn't the palace be in an uproar? Then why is there no news right now? Race also suddenly disappeared, what really happened?" Mrs. Maria monologued.
***
Mr. Marques Marionet and Madame Liana were having tea in the back garden in the western region. Their faces are all smiles. Mr. Marques himself then opened the ruby sales record book.

"We made a good profit, my wife," said Mr. Marques.

"Of course, if I'd known the girl's life was worth this much. I've been working with Madame Maria for a long time," Madame Liana responded.

"You, right, but is Ivy dead now?" asked Mr. Marques, who put the booklet back on the table.

"It should be, if Madame Maria's servant didn't make a mistake. Ivy has been dead since yesterday," said Madame Liana.

"How can you be so sure?" asked Mr. Marques again.

Madame Liana looked at her husband and then smiled slightly.
"Did you forget what poison I gave you?"

"No."

"Then why are you still hesitating? Let alone consuming it every day, just drinking the maknola wood powder twice can make someone die of nerves. Ivy is a descendant of a witch, I can't be careless and give her the poison only twice. The total amount of poison consumed by Ivy is 14 days, if she doesn't die then she is indeed the descendant of the strongest witch."

Hearing Mrs. Liana's explanation, Mr. Marques nodded in confirmation. Maknola wood powder was known to be very strong. Anyone who consumed it could die. Ivy's parents were also forced to drink maknola wood powder poison by the northern kingdom until there was no one left in Ivy's family but Ivy herself.
***
The opening ceremony was about to begin, and the King and Queen were already seated in their places. Winter, the royal family's only son, was also established in his place. King Michel occasionally fidgeted as he looked around the palace while Winter herself clutched the bracelet Ivy had given her that day. Winter also looked up at the palace building and remembered that Ivy had already spread protection in the palace and at the race venue. Only the horse racing route was unprotected, as Ivy felt that area was relatively safe.

"I'm sure you'll protect me, Iv," Winter's mind tightened its grip on the red bracelet she was now wearing.

"The opening ceremony is about to begin!" one guard shouted and struck a giant gong.

All the guests stood up and prepared for the start of the annual festival. Right at that moment, Race and Ivy entered at the same time. They slowly stood at their positions. Winter, who saw Race and Ivy's arrival, widened her eyes. Race and Ivy, who saw that, smiled at Winter and then bowed together.

"It turns out you're still protecting me, Iv," Winter thought happily at Ivy's arrival.

After the ceremony was over, Winter walked quickly over to Race and Ivy. Winter hit Race's arm quite hard.
"Where have you been?"

"Nowhere," Race replied lightly.

Winter then looked at Ivy as if asking for an explanation.
"Sorry, Winter, we'll explain everything later," said Ivy, who understood Winter's gaze.

"Race! Ivy!" called King Michel, who also walked up to them.

Ivy and Race politely greeted King Michel and Queen Nami, while Madame Maria looked unhappy that Ivy was still alive. After greeting King Michel, Race looked at his parents reflexively. Race grabbed Ivy's hand now. Ivy looked at Race and realized the fear as well as the emotions Race was harboring.

"Where have you been? Why so late?" asked King Michel.

"Sorry, King Michel, I didn't arrive on time. It's all because someone wants to disturb my marriage with Ivy," Race replied, looking at his parents sharply.

Ivy gently rubbed Race's arm to stop him from getting angry.
"Race, please!" pleaded Ivy.

"They may think we're both dead, but they're wrong. I, for one, will not let my wife die, even if I have to sacrifice my own life," Race said firmly and stared intently at Mr. Milano and Mrs. Maria.

"What do you mean, Race? Who wants to kill you? Why didn't you tell us?" asked Mrs. Maria, who was pretending now.

Race unconsciously laughed at his mother's response, and Race was fed up with his parents pretending to know nothing.
"Sorry, King Michel, Queen Nami, Father, Mother. Race is still emotional because of yesterday's incident that happened to me, because now I'm okay. It's better not to talk about it anymore."
As Ivy tried to mediate, Race gave Ivy an annoyed look. Meanwhile, Winter smelled something wrong. What happened to Ivy must have something to do with Race's parents. Race's face couldn't lie that he was angry at the moment.
***