Race had just changed into his pajamas. Since yesterday, Race seemed to be avoiding Ivy, although Ivy didn't know why her husband acted this way. Ivy approached Race, who was tidying up his pajamas.

"Race," Ivy called softly, gently holding Race's arm.

Unintentionally, Race pushed Ivy's hand away somewhat roughly. Ivy was stunned by Race's reaction, looking at him with disbelief. Meanwhile, Race sighed deeply and cursed himself for his harsh behavior towards Ivy.

"Sorry, I was just startled, Iv," Race offered an excuse without Ivy asking.

"Ah, I see. I didn't mean to startle you," Ivy said, lowering her hand and stepping back.

Ivy smiled faintly and then looked back at Race. "Can I clean your wound? It looks like the bandage needs to be changed," Ivy said.

Race felt guilty seeing Ivy's expression now, but considering what he had heard that night only made him irritated again.

"No need, I can do it myself. You should rest! Aren't you supposed to go to the palace tomorrow?" Race said, then walked away from Ivy.

Ivy fell silent, watching Race sit near the window now. Ivy sighed deeply.

"Have I done something wrong, Race? Why are you so cold towards me?" Ivy asked, unable to stop herself from asking.

Race didn't immediately answer Ivy's question; the handsome man still turned his back to Ivy.

"Race, please, if I did something wrong, tell me! Don't stay silent and act like this towards me!" Ivy pleaded again.

Race sighed heavily, then turned his body to look at Ivy. "You didn't do anything wrong, Iv," he said.

"Then why are you acting like this towards me?" Ivy asked again, staring at Race intently.

Race remained silent for a moment, then smiled faintly. "It's just your imagination! Maybe because I'm tired," Race gave an excuse.

"I am your wife, Race. I can tell the difference between when you're tired and when you're angry with me. Why lie?"

Race audibly sighed heavily, then turned to look at Ivy. "Alright, I can't lie to you, Iv. So, answer my question honestly!"
Ivy nodded in agreement.

"Do you have the same feelings for Winter as well? You're with him every day, so you must have the same feelings for him, Iv."

Ivy fell silent upon hearing Race's words, and her eyes widened in surprise. "Did you see Winter hug me, Race?" Ivy asked softly.

"Yes, I saw it, Iv. Why did you two meet at night like that? Weren't you supposed to sleep with me?" Race asked again.

Race couldn't forget what he had seen. He couldn't find an excuse to reassure Ivy; he didn't know why his wife had met Winter that night.
***
Winter was about to enter the meeting room in the palace but was stopped by several guards at the door.

"I'm sorry, Crown Prince, but King Michel has forbidden anyone from entering," the guard at the door said.

Winter furrowed his brows in confusion; it was unusual for his father to forbid him from entering without reason. "Who's inside with Father?" Winter asked.

"Miss Ivy," the guard at the door replied.

"Ivy? Why are they meeting, and why is it being kept a secret like this?" Winter asked quietly as if pondering to himself.

Inside the room, King Michel had just placed a glass of water on the table. "So, Iv, how about it?" King Michel asked, looking at Ivy.

"I'm willing to heal the Crown Prince, but there's one thing I want to know, King Michel," Ivy said firmly.

King Michel smiled as if he already knew Ivy would speak like this. "I suspected you'd ask this, Iv."

"I have to ask this, King Michel. It's also for Crown Prince Winter's well-being."

King Michel stared at Race's wife intently, and he suspected Ivy would ask about something he had hidden for years.
***
Ivy had just finished reading her book on magic, sighing heavily as she couldn't find a way to heal Winter without risks. She glanced out the window and saw the rain falling gently outside.

"What can I do? Healing magic will take too long, and I can't guarantee that the forest monster's attacks won't happen again," Ivy muttered while looking outside.

She faintly saw Race's horse-drawn carriage, which he always used, entering the pavilion gates. Ivy immediately stood up from her seat.

"Why did Race come back on a rainy day like this? It's dangerous for the carriage in weather like this," Ivy said, her worry evident.

However, to Ivy's surprise, Race's response seemed different from what she expected. "You didn't want me to come back, did you? Why? Do you want to meet Winter again?" Race asked, his tone icy. On the other hand, Ivy was shocked by Race's question, and her worried expression turned to one of sadness.

"Why are you saying this, Race?" Ivy asked, her voice trembling.

"Why? Is everything I asked true? I probably shouldn't have come back tonight. I'm sorry; I've become an obstacle to you meeting Winter tonight."

"Race, what are you saying? I've never been what you're thinking," Ivy said. Ivy may have been guilty of meeting another man at night, and that man even hugged her. Still, Race should consider Ivy's feelings to speak like this.

"Never mind, Iv; I don't want to think about it anymore. Whether you have feelings for Winter or not, I don't care. Now I'll go inside; tomorrow, I have to give Miranda her punishment."

Race spoke curtly and then walked away from Ivy. Ivy stood still and started crying. She didn't expect her husband to be this angry now.
***
Ivy and Race were in the pavilion's living room the following day. They both remained silent, not speaking a word to each other. Gareta, standing near Ivy, exchanged glances with Selina, who was standing near Race.

"It looks like they're having a cold war," Gareta thought while looking at Selina.

"Is it true that Young Master Race and Miss Ivy are giving each other the cold shoulder?" Selina also thought.

Before long, a guard entered with Miranda, who looked messy and unkempt. Her clothes were dirty, and she appeared pale. Selina and Gareta were slightly surprised by Miranda's condition, while Ivy could only sigh deeply when she saw Miranda.

The guard then forcefully seated Miranda on the floor. Instead of feeling guilty, Miranda stared at Ivy with hatred.

"Gareta, Selina," Race called out, breaking the silence.

"Yes, Young Master Race," Gareta and Selina replied simultaneously.

"Look at the condition of your friend! Anyone who poisons my wife, let alone endangers her, deserves severe punishment from me," Race said firmly, staring sharply at Miranda.

"I understand, Young Master Race," Gareta and Selina responded in unison.

Ivy could only look at Race and sense that her husband cared deeply for her. She then looked at Miranda and felt genuine pity for her current condition.

"Race will surely give Miranda a severe punishment. What should

I do?" Ivy wondered.

"Miranda, listen to me! Because you dared to poison my wife, I should give you the death penalty. That would be fitting for what you did," Race said again.

Ivy, Gareta, and Selina all looked at Race with shocked expressions. Race then took a deep breath, ready to deliver his verdict.

"But, considering who you are and that you are a woman I must take care of after Willinga is gone, I've decided to demote you to your previous position as a palace servant. There, you will return to being a subordinate, just as you were before I promoted you to head servant in this pavilion."

Once again, Ivy was shocked by Race's words. "A woman I must take care of?" Ivy whispered to herself, looking at her husband in disbelief.
***