"Don't use your magic carelessly! Remember, it's different here than in the north. Eastern people consider a sorcerer to be evil and manipulative, understand!"

Race spoke seriously while staring sharply at Ivy. She nodded softly in agreement with Ivy standing in front of him. He looked around, but no one was in front of this pavilion.

"Where are the servants?" Race asked Ivy.

Ivy was surprised that Race brought up this topic. She lifted her head and looked at Race with fear.

"I don't know."

"How can you not know? Didn't I say there should be at least one person accompanying you at all times?"

"I know."

"So? Where are they? Miranda? Selina? Gareta? Where did they go?"

Race kept pressing Ivy to tell him what had happened. Ivy took a deep breath and looked at Race again.

"Maybe in the kitchen."

"What? The three of them are busy and they leave you alone? Is it like this every day? I have to make them realize. How could they leave my wife alone all day? I pay them just to cook."

Race was already getting emotional and walked away quickly, but Ivy grabbed Race's hand to stop him. Race was surprised and forcefully pushed Ivy's hand away.

"Why are you touching me!" Race scolded unintentionally.

Ivy was shocked and stepped back, her hand still in the air. The girl stared blankly at her hand that Race had just brushed off.

"Why doesn't he want me to touch him at all? Am I so repulsive to him?" Ivy pondered while continuing to gaze at her hand.

"Didn't I already say, never touch me as you please. I don't like it."

Race became angry again and was about to walk back into the pavilion. Ivy didn't want Race to be angry at all the servants, so she gathered her courage and reached out to stop Race from leaving.

"I'm sorry, I touched you again. Don't go looking for them! I... I told them to take a break."

Finally, Ivy lied to Race, even though, for the past few days, she had been ignored without any reason by the three servants in the pavilion.

Race stopped in his tracks and looked at Ivy now. His eyes then focused on his hand being held by Ivy. The hand of the girl who was his wife felt very cold. Race then looked at Ivy and could see that his wife was scared. Ivy herself lowered her head because she was indeed frightened.

Race released his hand from Ivy's grip and turned back to face her.

"Go inside! I will return to the base camp," he said.

Ivy looked at Race and nodded softly, lowering her head again. Race was slightly disturbed by Ivy's current expression.

"Have I gone too far?" Race wondered to himself.

Race took a deep breath and walked away, leaving Ivy behind. After Race left, Ivy lifted her head and continued to gaze at his retreating.

"Why does he dislike me so much? What have I done wrong to him?" Ivy whispered to herself, constantly questioning.
***
Gareta knocked on Ivy's bedroom door. Since Race came home, Ivy had stayed in her room. She skipped dinner, sitting in front of the window and staring blankly ahead. Ivy never had any expectations for this marriage, and she didn't let her heart be involved in this arranged marriage. However, the way Race treated her made Ivy uncomfortable. Ivy looked at her hand that had held Race's hand.

"Am I truly unwanted here? Then, why did I get married? Wouldn't it be better for me to live alone?" Ivy monologued.

Ivy snapped out of her thoughts when her bedroom door was knocked outside.

"Come in!" Ivy said.

Soon, the door to Ivy's room opened, and Gareta entered slowly, bowing her body slightly.

"Young mistress, dinner is ready. Should I bring the food here?" Gareta asked.

“I'm not hungry, Gareta. No need to prepare dinner. You should eat and rest. I want to sleep.”

"But, young mistress, you haven't eaten anything today. Even the drink on the table hasn't been touched by you. You might get sick," Gareta expressed her concern for Ivy.

Ivy fell silent and looked at Gareta. Ivy smiled and stood up from her seat.

"Thank you for your concern, Gareta. I'm fine, go back to your room now!" Ivy ordered Gareta again.

Finally, Gareta complied with Ivy's words and left Ivy's room. Gareta then went to the kitchen and found Selina and Miranda eating. Both of them looked at Gareta.

"How is it? Is the young mistress going to eat?" Selina asked, also slightly worried about Ivy.

"She doesn't want to," Gareta answered briefly, then sat beside Selina.

"Let it be! Just eat quickly, Gareta!" Miranda interjected, appearing relaxed even though Ivy hadn't eaten all day.

"I'm worried about the young mistress," Gareta said again.

"Just let it be! Wasn't that her own choice? She must be very sad because of her husband's behavior, so she's punishing herself," Miranda said, taking another bite of her food.

"What did Mr. Race do?" Selina asked with a hint of enthusiasm upon hearing Miranda's words.

Miranda looked at Selina and smirked.

"I saw Mr. Race forcefully push away Lady Ivy's hand. Lady Ivy must be very sad right now, but I'm delighted to see her in pain."

Gareta and Selina were taken aback by Miranda's words, which sounded so pleased with what was happening to Ivy. Miranda took another bite of her food a moment later before she looked at it and smirked mockingly.

"She deserves all of this. Someone who's nobody like her managed to marry Mr. Race. I also don't understand how the Agnito family arranged this marriage. After all, Lady Ivy is just a commoner who was lucky enough to be adopted by the noble Marionet family."

After saying that, Miranda put another bite of food into her mouth. Gareta and Selina exchanged glances, both of them confused as to why Miranda could dislike Ivy to this extent.

***
Winter got off the carriage and entered the base camp. Race himself was having dinner when Winter entered his room without permission.

"You're having dinner at this hour? What have you been doing all this time?" Winter asked, sitting in front of Race.

"What's it to you, Winter?" Race replied, indifferent.

Winter sighed and then reached for Race's glass of drink. Without permission, he took a sip and then looked at Race again.

"Race," he called.

"What?" Race responded curtly, without even looking at Winter.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Just ask!"

"Um... Do you really have no feelings for Ivy?"

Winter's question successfully made Race stop chewing. He looked up and stared at Winter, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"Why do you ask?" he asked.

"Um... Can I be honest?" Winter hesitated.

Race only responded with a slow nod of his head.

I'm the one who's attracted to Ivy. She's different from many other noble women. She's cute and innocent. I want to get closer to her."

Race choked upon hearing Winter's words. He snatched his drink glass from near Winter. After taking a drink, Race looked at Winter again.

"She's my wife, Winter. Are you out of your mind?"
***