The atmosphere in Ivy's pavilion kitchen could have been more lively. In the kitchen, there were only Selina and Gareta preparing dinner. While cutting ingredients, Gareta suddenly stopped and looked at Selina.

"Selina," Gareta called.

"What?" Selina replied without turning to look at Gareta.

"Do you feel something strange?" Gareta asked.

Selina stopped her hand from cutting the meat and then looked at Gareta. "What's strange?" she asked.

"Mr. Race," Gareta said in a low voice.

"Mr. Race? What's strange about him?" Selina asked again.

Gareta waited to continue his conversation; instead, he looked around the kitchen and approached Selina.

"Do you remember what Mr. Race said? What did he mean by the woman he has to protect? Who is Miranda?" Gareta asked.

Selina recalled what Race had said and looked surprised. Her head nodded as she glanced around the kitchen.

"Shouldn't we ask this to Mistress Ivy? She must know," Selina suggested.

"Is that okay?" Gareta said hesitantly.

"Better than us wondering on our own, right?"

"Yeah, I guess so. Let's finish cooking first. After that, we'll see Mistress Ivy with the excuse that dinner is ready."

Selina gave a thumbs-up, agreeing with Gareta's suggestion.

***

Ivy was helping Race change into his pajamas. After finishing, Ivy smiled at Race.

"Shall we have dinner now?" Ivy invited.

"Okay," Race replied briefly.

They then walked out of the room together, but their steps halted right in front of the door as they saw Race's parents.

"Father, Mother," Ivy and Race greeted simultaneously.

"Where are you going? Why are you so relaxed at this hour?" Mr. Milano asked, noticing Ivy and Race looking unusually relaxed.

Ivy and Race exchanged glances and then turned to Mr. Milano and Mrs. Maria.

"We're going to have dinner together. After that, we usually chat in the garden or, if not, in the reading room. Is there anything wrong that Father commented on our appearance? Besides, why did Father and Mother come here at this time of night?" Race asked, then turned to look at his parents alternately.

"Something more important than your dinner plans has come up. Come with us!" Mr. Milano ordered, then turned and walked away, followed by Mrs. Maria, who had remained silent.

Race and Ivy exchanged glances again, and Ivy raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What's going on, Race?" Ivy asked.

"I don't know. Let's go with them," Race replied, taking his wife's hand.

***

Ivy, Race, and Race's parents were now in the backyard garden. Race, still holding Ivy's hand, stopped right behind Mr. Milano. Mr. Milano turned around and then slapped Race hard. Race held his cheek, which felt hot, while Ivy screamed in shock.

"Have you gone mad? Why did you send Miranda back to the palace?" Mr. Milano asked.

"What do you mean by mad, Father? Isn't it reasonable for me to punish her and send her back to be a lowly servant? She poisoned my wife," Race said, trying to control his overflowing emotions.

"Race, have you forgotten who Miranda is? She was expelled from the palace because of her relationship with Willingga. Are you intending to revive an old gossip?" Mrs. Maria asked angrily as well.

"Willingga? Who is Willingga, and what does he have to do with Miranda? Why should you guard Miranda?" Ivy thought, needing help understanding this.

"So, who should I blame for this situation now? Didn't both of you punish Miranda like this? Fortunately, you didn't join me in punishing her," Race said, his anger barely contained.

Mr. Milano widened his eyes in disbelief. Mrs. Maria also approached Race and grabbed her son's arm.

"What do you mean, Son? Why are you blaming us? It's all Miranda's fault, and we had no knowledge of it," Mrs. Maria said, pretending to be angry.

"Don't lie anymore, Mother!"

Race forcefully pushed Mrs. Maria's hand away, and she widened her eyes in disbelief. Race then walked away from the garden to avoid becoming even angrier. Ivy watched Race walk away and then turned to look at her in-laws again.

"I'll go after Race first, Father, Mother," Ivy excused herself.

Instead of responding, Mrs. Maria slapped Ivy hard. "Are you satisfied now, Iv? Why don't you just die?" Mrs. Maria exclaimed.

***

Since the arrival of Race's parents, Race had locked himself in the reading room. By early evening, Race had yet to leave the reading room. Ivy was standing with Gareta, carrying a tray of food for Race. Ivy then turned her body and smiled at Gareta.

"Give it to me, Gareta! Let me persuade Race to eat," Ivy said, reaching out her hand to take the tray.

"Is it okay, Mistress Ivy?" Gareta asked hesitantly.

Ivy smiled again and then nodded her head slightly. Gareta handed the tray he was holding to Ivy.

"Go back to the kitchen, Gareta!" Ivy instructed.

Gareta nodded at Ivy and left, leaving Ivy alone in front of the reading room. Ivy took a deep breath and knocked on the door softly.

"Race, can I come in?" Ivy asked for permission.

There was no answer from inside, so Ivy knocked on the door to the reading room again. "Race, are you asleep?" Ivy inquired.

After waiting a few seconds, the door to the reading room finally opened, revealing Race's tired face. Ivy smiled at her husband and then lifted the tray a bit higher.

"I brought you some food. You haven't eaten anything since yesterday, and you haven't even had any water. What if you get sick?" Ivy said.

"Why did you bring it? Where's Gareta or Selina?" Race asked, looking behind Ivy and finding no one there.

Ivy smiled and then looked inside. "May I come in first? This is a bit heavy," Ivy said, showing a slightly struggling expression.

Race widened his eyes and quickly took the tray Ivy was carrying. "Come in, Ivy!" Race said and then walked into the reading room first.

Ivy smiled broadly because she had successfully persuaded her husband to allow her to enter the reading room.

Ivy cleaned up the remnants of Race's meal from the table. Finally, with all her cajoling, Ivy managed to get Race to eat. Ivy then chose to sit next to Race, who had just finished drinking water.

"Can I borrow your hand?" Ivy asked.

"For what?" Race asked, puzzled but still offering his hand to Ivy.

Ivy took Race's hand and then closed her eyes slightly. Ivy then chanted a lengthy mantra and held Race's writing for a while. After she felt it was enough, Ivy opened her eyes again and looked at Race.

"You won't get indigestion. I've cleared the way for your food to enter your body," Ivy explained.

"Iv."

Race couldn't say anything right now. Race felt extremely lucky to have Ivy.

"Now, can we talk, Race?" Ivy asked.

"About what?" Race asked, then released his hand from Ivy's grip and looked at his wife.

Ivy remained silent for a moment and stared at Race. Ivy then took a deep breath and gazed intensely at Race.

"Who is Willingga, and what is the connection between Willingga and Miranda? Why is Miranda the woman you have to protect, Race?" Ivy asked.
***