Mr. Marques angrily swept everything off the table while Mrs. Liana was shocked and held her chest, which was pounding rapidly. She knew her husband was genuinely furious right now. And who wouldn't be, considering that if Ivy used the name Linton, Race's family would likely stop supplying ruby stones to them. However, they risked their downfall if they didn't comply with Ivy's wishes. King Charles was a fair and wise ruler. He wouldn't hesitate to punish the perpetrator if he heard that one of his subjects was mistreated.

"She should have died from the beginning! Why has she become an obstacle for the Marionet family now?" Mr. Marques continued to mutter in anger. Mrs. Liana couldn't do anything.

Shortly afterward, Mr. Marques turned his sharp gaze toward his wife.
"You know all of this is your fault, Liana!" he accused.

"How can you blame me now, my husband? Didn't I ask for your permission before bringing Ivy into our family?" Mrs. Liana replied, somewhat resentful of being blamed.

"That's because you said Ivy could replace Cheris when she died, Liana! If only you hadn't been fooled by that foolish prophecy! In reality, Ivy is still alive and has become an obstacle to making us the wealthiest nobles in the east."

Mr. Marques was furious and yelled. He couldn't contain his emotions any longer. Mrs. Liana became even more frightened and stepped back, distancing herself from her husband.
"I'm sorry, my husband. If only I had known that Ivy wouldn't die to replace Cheris, I wouldn't have brought Ivy into the Marionet family," Mrs. Liana said, covering her mouth out of fear. On the other hand, Mr. Marques stared at his wife with rage and roughly grabbed her arm.

"You must pay for Ivy's actions!" Mr. Marques emphasized.

Mrs. Liana struggled to break free from her husband's grip. Ivy's adoptive mother also screamed hysterically out of fear.

In another room, Ivy had just used her magic to heal the slap mark her father had left on her cheek. Gareta furrowed his brow in confusion, not understanding what Ivy was doing. Until now, Gareta had never known that Ivy was a witch. After finishing the healing spell on herself, Ivy opened her eyes and looked at Gareta. Ivy smiled and then gently took Gareta's hand.

"Young Mrs., what did you just do? Is it..."

"Yes, as you saw, I just performed magic, Gareta."

Gareta widened his eyes in astonishment. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. Gareta covered his mouth and continued to stare at Ivy.

"You must be surprised, right? This is what I've been hiding all along, Gareta. I've almost died several times, but my mixed blood of a seer and a witch has been very helpful," Ivy explained to Gareta, who was still shocked and unable to speak.

Ivy smiled again, seeing Gareta's utterly surprised expression. She then reached out and held Gareta's hand gently. Ivy didn't dare to look at her servant anymore. She knew witches were hated in the East, so she understood if Gareta was shocked and even thought she might be as manipulative as others.

"Do you regret having a mistress like me? The truth is, I'm not a noble princess in the east, and on top of that, I have scars that are not allowed for a wife in the eastern region. Worse, I'm a descendant of witches and seers, Gareta. Will you hate me like everyone else who despises me?" Ivy asked, looking at her servant's hand and not daring to lift her head even slightly.

Gareta was once again surprised by Ivy's words. Without saying anything, Gareta hugged Ivy now.
"Forgive me, Young Mrs. Ivy, for being so bold as to hug you. I never regretted serving as your attendant. In fact, I consider myself very lucky and can testify that not all witches are manipulative. Young Mrs. Ivy is too kind, which is why she needs to be avoided and kept at a distance," Gareta said firmly.

Ivy didn't respond to Gareta's words anymore; she returned Gareta's hug tightly. Ivy closed her eyes gently.
"Thank you, Gareta," Ivy whispered.

Gareta nodded softly in agreement. Ivy then opened her eyes again as she saw a vision. She sighed heavily and looked toward the door of her room.

***

Race continued to pace back and forth in front of Ivy's pavilion door. He was waiting for Ivy, who was scheduled to arrive today, but it was almost dark, and her carriage had yet to be seen.

"Did she decide not to come today? Didn't she say she wouldn't stay long there? What if she encountered a major problem in the east?" Race kept wondering and growing anxious, especially as the sky suddenly became overcast.

"It seems like it's going to rain. What if something happens to her on the journey? Riding a horse-drawn carriage in the rain is very dangerous," Race fretted, his gaze fixed on the gate.

Shortly after, Selina arrived and bowed politely to greet Race.
"Young Master Race, I have a question," Selina said.

Race, who was intently watching the gate, reflexively turned to the source of Selina's voice.
"What is it, Selina? What do you want to ask?" Race replied.

"What would you like for dinner, Young Master? The ranch just sent fresh milk and newly slaughtered beef," Selina said politely.

Race sighed with frustration at Selina's question. How could he think about dinner with Ivy's well-being potentially at risk?

"I'll eat whatever you cook, Selina, but don't bother me right now! I don't want to think about anything until Ivy arrives," Race said.

"Last time, you said the same thing, Young Master Race, but you didn't touch the food I cooked. If Mistress Ivy finds out, she'll scold me," Selina dared to speak up about what had happened in the past few days after Ivy returned to the East.

Race gritted his teeth in irritation upon hearing Selina's words. He then looked at the gate, which was still empty.
"I'll eat this time if Ivy arrives safely. Now, please go to the kitchen! Don't disturb me, Selina!"

Selina looked at Race, who was still anxious. Selina finally complied with Race's wishes and excused herself to go to the kitchen.

"If he gets sick, he'll regret it," Selina muttered while walking toward the kitchen.

Race turned his head toward Selina again as if he had heard something terrible about Ivy, but since he didn't hear anything further, he shrugged his shoulders and returned his gaze to the gate.

***

Ivy, whom Race was waiting for in her pavilion, had just finished her magical healing therapy with Winter. Ivy opened her eyes and looked at Winter.

"The therapy for today is finished, Winter. It's already evening, and the rain has stopped. I'll excuse myself to return to my pavilion," Ivy said.

Still holding Ivy's hand, Winter continued to gaze at Ivy intently. It turned out that not seeing Ivy for a few days had made Winter feel lonely. Winter smiled and nodded in agreement to Ivy's statement. Gareta, who had been in the central hall of Winter's pavilion, furrowed his brow in confusion. Gareta was too wise and could interpret Winter's gaze toward Ivy.

Ivy then released her hand from Winter's and smiled.
"I'm going home," she said, bidding Winter farewell.

"Um, please give my regards to Race," Winter replied.

Ivy nodded in agreement and then left Winter, followed by Gareta. Winter sighed profoundly and heavily and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes slowly.

"How can I get rid of my feelings for you, Iv," Winter said in a monologue.

***