The night had grown a bit late, and the drizzling rain had started to fall. Ivy had just disembarked from the horse-drawn carriage that returned her to the pavilion. Ivy took a few quick steps, and Gareta followed her into the pavilion. Hearing Ivy's footsteps, Race, who was in the lounge, quickly came out and headed towards the main room. Ivy smiled as she saw Race approaching.

"Young mistress Ivy, it seems that Master Race has missed you dearly," Gareta said with a smile.

Ivy looked at Gareta and then smiled faintly. "You're right," Ivy replied.

Once he was close to Ivy, Race immediately embraced his wife tightly. "Why did it take you so long to arrive?" Race asked playfully.

Ivy smiled and then gently stroked Race's back. "I'm sorry, I had to go to the Winter Pavilion first. Today, my schedule included performing healing magic on Winter," Ivy explained.

Race released his embrace and then looked at Ivy, gently cupping her cheek. "Don't you miss me? Why did you go to Winter first?" Race asked.

"Not at all, Race. Isn't it my responsibility to treat Winter? I also promised King Michel that I wouldn't neglect my duties if he allowed me to return to the East," Ivy explained, not wanting her husband to be angry or jealous that she met Winter first.

Race smiled faintly and then hugged Ivy again without hesitation. "Don't make that face, Iv! I understand your position. I'm just teasing you," Race said.

Ivy placed her hands on Race's waist and nodded her head gently. Gareta, who had been watching Race and Ivy being affectionate with each other, smiled happily.

"I hope that after everything you two have been through, you can both live happily ever after until death do you part," Gareta thought.
***
Several days had passed since Ivy's return from the East. Today, Ivy would perform healing magic on Winter again, but before that, she had to visit the palace because King Michel had summoned her. Race and Ivy walked together as they entered the horse-drawn carriage. Just as Ivy was about to sit down, she seemed to have a vision of what would happen today. Ivy widened her eyes and now looked at Race. Race furrowed his brow in confusion, seeing Ivy's expression.

"What's wrong, Iv?" Race asked, curious.

"What should I do? If I tell him about what I saw, he'll be angry with both of his parents, but if I hide this, Race will get even angrier," Ivy thought, torn between being honest or keeping Race in the dark.

"Ivy, is something wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Race asked again, gently holding Ivy's hand.

Ivy shook her head and then smiled at Race. She led Race to sit beside her on the carriage.

"There's nothing wrong, I was just startled because I just had a vision," Ivy said.

"What? When? Is it going to hurt you or something?" Whenever Ivy mentioned having a vision, Race constantly worried and feared that Ivy would get hurt again.

Ivy didn't answer immediately and stared intently at Race. She shook her head and hugged Race without warning, resting her head comfortably on his chest.

"Ivy, don't hide anything from me," Race pleaded.

"I'm not hiding anything, Race. I just want to hug you right now. Whatever happens later, what matters most is that I love you always."

"Iv, why are you talking like that? What did you see?" Based on Ivy's vision, race became increasingly convinced that something terrible was about to happen.

"I saw it all because of me, Race. So, if you find out everything later, please don't hate anyone," Ivy pleaded.

"Hate anyone? What do you mean, Iv?" Race asked, becoming even more puzzled by Ivy's current conversation.

In the palace, King Michel was furious. King Okra had just sent a letter stating that he would begin attacking the Eastern region if Ivy continued to serve as the kingdom's oracle. According to King Michel himself, Ivy was precious. Since receiving healing magic from Ivy, Winter had improved significantly. Winter rarely fell ill, and there had been no recent monster attacks.

King Michel roughly tore the letter and then slammed the table with fury. His face was filled with anger.

"What do we do, King Michel? King Okra has never taken his threats lightly," the Minister of Defense said anxiously.

King Michel didn't respond immediately and clenched his hands tightly. He was now thinking hard about avoiding war while still using Ivy, who was incredibly valuable.

"What if we just comply with King Okra's request? The kingdom is more important than Ivy, King Michel," advised Mr. Milano, who served as the kingdom's advisor.

King Michel looked at Mr. Milano. Usually, he didn't question his brother's advice, but this time was different. Ivy was too valuable to be let go so quickly. Although initially, King Michel had also considered Ivy dangerous, he had realized that she was genuinely indispensable as both a descendant of oracles and a witch from the East.

"I've heard that Ivy has also obtained legal recognition of her name. She's no longer Ivy Marionet but Ivy Linton. Wouldn't that further confound King Okra, especially with the predictions of Ivy's parents?" Mr. Milano continued, trying to persuade King Michel to let Ivy go.

"After she's no longer the kingdom's oracle, I'll make sure Ivy and Race are truly separated," Mr. Milano thought, still determined to drive a wedge between Race and Ivy.

King Michel remained silent, continuing to gaze at Mr. Milano. This time, he was genuinely torn about what decision to make.
***
Winter hurriedly approached the meeting room as his guards had informed him of an impromptu meeting to discuss urgent matters. Winter encountered Ivy and Race walking side by side at a corridor junction. Winter raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"You two were called as well?" Winter asked incredulously.

"Yes, Winter. We came here first before performing healing magic for you," Race explained.

"Do you also know about the emergency meeting today?" Winter then looked at Ivy, believing she knew about it.

Now it was Race's turn to raise an eyebrow in confusion. Race then looked at Ivy. "Are we here for that reason?" Race asked, puzzled.

"No, I just found out from Winter just now," Ivy explained.

Winter waited to trust Ivy's words. He stared at Ivy intently, trying to ascertain the truth in her words. Ivy sighed and then held Race's hand.

"Let's not discuss this here! Let's go inside so we can quickly find out what's really going on at the emergency meeting," Ivy said, shifting her face to avoid being scrutinized by Winter.

"She's hiding something; I'm sure Ivy knows something now," Winter thought.

After all the important people had gathered in the meeting room, including Ivy, King Michel cleared his throat and looked alternately at Winter and Race. Moments later, King Michel turned his gaze to Ivy, sitting beside Race. He took a deep breath and then looked straight ahead.

"I have called all of you here to discuss the threat from King Okra," King Michel began.

Race and Winter both looked at King Michel in surprise, while Ivy could only sigh heavily.

"It turns out that everything is happening today," Ivy thought.

"King Okra has threatened to raise the flag of war if I continue to retain Ivy as the kingdom's oracle," King Michel continued, shocking Winter even more.

"But Ivy is indeed very needed, King Michel," Winter said, not wanting Ivy to be removed from her current position.

King Michel looked at Winter and nodded slowly. "You're right, Winter. That's why I have made a quick and fair decision," King Michel stated.

Race suddenly became fearful upon hearing King Michel's words. He was afraid that King Michel's decision would somehow involve Ivy making a sacrifice.

"Hurry and announce your decision, King Michel!" Mr. Milano said coldly.

King Michel glanced at his brother and then nodded slowly. Race looked at Ivy and then tightly gripped her hand.

"Is this the vision you saw earlier, Iv? What will actually happen?" Race wondered.

Ivy looked at Race and then smiled gently. She held Race's hand warmly as if giving him strength.

"I cannot comply with King Okra's demands because Ivy is very valuable to the kingdom. Therefore, we will go to war against the Northern kingdom," King Michel declared.

All eyes widened upon hearing King Michel's statement, including Race, who became increasingly frightened.

"I order Race, Winter, and Ivy to be directly involved in this war. Winter and Race are the leaders of the kingdom's forces, and Ivy will be the witch who will ensure the Northern kingdom's defeat. This time, you must use your knowledge for the kingdom where your husband serves, Iv!"

Race found it nearly impossible to breathe upon hearing King Michel's command. How could Ivy, a woman, be involved in a war with forces she had never faced before?
***