Winter sighed as he looked at Race, who appeared pale. Ivy smiled and sat on the edge of the bed, holding her husband's hand.

"How are you feeling now, Race?" Ivy asked.

"I'm feeling better now. Have you finished treating Winter yourself? How are you feeling now, Winter?" Race asked, looking at his cousin.

Winter took a deep breath and gently tapped Race's arm. "Your condition is much worse than mine now. Why are you worrying about me?" Winter replied.

Race smiled and then looked at Ivy again. "You must be tired, Iv! I want to talk to Winter," Race said.

"What do you want to talk about? Am I not allowed to know until you have to chase me away?" Ivy asked, feeling that Race was acting a bit strange.

Race smiled and shook his head gently. "It's not like that, Iv. I just want to discuss something with Winter," Race said again.

"So, I'm not allowed to know?" Ivy pressed.

Winter sighed as he watched the two of them argue. He then looked at Ivy. "Could you leave us for a moment? It's not that you're not allowed to know what we're going to discuss, Iv. It's just that it seems to be related to something else and doesn't concern you," Winter tried to mediate.

Ivy raised an eyebrow and looked at Race in disbelief. "Come on, Iv! Just for a moment," Winter coaxed.

Ivy eventually agreed to Race and Winter's request. Race's wife left the room and went to the reading room. At least it was the most comfortable place for Ivy to rest beside her room and Race.

After Ivy had left, Race and Winter looked at each other.

"What's going on, Race? Why do you want to talk to me without Ivy?" Winter asked seriously.

Race adjusted his seating and took a deep breath. "Winter, can I ask something of you? Only you can do this for me. Ah, no, it's not for me, but for Ivy."

"What do you mean, Race?"

Race took Winter's hand, and Winter was slightly surprised because Race's hand was so cold. "Please prevent Ivy from getting involved in that war, Winter. I can still see in my dreams that Ivy gets hurt in that war. Only you can persuade King Michel, your father. You can make him think a thousand times before sacrificing the most valuable shield for you," Race pleaded.

"Race, Ivy is not a shield. She's my savior. Why are you talking like this?" Winter said, feeling a bit displeased with Race's words.

Race smiled faintly and then gripped Winter's hand tightly. "Didn't you say that about Ivy before? Now I know your feelings for my wife have changed, Winter. I know you love her. Even though it's absurd, it's your right to like someone. Therefore, I beg you to help me cancel Ivy's involvement in that war," Race said, pleading.

Winter was surprised that Race knew about his feelings for Ivy. Winter couldn't say anything at the moment. He had no reason to deny or admit his feelings, but Winter did share the same concern as Race. Ivy should not be involved in this war.
***
Ivy slowly opened her eyes and smiled at Race.

"How are you? Is your stomach still hurting?" Ivy asked, having just finished her healing magic for Race.

"It's getting better, Iv. Please stop! You're using up your energy on me and you're treating Winter as well. I don't want you to get sick because of this," Race said, concerned for Ivy.

Ivy smiled and shook her head gently. "I'm fine. If you're worried about me, then please get better soon," Ivy gently pleaded.

Race smiled and nodded his head. He then moved closer to Ivy. "Can I ask for a hug?" he asked.

Ivy chuckled softly at Race's question, and without answering verbally, she hugged Race warmly, gently patting his back.

"Is this enough?" Ivy asked later.

Race nodded gently in agreement and held Ivy tightly. "What should I do, Iv? How can I protect you?" Race wondered, still thinking about his dream. Race didn't want Ivy to go into battle against the northern kingdom's forces, but he felt at a loss about how to prevent it.

They both remained silent momentarily, hugging each other until Ivy cleared her throat softly.

"Race," Ivy called.

"Yes?" Race responded weakly.

Ivy released her embrace on Race and smiled faintly. She reached out and held Race's cheek gently. "May I ask?"

Race nodded his head in agreement.

"What did you discuss with Winter? Am I really not allowed to know?"

Race didn't answer immediately and just stared at Ivy intently.

"Race, does it have anything to do with the attack from the north? I heard they've started moving towards the border," Ivy said.

Race was shocked to hear Ivy's words and felt even more frightened and worried now. Race removed Ivy's hand from his cheek and shook his head gently.

"Whatever happens, don't go, Iv! I beg you! What will my life be like if I fail to protect you?" Race's voice trembled, and his hand felt even colder to Ivy. Seeing her husband so scared, Ivy hugged Race without hesitation.

"I won't go anywhere without you, Race. There's no need to be afraid!" Ivy tried to reassure her husband, who seemed unable to contain his fear longer.
***
It had been nearly a week since Race fell ill, and his condition deteriorated due to his excessive worry about Ivy. Doha had examined Race several times and increased his medication doses to help him sleep soundly. Ivy also aided with her healing magic to accelerate Race's recovery.

Mr. Milano and Mrs. Maria had heard about Race's illness, and they were getting ready to go to Ivy and Race's pavilion. However, before they could get into the horse-drawn carriage that would take them there, a guard stopped them.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Milano, but you have been summoned to the palace immediately," the guard informed them.

Mr. Milano raised an eyebrow in surprise and looked at his wife. "What's going on?" he asked Mrs. Maria.

"We'll find out when we get there, my love," Mrs. Maria replied.

"You're right, but what about Race?" Mr. Milano worriedly inquired about his son.

"We'll leave after meeting with King Michel," Mrs. Maria assured him.

After meeting King Michel, Mr. Milano and Mrs. Maria arrived at Ivy and Race's pavilion. Upon seeing the arrival of Race's parents, Ivy respectfully bowed to greet them.

"Where's Race? How is he, Iv?" Mrs. Maria asked.

"Race is in our room, Mother. Let me escort you," Ivy said politely.

"No need! I want to talk to you, Iv. Let my wife go to your room by herself, accompanied by Gareta," Mr. Milano suddenly interjected.

Hearing this, Ivy looked at Mr. Milano, as did Gareta, who sensed something was amiss. Seeing Mr. Milano's serious expression, Ivy could guess it was related to the northern kingdom's army's attack. Ivy then looked at Gareta and smiled.

"Escort Mother to the room, Gareta," Ivy instructed.

"Very well, Mrs. muda Iv," Gareta replied obediently.

Once they had left, Ivy turned her attention back to Mr. Milano. "Let's discuss this in the reading room, Father," Ivy suggested.

"No need! I just want to tell you to go to the border tomorrow! The enemy forces from the north are almost here, and you have to use your magic against them. With Race's current condition, he won't be able to fight. So, handle it all by yourself, Iv! You're not easily defeated, right? You've fought monsters, so dealing with mere humans should be a breeze," Mr. Milano said.
***