The atmosphere in Race and Ivy's room was quite lively now. Several high-ranking officials from the kingdom had come to visit Race, having heard about his illness at the palace yesterday. Ivy stood near the door, continuously observing Race as he conversed with the kingdom's dignitaries. Suddenly, Ivy recalled Race's words from yesterday. She sighed deeply and gently rubbed her face. Ivy left the room and allowed her husband to chat with the visitors.

Ivy now sat in a garden chair in the backyard, gazing straight ahead at the forest, taking another deep breath.

"So, he regrets marrying me?" Ivy whispered.

"From the beginning, this marriage wasn't something Race had hoped for. So, what now? How can I let go of Race when I've grown to love him so much?" Ivy said again.

Ivy seemed to have misunderstood Race's words. Due to his worry and guilt, Race regretted his choice to marry. Ivy stared blankly ahead, searching for a way to resolve everything without hurting Race's feelings.

Some time passed, and then a commotion could be heard from inside the pavilion. Ivy, who realized the sound of Race's shouting, was startled. Ivy hurriedly went to her room, now filled with servants and pavilion guards.

"What's going on?" Ivy asked as she entered the room in a panic.

Race was already struggling to get out of bed. Ivy rushed to the bed and held Race, preventing him from getting up.

"Why, Race? Why do you want to get up? You're not fully recovered yet," Ivy said, helping her husband to sit back down.

Race himself looked closely at Ivy and then embraced her tightly.

"Where were you, Ivy? I was looking for you. I was afraid you'd suddenly go to the battlefield like yesterday," Race said with a quivering voice.

Ivy furrowed her brow in confusion, then looked at Gareta and Selina alternately as if seeking an explanation.

"After the kingdom's officials left, Young Master Race started looking for you, Miss Ivy. Because we didn't know where you were, Young Master Race became angry and wanted to come down to find you," Selina explained, sensitive to Ivy's expression.

Ivy let out a deep breath upon hearing Selina's explanation. She then released her embrace from Race and cupped his cheeks gently. Ivy smiled softly and proceeded to stroke Race's head gently.

"I'm sorry for leaving the room without letting you know. I've been in the backyard for a while. I thought the kingdom's officials hadn't left yet," Ivy said.

Race didn't respond immediately, just gazing at Ivy with a troubled expression. After a moment, he nodded in agreement.

"No need to apologize; you did nothing wrong. I was just afraid you'd leave me, Iv."

"Who would ever leave you? I'll always take care of you until you're fully recovered. So, please don't act like that again, okay? Your condition is not stable yet. Doha said you're dehydrated because you're not eating and drinking properly. My healing magic won't be effective if your mind isn't at ease, Race. I've already dealt with the northern forces' attack. My task is done; Father just asked me to handle it with magic so that they can't enter the eastern territory," Ivy explained.

Race fell silent upon hearing Ivy's words. "So, it's true; you expended a lot of energy yesterday? And are you really okay now? Your hands were so cold yesterday, Iv."

Ivy smiled again and shook her head gently. "I'm fine, Race. Look, I'm perfectly healthy, aren't I?" Ivy said, stretching her arms.

Race looked at Ivy and hugged his wife tightly once more. "I'm sorry for involving you in such a big problem. From the beginning, you shouldn't have been part of all this. Now, the further our relationship goes, the farther you are from danger, Iv."

Once again, Race seemed to regret his marriage. Ivy, held in Race's embrace, couldn't find the words to respond. She could only let out a deep sigh and gently pat Race's back to calm him.
***
Several days later, Race had shown significant improvement. He was even able to walk in the backyard with Ivy. Ivy occasionally glanced at Race, who appeared calmer than he had been in the past few days. Just a few days ago, Race wouldn't let Ivy out of sight even for a moment. Ivy sighed in relief and continued to observe their surroundings while guiding Race.

Race turned to Ivy upon hearing her sigh. "What's wrong, Iv?" he asked.

Ivy looked at Race and furrowed her brow in confusion. "What's wrong, Race?" she replied, returning the question to him.

"You just sighed, Iv. Why?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I just feel relieved that you're finally getting better. Don't get sick again, okay?"

Ivy and Race both stopped walking. They gazed at each other briefly, and then Race nodded slowly.

"I won't get sick again, but you also must promise not to put yourself in danger, Iv. Promise?" Race requested, extending his pinky finger toward Ivy as a symbol of their promise.

Ivy didn't immediately respond to his words or the extended pinky finger. She spoke silently in her heart, "I can't back out now, Race." Meanwhile, Race held out his finger, waiting for Ivy's response. After a few seconds, Race withdrew his hand and looked at Ivy intently.

"Why won't you agree to my request, Iv?" he asked.

"It's not that."

"Then why are you silent and not responding to me? Do you have plans that I don't know about, Iv?" Race pressed, wanting to know the truth.

Ivy couldn't reveal everything to her husband but didn't know how to answer. Race was becoming restless, realizing that his wife was hiding something. He released Ivy's hand, which he had been holding, and turned her to face him.

"Answer me, Iv! What are your plans with Father and King Michel?" Race demanded firmly.

Before Ivy could reply, the sound of a guard approaching could be heard. Ivy and Race both looked in the direction of the sound. Shortly afterward, they exchanged glances upon seeing the guard coming to them.

"I apologize, Young Master Race and Miss Ivy. There is a messenger from the kingdom, and they have brought a carriage to pick up Miss Ivy," the guard explained.

"Pick up Ivy? For what reason?" Race asked, puzzled.

Ivy was equally confused and looked at Race now. Race also gazed at Ivy with a face full of question marks.

"Do you have an appointment for today, Iv?" Race inquired, probing for answers.

"No, Winter's therapy schedule is still two days away. These past few days, it was Winter who came here, not me going to her pavilion," Ivy replied.

"Then, what's going on?" Race asked, growing more puzzled.

The atmosphere in the palace was bustling, and everyone was in turmoil upon hearing that the northern forces were on the move again, this time with an even larger army. Some were concerned because Race was still recovering from his illness, and sending him into battle was out of the question.

Ivy and Race had just arrived at the palace. They greeted everyone politely, and many inquired about Race's condition. With a friendly demeanor, Race answered each of them. The discussions stopped when King Michel and Mr. Milano entered the meeting room. Everyone stood and bowed in greeting to their leaders.

Everyone else sat down after King Michel and Mr. Milano, including Race and Ivy, took their seats. Mr. Milano noticed Race's sharp gaze directed at him. King Michel, on the other hand, focused his attention on Ivy.

"I won't delay any longer. I will explain all the plans I have made to defeat the northern territory," King Michel said.

He paused briefly and looked at Race, Winter, and Ivy. Then, he glanced at Mr. Milano, his elder brother. Mr. Milano nodded, giving his approval. King Michel nodded in return and returned his gaze to the front.

"As the leader of the Eastern Kingdom, I order Ivy Linton to go with the troops and lead the war against the northern forces."

***