Race sat on a chair near Ivy's bed. His wife was still reluctant to open her eyes. Race took a deep breath and gently reached for Ivy's hand.

"Iv, don't you want to wake up?" Race asked softly.

Race continued to stroke Ivy's hand gently and, after a moment, looked into his wife's face.
"Is this how you recharge your energy? Do I have to keep hugging you so that your magical energy is replenished quickly?" Race asked, trying to figure out what to do.

Race took another deep breath and looked out the window.
"The weather has been great for the past two days, the sun is shining brightly. The black orchids you like have also bloomed, Iv. Don't you love seeing flowers in such clear weather?" Race asked without looking at Ivy.

"Winter is fine too, I'm not injured. So why are you the one unconscious now?" Race asked as he turned to face Ivy.

"Don't you want to see the celebration organized by King Michel for your victory against the northern forces? Now your birthplace has been acquired by the eastern region, Iv. All of this is because of you, all because of your sacrifice," Race said again.

Race continued to stroke Ivy's hand gently, and his breath became irregular as he held back tears.
"I don't need anyone, I don't need anything. I'm even willing to leave this region. The most important thing for me is you, Iv. You being by my side is enough," Race said tremblingly.

Race couldn't hold back his tears anymore. He kissed Ivy's hand and sobbed. Race mourned the fate Ivy had to endure.
"Why are you punishing me like this, Iv? I'm sorry for putting you in danger. It's my fault."
Race continued to sob and hugged Ivy's hand.

Race kept crying without realizing that Ivy was slowly opening her eyes. Seeing Race crying, Ivy called her husband weakly.

"Race."

Race was surprised to hear his name being called. He looked at Ivy and then widened his eyes in astonishment.
"Iv, are you awake? How do you feel, Iv?"
Instead of being relieved, Race cried even harder seeing his wife awake. Ivy smiled faintly and moved her hand to stroke Race's arm gently.

"Why are you crying, Race? I'm fine."

"You say you're fine? How many days have you been unconscious? I was afraid of losing you, Iv."
Race cried even harder, ignoring Ivy, who continued to smile at his tearful outburst.
***
In Winter's pavilion, the atmosphere was quite lively as the official coronation of the crown prince would take place in a few days. Simultaneously, there would be a celebration to mark the victory of the eastern region. Winter had just finished giving instructions not to clean the powder he had spread in his room. After finishing, Winter walked out towards the horse-drawn carriage, ready to depart.

"Take me to Lady Ivy's pavilion!" Winter ordered the carriage driver.

"Alright," the driver nodded briefly.

Winter boarded the horse-drawn carriage, and not long after, the carriage suddenly stopped before reaching Ivy's pavilion.

"What's happening? Why did we stop?" Winter asked without getting out of the carriage.

"Sorry, Crown Prince Winter, there's a herd of wild boars in front blocking our way," replied the driver.

"Wild boars?" Winter exclaimed in surprise.

Winter was about to get out of the carriage, but suddenly, Ivy had already entered the carriage.

"Ivy?" Winter said, widening his eyes in astonishment.

"Stay here, Winter! Don't come out. Race is fighting the forest boars sent by the forest monsters. Use this!"
Ivy put a purple-eyed necklace around Winter's neck.

"What's this again? When did you wake up, Iv?" Winter couldn't help but ask.

"Don't ask too much! Just wear it; it will automatically resist anything that might harm you. Never take it off, even when you're bathing!" Ivy commanded Winter.

Winter obediently nodded in agreement. Shortly after, Ivy looked outside and found her husband struggling against the forest boars.

"Stay here! I will help Race," Ivy said.

"Don't! Stay here! You've just recovered, Iv."
Winter held Ivy back from going out, but Ivy smiled and shook her head gently.

"Let me do my duty for the last time, Winter," Ivy said, then released Winter's hand gently and stepped out of the horse-drawn carriage.

Ivy had just been helped by Race to drink, while Winter also drank the water Gareta had prepared earlier.
"Thank you, Race," Ivy said with a smile.

"Yeah, now lie down comfortably!" Race suggested.

Ivy nodded, complying with Race's suggestion. After talking with Ivy, Race walked over to Winter, who was sitting in a chair.

"You're okay, right?" Race asked his cousin.

"Yeah, of course. It's thanks to you and Ivy," Winter replied.

"Thank goodness, after this, there won't be any more monsters bothering you, Winter," Race said.

Winter furrowed his brow in confusion.
"How come?" he asked, curious.

"Ivy has obtained a permanent monster repellent. Ivy also knows who is behind sending those monsters, Winter."

"Who?"
Winter became even more puzzled and looked towards Ivy, seeking an explanation.

"My foster parents," Ivy said straightforwardly after locking eyes with Winter.

Winter gaped in disbelief, and Race sighed deeply.
"I've sent a petition to King Charles to punish Lord Marques Marionet and his wife. Not only were they the masterminds behind those monsters, but Lord Marques and his wife also abused Ivy while she was still there. I won't let them go free."

Winter was increasingly shocked by Race's account. Meanwhile, Ivy herself smiled faintly and also looked sad. Shortly after, Winter looked back at Ivy.

"So, does that mean you can attend the ceremony for my official appointment as the crown prince tomorrow?" Winter asked.

"She's not quite well yet, Winter," Race objected.

"No, I have to go, Race," Ivy insisted.

Race and Winter both looked at Ivy.
"Why do you have to?" they asked simultaneously.
***
At the palace, the atmosphere was bustling with numerous guests who appeared joyous and cheerful. Race and Ivy had just arrived, with Race helping his wife descend from the horse-drawn carriage that carried them. Race then led Ivy into the grand palace. Almost everyone inside the castle turned their attention toward Race and Ivy. Some of them whispered to each other about Race and Ivy.

Winter was formally declared the crown prince when the main event began and would eventually succeed King Michel. After the proclamation, Lord Milano whispered to King Michel, who nodded in understanding.

"Alright, the main event is over. Now, I want to call someone who greatly contributed to the victory in the war with the eastern region. Ivy, come up!" commanded King Michel.

Race looked at Ivy with a puzzled expression. This was all unknown to Race beforehand. Ivy herself bowed politely and ascended the platform, standing beside Winter. She then turned again, greeting all the guests.

"This is our pride, Ivy Linton. The wife of Race Agnito, a skilled sorceress who defeated the northern forces," announced King Michel.

Race and Winter both smiled as Ivy was being glorified. However, shortly after those smiles appeared, someone shouted.

"A sorceress is still a sorceress! She might be planning to secretly kill the Crown Prince. As far as I know, the Crown Prince has also performed soul binding. With that, Ivy can easily turn the Crown Prince into her puppet. All of this is surely to make her husband, Race, the sole heir to the kingdom and the next king," said a guest who had spoken up.

All the attendees turned their gaze toward this person. Some seemed to believe the accusations, while Race and Winter were wide-eyed in disbelief at the slander against Ivy.

"On what basis are you saying such things? Ivy performed soul binding to protect Winter from the forest monsters that targeted him," retorted Race, becoming emotional.

The person laughed and produced a small book.
"Here, it's clearly written about soul binding and its consequences. Ivy surely couldn't be unaware of this, right?"
***