The atmosphere in King Michel's private meeting room felt incredibly tense. King Michel was reading a small book containing information about magic. Even though he didn't understand all of it, he could recognize that the side effect of soul binding was sudden death due to an overly powerful spell. King Michel squeezed the book and threw it directly in front of Ivy. The book almost hit Ivy's face.

Race was startled by his uncle's actions. He then looked at Ivy's face.
"Are you okay?" Race asked, making sure his wife was okay.

Ivy smiled and nodded slowly.
"I'm fine, Race," she replied.

"Father! What are you doing? Not everything in that book is true."
Winter, who was now angry, raised his voice. Race and Ivy both looked at Winter now.

"What do you know about magic, Winter? This is why the people of the eastern region really dislike sorcerers. They are truly manipulative," Lord Milano interjected.

Ivy fell silent upon hearing her father-in-law's words while Race and Winter looked at Lord Milano. King Michel snorted in annoyance and hit the armrest of his chair.

"Now answer, Ivy! Is it true that you performed soul binding for such purposes?" King Michel asked, still wanting to hear it directly from Ivy.

"Why bother asking? Isn't it clear that Ivy knew about the side effects of soul binding? Shouldn't she have found another way? I never expected my daughter-in-law to be this cunning," Mrs. Maria said, further fueling the tension.

Race glared at his mother, then snorted and shifted his gaze.
"Don't conclude anything you don't know, Mother! Isn't today's celebration also in honor of a sorceress whom you're now accusing?"

Everyone fell silent, looking at Race awkwardly, except for Queen Nami. Winter's mother smiled faintly, then took a deep breath. Shortly after, she looked at King Michel.

"My love, allow me to ask Ivy," Queen Nami said.

King Michel looked at his queen and nodded, agreeing to Queen Nami's request. Shortly after, Queen Nami turned her gaze to Ivy, who continued to keep her head bowed.

"Ivy," Queen Nami called.

Ivy lifted her head and looked towards Queen Nami.
"Yes, Queen Nami."

"Can I ask for your help?"

"Of course, Queen."

"Please answer my husband's question and tell everything right now. Explain your reasons for using soul binding to heal Winter. I'm sure you must have a reason for choosing that method," Queen Nami said.

Ivy didn't immediately respond, but shortly after, she took a deep breath and glanced at Race briefly. Then, she looked at her in-laws, King Michel and Queen Nami.

"As Queen Nami said, I do have a reason for using soul binding. I am aware of the side effects of soul binding. That's why I didn't use mana when performing soul binding. I used my life force to lock Winter's soul. Even though it was very dangerous for me, my priority was Winter's recovery. I could balance my life force with my mana, which I could get from Race. By using my life force, there would be no side effects for Winter, King, Queen."

Ivy explained at length, gathering all her courage to say everything. Race reached out and held Ivy's hand tightly. Both looked at each other and smiled. Once again, Winter felt guilty and indebted to Ivy.

Hearing Ivy's answer, King Michel fell silent and seemed deep in thought. Queen Nami herself smiled happily.

"Ivy has answered everything. Doesn't that mean the accusations are unfounded? In reality, Winter is fine and even recovered. The victory we achieved is also because Ivy sacrificed herself. So, what else is the problem? Ivy is indeed genuinely useful, even though she's a sorceress," Queen Nami began to meditate.

Mrs. Maria looked displeased and averted her gaze. Lord Milano cleared his throat and stared sharply at Ivy.
"Then, how can you clean my son's name, which has been tarnished because of you? It seems like you want to take over the kingdom using Race, Ivy."

Once again, Lord Milano cornered Ivy, leaving Race puzzled by his father's thinking.
***
After the internal meeting, Ivy and Race returned to their pavilion. Ivy had just showered and found her husband standing by the window, folding his arms and looking out. While drying her hair, Ivy walked over to Race and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Why so contemplative here?" she asked.

"Ah, are you done with your shower?" Race asked, about to turn around.

"Don't turn yet! Let me stay like this for a moment!" Ivy held Race's body to prevent him from turning and rested her head on his back.

"What's wrong?" Race asked.

"Nothing."

"Then why are you so affectionate? This isn't like you."

Race was a bit puzzled by Ivy's behavior. Shortly after, a deep sigh could be heard from Ivy.

"Race," Ivy called out.

"Yeah, what is it?" Race asked.

"If your dream comes true, can you promise me something?"

Race was surprised and reluctantly released Ivy's hands. He turned to look at Ivy with a worried expression.

"What dream are you talking about, Iv? Did you see a prophecy about yourself?" Race asked anxiously.

Ivy didn't immediately answer and just stared at Race. She reached out and gently held Race's cheek.

"I saw you drawing your sword against me, Race. I am still being judged for that accusation."

"No! Everything is clear, why should you be the one to face the punishment?" Race retorted.

Ivy smiled and shook her head slowly.

"Perhaps this is my destiny, Race. Can you promise me, Race?" Ivy asked again.

"No! I won't let you be judged for something that's not your fault. I won't promise anything to you, Iv. You have to stay by my side, Iv. I won't let anything happen to you."

Race refused to promise and hugged Ivy now. Ivy herself sighed profoundly and returned her husband's embrace.

"We can change your destiny, I'm sure," Race said again.

"But the prophecy?"

"As you said, my dream is just a dream. So your prophecy is just a prophecy. We have changed our fate many times before. So I believe this time we can change it too, Iv."

Race reassured Ivy not to lose hope, while Ivy could no longer find words. She knew her husband was distraught now.
***