Maxwell was sitting on the edge of Ivy's bed, caressing the red bed sheet with his hand. He had to admit that he missed his beloved woman.

After the ten days were over, the poison should be activated inside her body, he knows that it did, but it didn't!

His heart beats faster upon seeing the candle burning then suddenly died in front of him. The candle signifies Ivy's life!

Then the candle was slowly burning brightly again, until now it's burning! Which means, Ivy's body defeated the poison he made her swallow in advance? That's impossible to believe!

He needs to see for himself the truth!

While he and his siblings were busy finding Kate, Ella, Ivy, and Esmeralda all over the place, he managed to locate Ivy's whereabouts inside the cave, undetected by her companions.

He heard them discussing their escape.

After hearing their plan, he was overjoyed! Because there is a way how to escape the castle without getting burned by the blazing barrier. And no need to resurrect his father which is questionable itself.

He believed so much in his plan that his father once resurrected can bring them out of the castle, but then there is no guarantee that it would work. But after he learned that with just the blood of the sisters, the escape from the castle was already possible, it's now a reality!

And it's about to happen soon! He's going to witness it with his own two eyes!

He finally understood why Esmeralda and Kate disappeared from the castle, they had already exited the castle successfully. He died of envy after learning about it.

But he calms himself inside the cave. He has to learn as much as he could and control his temper while being surrounded by enemies. Now he knows their faces one by one.

The one thing that amazes him was the transformation of Ella, she was now an old woman.

Well...he doesn't have to concern himself about Ella...Ivy is enough for him!

With Ivy's blood, he can escape the castle with his brothers and if there's still enough time left, he can bring some of these dark armies outside the castle and create havoc in the world as a celebration for their escape.

His grand plan began taking shape in his mind.

He was amused by the whole thing that he burst into peals of laughter.

This is going to be fun!

He can very well imagine when the entire force of his dark armies began attacking them in every direction, they should be screaming in fright while trying to flee the castle, some of them will perish the moment their skin touch the blazing barrier.

There will be fried elves scattered all over the area where they planned to escape.

Some of them might be able to escape, no big deal, but he will make sure that Ivy is not one of them.

"Ivy is mine!" Maxwell's mouth erupted into another grin. He lay his body down on the bed and smells Ivy's womanly scent.

"See you soon again my beloved Ivy! Do you think you can escape me? In your wildest dream!" he said loudly as his voice echoes inside the room where she used to occupy.

He closed his eyes. It hurts a bit that she betrayed his trust but he can never expect loyalty from her. She would always betray him in every opportunity that arises in front of her.

He can't wait to see how they are going to escape, it would be quite a spectacle to watch. He'd never seen the blazing barrier opened up before. It's one important event that he wouldn't want to miss, he wants to be there to see how the gap is created.

His dark armies of shadow failed to find the enemies lurking in the cave hidden by the trees, he found it himself. With just one command from him, the dark shadows will enter the cave in every direction and finish everyone in there, but that would be not fun to watch at all.

The fun thing is when they thought they all can escape successfully only to realized that the dark armies were swarming all over the place blocking their escape.

When that happens, he would have the last laugh.

He decided to hide the truth from his brothers because he can't trust them. They might have their agenda and attacked the people in the cave without his permissions and Ivy might get injured and died during the attack. He can't allow anyone to hurt Ivy, not even his brothers.

Therefore, his plan is always better than theirs.

In short, he always plans wisely and not recklessly. And when he succeeded, he loves savoring the fruit of his labor.

Right now, he will allow his enemies to relax and breathe easy. Once he strikes, they will know how cunning he is as their enemy.

But then, he might now show them his true colors at all to lengthen the mystery.

Well, it depends on what's going to happen on the big night.

~o0o~

Meanwhile, in the cave.

The sisters were chatting about Ivy's impending union with Zemeth.

Ella was happy for her sister, she's blooming nowadays. "Sister, you are getting prettier every single day! I've never seen you so happy like this," she commented.

Ivy smiled at her sister's remarks. "Do you think... Aunt Margie will approve my husband to be? What do you think, sister?" she solicited her sister's opinion.

Ella immediately lowered her eyes so that her sister can't see the pain flashing in there. The sudden mention of their aunt brought a jolt of pain in her heart. She can't tell her sister that Aunt Margie already passed away, it might destroy the happiness that her sister was currently enjoying right now.

After they escaped the castle successfully, the moment they stepped into their house in the village, she will inform her sister about how their aunt died. Right now she needs to keep her mouth shut to preserve her sister's happiness.

If they will see Kate again, they will have a happy reunion. Then Aunt Margie will be smiling up in heaven looking down upon them.

Ivy glanced at her sister. "Ella, why are you quiet all of a sudden?" she asked her.

Ella smiled and shook her head. "Nothing... I just missed Aunt Margie terribly! She must be worried sick thinking about us," she said.

Ivy's eyes clouded for a moment. "Yeah, I miss her too!" she murmured.

Ella sighed. "I just wish nothing will stop our escape from this castle tomorrow. I'm getting nervous as the hours are getting closer!" she stated.

Ivy rubbed her sister's back. "Let's pray to God that nothing bad will happen on the night we will escape. I hope we will have a smooth and speedy escape tomorrow," she said. But right now she was also feeling nervous and at the same time, excited.

A few moments later, Zemeth poked his head in the chamber.

Ella smiled and rose to her feet, she knows that he wants to talk to her sister. She will give the lovers some private moments. "Sister, I'll take my leave now and find Agran," she said and walked towards the entrance. She smiled at Zemeth and exited the chamber.

Zemeth went to Ivy's side and reached for her hand and intertwined it with his own. He sat beside her on the bed, looking adoringly into her eyes. "Tomorrow, we will finally leave this place! Are you excited?"

"Yes," Ivy responded and edges closer to Zemeth's side.

He wrapped his arms around her lovingly, looking into her eyes. "I can't wait to marry you! Then we will start a family together," he said, his eyes mirrored his happiness inside.

Ivy rested her head on his broad shoulder. "Are your parents kind? Would they approved of me as your wife?" she asked nervously.

Zemeth smiled and planted a kiss on her forehead. "Don't worry about them, they always told me that hey will accept any woman that I will fall in love with. Their only concern is that...as long the woman can make me happy then they will accept her no matter where she comes from. Besides, I'm old enough to decide for myself. Even if they don't agree I will still marry you because you are the love of my life," he said, his eyes twinkled with love.

"Awww...I love you!" Ivy smiled sweetly while looking into the eyes of her groom to be. She never felt this happy before. She had fallen madly in love with him in the shortest possible time that they were together as if they have known each other for a long time.

"I love you too!" Zemeth replied with a happy smile.

They locked each other in a tight embrace savoring their togetherness.

Their lips touched for a brief second, they dared not prolong the kiss for a long time fearing that somebody will enter the chamber accidentally and discovered them kissing.

But the light kiss they shared brought them extra happiness that warms their hearts and bodies. It was a cozy feeling being close to the one you love, it made the whole atmosphere rosy and bright. As if a thousand sunshine was illuminating the entire chamber.

"How many children do you want us to have after we get married?" Zemeth asked his beloved.

Ivy smiled and pinched his sides affectionately. "I just want three! All girls!" she replied jokingly.

"How about we add another two...two boys and make it a total of five children," he suggested playfully.

"Alright, let's have five children then..." Ivy agreed merrily.

"Thank you, wife," he said and planted a kiss on her forehead.

Zemeth and Ivy were locked in a tight embrace, floating in cloud 9.

The atmosphere inside the chamber was beautiful and sugary, even the ants hiding in the dark are awed while watching the affectionate couple submerged in sweetness and bliss.