Zemeth returned to the island feeling dejected.

Jegun saw the expression on his face when he approached the house. "Oh, Sit beside me, lad, and tell me why you are wearing a gloomy expression on your face?" he asked, expecting a sad story behind it.

​​

Zemeth obeyed and dropped his duffel bag in the wooden chair. "I finally found the healer who can restore Ivy's old memory...unfortunately..." he faltered midway.

"Unfortunately what-?" Jegun asked.

"The healer asked for my firstborn with Ivy in exchanged for his services," Zemeth said sadly.

"Whaaat-!?" Jegun's eyes widened in disbelief.

Zemeth sighed, feeling disheartened. "He collects babies as his disciple and raised the babies as his own. Which means...Ivy and I have to give up our firstborn if I want her memory to be restored..."

"So...what did you tell him? Did you agree to his demands?" Jegun questioned him.

"Of course not! I won't give him my firstborn!" Zemeth said indignantly.

Jegun felt relieved with his decision. "Good decision, lad! Is that healer making a cult out of those disciples?" he asked curiously.

Zemeth shook his head. "Not really...I found his reason reasonable... but then it's my child we are talking about here. I won't give him or anyone my firstborn even if I'm desperate!" he said.

"Lad, can you enlightened me what is his reasons for making such an outrageous demand in exchange for his services?" Jegun asked curiously.

Zemeth sighed. "He is already crippled and can't walk. He told me that he wants babies and raised them as his own so that there is someone who can serve him and carry on his legacy since he is not a family man and no relatives, to begin with. I think he just wants to be surrounded by lots of people around him to cheer him up and served him. That's his sole reason..." he elaborated.

"Ah, I see... anyways... it's good that you turned down his demands. If I'm in your shoes I will do the same," Jegun said and patted Zemeth's shoulder, comforting him. "Let's not talk about that healer anymore. Just wait patiently for Ivy's heart to change, maybe one day she can learn to love you again," he said.

Zemeth smiled bitterly. "Yeah, that's what I'm exactly going to do from now on," he replied. "By the way, Grandpa...where is Agran?" he asked. "How's the boy?"

Jegun sighed. "Well...what can you expect? He was feeling heartbroken after hearing Ella's hurtful words. But don't worry about him...as long I'm by his side...I can help him overcome his pain," he said.

"I'm going upstairs, Grandpa," Zemeth said.

"Okay, go ahead..." Jegun responded.

Zemeth entered the house and climbed the stairs.

Jegun watched his back, shaking his head.

That night.

Zemeth went to the beachside together with Ramza who just arrived at the island. They strolled in the seashore. The full moon above illuminated their path.

Ramza scratches his head after learning about the healer's impossible demand. He looked at his friend's problematic face. "Bro, my advice for you, do it the old fashion way. You and Ivy didn't have a long engagement before agreeing to marry each other. You rush into marriage's plans after falling in love in just a few days in the cave. This time... just built happy, meaningful, and beautiful long-lasting memories with her. Do it slowly but surely," he said.

Zemeth smiled a little and sighed afterward. "I guess...I will start from the very beginning with Ivy. No other choice," he said in complete resignation.

Ramza patted his shoulder. "Yeah, that's the way it is..." he agreed.

One hour later, they got enough of the ocean and returned to the house to retire for the night.

In Zemeth's room. He was not able to sleep right away, thinking of the healer's outrageous demand. Damn! He was so close to restoring Ivy's old memory! But the price to pay is very high! Maybe... some things were never meant to be.

~~~

The next day, after lunch.

Zemeth and Ramza informed Jegun and Agran that they will go to the mountain to visit the girls.

"I'll go with you, guys! I want to talk to Ella!" Agran said excitedly.

"No lad! You can't go there yet. Ella's anger right now has not diminished yet. Wait after one month, she will be calm by then. I'm sure that she misses you already during that time," Jegun said, preventing his ward from going to the mountain.

"B-but Grandpa...I want to apologize to Ella!" Agran insisted.

Jegun sighed and looked at Ramza and Zemeth for help.

Ramza wrapped his arms around Agran. "Boy, don't worry even if you're not there in the mountain I will tell Ella that you miss her. I'll put up a good word for you, okay? Just obey Grandpa's advice, for now. He only wants what's best for you and Ella," he explained.

"Okay," Agran said with a sigh.

Zemeth looked at Zemeth. "Let's go!" he said.

Zemeth activated his magic portal and the neon opening appeared in front of them, they entered the portal and vanished from the island.

~~~

The portal appeared in the mountain. The men exited the portal and went to the house. They saw Ella sitting near the door, looking sad and lonely.

"Ella, where is Ivy?" asked Zemeth.

"She's in the flower garden," Ella replied.

"Thanks, I'll go and see her," Zemeth said and left.

Ramza was shaking his head looking at Ella. "Agran wants to come here to personally apologize to you but Grandpa prevented him, thinking you're still angry at him. He will visit you after you are no longer mad at him," he delivered the message.

Ella released a deep sigh. "Are you looking for sister Kate? She's in the kitchen, making rice cakes," she told him.

"Okay, thanks, I'll go to the kitchen," Ramza said and left Ella outside the door of the house.

~~~

At the flower garden.

Zemeth found Ivy staring blankly at the sea of flowers in front of her.

"Hello, Ivy... you don't mind if I watch the beautiful flowers with you?" Zemeth said.

Ivy raised her head and smiled a bit. "I don't mind," she replied.

Zemeth lowered himself on the wooden bench, making sure there's a safe distance between them. He wants Ivy to trust her and fall for him slowly but surely. He looked at her. "How's life here in the mountain?" he asked trying to stir a conversation with her.

"Good so far. I love this mountain. It has a beautiful flower and fruit garden which are both amazing! The atmosphere here is tranquil, good for the soul," Ivy replied in good spirit.

Zemeth smiled. "If you like, you can also visit the island and swim in the ocean one of these days," he offered.

Ivy's eyes sparkled. "Really-? Can we go back there? I love to see the ocean again. The island is beautiful! It has endless white sand that I adored so much!" she raves.

"Alright, I'll ask Kate's permission so that you can visit the island tomorrow," Zemeth said. He got a wide smile on his face. Nice, if Ivy will keep acting this way - friendly towards him, the future is looking good for the two of them. After his devastating disappointment last night, his heart was filled with renewed hope.

~~~

In the kitchen.

Ramza found Kate grinding the rice with the stone grinder on the table. "My love, what are you doing?" he asked and went to her side looking at the grinder.

"I'm grinding the rice to make a rice cake," Kate replied.

"That's nice! Let me help you so that we can finish grinding the rice faster," he offered.

"Alright," Kate responded and vacated the grinder.

Ramza starts grinding the rice.

"So...how's Agran?" Kate asked.

"He's fine. He wants to come here to apologize to your sister but Grandpa prevented him from doing so, thinking that Ella is still mad at him," he answered. "So...how's Ella?"

Kate sighed. "She's angry and feeling sad as well that she and Agran were not on good terms right now. And I know that she misses his presence too. Tell Agran, that my sister will eventually learn to forgive him sooner or later," she said.

Ramza smiled and planted a quick kiss on Kate's cheek. "I will!" he said.

Three hours later.

The rice cake was served hot at the center table in the living room.

Zemeth and Ivy arrived from the flower garden and took a seat beside Ramza and Kate, while Ella sat beside Kate.

They began eating their afternoon snack.

"Delicious rice cakes!" Zemeth commented in delight.

"Thank you!" Kate and Ramza smiled.

A few minutes later.

Zemeth asked for Kate's permission. "Girls, I would like to invite you to visit the island tomorrow. Ivy loves to visit the island and see the ocean. I will be happy if you can visit the island again," he said.

Kate looked at Ramza first, at Ivy then last...at Ella.

Ella sighed. "You can visit the island if you wish. I will just stay here," she told Kate and Ivy.

Ramza smiled. "Ella, I know why you don't want to go to the island tomorrow. The reason is because of Agran, right?"

Ella didn't reply.

"Don't worry, I will order Agran to go hunting in the forest all day long and return only during the night. This way you won't be able to see him in the vicinity of the beach," Ramza offered.

"No need to do that. I decided to remain here," Ella stays firmed with her decision.

"Okay, we understand," Ramza said with a gloomy sigh.

After eating their afternoon snack, Ella washed the dishes in the kitchen while Ivy and Zemeth went to the fruit garden. Kate and Ramza went to the flower garden to admire the blooming flowers.

Hours went by.

The evening is fast approaching.

By the time Zemeth and Ramza decided to go back to the island, Ella hasn't changed her mind at all.