Ch. 216..220: The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride Chapter 216-220
Chapter 216: To sugarcoat your words
"Why has Brother Izaak called upon me so abruptly?" Magnus inquired, his eyes narrowing at the sight of his brother’s perturbed countenance.
"Take a look at this," Izaak responded, extending a piece of paper towards him. "Quentin has done a pretty well job this time," he declared with a firm nod.
"The vampires who ambushed us that night indeed hail from Galdoria, just as you predicted," Magnus began, his voice heavy with concern. "But the mystery that remains is how they came into possession of such a document."
He paused, his gaze fixed on the text. "Rubin had an encounter with a vampire, but the identity of the vampire eludes me in his memories," Magnus confessed, a hint of frustration creeping into his tone.
"Then, that vampire can be the messanger to the vampire in Northern Kingdom," Izaak opined. "Alora needs to be protected now. We have several enemies, who are after her. Qasima, the unknown vampires from Galdoria and more about whom we are still unaware," he remarked.
"This document is not part of the book Rubin had in his possession. Its presence in the abandoned house suggests that the vampires were already in possession of it. It’s plausible that it was bestowed upon them by their master," Magnus began, piecing together the puzzle.
"And who might this master be?" Izaak asked, his hands clasped together in deep thought.
"I suspect it’s Damien. I now have a compelling conviction that he is still among the living, Brother Izaak," Magnus responded, his voice steady and resolute. He finally settled into the chair across from his brother.
"A woman will possess the magical eyes in the future. She will hold the power to tame, to destroy and to protect. Her abilities will surpass any vampire on this earth, without a doubt. She will have the capacity to alter the course of the tides and the direction of the winds. The one who manages to keep this woman by his side will become invincible, capable of achieving any aspiration," Magnus recited the text, his voice echoing in the room, his fingers clenched tightly around the parchment.
"What is that you’re reading? It eerily resembles a portrayal of Alora," Alaric’s voice sliced through the tense atmosphere, his curiosity piqued. He halted next to Magnus, his gaze falling on the ancient paper in his hand.
Izaak proceeded to fill in their second brother about their recent findings.
"Why does such text exist and we have no idea about it? Isn’t it strange? Or was it intentionally wiped out thousands of years ago?" Alaric queried as he sat on the other chair, next to Magnus.
Izaak voiced his thoughts, "Our great grandmother, who knew Qasima, must have been privy to this prophecy as well. Yet, she chose to keep it concealed, fearing it might stir up unnecessary curiosity and speculation that has been dormant for ages."
Alaric chimed in, "Such ancient texts have always been in our midst. It’s just that in Velaris, their existence was unbeknownst to all. We remained oblivious to the legend of such a woman. Had destiny not intertwined the paths of Magnus and Alora, we might have continued to remain in the dark about it."
Magnus carefully folded the paper, a thoughtful expression on his face. "It’s intriguing that the vampire, whom we suspect to be a spy from Galdoria, never came to this abandoned house," he mused aloud.
Izaak, pondering over the situation, offered his perspective. "Perhaps, after the incident, our guardians heightened their vigilance, deterring the spy from approaching this house," he conjectured.
Magnus nodded, his gaze hardened with determination. "Our next mission, then, is to catch this elusive vampire, the same one Rubin met before he was beheaded," he declared, "but only after Brother Alaric’s wedding festivities conclude."
"That will be after two days," Alaric said.
Izaak, a playful smirk on his face, questioned, "Why do I get the sense that you’re actually looking forward to this wedding, Alaric? I half-expected you to be airing grievances to us."
Alaric responded with a shrug, "I realized that acceptance was inevitable, so I chose to embrace it sooner rather than later. Complaining wouldn’t change anything. Besides, I made a commitment to our father, and I intend to honor it."
Izaak’s smile widened into a teasing grin as he changed the subject, "We heard about your coffee outing with Scarlet. How did you find her company? I’m sure you two had a lively conversation."
"Scarlet has come to terms with the fact that Magnus will never be hers. She’s a fine woman. It’s puzzling why Magnus doesn’t see her in the same light," Alaric mused, casting a sidelong glance at Magnus.
Magnus responded with a sigh, "What bothered me was her persistent belief that I would reciprocate her feelings. Even after my marriage to Alora, she harbored hopes of being with me. It’s a relief to hear she’s finally moved on."
Izaak couldn’t resist a playful jab, "Well, well, look at Mr. Heartbreaker over here!" He clicked his tongue in mock disapproval, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"So, you wanted me to bat an eye on Scarlet when I was married to Alora. How could you so bad in thoughts?" Magnus retorted.
"Mind your tone, Magnus. A true gentleman communicates with grace and respect," Izaak interjected, his voice steady and calm.
Magnus shrugged nonchalantly, "You may choose to sugarcoat your words, Izaak. I, on the other hand, prefer authenticity. I don’t believe in empty flattery," he paused, a soft smile playing on his lips, "except when it comes to Alora, of course." His voice softened at the mention of his wife, a stark contrast to his earlier tone.
"Alora holds a unique place in your heart, that’s evident to all of us," Izaak acknowledged, his tone reflecting his understanding.
Magnus nodded, "I must take my leave now. I trust you two will continue this conversation in my absence," he announced. With a final glance at Izaak, he turned on his heel and exited the private room.
Chapter 217: I won’t bite
Perched precariously on a stool, Melody was engrossed in her task of dusting the topmost shelf. Her hand, instinctively seeking support, rested on the lower shelf. Oblivious to the subtle shift in balance, she continued her chore, her attention undeterred by the slight forward tilt of the shelf.
Suddenly, a cascade of items tumbled down from the shelf, startling her. "Ahh! What’s happening?" she exclaimed, her voice echoing with surprise and a hint of fear. The shelf, now dangerously leaning forward, threatened to topple over her.
Caught in this unexpected predicament, Melody found herself on the verge of being buried under the looming shelf. Her back arched in a desperate attempt to counterbalance the weight, while her petite hands strained against the imposing structure, pushing it back with all her might.
An uncanny sense of someone’s presence behind her made Melody’s heart skip a beat. In the blink of an eye, the rebellious shelf miraculously regained its original position, as if guided by an invisible hand.
With a swift pivot, Melody turned around, eager to express her gratitude to her unknown savior. However, her foot, precariously perched on the edge of the stool, slipped off.
A soft whimper slipped past Melody’s lips as Izaak swiftly intervened, pulling her back just in time to prevent any potential foot injury. His timely action had saved her from the imminent danger of the falling shelf.
In the midst of the chaos, Melody’s hands found their way to the top of Izaak’s sturdy shoulders. A sense of relief washed over her, replacing the fear that had momentarily gripped her heart. And then, almost involuntarily, a smile blossomed on her face - a smile.
Her eyes locked with his, and the smile that had been playing on her lips slowly faded, replaced by a blush of embarrassment as she realized their close proximity. Melody quickly averted her gaze, her eyes falling on the scattered items strewn across the floor.
"Thank you, and please forgive me for this mess, Your Highness," Melody apologized, her gaze still fixed on the floor. "I’ll put them back," she added hastily, eager to rectify the situation.
With a determined nod, she hopped off the stool, ready to gather the fallen items. But before she could take a step forward, Izaak’s firm grip on her wrist stopped her in her tracks. His touch sent a jolt of surprise through her, leaving her momentarily stunned.
"Another servant will handle that," Izaak declared, his voice echoing in the large study room. Melody’s gaze followed his hand as he withdrew it, a silent question lingering in her eyes.
"Follow me," he commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument. With that, he turned on his heel and exited the room.
Melody, left in the wake of his departure, quietly fell into step behind him. A wave of worry washed over her. Had she unknowingly upset the prince? She lightly smacked her forehead, mentally chastising herself for her naivety. Cleaning, a task so simple, had somehow become messy.
’Will Prince Izaak punish me?’ Melody thought. She recalled the servants calling him quite dangerous if one would spoil his mood.
As they entered the bedchamber, Melody swiftly knelt and bowed down, begging for his mercy. She was terrified thinking she would be thrown out of the palace after being punished. Then, again, she had to meet the ends to survive for three times meals.
Izaak frowned and he rubbed the top of his eyebrow, pondering why Melody did that.
"Stand up, Melody," Izaak finally said, "and look into my eyes."
She was swift to follow his command and gazed at him. Izaak sat on the recliner in a relaxing position and said, "I am exhausted from the work today. I find myself in need of a drink, something to lift the spirits. Seek out Zerah and inquire about this," he instructed.
"As you wish, Your Highness," Melody responded promptly.
She walked out to fulfill his request, her mind still reeling from the unexpected leniency she had received for her earlier transgression in the study room. She couldn’t help but wonder why Izaak didn’t punish her.
"Sir, the prince desires some wine. Could you kindly guide me to its location?" Melody inquired, her voice cutting through Zerah’s ongoing work.
"Certainly," Zerah responded, his tone gentle despite the interruption. "You’ll find a maidservant outside. She can assist you in procuring it," he added, pointing towards the exit.
"Thank you," Melody responded, swiftly exiting the room. She collected the jar and cup from the maidservant and made her way to Izaak’s bedchamber. Upon entering, she noticed Izaak, his eyes closed in what seemed like a peaceful slumber.
She placed the tray down as quietly as possible, contemplating whether to disturb his rest or not. Just as she was lost in her thoughts, Izaak’s eyes snapped open, catching her off guard.
"Did you bring the wine?" he asked, his gaze fixed on her.
Caught by surprise, she quickly turned and knelt down. "Yes, Your Highness," she replied. She filled the cup with the rich, red wine and placed it back on the tray. As she approached Izaak with the tray, he straightened up, his hand reaching out to hold the base of the cup.
"Sit," Izaak commanded, his hand motioning towards the vacant recliner.
"Pardon me, Your Highness?" Melody’s voice wavered, her surprise evident in her voice.
"I said, sit," he reiterated, his tone was firm this time.
"But how can I...?" Melody’s voice trailed off, her hesitation palpable in her words.
"I assure you, I won’t bite. Please, sit," Izaak insisted, his voice softer this time.
With a nod, Melody gingerly lowered herself onto one end of the recliner, clutching the tray close to her. She watched in silence as Izaak consumed the wine with an ease that suggested thirst rather than leisure.
"I will fetch more," she declared, quickly rising to her feet and hurrying towards the table. This time, she returned with the jar, ready to refill the rapidly emptying cup.
Chapter 218: Assist me
Clutching the jar delicately, Melody observed the prince, his face alight with the joy of the wine. Her lips, parched and longing for moisture, moved subtly as she licked them, her fingers rhythmically drumming on the cool surface of the jar.
She pondered over the peculiar behavior of Izaak. His treatment towards her was a stark contrast to his usual indifference towards the other servants.
With a slight tilt of her head, she stole a glance at him, only to find him engrossed in his drink, oblivious to her scrutiny. His focus was solely on the wine.
Summoning her courage, Melody broke the silence that had settled between them. "Your Highness, may I pose a question?" she asked.
At her words, Izaak turned his attention towards her, the cup he had been nursing momentarily forgotten.
His eyes met hers, a spark of curiosity lighting up his gaze. "What sparks your curiosity, Melody?" he inquired.
"Why does His Highness treat me so well? I have noticed that he doesn’t give me much work. And I mostly remain free while the other servants do majority of the work. Even now, he asked me to sit beside him," Melody stated, her gaze was filled with questions.
Izaak mused at her words and said, "Do you like to work all the time? Enjoy the comfort I’m providing you. It’s not often that I show kindness towards humans," he stated, his tone was nonchalant.
Melody attempted to decipher his thoughts, her gaze probing into his eyes. "Could it be that the Prince requires something from me? Why else would a man of such high stature in the kingdom even spare a glance for someone as insignificant as me?" she voiced her thoughts fearlessly.
Izaak chuckled and he finally turned to have a good look at her. He moved slightly toward her, his hand went to her chin as he held it. Melody stopped blinking and her grip on the jar tightened.
"Think, Melody, what you can provide me," Izaak said, a playful smirk appeared across his lips.
"B-blood?" Melody stuttered and promptly lowered her eyes. "Forgive me Your Highness but I can’t be a blood slave. I-I am grateful for the prince’s benevolence on me till now but–" her words ceased in her mouth as Izaak placed his finger on it.
"If I intended to keep you as a blood slave, you wouldn’t be sitting here with me, nor would you be speaking so freely in my presence. Your pleas would have fallen on deaf ears," Izaak stated, his words carrying an undeniable authority. At the same time, Melody was assured that she didn’t have to offer her blood to the prince.
Melody’s lips formed a tight line, a clear indication of her discomfort. She had the distinct feeling that she had somehow upset Izaak. With a sense of embarrassment washing over her, she lowered her gaze, unable to meet his.
Breaking the silence, Izaak finally spoke, "I saw the future." His words were like a jolt, causing her to lift her gaze once again.
"The future?" Melody echoed, her voice laced with surprise. She had no idea that Prince Izaak possessed such a power. "My future?" she then questioned.
Izaak, however, chose to remain silent, as if he was reluctant to divulge any further details. "I intend to take a bath this evening. You will assist me," he declared, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Since you expressed a desire to work, consider this your task. You may leave now," he dismissed her with a wave of his hand.
Melody responded with a simple hum, her mind still processing the unusual task. She had never done anything of this sort before. She placed the jar she had been holding onto the table and exited the chamber.
"Assist the prince with his bath?" Melody mumbled to herself, her fingers nervously twining together. "Why did I even implore His Highness for additional duties? I’ve never see a naked man before. This is going to be challenging. And now, it’s too late to make any excuses." Her self-directed mutterings continued until she nearly collided with Lillian.
"Your Highness," Melody greeted, bowing deeply and swallowing hard.
"Shouldn’t you watch where you’re going, human?" Lillian retorted, her tone sharp.
"I beg your pardon," Melody apologized, her voice barely above a whisper.
"And where might Brother Izaak be? I wish to see him," Lillian declared, her gaze scanning the surroundings of the drawing room.
"I’m right here!" Izaak announced, appearing with a wine cup in his hand. Melody quickly stepped aside to make way for the prince, keeping her gaze respectfully lowered.
"These days your visits have become frequent, Lily," Izaak stated, "Everything alright?" He sat on the sofa with his one leg rested above the other. Lillian walked past Melody and sat across from her brother.
"I believe you, Brother Izaak, should consider marriage before I do," Lillian proposed, her tone serious.
Izaak let out a chuckle, "And why is that?"
"Simply because I have no desire to marry immediately after Brother Alaric," Lillian responded, her voice firm.
"But Father wishes for you to be the first to marry," Izaak reminded her, his tone gentle yet firm.
Lillian looked at him, her eyes pleading, "Can’t you do this much for me? For your little sister?"
"I can’t marry now," Izaak said with a bit serious tone.
"But why? You’ve already done four marriages before without thinking much," Lillian said, not knowing the fact that Izaak didn’t wish Melody to hear this.
His eyes moved to Melody to see her reaction and found she was stunned as expected.
"You shouldn’t have mentioned that, Lily." His gaze was piercing, reflecting his desire to reprimand her more severely. However, the fact that she was his younger sister held him back, forcing him to temper his reaction.
"Why? Please, Brother Izaak, I need sometime. So, help your little sister," Lillian requested.
"You should request our father, not me. And I’m not doing any marriage in rush this time," Izaak affirmed.
Chapter 219: Your satisfaction
"Your Highness, these documents need your signatures," said Zerah as he presented Izaak some papers with a fountain pen above them. He couldn’t help but notice the stormy expression on Izaak’s face, and he wondered if something had upset the prince.
Izaak signed the papers and returned them to Zerah.
"Your Highness, is everything alright?" Zerah asked in a humble tone.
"Hmm. Why do you ask?" Izaak’s gaze flickered towards him, sharp and probing.
"You seem somewhat perturbed, Your Highness. That’s why I dared to ask. I beg your pardon if I have overstepped," Zerah quickly bowed, his gesture one of sincere apology.
Just as Izaak was about to dismiss Zerah, a maidservant delicately intruded, announcing that the bathhouse was prepared for the prince’s use. The mention of the bath jolted Izaak’s memory - he had nearly forgotten about it amidst his conversation with Lillian.
His sister, Lillian, had thrown a wrench into his carefully laid plans. He had intended to gradually unveil his life to Melody, to let her understand him at her own pace. But Lillian’s untimely intervention had shattered his strategy to pieces.
Why, of all times, did she have to appear when Melody was present?
"Very well. You may depart," Izaak commanded.
Zerah, however, lingered for a moment, a frown creasing his forehead. He watched as the prince, usually so full of vitality, trudged towards the bathhouse, his shoulders slumped and his energy noticeably diminished.
"What could possibly have caused His Highness such distress?" he murmured to himself, his gaze lingering on the retreating figure of the prince.
Shaking off his concerns, Zerah turned his attention back to the documents in his hands. They were of utmost importance and needed to be dispatched to the council without delay. With a final glance at the now-empty chamber, he hurriedly left to fulfill his duty.
Shrugging off his regal attire, Izaak made his way towards the expansive pool of water. As he eased himself into the warm embrace of the water, he could feel the tension seeping out of his muscles.
His elbows found rest on the wooden ledge of the bath, his gaze drifting aimlessly across the ornate ceiling. The soft sound of the sliding door caught his attention, causing his eyes to darken. He knew it was Melody.
His fingers instinctively curled, his gaze dropping to the water that was a beautiful canvas of rose petals, their fragrance mingling with the aromatic essential oils, creating a tranquil ambiance.
"Your Highness, I shall assist you with your bath today," Melody announced, her gaze firmly fixed on the ground. Her voice held a tremor, a hint of fear that was uncharacteristic of her.
Izaak allowed her to proceed, choosing to remain silent. He was at a loss, unsure of how to mend the rift that had formed between them, uncertain of how to reveal his true nature to her.
The undeniable truth loomed over him like a dark cloud - he had been responsible for the deaths of his four previous wives. If Melody were to question him about this, he was unsure of what he would say. These thoughts only intensified the throbbing headache that was beginning to form.
Melody applied the soap to Izaak’s shoulder while keeping her eyes low. Her hand was trembling, in fact, her whole body was after what she heard earlier through Lillian’s mouth.
Izaak, the man she served, had a dark and bloody past. He was a widower four times over, each wife meeting a tragic and untimely end at his hands.
The realization hit her like a bolt from the blue, filling her with a dread she had never known before. Suddenly, the reluctance of certain maidservants to serve Izaak made sense.
His volatile temper was infamous, but this... this was something else entirely. It was a chilling insight into the man she was bound to serve, a man capable of such heinous acts.
"You’ll scrape my skin off if you keep lathering the same spot," he remarked, pulling her back to the present.
Startled, Melody quickly retracted her hand as if she had touched a hot stove. Hastily, she doused the area with water, washing away the excess soap. "My apologies," she murmured, "I’ll be more mindful."
Once her task was complete, Izaak dismissed her, instructing her to wait in the dressing chamber. With a respectful bow, Melody made a hasty exit from the bathhouse. The man she had once perceived as kind-hearted now filled her with fear.
The terrifying thought of becoming his next victim haunted her. What if her service was not up to his standards? Would she meet the same fate as his previous wives?
As she navigated the corridors towards the dressing chamber, she found herself wrestling with a difficult question.
"Should I inform the prince that I wish to terminate my service here?" she mumbled to herself, her heart heavy with uncertainty and fear.
She contemplated, trying to find a way to run away. Now, she understood why Izaak pampered her with the gifts. She was his target and he wanted to feed her before showing her the end.
’I can’t die this early. I have yet to...’ her thoughts paused as Izaak entered the chamber.
"Did you take out my clothes?" His voice reverberated in the chamber as he walked toward the dressing table in a robe.
Melody headed to the cupboard. She carefully selected a crisp, well-pressed outfit for Izaak. As she presented the clothes to him, she found herself voicing the thoughts that had been plaguing her.
"Your Highness, I’ve been contemplating resigning from my position," she confessed, surprised at her own audacity to address Izaak so directly.
His eyes, which had been blinking rhythmically, came to a sudden halt. He turned to look at her, his gaze piercing.
"Why?" Izaak asked. "Is the work not to your satisfaction?" he inquired further. "Or is it because of the conversation between me and Lillian?"
"N-no," Melody stuttered while answering him.
"Why don’t you look at me?" Izaak questioned in a cold voice.
Chapter 220: Brother Izaak bullied you
Melody cautiously raised her gaze to meet his, her heart pounding with an odd sensation. She had braced herself for anger, for fury, but instead, she found Izaak’s eyes clouded with a melancholy that seemed to swallow his joy.
Izaak yearned to pour out his heart to her, to unravel the knot of misunderstandings between them. Yet, the sight of her eyes, brimming with uncertainty, struck him with a harsh reality.
She wasn’t meant to be entangled in his world. His dreams, fueled by a mere vision, had soared too high. He had dared to reach for the stars, only to realize they were far beyond his grasp.
"Zerah will terminate your service," Izaak said.
Melody didn’t expect to hear this. Why did it feel Izaak suppressed the words he wanted to utter a moment ago?
"You are free to leave. You will be compensated for the days you have served here," Izaak continued, his voice steady but his eyes betraying a sadness that words could not capture. It was as if a part of him was being chipped away with each word he spoke, leaving behind a hollow echo of unspoken sorrow.
Melody lowered her eyes as she felt worried now. She should not have made such an irrational decision to leave his service. Izaak had been the kindest master she had ever served. She had been dismissed from numerous jobs in the past, but none of those dismissals had affected her. Life had taught her to move on swiftly.
However, Izaak’s dismissal was different. It struck a chord within her, leaving her genuinely upset. She yearned to rectify her mistake, to make amends, but words failed her. The opportunity to speak up had slipped through her fingers, leaving her with a heavy heart and regret.
Melody moved silently outside, her footsteps barely audible as she navigated her way to the drawing room.
A feminine voice broke the silence, causing her to lift her head abruptly. "Is Brother Izaak not here?" The voice belonged to a woman who was distinctly different, her eyes particularly striking. Melody found herself wondering about the woman’s identity.
"His Highness is in the dressing chamber," Melody responded, her voice steady despite the uncertainty swirling within her.
"Oh, when he returns, could you please hand this to him?" Alora requested, her fingers delicately lifting a bowl from the tray. Inside was a spoon, nestled amidst a milk porridge adorned with dry fruits and garnished with rose petals.
Without hesitation, Melody reached out to take the bowl. As her fingers brushed against Alora’s, a moment of mutual scrutiny ensued as they found each other’s hands warm. Their eyes locked, each woman silently assessing the other with a hint of skepticism.
"Are you a human?" Alora questioned, her eyes wide with astonishment.
"Yes," came the simple response from Melody.
"I am Alora, Prince Magnus’s wife. It brings me joy to encounter another human within these palace walls. My brother Izaak never mentioned employing a human," Alora confessed, a smile playing on her lips.
"I beg your pardon, Your Highness," Melody responded, "I failed to recognize you."
"There’s no need for apologies," Alora reassured her, her curiosity piqued. "May I know your name?"
"I am known as Melody, Your Highness," Melody replied.
"Wow! You have such a nice name, Melody!" Alora said and she held her hand and took her toward the sofa. Selvina, too, followed them silently. As they took the seats on the sofa, Alora took the bowl from Melody and put it on the table.
"Meet, Selvina. She is my personal attendant and one of my close friends. Oh, you and I can be friends too. I love making friends," Alora stated with a smile.
Melody was shocked by the warm nature that Alora possessed. In a world where she mostly encountered deceitful people, Alora was the purest soul she ever met. Unlike the other noblewomen, who never even spared a glance at her, Alora was different.
"Friends? But I am on the verge of leaving the palace," Melody found herself responding.
"Leaving? For what reason?" Alora’s brows knitted together in confusion.
"Why is Alora present here?" The sound of Izaak’s voice echoed in the room as he finally entered.
"Brother Izaak, I have brought you a bowl of milk porridge. That’s the reason for my presence," Alora responded, rising from her seat. Both Melody and Selvina had already vacated their seats.
"Why is Melody leaving? Did Brother Izaak release her from her duties?" Alora inquired, puzzled.
Izaak’s gaze rested on Melody, but he remained silent, leaving Alora in a state of bewilderment about the unfolding situation.
"Melody, why don’t you answer to Alora?" Izaak suggested.
"I-I..."
"Never mind, Melody. I understand now. Brother Izaak bullied you, didn’t he?" Alora shot a glare at the prince.
"I never bullied her," Izaak replied.
"Brother Izaak, falsehoods don’t suit you," Alora admonished, shaking her head before turning her attention back to Melody. "You are welcome to serve under me," she proposed.
Izaak couldn’t help but chuckle, finding it amusing that Alora had unknowingly become the link that kept him and Melody connected.
"And if Brother Izaak has ever reprimanded you, you can confide in me. I will stand up for you," Alora declared, placing a hand over her heart.
"Oh, no, Your Highness. The Prince has never been cruel to me," Melody hastened to dispel the misconceptions.
"Then, it’s settled. Brother Izaak, if you have no objections, Melody will be in my service," Alora declared.
"I have no objections. And Alora, I’ve never been harsh with her. You know me better than anyone. Have I ever been unkind to you?" Izaak questioned.
"Yes, Brother Izaak, you were a bit stern earlier. Now, please enjoy the porridge," Alora responded, her gaze shifting back to Melody. "Come along. I assure you I’ll treat you well," she promised.
Melody’s eyes met Izaak’s, who finally voiced his thoughts, "It would be more beneficial for you to serve Alora than me. Since my sister-in-law wants you with her, I cannot object to it either."
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