Ch. 266..270: The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride Chapter 266-270

Chapter 266: Her racing heart

"Why doesn’t His Highness drink now?" Melody asked him.

Izaak lifted his head, his eyes connecting with hers. The two carried a lot of emotions in them for each other.

"It’s a painful process," Izaak finally said.

"Yes, I am aware. But the pain will not be permanent," Melody whispered. "I can endure it. I am good at it," she added. Her heart fluttered as the back of his fingers traced a path from temple of her forehead, down to her cheek.

She looked at the ceiling and found the silhouette of Izaak growing under the dim candle lights. Melody lowered her gaze only to find Izaak’s eyes had darkened with a hunger that turned them a deep, unsettling red.

"Tilt your head," Izaak instructed, his voice low and commanding.

Melody did as she was told, her heart thundering in her chest. The anticipation and fear mingled within her, creating a tense, electric feeling within her.

His fangs grew up, revealing to Melody, whose eyes widened not in fear, but surprise. She felt his cold fingers rubbing a particular spot on her neck.

His fangs elongated, gleaming in the dim light as they were revealed to Melody. Her eyes widened, not with fear, but with a mix of surprise and curiosity. She felt the chill of his fingers brushing gently against a particular spot on her neck, sending shivers down her spine.

Izaak moved swiftly, his face nuzzling into the crook of her neck, his nose brushing against her skin in an attempt to soothe her tense muscles and calm her racing heart. His touch was both cold and oddly comforting.

The moment he sensed Melody’s complete relaxation, Izaak buried his fangs into her skin. A sharp pain shot through her, but it was quickly overtaken by a strange, unexpected warmth.

Melody’s hands instinctively flew to his arms, clutching his robe tightly, and a soft hum escaped her lips.

The heat of the moment enveloped her, and she could hear the sound of Izaak drinking her blood, a rhythmic, almost hypnotic sensation.

Her heartbeats quickened, pounding in her chest. But there was something different about this. Yes, there was pain, but it was accompanied by an overwhelming feeling of affection.

Izaak slowly withdrew his fangs from her neck, the sharp tips retracting until they appeared normal once more. A thin streak of blood trickled down her skin, and he was swift to catch it, his tongue delicately licking away every drop.

"Your Highness," Melody purred softly as his tongue made contact with her skin. Her eyes fluttered, heavy with the aftermath of drinking blood.

"Hmm?" Izaak murmured, his breath warm against her neck. He gave her a final, tender kiss on the spot where his fangs had pierced her flesh, sealing the mark with a lingering touch. He licked his lips, savoring the taste of her blood, a satisfied gleam appeared in his eyes.

His gaze met hers, and for a moment, the raw emotions in his eyes were laid bare: a mixture of happiness, gratitude, and something deeper, more profound.

Melody noticed his lips stained with her blood, a sight that stirred a mix of emotions within her. Slowly regaining her composure, a sense of accomplishment filled her.

"Thank you for letting me taste your blood," Izaak murmured softly, his voice carrying a hint of reverence. "It’s time to rest now," he added.

Blinking, Melody found him beside her, his presence filled with a strange warmth. Her hands rested on her chest, trying to steady her racing heart, when his strong hands gently drew her closer. As she lifted her eyes to meet his, she saw a depth of sincerity and earnestness in his gaze.

"Don’t ever leave me, Melody. I promise to be good to you," Izaak said, his words were a solemn vow. With that, he closed his eyes, ready to let the sleep embrace him.

~~~~~

Venus stared at the clear night sky, her finger tracing the outline of constellations as she counted the stars above. Suddenly, an enigmatic figure materialized before her, blocking her view. Startled, she recoiled, only to realize it was Odin, who had appeared on her balcony seemingly out of nowhere.

Lowering her hand slowly, Venus regarded him with a mix of confusion and annoyance. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her frown deepening.

"I should be asking you that question," Odin replied calmly, his presence imposing yet strangely serene.

"This is my room’s balcony," Venus retorted sharply with an unwavering glare. The audacity of someone invading her personal space in her own home infuriated her. "Leave," she urged, her voice firm with command.

"Go inside," Odin commanded sternly.

"Don’t disturb me," Venus retorted defiantly.

Ignoring her protest, Odin swiftly pulled her up and guided her into the room, closing the balcony behind him with a decisive click. Turning to face her, he stood with an air of authority.

Venus bristled, ready to unleash her frustration, but before she could speak, he interrupted. "Go to bed and sleep. Don’t make me repeat myself."

"You can’t order me around," Venus snapped back, her tone challenging.

Odin’s eyebrow arched in irritation. He approached her slowly, deliberately, causing her to instinctively step backward. Venus quickly removed her slippers and dashed to her bed, pulling the duvet up to cover herself as she lay down.

The room fell silent, save for the soft rustle of fabric as Odin stood watching her. His expression softened imperceptibly, a hint of concern flickering in his eyes.

"Now, go. You can’t stare at me from that distance," Venus insisted firmly.

"Would you prefer me to be closer?" Odin responded calmly.

Venus felt her heart leap into her throat as he suddenly appeared on her bed, right beside her. She recoiled slightly, feeling a mix of apprehension and a strange flutter in her chest.

"Odin, go. If someone sees you here, it won’t be good," she pleaded softly, her voice tinged with concern. "I’ll sleep, I promise."

"Then sleep first, and I’ll leave," Odin replied gently.

Chapter 267: Magnus’s Return- 1

"How am I possibly do that? Don’t annoy me at night!" Venus frowned at him.

"Simply close your eyes," Odin opined.

"That’s not possible. Why are you even in my room? Leave before I scream," Venus said in a stern tone.

Odin’s jaw twitched to hear her. He wasn’t in her room for some amusement. There was a purpose behind it, which he hadn’t revealed yet to the Wilsons. He just glared at Venus, who was the clumsiest and irritating one in the house.

"I will scream. Did you not hear me?" Venus challenged him, her voice tinged with defiance.

"Do it. Your scream will disturb your parents and wake others in the middle of the night," Odin countered calmly. "I can disappear within seconds if they arrive here. Then, you’ll be labeled as insane, the woman who has lost her mind."

Venus clenched her fists, struggling to contain her anger. He was the only person who could easily get on her nerves, and she felt powerless to do anything about it. Turning her back to him, she noticed his silhouette cast on the wall by the flickering candlelight.

"Don’t you have a home?" Venus asked abruptly. "Where’s your family? I’ve never seen you mention them."

Odin remained silent, caught off guard by the unexpected questions. It had been a long time since anyone had shown interest in his personal life. He didn’t know how to respond.

Venus tilted her head slightly, studying him. "Are they no longer alive? Griffin told me he’s not a pure-blood vampire. Are you like him?" Curiosity sparked in her eyes, searching for answers.

"I asked you to sleep, not to delve into my life," Odin replied curtly, his expression stoic.

Rolling her eyes, Venus turned away from him. He was prickly and closed-off, making it difficult to approach him with any semblance of friendliness.

"I’m unable to sleep, that’s why I thought if we talk, maybe I can fall asleep," Venus admitted, her voice softer now. "Why aren’t you married till now? Are you not interested in women? If you’ve no family, then you could have tried to build one," she mused, looking at him with a thoughtful expression.

"Why do you think I have no family?" Odin countered, his tone was a bit guarded. "I have a family larger than yours," he revealed finally.

"Then, why do you never visit them?" asked Venus.

"You are asking too many questions. I don’t intend to tell you," Odin responded sternly.

"I understand," Venus said and pulled up the duvet up to cover her neck too. "You can’t come to the room of a woman who is a widow. Keep that in mind," she murmured.

"I wouldn’t have if you weren’t in the balcony," Odin said. He realized that Venus again had troubled sleeping. A few days back she was all well, would go to the bed early. After attending Serena’s wedding, Venus became like that.

She remained in that position for a while before the sleep started taking over her. Her eyes gradually closed and she finally drifted off to sleep. Odin once sensed it, left her room through the balcony, disappearing in the deep shadows of night within the Wilson residence.

~~~~~

In the early morning, just before sunrise, a carriage came to a halt in the expansive grounds of the palace. The carriage door opened, and Magnus stepped out, followed closely by George.

"Let’s meet later," Magnus said to George before walking away towards his chamber.

Entering his private quarters, Magnus felt a surge of warmth flood through him. Here, in this abode, was where his wife awaited him. The lingering fragrance of her presence spread in the air, drawing him closer to her.

Magnus removed his cloak and boots with care, then slipped under the duvet beside Alora, who lay peacefully in deep slumber. He gazed at her lovingly, grateful to be reunited with her after his journey.

His eyes admired her for a moment, unable to resist placing a soft kiss on her forehead before drawing her gently into his embrace. The comforting sensation of being close to Alora brought him an unparalleled sense of relaxation and peace of mind.

Alora stirred slightly as her sleep was interrupted, but she soon settled back into a peaceful slumber. Magnus, too, succumbed to the tranquility of his wife’s presence and fell into a deep sleep beside her.

As the morning sun began to illuminate the sky, Alora’s eyes fluttered open slowly. She sensed a warm presence nearby. Was it Magnus’s arms around her? Could she feel his breath against her skin? Perhaps it was a dream and with that thought she snuggled closed to him, a tiny smile graced her lips.

"I wish I could stay in this dream forever. What a lovely morning," Alora thought to herself, savoring the peaceful moment. Lost in the warmth of the bed and Magnus’s embrace, she drifted off to sleep once more without realizing it.

Suddenly, Alora jolted awake, startled by the fear of being late. Her eyes immediately found Magnus’s glowing face beside her, and her heart fluttered instantly at the sight of him. Her beloved husband had returned from the journey, which brought immense joy to her.

"Magnus!" Alora whispered his name softly, quickly pressing her fingers to her lips to stifle any further sound, not wanting to disturb his peaceful slumber.

She hesitated, contemplating quietly slipping away, when suddenly Magnus’s voice reached her ears. "Sleep with me," he murmured, and in the next instant, she found herself gently pulled down onto the mattress, enveloped in his warm embrace once more.

"Magnus, I didn’t mean to disturb you. When did you return?" Alora asked softly, her voice filled with both surprise and relief to find him beside her.

"Morning... Before the sunrise," Magnus replied softly, his eyes still closed. "I missed you—your scent, your body, everything about you," he murmured affectionately. Magnus’s lips brushed against her cheek, eliciting a giggle from Alora at the ticklish sensation.

Finally opening his eyes, Magnus gazed at her with adoration. "You have such beautiful eyes. I want to gaze into them all the time," he confessed tenderly. "I missed seeing them when I woke up and before I slept," he added wistfully.

"Now that you’re back, you can look at me all the time," Alora responded with a smile, her eyes reflecting the love and warmth she felt for him.

 

Chapter 268: Magnus’s Return- 2

"Magnus, we should really get out of bed. It’s already past breakfast, and don’t you need to greet your parents and meet your siblings?" Alora’s fingers remained entangled in his hair, caressing them gently.

"They aren’t going anywhere, Alora. I feel so relaxed in your arms. Don’t you enjoy it too?" Magnus murmured softly.

"I do," she whispered, hesitating. "I was just... Never mind. Take your time and rest."

They stayed that way for a while, savoring the comfort of each other’s presence, until Magnus finally lifted his head to gaze into her eyes.

"Let’s have a bath together," he suggested.

"Together?" Alora replied, a hint of surprise in her voice.

"Hmm. It’s been a while since we did that," Magnus answered with a slight smile.

"Alright. I’ll ask Selvina to prepare the bathhouse for us. In the meantime, you should freshen up in the washroom," Alora suggested, her voice gentle yet encouraging.

"I’m going, Love." Magnus finally sat up. His hands rested on the mattress, his body leisurely tilted to look at her. She, too, got up and moved her feet down to the floor.

"I’m going, love," Magnus finally said, sitting up with a languid grace, his hands resting on the mattress as he leaned towards her. Alora mirrored his actions, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed and planting her feet on the floor.

"Alora, I’ve brought something for you," Magnus continued, rising to retrieve his overcoat. He had draped it over a nearby chair along with his cloak. As he checked the inner pocket, Alora’s curiosity piqued, and she moved closer to him.

From the pocket, Magnus produced a small, ornate box. "The Southern Territory is renowned for its pearls," he explained, handing her the box after opening it. "So, I bought a hairpin for you made of these exquisite pearls."

Alora’s eyes widened with delight as she gazed at the hairpin nestled inside. The pearls glowed with an ethereal bluish light, unlike any she had seen before. "It’s as if the ocean itself resides in these pearls," she murmured, captivated by their unique luminescence.

"Indeed," Magnus agreed, pleased by her reaction. "These pearls are a rare specialty of the South. Wear it later."

"Thank you, Prince Magnus," Alora said, her smile radiant. "I love this present."

"I’m glad you liked it," Magnus said. "See me in the bathhouse," he added and left. Alora admired the hairpin for sometime and put the box on the dressing table before heading to the washroom.

~~~~

Alora entered the bathhouse wrapped in a thin, translucent robe, the fabric clinging delicately to her frame. Her long hair cascaded in loose waves down to her lower back, shimmering in the soft glow of the lanterns that lined the room. The air was thick with the soothing scent of lavender and an unfamiliar pleasant scent of some fragrances.

Magnus was already seated in the large, steaming bathtub, the water lapping gently at his skin. His fingers played idly with the surface, creating ripples that danced across the water. Hearing her approach, he tilted his head and looked at her, a slow smile spreading across his face.

"The water is warm," he said, his voice a deep, inviting murmur. "Come before it gets cold."

Alora shed her outer robe, the fabric whispering to the floor and pooling at her feet. She tentatively placed her right foot into the steaming bathtub, the warmth enveloping her skin, followed by her left. Magnus, already settled comfortably in the water, reached out and held her hand for support. Instead of letting her sit beside him, he gently pulled her onto his lap, holding her in an intimate embrace.

"Magnus, umm... let me go. We are here for a bath," Alora stammered, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson that she couldn’t hide from him. The heat from the bath combined with her embarrassment made her skin tingle.

Magnus chuckled softly, his breath warm against her ear. "We are only bathing, wife. Nothing more is happening unless you enchant me to start it," he teased, his wet fingers lifting her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Why have you covered your body? Shall I remove this robe?" Magnus’s fingers hooked around the knots of her robe. He played with the ties for a few seconds, feeling her rapid heartbeat through the delicate fabric.

He then leaned closer, his breath warm against her skin, and kissed her. The taste of her lips was something he had missed deeply. His fingers soon entangled in her hair, gently tugging at the half wet strands, while his other hand moved to her thigh, pulling her closer to him.

Alora gasped for air when he released her mouth, her chest rising and falling with quickened breaths. But Magnus wasn’t done; his lips found hers again with an insistent hunger. A low cry escaped her mouth when he nipped at her lower lip, seeking entry.

She parted her lips, allowing him in. The kiss deepened, their tongues dancing together in a fervent embrace. Magnus’s hand on her thigh moved slowly, caressing her skin and drawing her even closer.

Alora’s hands, which had been resting on his shoulders, now clung to him, her fingers digging into his muscles.

Magnus pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers, their breaths mingling. "You enchant me more than you know, Alora," he murmured, his voice husky with desire. His hand brushed her cheek tenderly, wiping away a stray droplet of water.

She met his gaze, her eyes reflecting the depth of her love. "Magnus..." she whispered, her voice trailing off as she leaned in for another kiss, unable to resist the pull of his lips. She felt his hand on her hand, on the moonstone bracelet that the Lunar God given to her.

Magnus stopped as he pulled back and brought her hand out of the water. He looked at the bracelet with a quizzical expression on his face. "What’s this?" he questioned her.

"The Lunar God gave me this," Alora answered and smiled at him.

Chapter 269: Magnus’s Return- 3

Hearing the truth about the Lunar God from Alora eased Magnus’s worries. However, when she praised the god’s looks, it sparked a pang of jealousy within him.

"Are you suggesting that this Lunar God is more handsome than me?" Magnus asked, pouring water over her shoulder and down her back.

"I can’t deny the truth," Alora murmured, setting aside the soap after lathering it on his chest.

"Alora, you can’t compliment another man’s looks in front of me," Magnus said, his tone filled with frustration and playful admonishment. "Do you understand?"

"Hmm. But if someone is beautiful, shouldn’t we be able to compliment them?" Alora asked, holding the mug of water.

"No. I don’t find anyone beautiful except for you," Magnus stated firmly.

Alora blushed at his words. She poured the water over his chest and then moved away from him. The pool was divided into two halves, so they shifted to the other side to sit in the warmth of the water for a while.

She rested her head on his shoulder, letting her body relax in the warm water.

"I met Qasima," Magnus revealed.

Alora immediately lifted her head to look at him, her eyes wide with surprise. "How? When?" she asked in urgency.

"Qasima came to see me," Magnus explained. "She wanted to scare me."

"What did she say?" Alora questioned with furrowed brows.

As Magnus narrated the incident to her, Alora grew increasingly worried. The thought of Qasima targeting the man closest to her heart because of her was deeply unsettling to her.

"Qasima chose the wrong person. I don’t get scared easily, and she can’t reach you. That’s a relief," Magnus asserted confidently, trying to ease her concerns.

"But she can approach my loved ones," Alora replied, her voice trembling with anxiety. "It’s not guaranteed that she’ll spare my family. I need to do something to protect them," she said, her mind racing with the possibilities and dangers ahead.

"Every dark magic a witch performs has its repercussions. What you get in an easier way, brings you to the downfall easily," Magnus stated. "We will formulate a plan later on how to reach Qasima and end her forever," he told her.

Alora turned quiet for a moment. Her heart was racing with fear, and Magnus could sense it.

"Alora, what is bound to happen can’t be stopped. So, worrying about it will not help. Instead, let’s focus on the goal. I know you are concerned about your family, but they are safe. Security is already planted there," Magnus stated, trying to calm her nerves.

"Hmm. Let’s find Qasima soon. If she can’t face me, then I’ve got to face her," Alora asserted with a determined tone.

~~~~

Alora got ready and asked Selvina to place the pearl hairpin in her hair. Selvina nodded, taking the hairpin from Alora and marveling at its beauty.

"This hairpin looks pretty," Selvina remarked, her eyes wide with admiration.

"It’s from the South," Alora explained. "His Highness mentioned that the pearls in the Southern Territory are different from the others."

Selvina carefully gathered a few strands of Alora’s hair and clipped them with the elegant hairpin before stepping back to admire her work.

Alora checked herself in the mirror, satisfied with her appearance, and thanked Selvina. Heading to the small dining room, she found Magnus speaking with Tobias while sipping a cup of blood.

"Good morning, Tobias," Alora greeted him. He returned the greeting to her and excused himself.

As Alora sat down, the two servants began to serve them the breakfast meals.

"You look so beautiful," Magnus complimented her.

"Thank you." Alora picked up the fork to eat and asked him to focus on the meals rather than her.

"I prefer to eat less and drink more," Magnus stated, "and why are you stopping me from admiring you?" He arched his eyebrow.

"I never did that," Alora murmured and brought the steak to her mouth. As she chewed it slowly, she gazed at Magnus, who hadn’t touched the food yet.

"I would like to take you somewhere," Magnus said, "after we close Qasima’s Chapter."

"Where?" Alora asked.

"That’s a surprise, Love," Magnus answered. He finally picked up the fork, setting the cup on the table. The two silently ate their meals. As they finished eating, Alora drank a glass of water while Magnus finished the remaining blood from the cup.

The servants were quick to enter and clean the table.

"Time to meet my parents," Magnus said, rising from his seat. Alora joined him, and together they made their way to the hall where the King and Queen spent their morning hours.

Esmond and Margaret’s faces lit up with joy upon seeing their son. After exchanging pleasantries, Magnus reported to his father how he had uncovered the truth and dismantled the hunter organization.

"You did a great job, son," Esmond said proudly. "I think it’s time to replace Horace. He could have informed me, but he chose to remain silent," the King asserted.

"Father, I want you to consider appointing a werewolf to the same rank as a vampire in that territory. I would like to recommend Alpha Claude, who helped me," Magnus suggested.

"A vampire and a werewolf never work together," Esmond opined, his tone skeptical.

"Then it’s time to change that, Father," Magnus affirmed. "We have always kept werewolves at a lower rank, but they can work well with us. As times change, we must adapt to new rules for the sake of everyone in the kingdom. I hope you will consider my advice," he insisted.

"I will see what I can do. I’ll meet with the Elders from both sides before making any decision," Esmond stated.

"That will be wonderful," Magnus said.

"Let’s keep aside the work and talk about you two," Margaret finally spoke. Alora and Magnus glanced at her in confusion.

"About us?" Alora mumbled.

"When will you two give us good news? You two have been married for three months. Your father and I want to see our grandchild," Margaret stated with a gentle smile gracing her lips.

"Mother, be patient. Alora is still preparing herself for embracing motherhood," Magnus said, leaving no room for any argument. He didn’t want to discuss being a parent so early. He had plans to keep Alora to herself for a while. Moreover, he wanted Alora to stay free of the burden of a child. She had yet to explore more about herself. Bringing a child would limit her ambitions and her responsibilities would be shifted totally toward the child.

Chapter 270: Izaak’s Lover

Melody gazed at her dress, unable to conceal the mark left from Izaak’s bite the night before. She traced the mark gently with her fingers and smiled to herself. She then tucked her hair into a neat bun and slipped into the high-necked servant’s dress that Freya had brought her. Though her foot still ached, she felt ready to return to work. Resting too long would only breed laziness, she thought.

As she exited the dressing room, she turned to Freya, who had been assisting her. "Thank you for your help, Freya."

Freya smiled warmly. "It looks like you’re getting back to work."

"Yes, I am," Melody replied with a determined nod.

Freya’s expression grew serious. "Did Prince Izaak grant you permission to resume your duties?"

Melody hesitated for a moment before answering, "Not yet."

Freya gently shook her head, her expression turning serious. "Then you should wait for His Highness’s orders. It’s best not to overstep without his approval."

Melody sighed, acknowledging the wisdom in Freya’s words. "You’re right. I’ll speak to him now. Thank you again for everything."

Determined, Melody made her way swiftly to Izaak’s quarters. She found the servants diligently cleaning the space and approached one of them. "Do you know where Prince Izaak is?" she asked.

The servant paused in his work and replied, "Prince Izaak has gone to see Prince Magnus."

"Oh," Melody said, disappointment flickering in her eyes. She nodded her thanks and retreated from the room.

Deciding not to waste any more time, she headed to see Alora, hoping to join her duty again. To her surprise, when she reached the drawing room, she found Alora seated with both princes. Unsure of how to proceed, she slowly halted behind Selvina.

Izaak tilted his head, his piercing gaze locking directly onto Melody. "Why did you come here?" he asked, his voice filled with concern for her.

"My wrist and foot are healed fully. So, I thought to resume the work, Your Highness," Melody said.

Selvina stepped aside, ensuring Izaak had a clear view of Melody. Alora, seated nearby, couldn’t help but smile at the interaction.

Melody’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment when she heard Magnus’s words. He had called her ’Izaak’s lover.’ Her eyes widened, and she blinked rapidly, wishing she could vanish into the ground to escape the awkwardness.

Izaak quickly stepped in, his voice firm. "Stay quiet, Magnus."

Magnus looked puzzled and a bit indignant. "Why? Do you plan on making her work here? Sometimes I can’t understand you, Izaak. Tobias told me about you and—"

Izaak cut him off sharply. "I said, stay quiet." He stood up from his seat and walked over to Melody, who was standing with her head bowed, avoiding eye contact.

"Let’s go," Izaak said gently, but firmly.

Melody hesitated, her reluctance apparent. Just then, Alora’s voice broke through her thoughts. "You are free of your duties," Alora said, her gaze warm and encouraging.

Melody looked up and met Alora’s sparkling eyes. Alora gave her a reassuring nod, gesturing for her to leave. Taking a deep breath, Melody gathered her composure and followed Izaak, grateful for the chance to escape with him.

"Why did you tease Brother Izaak?" Alora scolded Magnus.

"Because I rarely get such chances," Magnus stated. He gazed at Selvina and asked her if she could give them some privacy. She bowed to them and left.

~~~~

Melody glanced down at Izaak’s hand holding hers, her heart fluttering at the warmth of his touch. His tall, imposing figure had always stirred something deep within her, a mixture of awe and affection. As they reached his private chamber, Izaak gently released her hand and turned to face her, his expression serious yet kind.

"You were supposed to be resting," Izaak said, his voice soft but concerned.

"I’ve recovered, so I wanted to resume my work," Melody replied, her eyes searching his for understanding. "Princess Alora has freed me of my duties. Am I supposed to work here again?" she asked, uncertainty lacing her words.

"No," Izaak said, his gaze unwavering. "I’m planning to make you my wife."

"What? This soon?" Melody’s eyes widened in astonishment, her voice barely more than a whisper.

"Yes," Izaak confirmed. "Unless you need more time?"

Melody hesitated, her mind racing. "Umm... I would like to go home for a while," she finally said, needing space to process this unexpected turn of events.

"Why? I suppose there’s nothing you need now," Izaak stated, his brow furrowing in confusion.

Melody shook her head, her eyes reflecting a mix of longing and determination. "That’s my home, Your Highness. I would like to collect a few personal things and spend some time there," she explained, her voice earnest.

Izaak’s expression softened as he listened. "Then, let’s go together. I can’t let you go alone," he decided firmly. "The news has spread throughout the palace that I’ve taken you as my bride. Who knows what someone might do out of jealousy? I can’t risk your safety."

Melody understood his concern but couldn’t help her hesitation. "But, Your Highness, my house isn’t a comfortable one. I plan to spend the entire day there. What if you get annoyed?" she muttered, her worry evident in her tone.

Izaak looked at her with a gentle smile. "Your company matters more to me than any discomfort," he stated. He leaned down, his chin resting lightly on her shoulder, a gesture both intimate and comforting. "Why did you wear this servant’s dress? I especially filled your cupboard with some beautiful dresses."

Melody blushed, feeling the warmth of his breath against her ear. "I had no idea I wouldn’t be working today," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

She clutched the fabric of her dress tightly, feeling his lips brushing against her jawline. Her heartbeats raised slowly, the touch of his lips brought electrifying sensations throughout her body.

Izaak pulled away, his eyes showed the deep desires suddenly overflowed in his body. "Go and get ready. We will leave for your house shortly," he opined and took a step back.