The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride
Chapter 175: Sense of restlessness

Chapter 175: Sense of restlessness

Izaak couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Melody. She sat ramrod straight, hands clasped tightly in her lap as if she had been scolded into perfect posture.

Just then, the rain began to pour down, and she lifted her eyes for a brief moment.

Izaak noticed how her nails were torn, the skin of her hands looked pale, her face was smeared with dirt, and the outfit she had put on had holes in various places. To cover them, she had stitched the cuttings of from an old cloth above those holes.

For the first time in life, Izaak felt how poverty could hit a person and how easy it was to take someone’s advantage because of it.

"How did you end up in the slave market?" Izaak asked out of curiosity.

Melody met his gaze and replied, "A man lied to me saying that he would provide me a good work there. Luckily, before someone could purchase me, His Highness took the necessary action." She heaved a sigh because being someone’s slave was what panicked her the most.

"Do you think the capital is safe for humans, especially females?" Izaak inquired her.

"Now, yes. The order of Prince Izaak truly helped us," Melody truthfully responded.

"Hmm." Izaak nodded as he felt happy about it.

"Your Highness, doesn’t I stink?" Melody suddenly asked him a question that he didn’t expect.

"What?" Izaak chuckled.

"I have been working since the morning. Earlier, I was mopping the floor, so I must be stinking badly. I apologize for it," Melody said, her voice tinged with shame as she looked down at her dirt-streaked clothes.

Izaak shook his head with a kind smile. "You work hard, and I respect that. There’s no need to feel embarrassed. Your dedication speaks volumes about your character, and that’s what truly matters," he asserted.

Melody was astonished to discover how kind-hearted Izaak was despite being a royal prince. "Your Highness, thank you for being so kind," she remarked with a smile.

"Kind?" Izaak laughed at her remark. He was everything but kind, at least in his own eyes.

"Wh-why did His Highness laugh?" Melody asked with a confused gaze.

"I’m everything but not kind, Melody," Izaak replied with a wry smile. "You are a poor judge of character," he added. He gently pushed the curtain aside and looked out. "Your house is quite far. You should thank my chauffeur, who knows even such places," he affirmed and again looked at her.

"Perhaps. However, the person before me now is kind," Melody replied, her voice tinged with sincerity as she met Izaak’s gaze.

She then glanced at the curtain, a silent request in her eyes. "May I push the curtain aside?" she asked softly.

"Of course!" Izaak replied, a gentle smile gracing his features.

Melody shifted toward the window, her heart quickening with anticipation. With a delicate touch, she pulled the curtain back, revealing the familiar sights of her neighborhood. As she peered outside, she realized with a start that they were close to her house.

As Melody withdrew her hand, she cast a cautious glance outside, silently urging the carriage to halt. With the route deteriorating into the mud, she anticipated the risk of the wheels getting stuck.

The coachman, his form enveloped in a weather-beaten raincoat, swung the door open and respectfully informed the prince of the unsuitable conditions for continuing the journey.

"I will walk from here," Melody declared firmly as she prepared to exit the carriage.

"Take the umbrella," Izaak offered kindly, nodding to the coachman to fetch one for her.

The coachman opened the umbrella for Melody and handed it to her with a respectful nod. Melody looked at Izaak with gratitude shining in her eyes.

"Brother, you too, thank you for dropping me here," Melody expressed her appreciation to the coachman, acknowledging his role in ensuring her safe arrival.

As Melody prepared to leave, a thought crossed her mind. "Your Highness, I will return this umbrella soon. Have a safe journey to the palace," she said with a respectful bow.

Izaak hummed in acknowledgment, his gaze momentarily drifting away from her. Meanwhile, the coachman closed the door from the outside and settled into the driver’s seat, ready to continue their journey to the palace.

But then, Izaak had a change of heart. He felt compelled to ensure Melody’s safety by escorting her to the door of her house. Stepping out of the carriage, he joined her under the same umbrella, much to her bewilderment.

"Wait for me here. I’ll return shortly," Izaak said, reassuring Melody before instructing her to walk ahead.

As they started walking towards her house, Melody couldn’t help but express her confusion. "Why did His Highness get off the carriage? I could have walked by myself," she remarked, her tone tinged with both surprise and a hint of discomfort.

At the same time, she subtly took a step away from him, instinctively desiring to maintain a distance between them, even if it meant exposing one side of herself to the rain.

Izaak noticed that and moved to her, bringing the umbrella to her. They finally reached her house, which was made of mud bricks. For the first time, he felt he saw a person struggling to live in such a state too. He could sense that the house must have rainwater coming inside from the roof, which was covered with some grass about which he had no idea.

"Thank you for walking me here," Melody said and she quickly ran toward her house. "The Prince shall leave for the palace," she murmured, covering her head with her hands.

Izaak hummed and disappeared from her sight. He felt a sudden sense of restlessness. Why did Melody always carry a smile on her lips despite her living conditions being worse? How could she look so satisfied even in such a small house?

His mind had gone haywire. Izaak, who was never bothered by anyone, especially humans, suddenly felt pity toward Melody. He felt he should do something for Melody as the voice came from his heart.