The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride
Chapter 184: In need of a servant

Chapter 184: In need of a servant

"Your Highness, the young lady has returned," Zerah announced, opening the door with a resounding thud. Startled from his deep slumber, Izaak jerked awake, momentarily disoriented.

"What? What did you say?" he mumbled, rubbing his eyes as he tried to gather his bearings.

Zerah repeated the same words and Izaak was quick to step out of the carriage. "Stay here. When I signal, then bring the items to her house," he instructed Zerah and walked ahead.

Izaak finally reached the front of Melody’s small house and walked in. He saw one lamp glowing outside the hut, making the path visible. He halted before the door and knocked on it.

A minute later, Melody opened the door and was shocked to see the prince standing before her. "Your Highness!" she exclaimed in surprise. She was so captivated by his red-golden eyes that she forgot to ask why he was there.

"Will you not welcome me inside?" Izaak asked, bringing her out of the trance.

"In-inside?" Melody was confused. How could she let him in when the house wasn’t like the palace, where he lived? But the question was why Izaak even wanted to enter her house.

Izaak read her expressions. "Well, I thought to provide you with some items," he stated and glanced at Zerah, who was present on the other side of the house. He signaled him to come there with those items.

"Some items? But why, Your Highness?" Melody queried. Her long skirt had mud stains in many places, which made Izaak feel more upset.

’Where did she work today?’ Izaak thought. Even her eyes looked tired as if she didn’t sleep well last night.

"Your Highness, I’m here," Zerah said, showing the packed dresses to Izaak. He took it from her and handed it to Melody.

"It’s been given to every lady present that night in that place," Izaak lied, causing Zerah to look at him with a shocking gaze. He felt Melody might not accept them if he would tell her the truth. Behind Zerah, a coachman came with two big bamboo baskets covered well: one consisted of fruits while the other had dry fruits, and cookies present in it.

Melody accepted the silk packaging from the prince with a smile and thanked him for being so benevolent. She glanced at the coachman carrying the baskets and quickly went in to put the package first.

"Are those for me as well?" Melody asked, looking at the bamboo baskets.

"Yes." Izaak took them from the coachman. Melody was ready to take those from him when he said, "They are heavy."

"I can carry them, Your Highness. Please don’t trouble yourself," Melody stated and forwarded her hands to take those when Izaak walked in. He wanted to see the condition of her house from the inside.

Melody went after him while telling Izaak he should not do such tasks.

Izaak placed the baskets on the small table, which was worn out, and wandered his eyes around. Despite it being small from the outside, and looking shabby, from the inside Melody decorated it well. What bothered him was that there was no bed, but a thick wooden plank, which rested above some mud bricks and was her bed.

"Your Highness, thank you for these items. I am deeply grateful for your kindness," Melody’s voice broke through Izaak’s thoughts, drawing his attention back to her. She was smiling warmly.

"Hmm," Izaak responded thoughtfully. Stepping closer, he asked, "Where do you work?"

"I have secured employment as a server at a wine shop. They pay me four cents a day. Thanks to Your Highness’s generosity, I have been able to regain a sense of normalcy in my life," Melody explained, her smile widening with genuine appreciation.

"I am in need of a servant. If you can tell me about someone who can serve me in the palace, then I’ll appreciate it." Izaak felt that Melody was a more of hardworking woman. She might not accept his money even if he would offer her enough to live a comfortable life.

He felt if he had to know more about her, then he needed to keep her close. So, he came up with a lie. Servants in the palace were chosen after a careful examination. Melody had a weak appearance, so she might not be chosen as a servant in the end if she undergoes a proper selection process.

"Oh, I can do it, Your Highness. I am good at cleaning, cooking, and serving," Melody volunteered herself.

"Really?" Izaak feigned ignorance. "Then, I’ll tell Zerah to appoint you in my service. You can live in the palace once you join the work. The payment is decent and food will be free," he asserted.

"That’s wonderful!" Melody felt that she could pay off her family’s debt if she got work in the palace easily. The reason she was taken to the slave market that day was because she couldn’t pay them in a timely manner.

Suddenly, a heavy downpour began, the rain falling in torrents. It was the first significant rainfall of the day.

As the water began to drip onto Izaak’s head, he looked up to see the roof leaking. Reacting swiftly, Melody rushed to his side. Tiptoeing, she reached up and shielded his head with her hands, trying to protect him from the downpour.

"Forgive me, Your Highness. That wasn’t supposed to happen," Melody said and she pulled him away from that spot. Zerah shouted from outside, telling the prince they should return to the palace.

Melody saw Izaak’s side face was covered in the rainwater and she apologized to him. She didn’t know whether to touch him or not as she stopped her hand near his face.

"I-I am t-truly sorry," Melody stuttered in fear.

"Why are you sorry? It’s not like you could stop that rain," Izaak remarked and looked around once again. The water was leaking at many spots from the roof and for the first time, he felt bad for a human.

"His Highness shall go back to the palace before the rain gets heavier," Melody said with a worried tone.

"You shall follow me too," Izaak said, causing her eyes to widen.