The Vampire Prince's Blindfolded Bride
Chapter 259: Only married couples do

Chapter 259: Only married couples do

Melody glanced down at her hand, wincing as a sharp, throbbing pain radiated through it. It felt as though every bone had shattered. She scanned the deserted corridor, her heart sinking with the realization that there was no one around to help her.

Determined to stand, she tried getting up again, but her sandal slipped once more. Her foot came down hard on the slick surface, sending another jolt of pain through her body.

She looked down and saw the culprit—oil spread across the floor. This time, her foot twisted painfully from the fall, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She felt she would have to crawl to reach a point where she could call for help. Just as she steeled herself for the painful effort, she was suddenly lifted into strong arms.

Startled, she looked up and saw Izaak. Relief and confusion washed over her, and she broke into tears without knowing why.

Izaak didn’t waste any time. He carried her swiftly into his chamber, his grip firm yet gentle around her.

"Zerah, call the physician!" Izaak commanded as he carefully settled Melody onto a soft mattress. Zerah nodded quickly and rushed out to fetch help.

Izaak gently wiped Melody’s tears with his thumb and softly asked her not to cry. She tightly pursed her lips together, trying to hold back her tears, and looked straight into his eyes. He found her cute, but now was not the time to mention it. His only concern was understanding the extent of her injuries.

"Your Highness, the physician is here!" Zerah announced, entering the room with the royal physician.

Izaak promptly stood up and turned to face the physician. "Please, check her. She has hurt her hand and her feet," he instructed, his voice filled with urgency.

The royal physician bowed to the prince before quickly examining Melody’s hand and right foot, which she had indicated were injured.

"Her hand is sprained, as is her right foot," he said. "She needs to rest both for at least a few days." He applied a gel-like substance over the affected areas to reduce the swelling and pain.

Seeing the need to immobilize her hand, he tied a bandage around her right forearm and fashioned a sling of the same bandage to support her arm from her neck. He then carefully wrapped her right foot in a bandage as well.

Leaving his place, the royal physician bowed to Izaak and informed him that the pain should subside within a few days, emphasizing the necessity of rest.

"She is in pain. Give her some pain relief medicine," Izaak urged, extending his hand.

The royal physician quickly rummaged through his sturdy cloth bag and took out a tiny wooden flask. He handed a box of pills to Izaak, instructing, "Two a day are enough, Your Highness."

"Hmm. Thank you," Izaak said, turning back to Melody as the physician left with Zerah.

Pouring a glass of water, Izaak sat before Melody and gently asked her to open her mouth. She complied, sticking out her tongue as he instructed. Izaak carefully placed the pill on her tongue and brought the glass of water to her lips, helping her drink. Once she swallowed the pill, he pulled back his arm and set the glass on the table beside her.

Facing her, Izaak caressed her hair and told her she should lay down.

"No, I can’t here," Melody said.

"Why?" Izaak questioned.

"Because–" Her words ceased in her mouth seeing the anger and concern in his eyes.

"You aren’t leaving tonight," he stated.

"How did His Highness wake up? I thought he went to sleep," Melody murmured.

"I was, but I heard your cry," Izaak said.

"How? I was far from here," Melody got perplexed thinking how he heard her cry when they were so far.

"I don’t know. My body just woke up and followed you," Izaak answered. When Melody didn’t lie down, he made her and covered her from the silk sheets. "If I found you moving, you’ll be punished," he stated and left the chamber in another second.

Melody stayed where she was, her heart fluttering nervously in her chest. After a few moments, Izaak returned to the room and quietly extinguished the candles that Zerah had arranged earlier.

Her mind raced with questions as she watched him in the dim glow. Why was he doing this?

As the candlelight faded, she discerned his red eyes, glinting in the shadows of the chamber. Curiously, she followed his gaze and realized he was lying down beside her.

In the next instant, he drew her gently into his arms, enveloping her in a tender embrace. She felt her breath catch in her throat, uncertain yet strangely comforted by his closeness in the quiet darkness of the room.

"Sleep," Izaak gently urged.

"It’s difficult to sleep like this," Melody confessed softly.

"Why? Do you dislike me holding you to sleep?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"No. I mean... It’s something only married couples do," Melody whispered, feeling a blush creep onto her cheeks.

"Then marry me," Izaak declared, surprising her with his directness.

Melody was momentarily speechless, staring into his intense red pupils. She lowered her eyes, feeling overwhelmed, until she felt a tender kiss on the middle of her forehead.

"Close your eyes. It’s time to sleep," Izaak gently directed, his voice both warm and reassuring.

"How am I supposed to sleep in such a position?" Melody voiced her uncertainty, feeling the weight of the intimacy between them.

"Why? What’s wrong with it? We aren’t doing anything inappropriate, are we?" Izaak’s question made her gulp, the blush deepening on her cheeks.

Melody realized she couldn’t leave the room tonight, so she closed her eyes, ready to embrace sleep. Despite the initial awkwardness and the swirling emotions, the comfort of his presence and the tender embrace gradually eased her into a sense of calm, allowing her to drift off into a peaceful slumber.

Izaak, too, fell asleep while holding her in his close embrace.