Am I not a fool?

Melody harbored a suspicion that Izaak was deliberately preventing her from working to the full extent of her agreed-upon monthly payment. "Should I bring this up with the prince?" she pondered aloud, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Yet, in the very next moment, she dismissed the thought, letting it evaporate like morning mist. As Melody dusted the shelves and meticulously arranged the books, scrolls, and parchments back in their rightful places, she found herself puzzled by Izaak's unexpected benevolence towards her.

Once she had completed her tasks in the study, Melody made her way to the drawing room. There, she encountered Zerah, who was in the midst of delegating tasks to a handful of servants. 

"Melody, have you completed your tasks?" Zerah inquired. Upon receiving her affirmative nod, he promptly placed a black cloak into her hands. "Take this to the dressing chamber. His Highness requires it," he stated with an air of authority.