Twelve days later.

The wedding preparation is in full swing for the wedding event that will take place in two days. Everyone in the farmhouse is busy and excited for the big day. ​​

The wedding venue was already cleared and prepared to give way to the 150 chairs and tables for the food. Since the wedding will take place in the afternoon, it gives the decorator and his team enough time to beautify the venue starting from early morning until noon.

The wedding gown and the groom's suit were already delivered a few days ago.

Everything is already set for the special day.

Rosa had already prepared the bouquet for her daughter to carry while she was walking on the aisle going to the altar.

Meanwhile, outside the house.

Graven and Simon were standing a few meters away from the clearing watching the servants pulling some grass from the ground.

"Looking good so far," Simon said.

"Yes... " Graven agreed.

Simon looked at Graven in the eyes, he wore a serious expression on his face. "Son, I have a confession to tell you regarding your wife..." he said.

Graven glanced at his soon-to-be father-in-law. "What is it, Father. Please tell me," he encouraged him.

Simon took a deep breath before spilling Laura's secret. "Her secret started a long time ago. My daughter is already a dead baby after she was born. My wife and I were devastated and were about to bury her dead body in our backyard... but our neighbor who is an old woman convince me and my wife to try to save the baby.

She knew of a couple who can resurrect the baby from death. I didn't believe it at first, I doubted that it can be done, but my wife begged me to try because we have been praying for a child our whole life.

To make the story short, I agreed.

I and the old woman, and my dead baby boarded a boat in the lake going to the couple's residence. When we arrived there, the couple's house is a crumbling castle, it was huge located in the middle of mountains. I never knew such place existed. We are greeted by the couple who turns out to be vampires, I only discover their identity after we go home.

I entered into the deal - that if my baby can be resurrected, I agree to marry my daughter to their son when she turns twenty years old. After my baby got resurrected, I fled our village and migrated to a faraway place because I don't want to honor the deal.

We live in Hallowpass ever since and during the year when Laura turns 20 years old, the vampires located us and forced me to honor the deal.

But I can't bear to marry my daughter to a vampire so I agreed with the arranged married between your father and me - to marry Laura to Cooper. I would rather marry my daughter to a human than a vampire.

It turns out that you are the one who is going to marry my daughter and not Cooper. Life is indeed unpredictable!" Simon concluded his narration, shakes his head and smiled a bit.

"Father, thank you for telling me about Laura's secret. My love for her never changes after your revelation," Graven assured him.

Simon looked at him. "I'm glad you accepted my daughter fully despite her secret," he said, feeling relieved.

Graven was silent for a moment. He was contemplating confessing his secret to Laura's father, that he is not what he is, he is a hybrid... an offspring of a demon and vampire... he wants to come out clean.

"Father, I also have a confession... I am not what you think I am..." Graven said.

Simon looked at Graven for a long time. Of course, he knew Graven's identity because Nicholas told him. His friend can also vouch for Graven's humanity despite his origin. The fact that the Mayor of South Pond Town entrusted the safety of the whole town in Graven's care that means he is capable of protecting Laura against the vampire who might snatch her away. At least Laura loves him, even if he is not human, as long Laura loves him then he's contented already because he has a limited choice as well. "Whatever your secret is... keep it to yourself. I'm not interested to know about it. The only thing that is important for me right now is that there is someone like you who can protect my daughter just in case my wife and I will pass away suddenly," he said.

Graven nods his head. "Thank you for your trust, Father. I'll take care and protect Laura from danger," he promised.

"Good! I'm going back now to the house to rest for a while..." Simon said.

"Father wait... I'm just curious, may I know the name of the village and the town where the vampire couple has resided?" he asked.

"The village name is Wimborne, under the Larnwick Town's jurisdiction," Simon responded. "Anything else?"

Graven shook his head. "Nothing else... you may go now, Father," he replied.

Simon left his son-in-law's side and marched towards the farm house.

Graven was glad that he already know the name of the town it's now easier to find that place. The Larnwick Town is a remote town and belongs to the Eastern part of the country, the travel would take many days. That might be the place where the birds brought Rebecca and also the King's domain.

His mind switched back to his current dilemma, he was rooted on the spot thinking what's going to happen after Luke wakes up and he will discover that he and Laura already tied the knot?

Will Luke still insist on taking Laura away from him?

He kind of cheated his brother while he was recuperating inside the cave.

He is not proud of what he did, he's feeling guilty even now, but his love for Laura is much stronger, he's totally consumed by it! He's getting greedy wanting to own her body and soul. He wants her for himself.

No matter what happened... he will try to make peace with his brother and begged to be forgiven for betraying him behind his back.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Laura approaching his location. She looks so beautiful like a goddess! Her long hair was blown by the wind while she was smiling radiantly at him. She went to his side.

"What are you doing here alone?" she asked.

"Watching the clearing where the tables and chairs will be placed during the wedding," he replied.

"It looks perfect now, the makeshift altar was already erected in place, the only thing missing is the tables, chairs, and the flower decoration," she said.

"Yeah... in two days this place will be transformed into a beautiful garden, and the whole place will shine brightly during the night due to the lanterns that will be placed hanging on the branches of the trees," Graven elaborated.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the wedding venue during the evening!" Laura enthused.

"It's gonna be wonderful!" Graven assured her.

Laura rested her head on his arm. "I can't believe it's finally going to happen in two days! I'm very excited and at the same time feeling nervous," she revealed her inner feelings to him.

Graven wrapped his arms around Laura. "Why are you feeling nervous? What is bothering your mind?" he asked her worriedly.

Laura shrugged. "I'm so happy and excited... but I'm feeling nervous at the same time. I'm afraid that Luke will suddenly come to our wedding unannounced and create havoc on our perfect day. I'm scared!" she poured her apprehension to him. In the eyes of her family and the servants, she looks like a happy and excited bride but they have no idea about the deep of her nervousness that she's trying to hide.

"Don't worry, Luke won't harm you," he spoke.

She raised a brow and looked at him. "How can you be so sure?"

"Because Luke loves you and my brother won't hurt the one he loves," he assured her.

"B-but how about you? Do you think he will spare you?" she asked apprehensively.

Graven sighed. "Well... he might attempt to hurt me out of anger... but I won't fight him... I will just avoid getting killed by him because I don't want you to become a widow at such a young age," he said jokingly and pinched her nose.

She pouted. "You're making fun of me!" She retaliated by pinching his side.

Graven grinned. "I don't want you to worry about my brother. Just leave your worries behind because we're going to be married in two days. We should be feeling excited and happy, not wallow in fear. I chose to stay positive than torture myself with negativity... I will just worry later if bad things already start happening. But since everything is still okay, why we have to worry-?" he said, his eyes sparkled.

Laura giggled. "You got a point, husband!" she said cheekily.

Graven loved the way she calls him husband. "You should follow my example, wife!" he said and hugged her.

"Aye, My Lord!" Laura responded merrily. "Come, let's go back to the veranda, mother prepared a fresh buko juice and salad!" she said and grabbed his hands.

"Alright, after you, wife!" Graven said.

"Catch me if you can!" Laura bolted away from him, going in the direction of the house.

He ran after her, catching her before she can even step into the veranda. They burst into peals of laughter. Graven lifted Laura easily in his arms and carried her effortlessly into the veranda.

A few meters away, Simon, Rosa, and Sofia were watching the couple's romantic public display of affection.

"They're so in love!" Rosa commented casually, teary-eyed.

"A match made in heaven!" Sofia roared, her eyes twinkled.

"A perfect couple!" Simon agreed.

They followed the couple into the veranda.

>>

Meanwhile...

A thousand miles away.

Outside the cave where Luke's coffin was located.

Something strange is happening around the area...

A perplexing phenomenon is going on...

All the leaves of the plants and trees that surrounded the cave within fifty meters radius have suddenly wilted. The plants and trees looked like they were dying... as if the very essence of their life was forcefully extracted from them. On top of that... dead bodies of animals, insects, and birds can be seen scattered everywhere.

Suddenly, A black crow materialized in the air, it is hovering in the sky for a few minutes, then it landed on one of the branches of the tree that are facing the mouth of the cave.

A few seconds later, the blackbird flew into the mouth of the cave and went to the chamber where the floating coffin was located. It landed on the coffin...

The bird looked at the empty coffin, the only thing left inside was the mirror.

The crow was about to fly away but it was suddenly devoured by a big cobra that was hiding in the corner.

Several feathers of the crow fell into the ground.

The big cobra retreated into its hiding place with a full stomach.

In the corner, a shadow of a man can be seen standing a few meters away from the chamber, he was able to witness the whole scenario...

He seemed detached.

He walked away from the chamber, heading towards the mouth of the cave.