TW: Blood, Self-harm. Reader's discretion is advised.

After the wedding ceremony, they rode a sophisticated white, newly-wed couple horse-drawn open carriage and paraded outside the vicinity of the palace. The beautiful crescent moon is already shining brightly in the gloaming when they finished. Eleanor bid her farewell to her family before departing again. It has been a really long day.

Eleanor was so exhausted that she fell asleep unconsciously on Arius' shoulder. He gently hold the side of her head so she could avoid getting hurt by bumping on the edge of the carriage they were in.

Arius just gazed quietly to his wife who is now in deep slumber. He gently tucked the few pieces of hair that was falling out on her face behind her ear. She looks so fragile that a bit used of force would seem to crumble her.

He unconsciously inches towards her delicate face, his looks travels down in the direction of her soft, pinkish lips that are now slightly parted.

He wanted to capture it and brush it against his lips but he is controlling his urge to do so. He doesn't want to scare her away. He instead just gently plant a peck on her small pointed chin and then pulled away.

They are going to stay in the brood's territory for tonight and proceeds to the second wedding tomorrow. It's more like of a rite that is held when a vampire's marry. It was way more significant for the clan than today's wedding.

When they reached the manor, Eleanor was still sleeping soundly. So Arius gently picked her up and carried her in.

They were welcome by Mr. Andrev in the front door along with the rest of the servants so Arius gestured them to keep quiet to avoid waking her up.

Mr. Andrev nodded and just bowed respectfully towards his master.

"Tell the maids to prepare her a comfortable night dress to change into." Arius ordered as he walk away.

"Understood, Eldest Master."

A night just passed like that and another day has begun.

Arius just spend around his whole night sitting on his chair inside his chamber as he watched how the skies turned from the night glow to daybreak.

A knock from his door interrupted him, followed by Mr. Andrev's voice.

"The Mistress has woken up and was about to eat her breakfast. Will you join her, master?"

Hearing that, Arius spare a few seconds before answering.

"Is that so? Tell her I'll join her in a few minutes."

When Mr. Andrev left, Arius stood up and unravel the knots on his sleeping robe, showing his pale but greatly sculpted body.

After changing his clothes, he immediately came down to join his wife for their morning meal.

When he reached the dining area, Eleanor was already sitting there.

When she saw him coming, she smiled at him. He smiled back, unconsciously.

He sat down opposite to her so they could talk facing each other.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked, as the servants set their meals on the table.

"Yes. I guess I was too exhausted. I'm sorry, I heard that you had to carry me in." Eleanor looked at him apologetically.

"You don't need to be. You're so thin that I could carry you so easily. You should eat more."

"Eleanor," Arius called his wife.

Eleanor looked at him, waiting for what he was about to say.

"About the union later, it was very far different from the wedding we had yesterday."

Eleanor asked inquisitively, "How different?"

"Instead of sealing the ceremony with a kiss, we have to seal it by making a blood compact and instead of signing the marriage certificate, we need to put a drop of our blood in the contract paper."

Arius looked at Eleanor, waiting for her reaponse. He was worried that his wife might get scared but Eleanor just simply nodded and say, "I see. I could do it. I've always accidentally hurt myself back then when I'm practicing my swordmanship. A few drops of blood is no big deal."

"No, Eleanor. Don't forget that your dealing with vampires. We don't drink human blood but still. I don't want you getting hurt."

"But you're there. I know you will protect me at all cost. Aren't you?" Eleanor asked him again.

"Of course. I will protect you. Wherever you are, whatever circumstances you are in."

Arius took out a vial from his pocket and gave it to Eleanor.

"After the blood compact and signing of contract, drink this."

Eleanor checked out the vial. It contains a red liquid and a sweet essence was coming from it.

"What is this?" Eleanor asked, still holding the vial in her hand.

"It will help to quickly heal your wounds later, as if there's no wound to begin with." Arius explained.

"Where did you get this?" Eleanor asked again, as she suspiciously eyed him.

"From the mage tower." Eleanor did not further asked after that and just nodded.

The night has come. The brood gathered in the secret place inside the manor. It was only used for events like this.

Arius held his wife's hand as they enter the room. His father, the Grand Elder would be the one officiating their union this time.

"Tonight, we gathered here under the glittering night sky and guidance of the luminous moon, to bind these two, Arius and Eleanor, in eternal conviviality."

The Grand Elder continues.

"Bind this red string to your wrists. Make a blood compact and let few drops of your blood drip in the red goblet infront of you as you hold each other's hand and pour it on the contract to serve as the seal of the contract."

The couple did what they were told. Arius held the small knife and cut his palm, he only slit Eleanor's palm a little. Just barely an inch, worried that she might be in pain.

After that, Arius whispered in Eleanor's ears.

"Drink what I gave you earlier."

Eleanor nodded at him and drank the liquid from the vial secretly.

"Stand side by side as you are now. Firmly hold each other's hand as you walk in the moonlight and in the dusk of dawn. Like this red string, your hearts are connected. It may get entangled but it will never break. This blood compact as a symbol of your devotion and these ring bands as a sign of belongingness with each other. Take the rings infront of you."

The ceremony continued after that.

"Face each other and hold the ring with your right hand."

Arius look at Eleanor's eyes. It shines so brightly like moonlit skies. No matter how dark it was, there's always a sparkle of light. His hope, maybe she's going to be his salvation.

"Arius, repeat these vows. Even in the absence of light, I'll walk together with you. My heart is like a scorching sun that will always burn and be devoted to you. Like a firm tree, you can lean on me during the storms. My body would be your shield from blinding sunrays. I will never betray you, for you are my hope, my haven, and my salvation."

Arius repeated the vows while looking directly at Eleanor. He gently squeezes her hand that he was holding.

"Eleanor, repeat these vows. Even in the absence of light, I'll walk together with you. My heart is like a scorching sun that will always burn and be devoted to you. Like a firm tree, you can lean on me during the storms. My body would be your shield from blinding sunrays. I will never betray you, for you are my hope, my haven, and my salvation."

Eleanor followed what she was told and then they exchange rings. Adding it with the existing ring they got in their first wedding yesterday.

"Now that you have exchange your vows, always remember what you have promised today. Share and enjoy every blissful moments, lean and support each other when things get tough. Let your love be like water, it clear, overflowing and it makes you grow. I hoped that this red string will always brought you back together in all lifetimes, in eviternity. No matter how far you wander away from each other, I hope you always end up finding yourselves in each other's arm."

The Grand Elder stared gently at Arius and Eleanor and smiled before continuing to speak.

"The moon and all of those who are present today are witness, I proclaimed you husband and wife. This couple are now officially part of the brood, let's welcome them warmly! You may now kiss the bride to commemorate your wedding."

Arius held Eleanor's waist as he inches towards her face. Staring intently at each other's eyes. He draws closer until the tip of their nose and forehead touched. Breathing heavily, he calm himself and just kissed her on the forehead.

"Let's try to live happily together, wife." Arius whispered as he pulls away but still holding onto Eleanor's small waist.

The brood clapped and congratulated the newlyweds.

"Congratulations! Wohooo!!" Eilif shouted cheerfully, breaking the solemn atmosphere earlier. The brood laugh, even Eleanor too.

Arius looked at their hands that was intertwined eversince earlier. They are really married now. With that thought, he unconsciously smiled again.