«Brianne, before we start, there's something you need to know,» Isabelle says. «The Binding Ritual only works if the familiar really wants it. If not, the consequences could be terrifying. So, are you ready?»
Ren, Isabelle, and Brianne are in the living room of the large villa, on the outskirts of a small town at the foot of the Alps.
Ren and Isabelle managed to buy it at a bargain price, even though it was in excellent condition. It was because, according to the real estate agent, popular legend said the villa was haunted by a ghost.
Isabelle simply commented: I doubt this place is haunted. But even if it were, I'm sure the ghost would be more afraid of me than I would be of it.
The real estate agent burst out laughing, but Ren knew very well that Isabelle wasn't joking at all.
The shutters are closed tight. No sunlight enters the wide living room, leaving it in deep darkness.
Hundreds of crimson magical symbols cover the ceiling and walls, painting the air with a soft pastel red.
«I have no doubt, Isabelle!» Brianne says firmly. «Since I was born, my greatest dream has been to serve a kind and noble-hearted vampire. That's why I could never wish for another master besides Prince Ren!»
«I hope so, for your own good.»
After Isabelle's reply, the magical symbols start glowing more intensely.
«Brianne, strip.» Isabelle orders.
«Wait, what does this have to do with the ritual?!» Ren steps in.
«Rennie, I'm just applying the Binding Ritual the way your father taught me. Think of it as a test of loyalty. How can you expect absolute devotion from a familiar who's too embarrassed to get naked in front of their master?»
«This makes no sense...!» Ren protests.
But Brianne nods without hesitation. She quickly takes off her clothes—first the light white blouse, then the skirt—staying in the same black lace lingerie that Ren had admired earlier in the High School underground. And then...
Ren gulps nervously.
...Brianne takes that off too, standing completely naked. Her breasts, smaller than Isabelle's but still remarkable, are highlighted by the play of light and shadow under Ren's spellbound gaze.
Isabelle clears her throat.
«Now that the preparations are complete, all that's left is to exchange the oath. Do you, Brianne Leviantis, accept Prince Ren Volkom as your sole master, to serve him and indulge his every sexual perversion?»
«I'm pretty sure the oath doesn't end like that...» Ren interrupts.
«Please, Rennie, we're in the middle of the ritual. Save the comments for later. I already told you I'm just following the teachings of our late king,»
-I didn't know my father was such a pervert...-
«I do!» Brianne responds firmly.
«And do you, Prince Ren Volkom, accept the oath of Brianne Leviantis, take her under your protective wing, and satisfy her as a reward for her services?»
«Are you serious?!» Ren exclaims.
«Rennie...»
«I do...» Ren mutters.
«Excellent. Now, all that's left is to seal the bond with the Blood Kiss,» Isabelle announces, more excited than the two young people involved.
Ren brings his sharper teeth close to Brianne's neck.
«P-Please... be gentle. It's my first time too...» Brianne murmurs.
She starts moaning in pain and pleasure as Ren's canines gently sink into her flesh. Blood begins to trickle down her chest and back.
The excitement burning in Ren's body grows with every drop he drinks. After the three seconds needed to complete the Blood Kiss, he feels an urgent need to pull away.
Ren has never felt anything like this when drinking blood. It takes a huge effort to pull away from her neck.
After regaining some clarity, Ren notices something strange.
He looks around, confused. «The magical symbols should have vanished by now. Did something go wrong?»
«Absolutely not. The Binding Ritual has been successfully completed,» Isabelle replies promptly. «But while I was drawing the ritual symbols, I thought of something. When you take your rightful place on the throne of Mildelar, it'll be essential to have a faithful and devoted wife at your side. So, well...»
«Isabelle... what did you do?!» Ren exclaims.
«...I thought Brianne would be the perfect wife for you...»
«Don't tell me you really did it?!» Ren shouts.
«...so I decided to integrate the Binding Ritual with the Wedding Ritual,» Isabelle says. «She'll become both your familiar and your wife. We could call her a wifamiliar.»
Tears of happiness stream down Brianne's cheeks.
«Thank you, Lady Valakys. This is the greatest joy you could ever give me!»
«Now, all that's left is to exchange a passionate kiss, and you'll officially be husband and wife. It feels like just yesterday I was changing little Rennie's diapers. And now here I am, celebrating his Wedding Ritual. Come on, Brianne, don't be shy!»
Encouraged by Isabelle, Brianne presses her lips together and slowly moves them closer to Ren's.
His heart starts pounding wildly.
~Am I really about to get married? I should be happy, right? I'm the prince of vampires, and at my age, my father already had three wives. Brianne is the kind of woman any vampire would dream of waking up next to... so why do I feel this uneasiness right now?~
That thought makes Ren turn his lips away from Brianne's at the very last second.
«I can't...» Ren murmurs timidly.
«What's wrong, Rennie? You can't leave a woman at the altar!»
Isabelle is shocked by that refusal.
«But you're the one who did all this!!!»
Ren blushes deeply from embarrassment and quickly averts his gaze from Brianne.
«I know that, for noble vampires, flaunting as many consorts as possible is a source of pride,» Ren says, his voice trembling. «As the future king, I should surround myself with an army of women ready to satisfy my every whim...»
His eyes grow shiny, as if tears are about to fall. «...but I just can't do it! It's stronger than me! I promised myself that if I ever got married, it would be because I truly loved that person... not to prove to society how manly I am! Forgive me, Brianne...»
After hearing those words, so rare for a vampire of his rank, Brianne wraps her arms around young Volkom's neck.
She pulls him close, pressing the softness of her breasts against him, offering a soft comfort.
«You have nothing to be ashamed of, and nothing to ask forgiveness for,» Brianne says softly. «To be honest, it reassures me. If one day I become your wife, knowing I won't have to share you with anyone else makes me truly happy.»
The magical symbols decorating the room slowly fade away until they vanish completely.
«All's well that ends well. Anyway, since by law familiars must live under the same roof as their master, from now on this will also be your home. Now, though, I have to go to work,» Isabelle informs them.
«Work? Since when do you work?» Ren asks, surprised.
«The gold coins we gathered during our escape from Mildelar are all gone. So starting today, I'll work as a maid at the mansion of a rich and charming nobleman in town.»
«You used your vampiric seduction skills, didn't you?» Ren insinuates.
«Of course not! What do you take me for?! He was impressed by my... umm... what did he call it? Assumé?»
«Your ass-what?» Ren asks, confused.
«Yes, that too, but mainly my assumé.»
«You mean résumé?» Brianne cuts in.
«Yes, exactly, that one!» Isabelle confirms.
«Can I see it?» Ren asks.
«My ass or my résumé?» Isabelle replies, pointing her butt at Ren.
«The résumé!»
Isabelle pulls a paper from her purse and hands it to Ren.
Brianne, curious, moves closer to take a look too.
«Uh... Lady Valakys, I don't think writing 'Commander of the Scarlet Army of Mildelar' on your résumé was a good idea...» Brianne comments, barely holding back her laughter.
«And yet, that's exactly why he hired me,» Isabelle says proudly. «"Not only have you worked as a maid, but you were also in the army? My house couldn't be in better hands. Plus, you're a total bombshell!" Those were his exact words.»
~I have the feeling she made up that last part herself~
«I doubt that man even knows about the Scarlet Army...» Brianne replies with an embarrassed smile.
«Think what you want...» Before leaving, Isabelle gives the young couple one last warning. «Oh, almost forgot. The Wedding Ritual is only suspended, not canceled. So the moment your lips touch consensually, it will automatically complete. Keep that in mind when you do your naughty things.»