Vincent.
I stood upon the grand altar for what felt like an eternity, having forced myself to discard the weird, unsettling sensation that had briefly threatened to shatter my composure. I clamped down hard on the lingering disquiet, burying it deep where it couldn't disrupt my moment of triumph.
Even so, doubt crept into the edges of my mind. I really couldn't tell if this prolonged delay was simply how the grand tradition was supposed to unfold, but Maria was taking far longer to make her entrance than expected. The agonizing wait was beginning to stretch my composure thin.
I was already on the verge of entirely losing my patience when the profound sound of the ceremonial drum suddenly rang out, struck twice in heavy, reverberating succession. The profound beats echoed off the high walls of the hall, signaling the long-awaited arrival of the bride.
The crowd gasped as she was carried into the vast hall seated upon a magnificent sedan chair, draped in lavish decorations.
