The scene was more grandiose than any wedding most people had ever seen. Relatives from both the Campell family and the Fritz family sat in chairs that had been arranged long ago, all dressed in their finest attire, bringing their most sincere blessings from the bottom of their hearts.
“Agnes, will you marry me?” Tom asked earnestly, holding her hand.
The girl looked into his deep eyes, tears welling up. “I will,” she replied.
Then Tom knelt on one knee and, in front of everyone, placed a ring on his beloved princess’s finger. His face was full of affection and tenderness, with a constant smile. Despite the presence of hundreds of people, many of whom were his elders, his eyes were only for Agnes.
After putting on the engagement ring, he stood up and embraced his beloved girl. The crowd was deeply moved by this happy scene; many were reminded of their own youth and began to applaud.
Ingrid watched this scene with her nerves taut and her thoughts frozen. She couldn’t react for a long time. How could it be possible? Mr. Fritz had a flash marriage? Engaged to Agnes?
Ingrid was the only one with a shocked and disappointed expression, as if she had suffered a great blow. Among the relatives on the Campell family’s side who attended the engagement ceremony, the young unmarried girls were envious beyond words when they saw the grandeur of Fritz Manor, the well-kept large garden, and the vast sea of roses not far away. The sense of ceremony at the engagement site made them feel as if they had stepped into a fairy tale world. An ordinary person marrying into a wealthy family and being loved by her in-laws? Some felt jealous, but no one caused any trouble.
As the officiant’s blessings concluded, Tom and Agnes tightly embraced in the sea of purple flowers at the center stage while more enthusiastic applause erupted from below.
Among the guests sat two special figures-Mr. Johnsons and Ansel. They weren’t uninvited; Agnes had sent an invitation to Mr. Johnsons out of courtesy, considering him an elder.
On stage, after ending a kiss, Tom held Agnes by her shoulders as they bowed to the guests below, thanking everyone who came to witness their happiness today.
From his position on stage, Tom spotted Ansel in the crowd. Although he didn’t know his name, Ansel’s figure left a deep impression on him. That day outside the mall when he bid Agnes farewell and walked away reluctantly… that heart-wrenching loneliness lingered in Tom’s mind.
From Ansel’s gaze today, it was clear how much he liked and loved Agnes. Ansel felt like a lifeless puppet devoid of thoughts, following his father in applauding while staring at the beautiful couple on stage-the girl was truly stunning.
Ansel had always dreamed of seeing Agnes in a wedding dress, but now that dream was shattered. The man standing beside Agnes would be her lifelong companion and the father of her children. Ansel envied that role deeply; thinking about it caused a sharp pain in his heart.
During the toast and thank-you segment that followed, beautiful Agnes held Tom’s arm with a wine glass in hand as they toasted each elder one by one.
Finally, they reached Ansel and Mr. Johnsons.
“Hello, teacher,” Agnes greeted softly with a smile before turning her gaze to the boy beside her teacher. “Ansel.”
Her voice was pleasant to hear, her face adorned with a sweet smile.
“Congratulations,” Mr. Johnsons said kindly to the young couple as he raised his glass. “Wishing you everlasting happiness.”
“Thank you,” replied the newlyweds in unison.
When Ansel met her gaze, he felt immense sadness but forced out a smile nonetheless. “Congratulations to you both; may you grow old together.” After speaking, he didn’t even clink glasses but instead downed his drink in one gulp.