She looked away briefly at Maxime, seated at the back of the room, who was as motionless as a statue.
After a moment's silence, she finally answered in a clear voice:
"Yes, I do."
The priest nodded and turned to Dorian, a benevolent smile on his face.
"Dorian Valderic, do you agree to take Aveline Ardan as your wife, to love, cherish and be faithful to her until death do you part?"
Dorian remained silent, and time seemed to stand still.
The guests looked at each other, murmuring in low voices, clearly uncomfortable.
"Why doesn't he answer?"
"Does anyone know what's going on?"
"I have a feeling something big is going to happen."
Duke Valderic, seated in the front row, frowned, his expression shifting from incomprehension to annoyance.
Aveline turned her head towards Dorian, her heart suddenly beating faster.
After a moment, he exclaimed in a calm but firm voice:
"No, I don't want to."
