The morning sun broke through the clouds like liquid gold, turning the ocean waves into a shimmering carpet of light. It was going to be a perfect day for a wedding.
The celebration was set up on the second floor of La Réserve, a popular waterfront restaurant that everyone in town knew. The dining hall was huge, with floor-to-ceiling windows that showed off the stunning harbor view. For some quirky reason, each window had the name of a major city painted above it in fancy gold letters. A wooden balcony stretched across the entire front of the building.
Even though the party wasn’t supposed to start until noon, by eleven the balcony was already packed. The crew from Edmond’s ship, the Pharaon, had all shown up in their best clothes, along with other friends of the groom. Everyone was buzzing with excitement.
Rumors were flying that the ship’s owners might actually show up to the wedding feast. Most people didn’t believe it, rich company executives didn’t usually mingle with regular sailors. But then Danglars appeared with his buddy Caderousse, and he confirmed it was true. Find the newest release on noᴠelfire.net
"I just talked to Mr. Morrel himself," Danglars announced. "He’s definitely coming to eat with us today."
Sure enough, a few minutes later, Mr. Morrel walked in to thunderous applause from the ship’s crew. To them, this was huge, if the boss was honoring Edmond’s wedding , it meant Edmond was definitely getting promoted to ship captain soon. And since everyone loved working under Edmond, the sailors couldn’t contain their joy.
When Mr. Morrel arrived, Danglars and Caderousse rushed off to find the groom and tell him the big news.
They didn’t have to go far. Coming toward them was the wedding party itself, Edmond walking arm-in-arm with his stunning bride Mercédès, surrounded by her bridesmaids. Edmond’s elderly father shuffled along beside them, beaming with pride. Bringing up the rear was Fernand, who had that weird, fake smile plastered on his face that he always wore.
Neither Edmond nor Mercédès noticed how strange Fernand looked. They were too lost in their own happiness, seeing only sunshine and each other.
After quick congratulations and handshakes, Danglars and Caderousse fell into step with Fernand and Edmond’s father. The old man was definitely the star of the show, he’d dressed up in an expensive silk suit with polished steel buttons, fancy embroidered stockings that were clearly imported, and a three-cornered hat with long white and blue ribbons streaming from it.
He walked with a carved walking stick, his wrinkled face glowing with happiness. He looked like one of those distinguished old gentlemen you’d see in historical movies, the kind who stroll through palace gardens.
Caderousse walked beside him, practically drooling at the thought of all the free food waiting at the party. He’d decided to make peace with the Dantès family for today, though he still had a nagging feeling in the back of his mind about some drama from the night before, like trying to remember a bad dream.
As they got closer to the restaurant, Danglars shot Fernand a meaningful look. Fernand, meanwhile, was a mess. He walked behind the happy couple like a ghost, his face pale and drawn. Every now and then his cheeks would flush red and his features would twitch with some internal struggle. He kept glancing toward the city center like he was expecting something terrible to happen.
Edmond himself looked incredible. He wore the standard merchant marine uniform, somewhere between military dress and civilian clothes, and with his handsome face radiating joy, he looked like something out of a romance novel.
Mercédès was absolutely breathtaking. She had the exotic beauty of a Mediterranean goddess, jet-black eyes that sparkled like stars and coral-pink lips. She moved with the graceful confidence of a dancer. A more sophisticated city girl might have been shy or tried to hide her excitement, but Mercédès looked around at everyone with a radiant smile that seemed to say, "If you’re my friends, be happy with me, because I’m over the moon!"
When the wedding party reached La Réserve, Mr. Morrel came down to greet them personally, followed by all the sailors and soldiers who’d gathered there. He’d already promised them that Edmond would be promoted to captain to replace their recently deceased captain, Leclere.
Seeing his boss approach, Edmond respectfully took Mercédès’ arm and placed it in Mr. Morrel’s, letting the older man escort her up the wooden stairs to the dining room. The whole party followed, their footsteps making the old wooden structure creak and groan under the weight.
"Father," Mercédès said when they reached the main table, "please sit on my right. And on my left..." she smiled sweetly at Fernand, "I’ll place the man who’s been like a brother to me all these years."
Her words hit Fernand like a physical blow. His lips went white as paper, and even through his naturally dark complexion, you could see the blood drain from his face as if her kindness was torturing him.
Meanwhile, Edmond was busy seating his own honored guests on the other side of the table. Mr. Morrel sat to his right, Danglars to his left, and everyone else found seats wherever they felt comfortable.