After the initial novelty wore off, the banquet gradually settled into pure, unrestrained joy.
Guests wandered through the courtyard in small groups, seeking out familiar friends, laughing and talking loudly as they shared recent news and amusing stories.
Glasses clinked pleasantly, and the aroma of food filled the air. The whole gathering was lively, yet warmed by an easy, casual intimacy.
Cui Ciyou had not bothered with the ostentatious wedding-banquet routines from his previous life.
There were no lengthy toasts, nor any exchange of rings or ceremonial kiss before the assembled guests.
Nor was there a beam of light shining down just like that, or someone crossing wind and rain through a vast sea of people... just to offer up their heart.
This world had no such established customs to begin with.
Although nobles traditionally danced the waltz at banquets, today's guests came from all walks of life, and not everyone was nobility. Forcing it on them would only have felt contrived and alienating.
So, at its heart, this wedding banquet was simply about eating and drinking, bringing all their loved ones together to witness their happiness.
Yet, as Cui Ciyou's gaze swept across the courtyard:
He saw Sylphy chatting happily with Princess Ariel;
He saw Alice arm-wrestling Sara, with Ghislaine and Rujierd standing nearby. Alice and Sara both had fiery personalities, but rather than clashing, they got along quite well;
And when he saw Roxy smiling as she handed out desserts to her students, an indescribable surge of emotion suddenly welled up from deep within his heart.
This alone wasn't enough.
He felt he ought to do something more.
Something... special.
Once the thought arose, he could no longer suppress it.
Cui Ciyou took a deep breath, picked up his wineglass, and walked up to the highest step in