Chapter 3: The Groom's Death

Next, the bride and groom went around to each table to toast, starting with their parents' table and then coming to ours, the table of honored guests. 

Mia had a radiant blush today, looking absolutely stunning, while the groom, Dan, was also glowing and overjoyed. Describing this couple as a match made in heaven was perfectly fitting.

Seeing Dan able to marry such a beautiful and enchanting woman like Mia, I couldn't help but feel some envy, jealousy, and resentment. But I could do nothing; he was rich, and I was poor, reduced to being an Awakener, unlikely to ever marry in this lifetime.

Thinking about these things, I couldn't help but feel a wave of melancholy. 

After toasting each of the more than forty tables, Dan was so drunk he was staggering and couldn't walk steadily. The friends and family had no choice but to escort Dan and Mia to their bridal chamber.

Watching them enter, I couldn't shake the regret. Last night, I actually had the chance to get ahead and enjoy being with a beauty like Mia, but my shortcomings got in the way, so who else could I blame?

However, I felt guilty, as if I had done something wrong because I failed to complete the virginity loss ceremony for Mia. 

If Dan saw blood on their wedding night, would something bad happen?

Early the following day, a long burst of firecrackers sounded from Dan's house, and then I heard people say that Dan had died. Those firecrackers were announcing his death.

I was stunned. My first thought was that my failure to perform the Awakening Ceremony for Mia had brought disaster upon Dan.

Most of the villagers went to Dan's house to attend the funeral, and because I wanted to find out what had happened, I went along, too. 

The Casson household was filled with wailing. Yesterday was a joyful occasion, but today, it had turned into mourning, leaving anyone who saw it feeling regretful.

Many were speculating about the cause of Dan's death. 

Mia recounted that Dan drank a lot last night, and after entering the bridal chamber, he collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep. What should have been a sweet wedding night ended with Mia sleeping alone.

When she got up this morning, she found Dan lying in bed. She tried to wake him, but he didn't respond no matter how she called him. Feeling something was wrong, she discovered Dan's body was already stiff, having been dead for some time!

"How could my cousin just die like that for no reason? You must have done something to him!" someone accused Mia loudly. 

That person was Bowen Casson, Dan's cousin. He was a burly, often shirtless man with a dragon tattoo on his back. He was known for working as a casino enforcer and debt collector. He had a reputation for being ruthless, which caused the villagers to keep their distance.

Tears streaming down her face, Mia cried, "I didn't do anything to Dan. Why would I harm the man I married?"

Bowen sneered, "Then why is my cousin dead? You owe us an explanation, or else..." His eyes glinted with malice, sending a chill down my spine.

Mia was also terrified, her face losing its color. Suddenly, she seemed to think of something and urgently shouted, "It's Caden! It's all his fault!"

My heart sank; Mia was going to 'betray' me after all! 

While no one was paying attention, I tried to slip away, but a hand grabbed my shoulder and forcefully pulled me in front of Mia.

"Trying to leave? Settle this matter first!" Bowen shouted, kicking me hard and demanding Mia explain herself.

Mia pointed at me. "He didn't perform the virginity loss ceremony for me, which was why Dan died!"

The crowd erupted in disbelief. 

Dan's parents, outraged, slapped me hard and demanded to know why I hadn't completed the ceremony.

I had no choice but to recount the events truthfully.

"So, you're just a useless fool!" Bowen remarked with a strange look at both Mia and me. "This guy took the money but didn't perform the ceremony, causing my cousin's death. He should be buried with him."

Panic surged as I tried to defend myself, explaining that I intended to succeed on a second attempt, but Mia had not given me another chance.

"Then, both of you can be buried with my son!" Vincent Casson, Dan's father, declared furiously.

With that, the Casson family locked Mia and me away.

Once the door was bolted, Mia unleashed her fury, kicking and punching me. "It's all your fault, you useless fool! Now I have to die with Dan because of you."

Knowing I was at fault, I crouched in a corner, shielding my head, enduring her blows.

Eventually, Mia stopped and sank to the ground, tears flowing as she cried, "I don't want to die. I'm still young and haven't lived enough or even experienced being a woman. I don't want to die!"

I glanced at her, wanting to offer comfort, but the words caught in my throat.

At that moment, the door creaked open, and a man stepped inside with a sinister grin, addressing Mia, "Well, if you wanted to experience being a woman before you die, I could help with that."

"I'm the best at taking a woman's virginity!"