His bride, sensing his sudden hesitation, turned to look into his eyes. Her expression, once filled with joy, now mirrored his concern but held a steady resolve. “I know what you’re thinking,” she said softly, her voice barely more than a whisper. “I discovered it when I was a child. My father told me stories about it, about the curse it was supposed to carry. But I never believed in it.”

He was at a loss for words, his mind a whirl of confusion and fear. Could this mark truly bring doom upon their new life together? Or was it merely an old wives’ tale, a superstition that held no power over their love?

Gathering his thoughts, he took a deep breath. “I don’t care,” he declared, his voice firm and filled with conviction. “I love you, and nothing will change that. We’ll face whatever comes together, as husband and wife.”