Cask_of_Amontillado_Prequel

The cathedral was full of life. Its golden interiors, blasted with surreal Roman artwork and exquisite Bible mosaics, were filled with people as they sat in silence, watching the content couple say their vows. The only persons in this place that seized my interests were the bride and groom. Villeta and Fortunato. Villeta was a young woman at the age of 23, with silky mid-length, curly, brown hair that was pulled into a braided bun and covered by a thin veil. Her figure was like that of a goddess, curvy with creamy skin as soft as the finest velvet. Her azure eyes were as deep as the sea and her eyelashes were as long as fringed curtains. Villeta Prideaux was of very high class, and was known and sought out by several people of her social standing. She was dressed in a royal blue dress that cut off to a stop above her bosom, with a simple, but intricate pattern of lace. Pure crystals adorned the bottom of the gown and an elaborate design was displayed on the side. She wore wrist length white gloves and flaunted a diamond studded necklace with a chaste aquamarine stone in the middle. Her garb fit her to perfection, and she could not look any better than she did now. As I sat, I was enveloped in so many emotions, I almost felt sickened at the thought of them. I have had no such feelings as these all at once in my life before. It was akin to that of a despicable symphony, full of horrid music and a train wreck sound. I should be in high spirits for the bride and groom, but I could not bring myself to do so. Villeta…I’ve loved her for so long, yet she still had chosen Fortunato, and I could not feel myself in a merry mood at this time. My love marrying him, it churned a deep abhorrence in me, but it was anticipated. Although I am much more intelligent, he has always been more handsome, more rich, and much more…fulsome than me. Fit for an affluent, beautiful, and mature woman as her. “You may now kiss the bride,” the priest said to the profligate couple. Bitter. Stale. The only words to describe my seething heart as I watched them share an amorous kiss, my expression ever so still. I smiled a diminutive, almost nonexistent, smile as the spectators applauded. The mingling had begun, and I was almost expecting Fortunato to come my way with a drunken slur in his voice. A shadow swept in my line of apparition just as the notion crossed my mind and I stared straight at the hefty figure in front of me. “Fortunato,” I said, as a wide smile etched itself onto my face, “How was your day, my friend'” “It was all but horrid, my dear Montresor! I just wedded the most beautiful female in history-” He responded, a raucous hoot echoed through my ears as he suspended his arm over my stationed position, “and it was all by choice! I took notice of your distraught form, and it suits your state of dress to that of a perfect bride and groom!” My glower, fierce like wild fires, pierced through Fortunato’s form, “How dare he affront me in such a way! This imprudent, inebriated cretin cannot insult me like that after the way he treated me when we were young! He’s also intoxicated at his own wedding and knows I’ve cherished his bride for longer than him, so this man has no heed to offend me as such! I need reprisal; I’ve had enough of this obvious twaddle!” I pretended to not be affected by his slurred words and smiled, “Well, what would you expect of me' Your clothing suits you fairly well, but not nearly as much the fair maiden’s, of course.” We looked towards Villeta, who was speaking to an elderly couple dressed in red and green. I noticed Fortunato’s tender gaze towards Villeta as I gave a subtle glare his way. As soon as his pale face turned towards me, my profile was distorted to look like a considerate friend. “We must depart,” I said as I stared in Villeta’s direction, “I will tryst later, but for now, you must converse with your wife.” Fortunato nodded with a smile and ambled towards Villeta with thick strides and a high profile. “I question how long this will last,” I thought menacingly, a sinister, but restrained, grin making its way onto my visage, “It’s a dreadful feeling that it won’t last long enough to utter a simple ‘adieu’. Fortunato must be punished with impunity. The most terrible kind. The one that I could actually get away with. Goodbye, Fortunato…It is time to disburse for your revolting conduct…”