"उत्तरां दिशं प्रतीचां दिशं प्रतीच्छस्व।
सप्तपदीं प्रतिपद्येमहि त्वया सह सप्त पदा भूत्वा सखे सप्तपदी भव।"

(Arise, O groom, and take her hand.
Face the sacred directions and step forward.
With these seven steps, may you both walk together.
With these seven steps, may you become her companion, her friend, her partner for life)

Vaaruni and Dhrit rise to their feet and begin their seven steps around the Agni, each symbolizing a vow, pulling them deeper into the sacred knot of marriage. The priests chant mantras in deep tones, sprinkling sanctified water that kiss their foreheads as a part of the final vows. 

Royal guests are seated under the golden canopy, showering them with petals to bless.

Rayan's hand trembles each time he plucks flowers from his palm and releases them over the couple. His eyes shine with unshed tears, but none dare fall but he is suspended between the urge to scream and the need to survive. How much pain can a man hold in before it starts eating at his bones? Enough to leave him hollow. Enough to make the world feel like a soundless void, where touch loses meaning and speech turns to ash.