Chapter 299 Chapter 18: Let's Get Married
"Distinguished guests, welcome to this banquet we have meticulously prepared."
Liang Di's voice was clear and powerful. It was a male voice.
"Tonight, we gather here not only to celebrate the prosperity and flourishing of the Soteland Empire, but also to deepen our friendship and ties."
Behind them stood the current king—formerly the Third Prince, Nicholas.
"The Third Prince is here too?"
"Is that what you're focusing on? Shouldn't you be concerned that Miss Liang Di's voice is a man's?"
"Why does Miss Liang Di's voice sound like a man's? And now she has short hair, she looks somewhat like... a man!"
"It really is…"
"You guys think… Miss Liang Di is actually a man?"
A murmur of surprise rippled through the room.
Donald also returned, standing not far from Nicholas. He hadn't brought Edwin along. Edwin had grown into a young man, much more mature under Donald's tutelage. However, Donald still hadn't brought him back.
Liang Di cleared her throat.
Liang Di's expression turned solemn and profound. She slowly surveyed her surroundings, and in a tone both resolute and tinged with sorrow:
"Distinguished guests, please allow me to break the silence of this evening and reveal a long-hidden truth. I, the 'Miss' standing before you, am not what you perceive me to be. I am a man."
"What?!"
"She really is a man! She is a man!"
"My goodness... Miss Liang Di is a man."
"Oh no! I even wrote love letters to Miss Liang Di before..."
"I did too, it was so embarrassing..."
"Now, perhaps we shouldn't call her Miss Liang Di anymore, we should call her... Duke Liang Di."
"Not a Duke, is it?"
"She's the head of the Langwendi family now. Do you think she's far from being a Duke?"
"Well, do you see His Majesty the King? He's standing right behind them. He definitely has a purpose in coming here. He's always been on good terms with the Langwendi family, and this time, he's probably here to grant Liang Di the title of duke."
Sure enough.
"Ahem."
Nicholas took two steps forward.
He announced loudly:
"Here, in the name of the highest ruler of the empire, I formally bestow upon this brave man—who once walked the world as a 'Miss'—the noble title of Duke. Though born different, he has displayed the most dazzling light of humanity with his fearless spirit. His courage, his sincerity."
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted in the hall, as guests paid their highest respects to the newly enthroned Duke.
"I knew it, the King's coming is definitely to support Duke Liang Di."
Faced with the guests' reaction, Liang Di calmly recounted her story. This story was half true, half false; it was a prepared script.
She was raised as a girl from a young age due to some special reason. Later, because of her yearning for and acceptance of female identity, she chose a path different from the crowd.
Whatever the reason, she was willing to bravely face her true identity and hoped to gain everyone's understanding and acceptance.
"I hope everyone can accept me. I've changed my habit of wearing dresses, and I'm also not used to having short hair."
Hearing Liang Di say this, the guests offered words of comfort.
"Duke Liang Di, if you like wearing it, then wear it."
"You are indeed very beautiful. If you like wearing it, then so be it."
"Yes, you are as beautiful as a spring flower, more beautiful than many young ladies."
They were all flattering her.
Now that Liang Di was a Duke, who wouldn't flatter her?
Liang Di knew that people were tolerant of men with feminine features, but never of homosexuality.
Liang Di spoke again, her voice clear and firm, yet carrying a subtle tenderness.
She took a deep breath, her gaze gently falling on Liang Lin beside her, her eyes reflecting the same emotional light as Liang Di's.
“Your Majesty and all the distinguished guests,”
She began, her voice filled with unprecedented sincerity and courage.
“On this glorious and joyous occasion, I have something important to reveal to you all. My ‘Sister’ and I are not actually related by blood. You all knew this when I first returned to the Langwendi family. For years, we have addressed each other as Sisters, but the seeds of love have long been planted in each other's hearts.”
These words plunged the banquet hall into a brief silence, followed by a sea of whispers and gasps. In this era, such a relationship undoubtedly posed a significant challenge to traditional ethics and family values. However, in Liang Di's eyes, there was no hesitation, only unwavering determination and persistence in her love.
"My God...isn't this incest?"
"No, they're not related by blood, how can it be?"
"But, Miss Liang Lin is still nominally Miss Langwendi, so it sounds like..."
"If there's no blood relation, even if they love each other, it shouldn't matter, right?"
"Your idea... I can't fully agree with it."
Liang Di continued loudly:
"We know that this love isn't easily accepted by the world, but we also know that true love transcends all boundaries. It doesn't ask about background, gender, it only concerns the mutual attraction and deep attachment of two hearts. After a long period of thought and struggle, we've decided to bravely face our feelings, no longer hiding, no longer running away."
At this point, Liang Di looked at Liang Lin affectionately.
How to put it?
Liang Lin actually felt her eyes sting, and she wanted to cry.
This is really too awful, crying in front of so many people... it is too embarrassing.
Tears welled in Liang Lin's eyes, but wouldn't fall—her last act of defiance.
Liang Di raised her hand and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of Liang Lin's eyes.
"Therefore, I announce that we plan to hold a grand wedding in the near future, inviting all those who wish to witness our love to attend. We hope that our story will inspire more people to bravely love and pursue their own happiness, no matter what difficulties and challenges they face."
Liang Di's words fell into an eerie silence throughout the banquet hall, until Nicholas and Old Master Donald clapped first, bringing the nobles back to their senses. The banquet hall erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers once more.
"Marriage?"
"My God..."
"This news... it feels like I'm dreaming."
Author's Notes
Yeay, Marriage!
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