V3: Chapter 21: Will They Still be Happy Ever After?
"Now, please exchange vows and tokens, so that this love may be forever etched in your hearts. May your love, like this red carpet, endure forever; may your marriage, like the Langwendi family, last eternally."
As the melodious strains of the organ began, applause and blessings from the guests mingled, and Liang Di slowly walked towards Liang Lin.
At that moment, time seemed to freeze; all eyes were focused on the couple who were about to spend the rest of their lives together.
When Liang Di finally stood before Liang Lin, they smiled at each other, a smile that contained a thousand words. No words were needed; their hearts were perfectly understood.
Then, Liang Di gently took Liang Lin's hand, and the two slowly stepped under an archway woven from flowers and green leaves. Before everyone's eyes, they stopped and gazed at each other.
Liang Di's gaze was gentle yet firm. She slowly pulled Liang Lin closer, their faces drawing nearer until their noses lightly touched. At that moment, an indescribable sweetness and happiness filled the air.
"Do you want to hug me?"
Liang Lin asked softly.
Liang Di blushed and nodded.
Even though they were an old married couple, she still felt shy in this situation.
Finally, Liang Di gently embraced Liang Lin. Liang Lin nestled against Liang Di's chest, feeling that solid support and boundless love.
Well, even someone as strong as her felt a surge of emotion, almost wanting to cry. Tears welled in Liang Lin's eyes, but they were tears of happiness, tears of anticipation and emotion for a bright future.
"Liang Di, I should be the one holding you today. This feels so awkward."
Yes, in some ways, she was still strong-willed, especially when it came to words.
“Mmm.”
“I’ll let you hold me when we get back.”
Liang Di’s voice was soft and gentle.
The guests applauded enthusiastically.
Some applauded sincerely, while others were merely echoing.
“They really do look good together.”
“What a perfect match.”
“But, I still feel a little awkward. I’m used to them calling each other sisters.”
“Ah, me too. It feels like an older sister and younger sister got married. It’s such a strange feeling.”
“I feel that way too… Sigh, especially when I think about how I used to write love letters to Miss Liang Di, it makes me even more embarrassed.”
“Pfft…”
The priest stood before the altar decorated with flowers and sacred symbols, his voice deep and solemn. He raised his hands, signaling the guests to be quiet, and all eyes were once again focused on him.
"At this solemn and sacred moment," the priest began, "we witness the union of two young hearts, embracing not only in body but also in soul. May their love be as strong as this castle, weathering all storms; may their life be as warm as this spring, full of vitality and hope."
Liang Lin found the words somewhat amusing. The emotion she had painstakingly cultivated vanished without a trace, and she nestled in Liang Di's arms, laughing uncontrollably.
Liang Di, however, hadn't paid any attention to what the priest was saying. Feeling the trembling of the person in her arms, she assumed Liang Lin was crying from a mixture of emotion and happiness.
"Sister Liang Lin, don't cry. This is our happy moment. From now on, we will be even happier."
Liang Lin: "....."
She was feeling rather embarrassed.
The priest continued speaking.
"From this day forward, they will face life's challenges together, sharing each other's joys and sorrows. May they support each other and grow together in the days to come, so that the flower of their love may bloom forever in the long river of time!"
"Let us once again offer our sincerest blessings to this newlywed couple. May their marriage be happy and fulfilling, and may their love last forever!"
"Pfft!"
Liang Lin laughed again.
As the priest's words fell, the guests erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers once more, raising their glasses to celebrate this sacred and beautiful moment. The entire wedding venue was filled with an atmosphere of joy and blessing.
Except… inside the palace, in a dark and damp corner.
Here, the stone walls were eroded by time, covered with a thick layer of moss. Occasionally, a few drops of cold water could be seen seeping from the cracks in the stone, slowly sliding down, making a "drip, drip" sound that sounded particularly jarring in the silent environment.
A musty and rotten smell permeated the air, seemingly capable of eroding one's will and instilling despair. A faint light streamed in from a small window high above, but it only gave the dark world a slight outline, failing to dispel the heavy shadows. The light reflected an eerie glow on the damp ground, adding to the unsettling atmosphere.
The iron cell door was tightly shut, covered in rust, and looked unusually heavy.
Occasionally, a gust of cold wind blew in from deep within, carrying a biting chill that could penetrate to the bone. Here, time seemed to stand still; every second was filled with oppression and fear. This was a corner forgotten by the world.
The prince of yesteryear, once the most dazzling figure in this palace, his robes adorned with dazzling jewels, every step he took radiating the light of power and glory. His eyes were always filled with confidence and pride; he always felt that the whole world was under his control.
However, times have changed. Now he is trapped in this dark, damp dungeon, the stark contrast between his former glory and his current wretched state.
His robes had been stripped away, replaced by a tattered prison tunic, stained with dirt and mold. His face was haggard, his eyes devoid of their former light, replaced by deep despair and helplessness.
His hair was disheveled, his beard unkempt, making him appear old and weary.
In this dungeon, he huddled on the cold stone slab, with only a pile of moldy straw as a mat beside him. His hands were clenched into fists, as if trying to grasp at the power and dignity that had vanished. However, reality was cruel; he could only silently endure the mockery of fate in this dark corner.
His heart was filled with regret and resentment. He recalled his former glory, the subjects who had bowed before him, the crowds who had cheered for him. Now, however, he could only spend the rest of his life in this dungeon, his name to be forgotten by history.
“Liang Lin…”
“Liang Di…”
It’s all their fault.
It’s Gael.
He was still alive; Liang Lin had fulfilled Doris's last wish.
He murmured, his gaze somewhat vacant.
"If it weren't for them, if it weren't for them…!"
"I should still be sitting on that throne now. It's all their fault…"
"I will make they pay the price they deserve!"
Author's Note
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