My Crippled Ex-Husband Is An Emperor

Dinner

“You mean all these happened to you and you still insist we leave them be?” Ragi was raging now.

A useless set of bandits had the temerity to attack the heir to the Black Empire? His so-called in-laws dared to maltreat him and even demand compensation?!

“I can't believe you let this happen! We should be serving their fingers to them for breakfast!” Ragi fumed.

“Calm down, Ragi. We can't have you unleashing more chaos. We are going to handle this my way,” Styles said calmly.

Ragi was unhappy with the decision. This was a boy he had watched grow up. His father had charged him with the duty to protect him since he was ten years old.

When the Prince left home four years ago, he left like a failure. He searched every possible place he could think of but his efforts had been futile.

Only for the boy to return four years later with a disfigured face and broken limbs? The ancestors would turn in their graves if he let this happen.

“Ragi,” Styles stroked his arm. “I know it hurts you to see harm befall me but I am healing. My limbs are getting stronger every day and my face will heal sooner than you expect. Wiping these people off will not be half as satisfying as watching them suffer, trust me.”

At the mention of suffering, Ragi calmed. Slow intense pain, one that was worse than death, he was in for it.

“I want you to return to Xori City with more gifts,” Styles instructed. Ragi’s face was coated with displeasure. He wanted nothing more to do with that city.

“More gifts? Another compensation?”

“Not this time. You will take along with you a dinner invitation from the Black Palace.”

Ragi didn't understand why Styles wanted to go soft on these people. Even as far as sending gifts and preparing dinner.

But who was he to go against the Prince’s order?

Styles noticed the man's unhappiness and smiled.

“Do not worry, Ragi. Trust me.”

**************

When the General arrived at their home the second time, the Duke's family was beyond joyful.

It seemed like the Prince was hopelessly in love with their daughter.

“Will you at least come in today?” The Duke offered.

“I bring a dinner invitation from the Prince. I have to accompany you to the Palace so I advise you to hurry up and pack everything you would be needing for the night,” Ragi answered.

Mona nearly screamed in excitement. This was literally the best news she had heard in a long time.

As the man instructed, they got their things ready. Not only did they want to see this Prince but they wanted to confirm the rumors about the Black Empire.

It was said that they lived in an enchanted land where everything was made from gold and diamonds, which was why they were the richest.

It was also rumored that their people were practitioners of black magic and had many special abilities.

There were more than hundreds of rumors about this place, even the ones that were totally outrageous.

But one thing was certain. No one knew where this empire was located or how to get there.

The last person who caught a glimpse of it several decades ago termed it paradise.

A wave of sleep suddenly came over them. Ragi glanced at the carriage, aware that the Duke's family was asleep. The enchantment of the place was too strong for mortals so anytime a human came in close contact with it, they passed out.

He pulled out the scarlet ring from his finger and a purple fog came over them. The men rode through to their home.

As soon as it was gone, the Duke's family awoke. Gasps escaped their lips as they looked at the carriage.

They now understood why it was called the black empire. Everything from their houses to their streets, to their pets and trees were black with stripes of gold.

Only the people's skin was different but even then, their robes were all black striped with colors of their choice.

The place was more beautiful than they ever imagined. When they arrived at the Palace, they couldn't even blink for almost a minute as the beauty stoned with diamonds and precious gems stood before them.

It was indeed a paradise.

“Come with me,” Ragi ordered, walking inside.

Unlike Xori Palace, the servants weren't running around the place, attending to errands. Everything was orderly.

The servants dressed differently from others. Their attire although black was stripped with white.

They bowed in unison to Ragi and proceeded their way.

The Duke's family was so awed by everything that they didn't look at where they going and bumped into a line of servants carrying food items.

“Are you blind?” Duchess Elena slapped the servant at the front of the line.

Ragi froze in his tracks.

“Why are you staring at us? Do you not know that we are special guests of the Prince? And now you have soiled our garments with food!” Klein snapped.

The servants stared blankly at them, wondering who the intruders were.

“Come with me. I will arrange for more befitting garments,” Ragi spoke.

“You heard that. When my daughter becomes Princess we will see if you will continue this arrogant behavior!” Elena huffed walking away with her family.

Ragi led them to a very large room.

“Dinner will soon be served. Until then, I suggest you rest here. You will served refreshments soon along with the new clothing.”

Ragi shut the door behind him and left.

Mona was the first to try the bed.

“Oh my goodness, it is so soft! It feels like heaven,” she moaned.

Shortly after, their refreshments arrived. It was a whole big table filled with every possible snack and drink they could think of even the ones they had no idea about.

The pastries were simply delicious and different from any other thing they ever tasted.

About an hour later, three servants came to inform them that dinner was served. With all the snacks they had at a go, one would have expected them to be full and heavy but it was the exact opposite.

It only made them hungry for more.

The dining was ten times the size of theirs back at home. The table was unusually long with assorted types of food.

Ragi joined them on the table.

“The Prince extends his apologies for not being able to join you tonight. Something urgent came up at the last minute,” Ragi informed them.

They were disappointed but there was nothing they could do about it.

“It is fine but I do plead that we are allowed to spend the night. The journey back home is tedious, besides we might have a chance to see the Prince at breakfast,” the Duke suggested.

“That is fine,” Ragi nodded. “So tell me, Lady Mona, a little about yourself.”

“Oh,” she blushed lightly. “I am just a simple woman whose beauty has attracted many from far and near. I guess that is how the Prince got to know me.”

“What are your hobbies?” Ragi proceeded to his next question without acknowledging her statement.

“That would be beauty treatment and body massage. It helps to slow the aging process. I engage in dieting as well to keep in shape. Other times, I simply love reading beauty documentaries,” She answered.

Ragi felt it was an odd choice but didn't comment on it.

“I heard you were married once. Tell me about your ex-husband, if you do not mind. I am curious as to why a man would leave a woman as gorgeous as you,” He asked and they nearly choked on their food.

Even Mona paled a little. She didn't expect them to know about Styles.

“He died in an accident a few weeks after our wedding. It was a trying period for me but I had to pick up the pieces of my life and move on,” she lied.

“Is that so? You must be a strong woman indeed,” Ragi said apathetically, taking a sip of his drink.

“May I say something?” Mona asked. Ragi nodded. “You look quite handsome for your age.”

Ragi nearly choked on his drink.

“Don't look so mortified,” she chuckled. “You should know you are quite a fine man. It is difficult not to get attracted to you. Tales about your bravery and insane swordsmanship make you appear as a demigod.”

Ragi couldn't believe the woman was openly flirting with him when they assumed she was here for the Prince.

Meanwhile, Styles was on the second floor, watching the whole interaction.

After dinner, Mona pleaded with Ragi to take her to the Prince's chambers. On Styles' permission, Ragi obliged.

A gasp fell off her lips as she stepped in. It was ten times bigger than the guest room. It was like another house on its own with golden ornaments scattered around.

She was about to explore when she noticed another presence in the room. It was a man in a wheelchair, clad in a golden robe, backing her.

He seemed to be doing something on the table.

“Who are you?” Mona asked and Styles paused his reading. He had his special healing mask on so he wasn't bothered with her recognizing him. Also, his hair was back to its original length.

“Are you deaf? What are you doing in my husband's room?” She snapped.

Ragi was behind her, clutching tightly to his sword as he resisted the urge to behead her.

Styles wheeled around.

“Husband?”

The voice sounded familiar but Mona couldn't care less about it.

“Get out, less I ask Ragi to behead you!” She ordered.

Styles was amused by her boldness.

“Get out, you lowly servant!”

Styles proceeded to roll towards the door.

“Wait… those robes! Are you stealing the Prince's clothes? Ragi, look at him. He's wearing the Prince's robe,” Mona pointed.

Ragi remained still, staring at Styles. Waiting for the command.

“Are you just going to stare? Strip him!”