My Crippled Ex-Husband Is An Emperor

Imprisoned

Styles remained in his room, thinking about his life; every wrong decision he made, and how much it cost him.

Was it worth it in the end?

Definitely not.

He stared at the finger that once held the most significant jewelry in his life. Now it was all gone, burnt to ashes with nothing left but heartache.

He rolled out of the stuffy room. He wanted to take a stroll around the palace and enjoy the evening breeze.

Once again, his happiness was short-lived. He barely made it outside when his brother-in-law stopped him.

“What is it this time?” Styles asked, somewhat agitated. The brothers stared at him with amused expressions.

“It seems you might have forgotten but we will do the pleasure of reminding you that you bragged about getting us our compensation at sunset,” Klein spoke first.

Styles let out a sigh. Of course, they wouldn't let it slide. Speaking of sunset, he wondered if his letter got to the palace at all.

The delay was unlike them. Unless it didn't get to the intended person. He groaned inwardly. He knew that a white envelope was a bad idea but he didn't want to pique the curiosity of anyone or attract unnecessary attention.

So the golden envelope was a no-no. He just hoped they would recognize the deal before casting aside the letter.

“Are you deaf?” The smack on his head snapped him back to reality.

“I heard you the first time, you didn't have to hit me. As I said, you will get your compensation at sunset. The sun is not completely gone so calm down,” Styles said.

The brothers scoffed.

“You think this is a joke, don't you?”

“I do not have time for this, Joel. You will get your demands. Kindly let me continue the stroll, I need some peace.”

“I will teach you how…” his words died when he heard heavy thumping. It felt like the very ground they were standing on was trembling. Like an earthquake was coming.

A smile spread across Styles' face.

He knew they would make it.

“I told you, didn't I? Your demands will be given,” Styles said to the confused brothers.

“Guards, throw him in the dungeons. We will get back to him later and do make sure he is not given food or water,” Klein ordered before leaving to check what the commotion was about.

The brothers went outside to meet the palace guards in positions for whatever was coming.

The gate easily rolled over as the black horses stomped in. The guards began to slowly retreat in fear.

They could recognize the black horses with golden stripes. These rare breeds were owned by no one but the famous Black Empire.

An Empire that rendered the mighty useless. They were famously known as the black chaos because of their reputation for wiping every land they visited.

It was rumored that they had a deep connection with black magic which was why no other empire could stand before them.

These people weren't known for friendly visits. For them to come down here, it only meant they were after something.

Something they hoped wasn't the lives of the people.

“Greetings from the Black Empire.”

The Duke's family clustered together, barely able to decipher where the voice came from as the men descended the horses in frightening unison.

“Please have mercy on us,” they cried, falling on their knees in plea.

“Oh no. We come in peace. You may rise.”

The Duke looked up. The most dreaded General across all kingdoms far and beyond spoke of peace. Was this some sort of joke?

General Ragi noted their frightened faces. He was not good at coaxing people, but for the sake of the heir, he had to persuade them to believe him.

If the Prince was truly here, he had to be on his best behavior in order to convince him to come home with them.

The throne had been empty for way too long.

“You must believe me, my friends. I am here for peace. The crowned Prince asked that we bring a token to you,” General Rsgi explained.

“A token?” Duchess Elena peeked up. She immediately rose to her feet, ignoring her husband's pleas for her to stay down.

“What token are you talking about?” she inquired.

When the others noticed she was still alive, they slowly rose to their feet.

“It's a small gift for Lady Mona. Twenty bags of silver,” the General replied.

They exchanged glances. The Prince sent a gift to their daughter. Could it be that…?

“Really? Oh my goodness! I didn't know the news of my enchanting beauty had gotten to the Prince,” Mona giggled. “Is the Prince really smitten by me?” She asked the General.

Ragi stared in confusion. He assumed the Prince was with them because the letter came from this address.

Why were they asking him of the Prince then? Could it be they were at the wrong location? Or the Prince just wanted to gift a woman not return home?

“Forgive my daughter's manners, do come in and have dinner with us,” the Duke offered.

Ragi wanted to decline. The Prince made no mention of a dinner in his letter.

“I am afraid we would have to decline. Our stomachs might not accept the quality of food you serve here,” Ragi said with a curt smile.

“How about you wait a little while we prepare a complimentary gift for the Prince?” Duchess Elena offered.

“I am afraid our Prince might not fancy your gift. He made no mention of accepting a complimentary gift,” Ragi said stiffly.

He was starting to get agitated. It seemed like the Prince had no intention of returning home with them.

Their journey had been a waste.

“If you insist, we will not stop you. Extend our regards to him,” the Duke said.

“Sure.”

Once again, they flew over their horses simultaneously and headed out.

“Can you believe it, mom?” Mona squealed. “The Prince of Black Empire wants me!”

“I can believe it, child. You have always been a good luck charm. You almost tainted yourself with that lowlife,” Elena said.

“Speaking of low lives, didn't he say something about paying us back at sunset?” The Duchess mused.

“He did, mother. Let's go to the dungeons and hear what excuse he has to give this time,” Joel smirked.

“Do I have to come? I really do not want to get my skin infected. Not now that the Prince is utterly smitten by me,” Mona purred.

“Of course not. Go take a rest, darling. We will handle that fool.”

Styles expected them in his cell sooner so their presence didn't surprise him.

“I believe this is the part where you let me go,” he said calmly.

“Let you go? Why would we do that?” Klein chortled. “You still owe us quite a hefty sum.”

“Hefty sum?” Styles shot up a brow in surprise. “You demanded twenty bags of silver and I gave that to you.”

“Gave that to us? Boys, did you by any chance receive money from him?” Elena asked.

“We are just as surprised as you are.”

“You demanded twenty bags of silver and it has been delivered to you…”

“Wait… are you talking about the twenty bags of silver delivered by General Ragi himself?” Joel asked.

When Styles said nothing, they burst into laughter.

“Now, isn't this entertaining? You expect us to believe that the General is your errand boy, whom you sent to deliver the bags to you? You must think we are fools, don't you?” Klein snorted.

“He believes himself wise because of those jobless gossips that parade this place. He must have heard that the Prince of Black Empire took interest in our sister and sent her a gift of twenty silver bags. Now, he wants to claim them as his,” Joel concurred.

“A gift? That was no gift! It was the divorce…”

“Enough! Do you think we are stupid?” Elena snapped at him. “You better watch your tongue less we ask the General to behead you.”

Styles said nothing else. They could believe whatever they wanted. He had nothing to prove to them.

“You will remain in this dungeon without food or water until you are ready to pay us every dime you owe. Boys, let's leave.”

Styles shook his head in disbelief as they walked away.

How on earth did these shallow-minded people become his in-laws?