My Crippled Ex-Husband Is An Emperor

The Scroll

“I advise you to watch your tone when you speak to me. You do not command me,” Ragi warned with a deadly glare.

Mona bowed her head.

“I am sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect you but he is not supposed to be here and he is stealing from the Prince,” she said quietly, keeping her eyes on her toes while hiding her trembling fingers behind her.

“I didn't steal, General. His Majesty gave me these. He said they no longer fit him,” Styles told Ragi.

The man wanted to roll his eyes at the ridiculousness of the situation but Styles gave him a stern look.

“You may leave now,” he said coldly and Styles rolled out. “You too!”

Mona walked out of the room sullenly. The stupid cripple had ruined her chances of exploring her future room.

Ragi shut the door behind her and led her back to her room.

“I am not feeling sleepy. I can keep you company if you like,” she offered.

“Goodnight,” he said coldly and headed out. He went in search of Styles and found him in the library.

“I'm not sure I can stand another second with that woman. She is so ill-mannered, loose, and arrogant. Imagine her offering to keep me company,” Ragi complained.

Styles chuckled.

“It is not funny, your highness. She assumes you have interest in her yet is bold enough to throw herself at me at the same time.”

“Do not let that disturb you. I want you to propose marriage to her on my behalf. Get all their signatures on this document,” Styles said, handing the black scroll to Ragi.

He opened it.

“Proposal of Marriage from Prince Alexis the Third of Black Empire,” Ragi looked up, “Alexis the Third?”

“Creative, isn't it?” Styles' wiggled his brows.

“Creative? Whatever made you think of such a hideous name? Moreover, we do not have any Alexis here,” Ragi stated.

“But they do not know that. It is a fake proposal.”

“And an incredibly lengthy scroll,” Ragi muttered, unrolling the scroll.

“That is the point. I do not want them to read the contents. Check clauses thirty to thirty-five.”

Ragi dutifully spread out the scroll. It had bought sixty lengthy and moist likely non-existent clauses.

However, clause thirty had some interesting facts. Ragi read through it with keen interest.

“All properties and lands registered in Duke Phile’s name become automatically the properties of the Black Empire the minute this document is signed and will remain so whether or not the Prince weds their daughter. I like this one,” Ragi smiled.

“There are many more, scattered across but I want you to make they do not read it. Even as a formality,” Styles instructed.

“Consider it done, Your Highness. What about the wedding though?” Ragi asked curiously.

“A wedding will surely hold, Ragi but let's take it one step at a time. This is just the first of the many things I have in store for them,” Styles answered.

Ragi checked clause thirty-five.

“The Black Empire withholds the rights to remove the Duke from his position and replace with whomever they deem fit as compensation for sparing the lives of their people and city.”

“Forgive me, your highness. I might have to spend the night entertaining myself with this scroll,” Ragi bowed.

“You may leave.”

The next day, at breakfast, the Duke's family were glowing with happiness. They had never had a good night's sleep as the one they experienced last night.

To crown it, the servants had come for a morning massage and prepared an amazing rose bath for them.

“Hope you had a good night's rest,” Ragi started a conversation.

“Definitely. The best I've had in a long time,” The Duke smiled.

“It is quite unfortunate that the Prince did not return last night and he understands you have a city to run…” Ragi paused.

The Duchess was about to chip that they could stay as long as they wanted but the Duke stopped her. He didn't want the General to think that their home was too uncomfortable to return to.

Even if it was.

“However, he asked me to hand you something he would have loved to give you himself,” Ragi continued.

“What could that be? Did he send more gifts?” Mona asked quickly.

“Something better than a gift actually. It's a marriage proposal document,” Ragi informed, signaling the servant to present the scroll.

A tray was presented before them with the glittering black scroll in it. Beside was a bowl of golden ink and a black feather.

The happiness on their faces knew no bounds as the Duke picked up the scroll.

“Of course, this is not the actual proposal. It just needs your signature to trigger appropriate preparations as well as record keeping,” Ragi added as the Duke unfolded the scroll and read the heading.

“It is quite lengthy,” he noted as it unfolded to the last.

“As it should. It contains bogus official information and lots of formalities. I'd advise you just put your signatures at the end instead of boring yourself so early in the morning.”

Mona quickly got off her seat.

“Since I am the bride, how about I sign it first, huh?” She picked the feather but the Duke snatched it from her.

“Pick up the other end of the scroll. I am a Duke as well as the head of this family. It is only right I sign first.”

Ragi watched with a bored expression as father and daughter argued about who would sign first.

“The scroll needs to be deposited with the treasurer so the proposal funds would be released immediately. You don't mind hastening up the signing, do you?” Ragi asked as politely as he could manage.

Mona let go. It didn't matter who signed first. She was the one going to enjoy the luxury after all.

The Duke signed, then his wife, her brothers, and finally her.

The servants packed it up, rolling it back to order, before placing it back in the tray and exiting the dining.

“Will I be allowed to plan my wedding? 8 want it to be legendary. The most luxurious wedding in history!” Mona said dreamily.

“Feel free to suit yourself, my Lady,” Ragi smiled