Cold Welcome

You're free to go home, sir,” the doctor informed him. Styles stared at the door, waiting for his wife to walk in happily and tell him how much she missed him.

The doctor noticed his stare and asked, “What are you looking at? Did you hear anything I just said?”

Styles blinked, returning his attention to the man.

“Yes, sir. I heard you. I… I was just waiting for my wife to come in. She hasn't visited in two weeks now. I thought maybe…” the words refused to come out.

The doctor shook his head in pity.

“Your wife is not here, unfortunately, but a guard was sent to sign you out. I believe he would be taking you home,” the doctor informed him.

A guard? Not Mona, not even a family member. A mere guard?

As if to confirm what the doctor said, a guard walked in.

“I'm here to take you home in order of the Duchess. I hope you don't mind,” the guard said formally before lifting him off the bed into the wheelchair.

“Where is my wife?” He asked.

The guard glanced at him with a skeptical expression.

“I don't know.”

It sounded like a lie but Styles barely had the strength to push it. As the guard pushed him out of the hospital, several thoughts ran through his head.

The last time he saw Mona was two weeks ago when he first opened his eyes. Since then, neither she nor his in-laws visited.

He had no relations in the city so it was safe to say they were his only family but now, they didn't seem to care about him and it hurt.

The journey back to the palace was longer than he expected. It was probably because of his anxiety. A part of him wanted to believe they were planning a welcome surprise for him.

That had to be their reason for not showing up to the hospital.

The palace was busy as usual. Servants moving around, running errands. A few spared him sympathetic glances but that was it.

Even the atmosphere felt harsh against his senses. He was quick to notice that the guard was not heading towards the residential area.

“Where are you taking me?” Styles asked.

“The Duchess asked that you be moved to the servant's quarters. We have already had a room prepared for you. All your things have been moved…”

“What are you talking about?” Styles interrupted. Was this some sort of joke? His things were moved to the servant's quarters. What happened to their bedroom?

“I suggest you see for yourself,” the guard sounded exhausted. Like he was sick of all the questions.

“No! Take me to my bedroom now! I need to see my wife. Someone needs to explain what is going on here,” Styles cut in.

The guard switched direction, heading for the residential hallway. They met the Duchess at the entrance. Her expression was stained with disgust and irritation.

“What is he doing here?” She asked the guard, ignoring him like he didn't exist.

Styles wasn't bothered with the way she treated him. Right from time, she had been against her daughter's decision to marry him.

Duchess Elena didn't fail to rub their political status in his face every time she had a conversation with Mona, his wife. Sometimes, she would go as far as listing all the wealthy men across kingdoms and Cities she could have settled down with.

“I'm sorry, your highness. I was taking him to the servant's quarters as you ordered but he demanded I take him to the Lady's room.”

“And you floated my orders because of a cripple who believes himself a husband?” She retorted.

The words pierced through his heart like a double-edged sword.

“Why would you say something like that, mother-in-law? I only wanted…”

“Your Highness!” She corrected stiffly. “You will address me properly from now on. You are no in-law of mine. You have never been and you will never be. Now do yourself a favor and turn those wheels around if you can. I do not want you scaring off my family.”

Styles could only stare in disbelief. He didn't know what he was expecting but being treated like a parasite was not one of them.

“I'm sorry, Your Highness, but I still insist on seeing my wife. I haven't seen her in two weeks and it worries me…”

“You should be more worried about yourself,” she interrupted. “My daughter is just fine without you. Guards!” She called and Styles’ eyes widened in surprise.

“Get this filth of here and make sure the floors are scrubbed thoroughly after him!”

Before Styles could recover, three pairs of arms roughly grabbed his wheelchair, lifting him in the air.

Conniption gripped him as the wheelchair tilted side to side.

“Please slow down…” he pleaded but no one paid attention to him. They were still hurrying down the stairs.

The wheelchair tilted and he nearly fell out of it if he didn't grip one of them.

They took him to the servant's quarters and tossed him in without minding how he landed. He fell over with the wheelchair and let out a groan but they simply shut the door behind them and moved on.

The other servants in the room hurry to help him up.

“Thank you,” Styles mumbled weakly. His vision was starting to blur out.

They helped him out of the chair into the small worn-out mattress. Styles shut his eyes, trying to steady his heavy breathing when he heard them whispering.

“Poor man. He just returned and they are already showing him their true colors.”

“Do not pity him. He got himself into this. The Duke's daughter is the most wanted across the four kingdoms surrounding the sea. He should have suspected something off when she suddenly settled for him.”

Styles’ jaw tightened. Did they not know he could hear them or did they just want to add salt to his injuries?

“At least then, he had a pretty face. If I were her Lady I would do the same. No one wants a man looking like he got vomited on.”

“Doesn't justify her infidelity!”

“Her Lady has always been promiscuous. That is not even an argument…”

Styles’ fists clenched as his eyes flew open.

“Say all you want about me but do not address my wife in that manner!” He snapped, startling the little gathering.

They looked like they had a lot to say to him but no one wanted to be the first to utter a word. Not with the stone-cold glare he sent their way.

The door opened suddenly.

“Why are you lying around like nuggets? The princess is back with an important guest. Get you lazy bums off the floor and get to work!” The door slammed immediately after the statement.

“You were complaining about mannerisms earlier on, weren't you? Perhaps you should come with us so you can see who needs the lecture on manners.”

Styles hated the sneer on their faces. For some reason, he dreaded that whatever he was going to find would shatter his heart.