A Man's Decree Novels & Stories

"Your Majesty—" "Silence! Hear and obey, I am the Emperor. The law was changed, mentioning the oracle or abolishing the Crown of the Crown Princess will be an insult towards the Empire. Know your place, fools." The Emperor took the Imperial seal and in front of the nobles and governed officials, he stamped the decree as a sign that the law was already implemented. The Emperor left the inner court while Hades remained together with Duke Seleste. Hades walked straight to Duke Seleste who weren't able to move an inch from his position. He was trembling because he knows that the moment he lose the chance to persuade the Emperor, Hades will kill him.

"This pass is currently under a regional lockdown by order of the Grand High Council. You do not have an approved clearance pass from the capital registries to transport a high-tier shifter across these lines." I stood up slowly, my towering frame forcing the commander to instinctively take a half-step back onto the wet concrete platform outside. I didn't reach for my firearm, and I didn't offer a digital code block. Instead, I pulled the heavy parchment document my father had signed from my inner coat pocket, holding it flat under the glare of his flashlight so his scanners could read the thick, black ink of the Sovereign Decree.

Benjamin Swift began reading the decree in a commanding voice: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Ethan Caelan, the Fourth Prince of Aria, though young, has demonstrated extraordinary talent and wisdom. Therefore, I appoint Ethan Caelan as the Grand Scholar of the Imperial Academy, entrusting him with significant responsibilities within the court of Helios. May he continue to showcase his talents and contribute to the prosperity of the nation and the harmony between our two countries. Thus is the decree." Upon completing the proclamation, Benjamin Swift handed the decree to Ethan, who respectfully received it, raising it high with both hands and bowing his head in gratitude. Ben

I gave him a gentle nudge before opening it. Emmett’s handwriting was firmer than before, though it still slanted at the end of sentences when he wrote quickly. Dear Sister. First official decree: Hann may not say “when Marcus used to do it” more than twice per meeting, or he must pay one coin to the orphan fund. I burst out laughing. Elijah raised his eyebrows. “What does it say?” he asked curiously. “That my brother is already ruling wisely.” I kept reading. Second unofficial decree: I need you to stop sending me reminders to eat. I’ve already eaten. Hann made sure of it. Claris made sure Hann did. Joe brought bread. I’m not dying.

⸻ THE FIRST DECREE When I rose from the throne, the entire realm shifted. Flames bent toward me. Shadows followed my steps like loyal soldiers. Malik moved beside me—my equal, my partner, my shadow. A ripple of whispers moved across the cavern as demons, spirits, and ancient beings gathered. They knelt—hundreds of them—until the cavern floor disappeared beneath bodies bowed in submission. I lifted my hand. Silence fell so thick it felt like the world stopped breathing. “My first decree,” I said, voice echoing. “No mortal soul shall be taken without cause. No child shall be claimed. No innocent dragged below.”

they're essentially the same thing, aren't they? "So you wanted to speak to me," I said, a playful grin spreading across my face, "just to warn me about this?" Agnus's expression shifted, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. The young man before him, the one who had just confessed to inadvertently sparking a war, remained remarkably composed. This unexpected calmness, this unwavering resolve, forced Agnus to re-evaluate his approach. He shook his head, a hint of admiration creeping into his voice. "No, I want to offer you a deal." He reached for the scroll, his fingers tracing the lines of the decree. He turned it, revealing the final line, a royal order etched in ink.

“Did the Queen know about this?” I asked, though deep down, I already knew the answer. Selie didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she reached into her bag, pulling out a single sheet of parchment. She laid it on my desk with a deliberate movement. It was an official decree, signed and stamped with Queen Romella’s royal seal. A decree authorizing the so-called “punishment” of nobles appointed by Aeternum.

“They love each other…” the man said, clasping his hands behind his back and pacing back and forth, glaring angrily at the lovers. “And who would ever love me? One more or one less—it makes no difference. This is a betrayal of the king! If you have made this decision and managed to grow close to one another, then you will die together! …in distant old age. By the power granted to me by the higher forces, I declare you husband and wife!” Karadeylis announced sharply, a sly smile playing on his lips.

I was about to lose my mind when his icy tone reverberated in the surroundings, “Sign this decree, Lizette!” His royal command sent shivers down my spine as I shuddered and stood up to walk towards the writing table. Vincent’s indifferent eyes were fixated on me, as if observing my every step towards him. To conceal my fucked-up condition, I lowered my head to focus on the content of the decree. “The King’s order for the ladies of royal harem!” The heading of the decree gave me some courage to read it further, at least, the rejection wasn’t mentioned in the start. Onyx helped me to read it swiftly, pointing out important points in the spellbinding cursive calligraphy’s text.

"The supreme judiciary committee just authorized the winter schedule. They aren't waiting for the border audit." Rowan stood up slowly, his towering, muscular frame completely eclipsing the light from the chandeliers as his aura detonated across the room—a black, suffocating cloud of rain and ash that made the silver cutlery hum with static. "Give me the manifest, Marcus." Marcus slid the heavy parchment across the dark mahogany table, his jaw cording hard as the high stakes of the announcement settled over the room like ice. An invitation arrives. I reached out, my trembling fingers breaking the wax seal as the vanilla sweetness of my scent spiked with a sudden, liquid terror. My eyes track