"Nytherael," Rhysandor hissed, hovering over his sleeping figure. "Wake up."

Nytherael groaned and pulled the covers to his chin. It was the first night since his return thar he’d had a good sleep, he didn’t wish to wake up yet.

"Go away, Rhys."

Rhysandor’s voice dropped to a whisper. "An envoy from the Emperor’s palace is here."

Nytherael frowned in his sleep. "Isn’t that Tivnir. He’s been with us this whole time. Why are you acting like he just got here?" He pulled the blanket over his head, refusing to give any more mind to his friend’s madness.

"Tivnir and Yiwa left with Sseraphis and Aeltharion yesterday. I don’t know how..."

"They what?" Nytherael asked, getting up and throwing the blanket away. "Who left with who now?"

"You need to come down. He brought over another decree and insists we all be present."

Nytherael frowned. A decree? Wasn’t burning the last one enough to convey his thoughts on decrees?

He slowly got up, but Rhysandor didn’t give him a chance to change and quickly dragged him out.

Nytherael didn’t fight him. With his current emotional state that felt like his feelings were made of feathers, He did not wish to jinx himself by getting upset or offended by the unreasonable Emperor that ruled their Dynasty.

Rhysandor, led him down the stairway, one step at a time. His steps were light and burdened by the toxic emotions that have weighed on him since the moment he returned.

The glow of that relief could be seen on his face. In the way his eyes lit up in the morning sun, the way his first skin shimmered with slight blush and in the effortless way that he walked.

"What do you think the decree says this time?" Rhysandor asked.

Nytherael just shrugged his shoulders. By a miracle, he had gotten to a point where his mind was clear and free of worry. He could not waste that opportunity by using his brain cells to ponder about what the emperor’s intention is by sending them a decree.

"I guess we will find out when we get there," He answered nonchalantly.

"Are you worried about what it might say?"

"Why would I be?"

"Maybe the emperor has gotten word that you burnt the last decree, and that is why he has sent another one. It might even contain punishment."

"As Nytherael Auryn, the emperor, has ever right to punish me for what I did. However, as Nytherael Noxveil or Nytherael Zhen, I am not answerable to Lume Dynasty, I can either choose to answer to the Sovereign of the western Skyrift Or the Lord of the Abyssal coil."

Rhysandor gave him a thumbs up. " That’s good for you. Unfortunately, not all of us are married to beasts who rule independently from the dynasty." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Lucky me, I guess."

"Lucky indeed."

They soon made it to the entrance of the Inn. The other Beast folk We’re all gathered around The emperors Envoy On their knees with their heads bowed as they waited for the message to be read.

Upon arrival, Rhysandor Quickly took his spot next to his wife and also knelt down.

Nytherael, however, did not waste his energy or his breath in lowering his body to the ground. He remained standing, offering defiance in the face of the one sent by the emperor who was trying to control him.

The Envoy scowled at his arrogance. Yet, He did not argue with him and proceeded to open the scroll containing the emperor’s decree.

"By the order of the emperor, Nytherael Auryn, fate envoy, and illusion adjudicator is hereby ordered to proceed with the mission and not derail from the task at hand. His aids are to continue their task in giving him a hand and deliver Lume dynasty good news of sucess very soon. Failure to do so will result in punishment as decided upon by the emperor!"

The Envoy read, his voice full of contempt and arrogance.

"To ensure proper management of the team, I assign my new Envoy, Zeyron Vale, as the team leader for this mission. His orders are like my orders. Defying him is the same as defying me!"

He finished. Nytherael yawned. Every word the envoy read felt like a joke in his ear.

"I’ll keep the decree," the Envoy said while facing Nytherael. "We wouldn’t want it ending up in flames like the last one now, would we?"

Nytherael flushed him an insincere smile. It was done putting on a face and pretending that all was okay when, it’s not. Accepting the last decree The last face he was willing to give to the emperor.

With the new turnout of events, he no longer wished to be a puppet on the string for an emperor who sits on a golden throne while commanding him as if he holds more power.

Being a nine-tailed fox, put his power above most of the beast folk in the dynasty, including the emperor. The only difference was that the emperor was born from the rulling family, while he had no passion or desire for a throne.

"Do whatever you want. I don’t care," He said. "I burnt the last decree because I have no intentions of following your Emperor’s orders going forward. And I most certainly have no interest in following his dog’s orders either!" He fired, unapologetically

"How dare you be so rude! The emperor is not your mate by whom you can just speak as you please."

Nytherael smiled, pleased. "I’m glad you realised that the emperor is not my mate. I am more powerful than him, and I refuse to let him tell me what to do any longer."

"Nytherael!" The envoy shouted.

"Raising your voice higher than mine does not mean that what you’re saying is right. If that were the case, then the saying that empty cans make the loudest of noises would not exist."

The Envoy clutched his fists tight. He badly wanted to take Nytherael on, but he knew not to bite more than he could chew since Nytherael was more powerful than him.

"Now, if you’re done here, I’d like to get back to my room and start my morning routine."

Without waiting for permission to be dismissed, Nytherael turned on his heels and marched back into the inn.

"Unless it’s a matter of life and death. Don’t disturb me!" He left behind as he went.