I Became the Emperor’s Sleeping Pill - Chapter 1

Schedule: Tuesday and Friday

Chapter 1 – Prologue

Nyxna. The Emperor’s insomnia cure. The truth was, the role of Nyxna in the Atrasian Empire hadn’t existed for very long. For generations, the intensely dominant Alpha Emperors had all suffered from terrible insomnia. It was known that the excessive pheromone emissions, a trait exclusive to Alphas and Omegas, were the cause.

Then, research revealed that the human scent emanating from Betas, who lacked pheromones, helped stabilize the Emperor’s sleep. Thanks to this discovery, chosen Betas, significantly fewer in number compared to Alphas and Omegas, were granted the title of Nyxna, living in the imperial palace as the Emperor’s sleeping aid.

The distinct title of Nyxna was created because most Betas, often of humble origins, couldn’t be taken in as Empresses or concubines. It was a mechanism to bring them into the Emperor’s bedchamber for their intended purpose and easily dismiss them when their usefulness ended—a title designed for easy disposal. That was Nyxna.

The Omega, Lysei Orphe, used dark magic to disguise herself as a Beta. This was due to her fate as the illegitimate child of Baron Orphe, destined to be a sacrifice to his lust for power. Her mother, a servant, had traded Lysei for a pittance from the Baroness immediately after her birth. Growing up, enduring the Baron’s contempt, Lysei learned why he had bought her from her mother. It was the very day she presented as an Omega.

As soon as Lysei presented as an Omega, she faced persecution and scorn from Baron Orphe and his family, far exceeding the previous mistreatment. The Baron had desired a Beta daughter to send to the imperial palace. Because Betas often came from humble backgrounds, he’d assumed Lysei, born to a servant, would undoubtedly be a Beta. However, contrary to his expectations, when Lysei presented as an Omega, he resorted to using forbidden dark magic to transform her into a Beta. Sending Lysei to the palace, he commanded her to bear the Emperor’s child.

Lysei knew that if her magically induced Beta status was discovered, her life would be forfeit, yet she had no choice but to obey the Baron. She’d never had any choice in the matter.

“The criminal, Lysei Orphe, concealed her Omega nature and dared to enter the imperial palace as the Emperor’s Nyxna!” A guard, holding a gleaming sword, looked down at Lysei, bound and bowed, and declared sternly. “The crime of using the Empire’s forbidden dark magic to disguise herself as a Beta and infiltrate the palace! The crime of plotting as the Emperor’s Nyxna!”

The inevitable had finally happened. Tears streamed down Lysei’s face. All of this was her power-hungry father’s fault. As the illegitimate child of Baron Orphe, she’d never had a choice, had she? Even if she had, could she have avoided entering the palace? Perhaps not. She had endured the monstrous Baron’s beatings, but she’d reached her limit. Compared to remaining with that monster, becoming a Beta through forbidden dark magic and entering the palace was a far better option. So, was this ultimately her fault too?

“Therefore, the criminal Lysei Orphe and Baron Orphe shall be stripped of their title, lands, and all assets!”

Even so, the injustice was undeniable. The Empress wanted her dead simply because the Emperor slept soundly thanks to her scent. The injustice was unbearable. As a Nyxna, her duty was to alleviate the Emperor’s insomnia. Yet, if she was even slightly more effective than other Nyxnas, she incurred the Empress’s wrath and faced death. How absurd.

‘I don’t want to die…’ Lysei bit her lip. She didn’t want to die like this.

“And for these crimes, Lysei Orphe and Baron Orphe are sentenced to beheading!”

She truly hadn’t wanted to die like this. Her life had been ill-fated from the start, yet it was precious. Even as a false Nyxna, she’d experienced the fortune of holding the Empire’s sun in her arms, and she’d loved him with all her heart. It was an unrequited love, but she had been happy.

‘God is cruel. I didn’t harbor any greed. I loved His Majesty, but I never desired his love in return. My only wish was to remain by his side until I was no longer needed. Why take my life so soon? Do you not pity me? Why do you hate me so?’ Lysei bit her lower lip hard.

“Execute!” The guard’s voice pierced her heart like a sharp spear. Lysei squeezed her eyes shut. Tears flowed endlessly down her cheeks. She lamented her ill-fated destiny. She prayed that someone, anyone, would save her from this wretched fate as she offered her neck to the gleaming blade of the guillotine.