I Became the Emperor’s Sleeping Pill - Chapter 48

Schedule: Tuesday and Friday

The world slowly began to brighten. A hazy light filled Lysei’s vision as she sluggishly lifted her eyelids. She forced them open further, struggling to take in her surroundings.

“Are you awake, Sei?”

At that welcome voice, more welcome than ever before, she tried to turn her head, but a sharp pain shot through her neck, contorting her face.

“Don’t move. It’ll still hurt.”

At Theor’s words, Lysei, instead of turning her head, simply moved her eyes. As her gaze met Theor’s, an inexplicable mixture of relief and sorrow washed over her, bringing a sudden sting to her nose. Seeing the face of someone seemingly on her side brought a sense of comfort.

I almost died. While you and Trey were gone, a woman with a knife appeared. If Trey hadn’t come back when he did, I would have… The words crowded her mind, clamoring to be spoken, but her mouth wouldn’t open. She couldn’t summon any strength, and even the slightest movement sent jolts of pain through her neck. Surviving death was one thing, but the aftereffects were brutal.

“They said you heal quickly, so you’ll be fine soon. Besides your neck, is anything else hurting or bothering you? Blink once if yes, twice if no.”

Lysei slowly blinked twice.

“That’s good. You shouldn’t talk for a while, so I’ll get you a notepad and pen. If you need to say anything, just write it down.” Theor suddenly took Lysei’s hand and placed it on his forehead, letting out a long sigh. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you.”

Wanting to reassure him but unable to speak, Lysei lifted her free hand and gently stroked his silken, ash-gray hair. Her gesture made Theor look up at her.

“Sei.”

It took her a moment to register that Theor had shortened her name, just as Edin did, but she kept her expression neutral and continued to gaze at him.

“Will you really just become my Nyxna?”

***

Lysei later learned from the physician that Edin had stayed by her side all night while she was unconscious. She hadn’t seen him since she woke up, as he was constantly occupied with imperial matters, but they spoke every night through the communication stone, so she didn’t feel particularly neglected. Still, she missed him terribly and asked Trey if there was any way she could go to the Imperial Palace.

“Sir Zerga is working to arrange suitable accommodations for you at the palace, My Lady.”

At his words, Theor, who was polishing his sword with a cloth, spoke up. “When I leave for the other country, it will become dangerous here, so you’ll go to the Imperial Palace then.”

“Even without Your Excellency’s presence, I am here, so there is no danger.”

“You let Sei get hurt while I was gone, and you say that?”

“That…!”

Lysei sat bolt upright. Since she’d awakened, she’d witnessed at least fifty of these little spats between them. Deciding they needed a break, she began stretching, preparing for another run.

“Going for another run?”

“I still have ten laps left.”

“Are you not tired, My Lady?”

“Even if I’m tired, I have to train. I don’t want to be helpless like that again. What are you two going to do?”

“Ah, I plan to spar with His Excellency for the first time in a while.”

“Spar? You two are going to have a sword fight?” Lysei asked, slightly surprised. Theor nodded.

“Trey is quite a good sparring partner. Especially with real swords.” The way Theor said it, a smirk playing on his lips, seemed almost sinister. Lysei involuntarily shook her head a couple of times.

While Theor and Trey sparred at one end of the training grounds, Lysei ran four more laps. Pausing to catch her breath, she watched their duel, momentarily mesmerized by their impressive swordsmanship. As their spar ended with Theor’s victory, his sword poised at Trey’s throat, a brilliant idea struck her.

“Teach me swordsmanship, Theor!”