I Became the Emperor’s Sleeping Pill - Chapter 67

Schedule: Tuesday and Friday

No matter how hard she tried, protecting herself in this world seemed impossible. The thought of how many more near-death experiences she might face brought a curse to her lips. Suddenly, it struck her that these were the very trials Luigia had endured. As she lamented her fate, wondering, Why me?, Lysei uttered words that would have shocked her just moments before.

“His Majesty hasn’t awakened since then, Sister.”

Edin, after saving her, had fallen unconscious and remained so. Lysei’s heart clenched. When Edin had given her the protective bracelet, he’d also discreetly woven a summoning spell into it, allowing his shadows to teleport him to her should she fall into danger. Sensing her peril, he had used this shadow magic to reach her instantly.

However, using shadow magic tainted a royal’s divine power. The shadows were imbued with dark magic, while Edin, a royal, possessed divine power. Thus, when Edin used dark magic, his divine power became corrupted, naturally weakening him.

Edin, after summoning himself to Lysei’s rescue, had fallen ill for ten days. Upon hearing this, Lysei, still recovering, insisted on going to the Imperial Palace. Trey, Zerga, and Luigia’s protests were futile. Her unwavering resolve forced Zerga to tighten security around the palace as he escorted Lysei and Luigia, both targets of the Empress’s faction, to Edin’s side.

The Emperor’s chambers were unchanged, exactly as she’d left them. Though she hadn’t spent much time there, a surprising wave of longing washed over her.

Thankfully, Edin was awake. His eyes widened in surprise as he saw her.

“Your Majesty….”

Edin’s lips moved, trying to call out to her, but his throat was too constricted to form words. He swallowed with difficulty. His gaunt face and parched, cracked lips tightened Lysei’s chest.

She approached him, each step sending a tingling sensation through her fingers and nose. She clenched her fists to fight back tears, but her vision blurred.

“You look… terrible.”

“…Because… because of me….”

Tears finally spilled over. Grief choked her words. She wasn’t usually prone to tears or emotional outbursts, but now, she felt an overwhelming urge to weep. A complex mix of emotions for Edin squeezed her heart.

“Why are you crying, Lysei?”

Hearing her name, spoken with such effort, shattered her. Then, as Edin reached out, only to withdraw his hand, her heart plummeted.

Why…?

His rejection stung.

Why…?

“You should go back…. It’s still dangerous here.”

“Why….” she whispered, staring at his retreating hand.

“…Ah, this is… cough.”

His throat seemed to hurt, preventing him from speaking further. He simply looked at her.

But Lysei, oblivious to his gaze, sank deeper into her own thoughts. She was still in pain, yet she had rushed to Edin’s side the moment she learned he hadn’t awakened for ten days. And he was telling her to leave.

Why?

The question consumed her.

She knew it was dangerous. But Luigia was with her, and Zerga had reinforced the palace guard. She knew the palace was dangerous, more so than the Rose Palace, but it seemed strange to dismiss her so quickly. Unpleasant thoughts took root.

Was he angry because she hadn’t heeded his warning to stay where he could see her? Or did he now despise the sight of her because she had nearly caused his death?

His simple dismissal set her mind ablaze, a whirlwind of unbearable emotions.

Does he no longer need me?

Dark, insignificant thoughts built a fortress in her mind.

Seeing Lysei’s dazed expression, Edin slowly sat up. Instinctively, despite the turmoil within her, Lysei reached for him.

But Edin raised a hand, stopping her. Her heart crashed. A wave of inexplicable negativity washed over her, shaking her to the core.

Why?

It felt as though someone was clutching her heart, squeezing it tight. Grief overwhelmed her, making it hard to breathe.

Edin’s rejection was… this. Lysei finally understood. It was a measure of how deeply she loved him.

But Edin hadn’t pushed her away out of dislike. His divine power, depleted from using his magic to save her, was the reason he recoiled from her touch.