I Became the Emperor’s Sleeping Pill - Chapter 70

Schedule: Tuesday and Friday

Unable to reach Edin despite skipping meals and repeatedly using the communication device, Lysei gnawed at her thumbnail until it was ragged.

It was Seiren who had sabotaged their communication. Learning that only Luigia had arrived at the Imperial Palace, despite her own lack of intervention, Seiren felt as though the heavens themselves favored the Empress. With things proceeding so smoothly even before she’d initiated her plan, she was certain of its success.

Luigia’s arrival at the palace resulted in heightened security around her. Seiren exploited the vulnerabilities created by this focused protection to methodically execute her plan.

First, she had the Emperor’s bribed attendant swap Edin’s communication device with a different one, just as planned.

Next, she instructed an accomplice within the Rose Palace to place a letter by Luigia’s meal and, when the vase in Luigia’s room was emptied, to leave a device linked to the one she’d swapped.

Seiren drugged Luigia’s food, ensuring she’d fall asleep mid-meal. Using dark magic, she sealed off Luigia’s room and most of the surrounding area, effectively guiding her towards the Emperor’s chambers. There, Seiren had placed a rare, dark magic-infused pheromone catalyst designed to lull the Emperor to sleep using Luigia’s scent.

Despite her meticulous planning, Seiren had anticipated the retrieval of Luigia to be the most challenging hurdle. Yet, everything unfolded with surprising ease. Even without the Empress’s explicit command, Seiren was determined to eliminate Lysei, the woman who had caused her to lose her hand.

Completely oblivious to Seiren’s machinations, Lysei frantically clutched the unresponsive communication device. She hadn’t realized she was capable of such obsessive behavior.

Like someone consumed by anxiety, Lysei bit her nail, repeatedly pressing the unresponsive device.

***

Late that night, a strange phenomenon swept through the Imperial Palace, locking every door but one. Just as Seiren had planned, Luigia found herself stranded at the Emperor’s chambers.

Edin needed Luigia’s eyes, but with her still unconscious from the sleeping draught, he laid her on his bed to ensure her safety.

Perplexed by the locked doors, Edin dispatched his shadows and knights to investigate. He then settled on the sofa with a drink, unwilling to share a bed with Luigia. The thought of contacting Lysei crossed his mind, but he refrained, remembering her displeasure over his collaboration with Luigia to dispel the dark magic. He didn’t want to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings.

He sipped his drink, gazing out the window as he awaited a report, completely unaware of the pheromone catalyst permeating the air.

Some time later, the catalyst took effect. Edin, enveloped by Luigia’s scent, drifted off to sleep. Soon after, the Empress’s bribed gatekeeper and maids entered under the pretense of clearing the Emperor’s drinks.

The knights, unable to determine the cause of the locked doors, returned to report. Seeing the attendants laying the sleeping Emperor beside Luigia, they quietly withdrew. The shadows, tasked with guarding the Emperor while he slept, also failed to uncover the cause of the strange occurrences. Unwilling to wake the Emperor for an unnecessary report, they too retreated.

Once the knights were gone, the gatekeeper stood guard while the maids disrobed both the Emperor and Luigia. From the outside, their movements appeared as if they were simply adjusting the bedding. Neither the guards at the door nor the concealed shadows suspected a thing.

Thus, just as Seiren had orchestrated, Edin and Luigia lay n4ked together in the same bed. Upon hearing this, Seiren instructed a maid to activate the swapped communication device.

Lysei, who had been relentlessly gnawing her nails in frustration, was startled when the communication device by her bed suddenly flickered to life. She rushed towards it.

“…!”

She froze. The device displayed Edin and Luigia lying together, covered by a sheet, but unmistakably n4ked.

Stunned, Lysei stood frozen for a moment before slowly approaching the device. Lifting it, she confirmed the undeniable truth: they were asleep in the same bed. Her world crumbled.

Impossible.

Why…?

“I will never lie beside another woman, not even for the sake of Nyxna.”

“As I said, I’m invested in Zer.”

Those were their words. And yet, there they were, lying n4ked together. How could she possibly comprehend this? Lysei’s trembling hands clenched into fists. After a moment of contemplation, she rushed outside.

“What’s wrong?”

Trey, standing guard, immediately questioned her.

“I need to go to the Imperial Palace. Now.”

“…What?!”

“I said, now!”

“Lysei!”

Lysei pushed past Trey, but he caught her arm. She struggled against his grip, tears streaming down her face. Alarmed, Trey tightened his hold and asked again.

“What is going on?”

“Let go of me! Sob!”

“Calm down!”

“I need… sob! I need to see it for myself! Let me go! Please!”