I Became the Emperor’s Sleeping Pill - Chapter 85

Schedule: Tuesday and Friday

“Your Majesty!”

“Must you still use that title, and not my name?”

“…! …Are you alright?”

“As you can see.”

Edin sat up, dismissed the physician, and walked toward Lysei. Lysei also hurried to get out of bed to go to him, but Edin’s outstretched hand stopped her.

“Don’t come any closer, Lysei.”

“…Why?”

Lysei was bewildered, unable to understand. She had been right by his side throughout his illness, so what could be the problem now? Then she suddenly remembered Edin had kept her at a distance before she left the palace.

“Do you… dislike me now…?”

Of course, she didn’t truly believe that. Edin, who had unhesitatingly used himself as a shield to protect her, could never dislike her. Yet, his reluctance to be near her stung.

“That’s absurd…!” Edin exclaimed, his voice laced with surprise at Lysei’s question.

“Then why can’t I come near you? You did the same thing before… before I disappeared.”

“It’s because of my tainted divine power.” Edin explained, running a hand through his hair.

“…What?” Lysei asked, her expression puzzled. Edin sighed.

“Both during the hunt and now, using the shadows’ method of travel has tainted my divine power. Tainted divine power negatively affects Alphas and Omegas, it makes them ill. That’s why I’m keeping you away.”

“…!”

“I want to be close to you more than anyone. But I can’t right now. I asked the physician, and he said that because my divine power is so tainted, if you, an Omega, come into contact with me, you’ll catch a fever.”

Edin’s words finally made his behavior clear. But what was a fever, really?

“A fever is nothing. I’ll just get over it…” Lysei started walking toward him, but Edin quickly took a couple of steps back.

“Stop, Lysei!”

His firm command forced Lysei to halt.

“I can’t bear to see you ill. Maintain this distance until my divine power is restored.”

“But I was right next to you the whole time you were unconscious?”

“When you’re unconscious, the divine power within your body is dormant, so it doesn’t matter.”

Lysei frowned, displeased. Edin softened his expression with a gentle smile.

“Come and sit here. There’s much I want to discuss with you.”

***

“Is it alright to drink?” Lysei asked, looking at the wine and fruit the maids had brought, as she sat across from Edin on the sofa.

“My divine power is tainted, but I’ve otherwise fully recovered,” Edin replied, pouring wine into Lysei’s glass.

Lysei took a sip. It was the first time they’d shared a drink like this in a while. Though not particularly thirsty, she quickly finished her glass.

Edin told her to drink slowly as he refilled it.

“About what happened…” Edin began cautiously. Lysei shook her head.

“I’ve heard everything. You don’t need to say any more.”

“Did you also hear that nothing happened?”

“I did.”

“….”

“Edin.”

“Yes?”

“Even though I know what happened, I still can’t help but feel angry when I think about it.”

“…I understand.”

“I know I’m being difficult, but…”

“You’re not. I would feel the same.”

Lysei stared at Edin, his words echoing those of Luigia. She was definitely being strange. Even the fact that Edin and Luigia expressed similar sentiments bothered her. It was a ridiculous, petty feeling, even she knew it.

She hadn’t realized the ending of the original story would bother her this much. It made her tense whenever Luigia and Edin seemed even remotely close. Lysei worried about how long these twisted feelings would last.

As they discussed the misunderstanding over the sweet, mellow wine, they quickly emptied two bottles. Slightly tipsy, Lysei’s gaze drifted towards Edin, her eyes heavy-lidded. Her blurred vision settled on the man whose mere presence radiated a dazzling aura.

“Perhaps you should stop drinking. Your eyes are starting to glaze over, Lysei.”

“I’m not drunk…” Two bottles of wine had only slightly slurred her speech. She didn’t usually have such a low tolerance, and it felt strange that her tongue wasn’t obeying her.

“It’s quite strong wine.” Even as he said this, Edin himself looked a little flushed. His words finally explained why she was feeling the effects. Strong wine, indeed…

Lysei blinked slowly at the wine bottle. Edin rested his chin on his hand, watching her with languid eyes, and that familiar, troublesome urge began to stir within her.

Normally, she would have him sitting beside her, close enough to touch, but tonight, with him sitting opposite and deliberately keeping his distance, it seemed she wouldn’t be able to touch him at all.

But who was she? A lightweight who turned into a playful pup after a few drinks. Lysei set down her glass and looked at Edin with half-lidded eyes.

“Edin.”

“Yes?”