Contract Marriage: Rewritten - Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Translator: Yonnee
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00_Prologue
Night descended upon the Imperial Palace.
The noise of the day had died down, leaving only the rhythmic footsteps of those still working and the guards on patrol.
This quietude was soon broken by hurried sounds.
At the sign of someone entering the main palace, everyone nearby lowered their heads in deference.
There was no need to look closely to identify who it was.
A tall and broad-shouldered man with striking features illuminated by the flickering lights—a man who was none other than Hyperion, the master of this palace.
Hyperion swiftly passed through the people bowing their heads to him.
It was only after the sound of his footsteps had completely faded that the maids exhaled their held breaths and slowly lifted their heads.
They whispered as they watched the receding figure of Hyperion, who had already entered the palace.
“He returned to the main palace again tonight.”
“Indeed. His Majesty must be so busy with all the meetings.”
Since last week, the great lords from various regions had started visiting the palace one after another.
It was an important occasion for them to personally meet the newly crowned emperor and swear their fealty. During this period, it was customary for the emperor to remain in the Imperial Palace.
However, unlike his predecessors, Hyperion always returned to the main palace after each meeting.
One of the maids, staring blankly at the now-empty spot where the emperor had disappeared, murmured.
“The empress must be truly blessed.”
“Indeed…”
Anyone residing in the main palace knew it.
The newly crowned emperor and empress shared their marital chamber every night.
Of course, those working in the palace could neither speak of nor spread what they saw and heard. After all, wasn’t it the golden rule for palace workers to live as if they had no eyes, ears, or mouth?
But even without saying a word, the elderly maids in charge of the bedroom gave away the truth, quickly carrying away the tightly rolled-up bed sheets to the laundry every morning.
In fact, this was a cause for celebration in the empire.
With the imperial couple’s harmonious relationship, news of an heir was bound to come soon.
Blushing, the maids hurried off, thinking that the emperor and empress were likely working toward that very goal tonight as well.
* * *
The steady sound of footsteps echoed softly through the corridor. Hyperion, suddenly conscious of the noise, gave a wry smile.
Even he thought his steps were unusually quick—so quick that, had someone been beside him, they might have asked what he was in such a hurry for.
Despite being aware of this, he couldn’t bring himself to slow down.
The maids responsible for maintaining the bedchamber lowered their heads as Hyperion approached.
“The empress?”
“She retired to the bedroom right after her meal.”
At the maid’s reply, Hyperion’s lips curved slightly.
But as everyone had their heads bowed, no one noticed. Not even Hyperion himself.
“Leave.”
At the emperor’s command, the maids bowed deeply once more and hurriedly left, descending the stairs. Now that he had arrived, no one else would remain on this floor.
When Hyperion had first issued such an order, the chamberlain had voiced concerns about safety.
“Your Majesty, if we do so, it could pose a security risk…”
“I believe I can manage to protect the empress on my own. Everyone else can stay below.”
Hyperion had responded curtly.
Realizing his misstep, the chamberlain had bowed his head in shame. If an enemy existed that Hyperion couldn’t fend off, the other knights of the palace wouldn’t stand a chance either.
From that point on, no one was assigned to guard the bedroom door.
Hyperion opened the door to the bedchamber. The warm air inside, mixed with the scent of aged wood, the freshness of well-dried linens, and an indescribably sweet fragrance, enveloped him all at once.
Among these, Hyperion focused on the last scent.
It was the fragrance that lingered most strongly in his arms each morning when he woke.
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