Contract Marriage: Rewritten - Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Translator: Yonnee
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“Ah, that… I just noticed a stain and wondered about it…”
“Ah.”
At her words, the first imperial prince glanced down at his clothes, clicked his tongue softly, and replied.
“I must have overlooked it when I quickly washed my face. My apologies.”
Realizing she had inadvertently pointed out his untidiness, Laniakea quickly shook her head.
“No, not at all! These things happen! You didn’t need to rush…”
“I’ve been assigned many tasks and lacked the time to be thorough. My apologies for the oversight. I must return promptly once this matter is concluded.”
With a slight nod of gratitude for her understanding, he resumed reviewing the contract.
As silence filled the room again, Laniakea reflected on what he had just said.
‘He’s leaving immediately?’
So, this is what they meant by him rarely staying in the imperial palace.
‘They said he spends most of his time at the border.’
When she first heard this, she thought the empress had intentionally sent him to such a dangerous place to eliminate him.
But now, observing him, it seemed he was sent there because he was genuinely needed.
‘Well, the empress wouldn’t have to kill him outright.’
The first imperial prince had long since been pushed out of the succession race. Eliminating a non-threatening figure would be unnecessary.
If anything, his death could cause political complications unfavorable to the empress.
‘That’s why she’s making a show of handling his marriage herself.’
From an outsider’s perspective, the marriage between Laniakea and the first imperial prince seemed impeccable.
She was a foreign royal princess, not a low-ranking noble, and the union looked respectable.
It allowed the empress to project an image of caring for the first imperial prince, even though he wasn’t her biological son.
‘In any case, that’s a relief.’
The less the prince visited, the more freedom Laniakea would have.
Before coming to the empire, she had imagined what this marriage would be like.
With only a few meetings per year, there’d be no need for active socializing—something the empress likely wouldn’t want anyway.
She could spend most of her time secluded in her residence.
Others might pity her, but Laniakea found the prospect appealing.
A life where no one bothered her, and she didn’t have to concern herself with anyone else.
From the empress’s attitude and the prince’s behavior, that vision of her life seemed nearly assured.
At that moment, Hyperion, who had been reviewing the contract, raised his head.
“I’ve finished reviewing the initial sections. I don’t see any need for revisions. Do you have any changes you’d like to propose, Princess?”
As if. Suggesting revisions would only draw the empress’s ire.
“No, I have none.”
“Understood. Then once we agree on the final section, the contract will be complete.”
With that, he turned to the last page of the contract. Laniakea hurriedly opened the corresponding section in her own copy.
This part required private agreements between Hyperion and Laniakea.
The first clause pertained to shared meals.
[ The couple shall share __ meal(s) __ time(s) every __. Meals will follow the __ meal schedule. ]
“Would it be acceptable to set one shared meal per year? Due to my frequent duties at the border, it would be difficult to maintain a regular schedule.”
A couple who dined together only once a year—wasn’t that more distant than strangers?
Even so, Laniakea smiled lightly.
“Of course.”
She then mentioned what the official had told her earlier.
“I heard it’s fine not to finalize everything right now. We can revise the terms later through mutual agreement. I’ll do my best to accommodate Your Imperial Highness’s preferences.”
Even if they wouldn’t meet often, it was best not to clash with the prince.
Though this marriage was arranged under the empress’s orders, it was wise to show him that she intended not to cause any trouble.
Perhaps understanding her intention, Hyperion nodded slightly.
“Then would you be agreeable to deferring the final clause as well?”
Though she hadn’t yet read the last clause, it was clear he found this entire process tedious.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be skimming through the contract so quickly.
‘Still, wouldn’t it be better to settle things now?’
With that thought, Laniakea turned her attention to the next clause.
[ The couple shall engage in intercourse __ time(s) every __ for the purpose of producing an heir. ]
Laniakea blinked for a moment before responding.
“Yes, I agree with wrapping up the contract negotiations here.”
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