Contract Marriage: Rewritten - Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Translator: Yonnee
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Of course, divorce didn’t necessarily mean she must return to her homeland.
‘I could just stay in the empire.’
But that would only be possible if she had the money to do so.
‘With the money I’ve saved so far, it’s difficult to continue living here.’
Laniakea imagined the life she wanted.
A house with one room, a small kitchen, and a living room large enough to fit a table. It would be nice if it had a yard, but she wouldn’t be too disappointed if it didn’t.
She didn’t dream of living in a big city. On the contrary, she wished for a quiet, sparsely populated countryside life.
‘I wouldn’t have many ways to earn a living in a place like that… but I just want to live without worrying about food.’
A life with just enough to eat, like bread and vegetables for the day, and books to read. Even that much would make her happy for the rest of her life.
Laniakea fell deep into thought.
It was only a matter of time before the emperor passed away. When that happened, Hyperion would immediately ascend the throne.
The problem was that in such a case, Laniakea would inevitably become empress.
Divorcing as a princess consort was already cumbersome enough, but divorcing as empress would be an even more tedious process.
Which meant Hyperion would likely want a divorce as soon as possible.
‘So I should be able to negotiate the terms.’
If I sign the papers as soon as you ask, would it be too much to request a little financial support to help me settle down in the empire after leaving the palace?
If she’d say something like that…
“He’ll definitely agree without hesitation.”
A smile crept onto Laniakea’s face as she imagined it.
She hadn’t expected to leave the imperial palace so suddenly, and through a divorce no less, but it wasn’t a bad development.
Laniakea flopped onto her bed and began thinking about what she needed to do.
‘First, I need to ensure severance pay for the staff in the detached palace… Lucy will probably serve the new empress.’
Then there was the question of what belongings she could take with her. Could she bring the books she’d been reading? More importantly, since she couldn’t stay in the capital, where would she go?
Normally, divorce would bring worry and anxiety, but Laniakea’s heart raced with anticipation.
Then, Hyperion came to mind—her husband, whom she had only interacted with during a few meals over the past three years.
To be honest, Laniakea didn’t feel anything special toward him. She merely thought of him as her good-looking, intimidating, and rarely-seen husband on paper.
She neither liked nor disliked him.
‘If I had to categorize it, he leans more toward the like side… I guess.’
She recalled how he had stepped in to shield her from the empress.
Since their marriage had been arranged by the empress, she had wondered if he harbored ill feelings toward her. But apparently, that wasn’t the case.
‘If I offer to agree to the divorce right away, he might even show me some consideration.’
After all, there was no benefit in ending things awkwardly with someone who would soon become emperor.
Determined to accommodate whatever Hyperion requested, Laniakea drifted off to sleep.
* * *
The next day, just as Laniakea had anticipated, attendants from the main palace came to fetch her.
Accompanying them to the main palace, she felt the atmosphere there had grown even heavier.
It was clear that preparations for the emperor’s funeral would follow shortly after the princes’.
The attendants led Laniakea to an unfamiliar location.
“This place is…”
“It is His Highness the Crown Prince’s office.”
The room they guided her to was one she’d heard had remained vacant because the emperor had never officially named a crown prince.
Apparently, no one had objected to Hyperion using it now.
‘I figured this would happen.’
Laniakea cautiously stepped into the office. The eyes of those already inside turned toward her.
Most of them were unfamiliar faces, likely officials who had opposed the empress.
They stared at Laniakea for a moment, then frowned with clear displeasure.
Realizing the source of their disapproval, Laniakea averted her gaze.
It seemed likely that they had gathered to discuss matters related to her.
“Everyone, you may leave now.”
Just as the tension in the room began to rise, Hyperion stood and spoke.
At his low voice, the officials immediately bowed their heads and left the office without protest.
Once it was just the two of them, silence filled the room.
Unable to bear the weight of it, Laniakea was the first to speak.
“You summoned me…?”
“Ah, yes. That’s correct. The thing is…”
Unlike how he had addressed the officials earlier, Hyperion hesitated as he replied.
“It’s because there’s something I must ask of you.”
His serious expression made Laniakea swallow nervously.
‘The moment has finally come.’
Though theirs had been a distant and formal marriage, it must have been difficult for him to ask for a divorce so directly.
“I already know what you want. Don’t worry. I’ll do as you wish.”
“Is that so?”
Hyperion’s expression brightened at her response.
Seeing how openly relieved he was, Laniakea felt a slight pang of disappointment.
Although their marriage had been devoid of mutual affection, his eagerness to embrace the divorce was a bit much.
Still, his reaction reassured her that he wouldn’t make any unreasonable demands.
Feeling relieved, Laniakea spoke quickly.
“Let’s sign the divorce agreement right away.”
At the same time, Hyperion, unable to hold back any longer, said,
“Let’s have a child right away—son or daughter, it doesn’t matter.”
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