Contract Marriage: Rewritten - Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Translator: Yonnee
—
Laniakea had planted the ends of leftover carrots and the roots of green onions in that small garden.
‘They grew so well.’
Of course, that was thanks to the mole spirit’s help.
[ I may look like this, but I’m an earth spirit! Growing delicious vegetables is my specialty! ]
He had boasted so much while puffing up with pride.
But the moment Laniakea tasted a dish made from the vegetables grown in that garden, she finally understood Mole’s confidence.
“Oh my goodness, Your Highness. Where did you get these carrots? I’ve never had carrots this sweet before.”
“Look at the size of these onions.”
“And these herbs—so fragrant yet so delicate.”
The two elderly maids who prepared meals for the annex marveled at the vegetables from Laniakea’s garden.
They quickly set to work and cooked up a meal, and by the end of the evening, everyone in the annex had murmured in a daze, “That was the best meal ever…”
After that, the maids began looking at Laniakea with hopeful eyes, as if silently urging her to grow more crops in the garden.
‘If I go to the countryside and buy a plot of land with poor soil at a low price… and farm there with Mole…’
In Laniakea’s imagination, vast fields were soon overflowing with various crops.
Carrots, cucumbers, eggplants, pumpkins, potatoes, tomatoes…
Her thoughts continued, expanding beyond vegetables to grains like wheat and barley. And if she could acquire an orchard, she could even grow apples and grapes.
The corners of Laniakea’s lips curled up.
Would she finally be able to realize the dream she had imagined since childhood?
‘If I can buy a larger house and land in the future, I’ll be able to call upon more spirits freely.’
She thought of the other spirits.
Unlike the sociable Mole, most spirits took time to return once summoned.
And even though she lived in an annex, there were still people around—Lucy, the attendants—so she had never been able to summon spirits freely.
But soon, that would all be in the past.
‘The real question is… how much should I ask for?’
She recalled Hyperion’s words—how he had promised to respect her wishes. She also remembered the way he had said, “You’re my wife, aren’t you?”
‘Fortunately, he doesn’t seem to dislike me as much as I thought.’
In that case… maybe, just maybe, she could ask for slightly more than she originally planned.
As those thoughts swirled in her mind, Laniakea’s eyes slowly drifted shut.
* * *
Blink.
Laniakea quickly opened her eyes.
The first thing she saw was an indistinct darkness.
She blinked a few more times, and as her vision adjusted, she made out the familiar patterns and decorations on the ceiling of her room.
It was deep into the night.
This was her own room—she should have felt safe. But her heart was pounding violently.
Then, she heard it.
Click.
The doorknob rattled as someone tried to turn it.
Someone was trying to enter her room.
It wasn’t Lucy. Lucy always knocked loudly before coming in.
And besides—who would sneak into her room at this hour?
The last time something like this happened…
“……!”
Memories flashed through her mind. Instinctual aversion and fear surged up, and Laniakea bolted upright.
She needed to scream for help—loudly, as loudly as she could.
But no sound came out.
As she staggered back, the door swung open completely.
And then—a glint of metal.
A shiver ran down her spine.
The intruder was holding a blade.
There was no need to ask what they intended to do with it.
‘Lucy—I need to call Lucy!’
But the attacker was faster.
“Ugh!”
Their hand shot out and wrapped around her throat, squeezing tightly.
Laniakea flailed, her hands grasping at the intruder’s arm, but her weak resistance only made them sneer.
They were sure—so sure—that she would be dead in mere moments.
But as she desperately flailed, her fingers grazed the window latch.
And in that instant, she threw it open.
A gust of cool night air rushed into the room.
With the last of her breath, Laniakea choked out a single word.
“Spa…rrow…”
The unexpected sound made the attacker falter for a split second.
And then—light flooded the room.
A translucent bird, glowing faintly, appeared between her and the intruder.
The stunned assailant stared at it in shock.
The bird blinked its bright eyes at them and then, without warning, let out a furious shriek.
[ This goddamn little shit! ]
And with that, the tiny bird viciously pecked the attacker’s eyes.
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