Contract Marriage: Rewritten - Chapter 30
Chapter 30
Translator: Yonnee
—
* * *
The funeral ended swiftly.
Perhaps it was because the funeral for the imperial princes two days prior had served as good practice.
The moment the ceremony concluded, the imperial palace was thrown into turmoil. With the ascension of the new emperor, the families of the second, third, and fourth imperial consorts, along with the former empress, were all required to leave the palace.
“What nonsense is this! Why should I have to leave the palace?! As the empress dowager, it is only natural that I remain here to guide the inexperienced emperor and empress!”
The former empress screamed, hurling whatever objects were within reach at the knights who had entered her palace.
Hyperion’s knights, unyielding even when facing monstrous beasts, found themselves taking an involuntary step back in the face of her outburst.
“This is becoming quite troublesome.”
Signo rubbed his forehead as he observed the scene.
Just then, a sharp jab to his side caught his attention. Turning his head, he found Lucy standing beside him, now dressed in the uniform of the chief lady-in-waiting.
“That. Clean up?”
“Are you saying you can ‘escort’ the former empress out?”
Signo hadn’t known Lucy for long, but he had grown fairly adept at understanding her speech.
“Empress. Move. Quickly.”
Laniakea was still staying near Hyperion’s chambers. She needed to move into the empress’s palace as soon as possible, but with the former empress refusing to leave, everything was being delayed.
Clearly fed up, Lucy had resolved that today, she would personally remove the former empress.
“Then, I leave it to you.”
The moment Signo granted permission, Lucy strode toward the former empress, grabbed her by the waist, and effortlessly lifted her into the air.
“What are you doing?! How dare you! Let go! I said, let go of me!”
The former empress struggled desperately, but Lucy paid her no mind and carried her straight out of the palace.
Then, without hesitation, she shoved the former empress into the waiting carriage outside.
After slamming the door shut, she untied the ribbon around her neck and used it to bind the carriage’s handle tightly, ensuring the woman wouldn’t be able to escape.
“Y-You! You ignorant Lupin wench—!”
The former empress shrieked through the window, pointing an accusatory finger at Lucy, but Lucy simply smiled and waved.
“Get out.”
* * *
After a week, the empress’s palace welcomed its new owner.
Not just the empress’s palace—the main palace as well had been completely cleansed of all traces of the former emperor’s long illness in preparation for its new ruler.
And in the midst of it all, Laniakea was on the brink of collapse.
“Help… someone save me…”
Sprawled across an unfamiliar bed, she muttered blankly.
This had been the busiest week of her life.
When she was merely an imperial consort, the only documents she had to review were the monthly schedules she received. At most, she had been responsible for ordering supplies for the annex.
But now, the moment the funeral ended, a towering stack of documents—taller than a person—had appeared on her desk.
Naturally, every single one of them required the empress’s review.
And it wasn’t just paperwork.
Since entering the palace, Laniakea had learned only the most basic etiquette—nothing about managing the imperial household.
But an empress couldn’t simply ignore palace affairs.
Professors from the imperial academy, along with a hastily assembled faculty from within the palace, took turns from morning till night drilling her on everything she needed to know.
Weakly, Laniakea unfolded the schedule in her hands.
The chart was packed with appointments for the next five days—so many that the number of characters on this single sheet likely exceeded all the schedules she had received over the past three years combined.
But her eyes didn’t linger on those schedules.
On the sixth day, the schedule was completely empty.
“Haah…”
A day off should have been cause for celebration, yet Laniakea’s face was filled with worry.
Because later tonight, she was to share a bed with Hyperion.
‘How many times will we have to do it?’
She had no experience, but she had heard enough stories.
‘Some conceive in just one attempt, while for others, it takes months…’
She placed a hand over her stomach.
Her cycle was regular, and her routine medical check-ups had never revealed any issues.
She thought of Hyperion.
With his strong, powerful physique, it didn’t seem like he would have any problems either.
‘Then maybe… it might happen in just one try?’
Want to read more? Advanced chapters are available on Patreon! (for selected novels only)
≪ Discord ≫
≪ Novel Updates ≫
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
