Contract Marriage: Rewritten - Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Translator: Yonnee
—
Laniakea tried to recall what she knew.
When she was in Priatra, she had received basic sex education. It was then that she learned what a man and woman had to do to conceive a child.
But that had only been the most basic of knowledge. She had learned more about what went on in bed after coming to the empire, and only by overhearing conversations in the lounges during banquets.
Laniakea didn’t particularly enjoy attending banquets. She was always worried that the clothes and jewelry borrowed from the empress might get damaged.
And besides, there were always people who bothered her with conversation.
It would have been nice if the noble ladies had spoken to her, but within the imperial palace ruled by the empress, there were few brave enough to try befriending Laniakea.
Instead, men hovered around her.
“His Highness Hyperion didn’t attend this banquet either, did he? If you’re in need of a partner…”
“Would you consider attending my household’s evening banquet? Many young men would be thrilled if Your Highness were to join us.”
Though their words were fairly polite, their gazes scanning over Laniakea were thick with lust.
As they licked their lips, imagining the curves hidden beneath her dress, Laniakea offered curt rejections and holed herself up in the lounge.
When she tucked herself away in the farthest corner possible, she would inevitably overhear the whispered gossip of noble ladies behind her.
“Everyone knows Countess Sherin handpicked her husband, right?”
“Oh, I heard. I was told she even held a secret interview, judging the man’s body in detail.”
“She went through all that effort, but they’re already sleeping in separate rooms.”
“What? Why?”
“Well… apparently, she married him because she liked his body, but he’s too big, and it’s become a problem. He’s also a bit clumsy, so it was just painful in bed.”
“Oh my, oh my. Good heavens. And then?”
Laniakea perked up her ears at their story. After all, people were naturally curious about such secretive topics.
What’s more, she had thought this was something she would never experience in her lifetime, which only made her more intrigued.
Thanks to that, she got to hear vivid, real-world stories that hadn’t been taught in any lesson.
That there were couples who conceived with just a single night together, and others who had to try for years before finally having a child.
That some couples enjoyed themselves every night, while others found it so painful that, after conceiving, they never shared a bed again.
That some were troubled because their partner had perverse preferences—those sorts of blunt, unfiltered stories.
“Mm…”
As she recalled the things she’d overheard, Laniakea’s expression darkened.
“Maybe… it’s big… right?”
She had never actually seen a man’s in person. So, she could only make rough guesses based on statues.
She had heard that a large body didn’t necessarily mean that part was large too… But still, wouldn’t it resemble the rest of the physique?
‘If something like that goes in, it’s probably going to hurt.’
Laniakea had no way of knowing how painful it might be.
Some people laughed as they talked about it, while others grimaced like they couldn’t even bear the thought.
One thing was certain. If the partner was big, it was going to be difficult. So maybe being with Hyperion was going to be a bit hard on her.
“Haa…”
A long breath escaped her lips. She now felt pathetic for agonizing over something like this.
Among women around her age, there were many who already had children. Even the second prince’s consort, who had been the same age as her, already had two.
So many had already gone through it—and for her, it was even a duty—and yet here she was, worrying about it like this.
‘Let’s just try.’
Laniakea clenched her fist with determination. Things didn’t always go well just by trying, but if she kept at it, she might get used to it. She might even conceive before she had time to get used to anything.
‘He said just one child would be enough.’
What Hyperion wanted from her was a single heir. Usually, people said the more heirs the better.
So when she asked if just one would really be enough, he had replied with a cold expression,
“People have likely learned by now that having many heirs only brings poison.”
They had all killed each other off through mutual suspicion, so it was a reasonable conclusion.
“Raising just one properly is enough. It’s not like there are two thrones for emperors.”
Maybe he had been speaking from personal experience.
In any case, it didn’t seem like Hyperion would ask her for more than one. He likely didn’t want his heir to suffer what he had endured.
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