Contract Marriage: Rewritten - Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Translator: Yonnee
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He had struck her hand away so forcefully that the pen he had been holding flew through the air, splattering ink. Naturally, Laniakea’s hand and clothes were a mess.
“Ah…”
Laniakea stood frozen, unsure what to do about the ink stain on the fine clothing she didn’t usually wear.
Hyperion seemed just as stunned.
Without even glancing at the pen rolling on the floor, he stared blankly at Laniakea. Then, as if coming to his senses belatedly, he hastily grabbed her hand.
“I’m sorry. I…”
As he said that, he held the stained hem of her clothing, not knowing what to do.
Had Lucy not entered just then with the tea, the two of them might have stood there, equally dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.
“Your Majesty Empress!”
Lucy shoved the tea cart aside like she was throwing it and charged toward Laniakea with the force of a stampeding herd.
“Calm down, Lucy. I’m not hurt.”
“However! I beg Your Majesty’s deep understanding!”
She had recently declared that she would study even harder now that she was the empress’s lady-in-waiting, and she had indeed been reading diligently—but apparently, the book was a rather old one. Otherwise, how could her vocabulary suddenly sound like something from over a hundred years ago?
As Lucy pulled out a handkerchief and began wiping the ink from Laniakea’s hand, she turned to glare at Hyperion.
Her openly suspicious stare was unmistakable, and Laniakea quickly tugged Lucy toward her.
“I said it’s fine.”
Please, at least hide that look!
She worried that Hyperion might be offended by the blatant hostility, but—
“A Lupin, is she… Truly loyal indeed.”
He looked at Lucy, who was shielding Laniakea, with a somewhat pleased expression.
But that was as far as it went.
His smile soon faded, and Hyperion extended his hand toward Lucy, who was still wiping Laniakea’s hand. It was a silent command to hand over the handkerchief she held.
Even Lucy, who always prioritized Laniakea, couldn’t outright defy the emperor. Laniakea nudged her on the side.
What are you doing? Give it to him!
Looking reluctant, Lucy finally handed the handkerchief to Hyperion. Just as he smiled and reached out to wipe Laniakea’s stained clothing once more…
“Your Majesty! So this is where you were! Everyone’s waiting. Please, to the council chamber…”
Signo poked his head through the open door and immediately brightened when he saw Hyperion, calling out to him.
Hyperion’s gaze turned sharp in an instant.
“Tsk.”
Clicking his tongue in annoyance, he let out a short, regretful sound. Sensing the chill in Hyperion’s eyes, Signo stammered defensively,
“I only summoned them quickly for the Riven matter, just as Your Majesty commanded…”
As he spoke, his tone became more and more like he was about to cry, but under Hyperion’s increasingly ice-cold gaze, he fell silent and quietly disappeared back through the door.
Still, the matter must have been urgent. From behind the door, Signo’s voice could be heard again, urging that many tasks still remained.
At the sound, Laniakea quietly looked at Hyperion. He was clearly as busy—if not more so—than she was.
It was already surprising that he had taken the time to personally deliver the contract, and surely he couldn’t waste more time wiping away ink stains.
She gently grasped the handkerchief still in his hand and said,
“You should go. I’m not hurt, so there’s no need to worry.”
“But…”
“If it’s about House Riven, you should go right away.”
House Riven was the former empress’s family. If he had summoned the ministers over that, it must have been among the most pressing matters.
Hyperion looked at Laniakea, who was telling him to go, and after a moment, gave her a slight nod.
“I’m truly sorry.”
“It’s fine, really. Lucy, can you help me?”
Laniakea called Lucy over as if to show that Hyperion had no reason to worry anymore, and after hesitating a moment, Hyperion finally turned and left.
.
.
That had been two days ago.
Laniakea looked at her hand. Even though Lucy had scrubbed it as if trying to peel off her skin, the ink that had seeped into her nails hadn’t completely come out.
As she touched the ink stain on the contract from that day, Laniakea thought,
‘I think I’ll be okay… but will His Majesty?’
From the moment they married, she had mentally prepared for sharing a bed. But had Hyperion done the same?
‘I heard men can sleep with someone even if they have no feelings.’
All the stories she’d overheard at banquets came rushing back. Judging by those, it seemed everyone managed somehow…
Her gaze dropped to the ink-stained nail.
If he flinched and recoiled just from touching her, could it really be possible?
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