Contract Marriage: Rewritten - Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Translator: Yonnee
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When this marriage was decided, Laniakea wondered what she could do about it.
Of course, rejecting the marriage was never an option. Priatra couldn’t refuse the empire’s request.
Above all, Laniakea decided to accept the marriage because of her family.
When she saw her parents and sisters looking delighted at the prospect of finally getting rid of the family’s disgrace, Laniakea realized it was time for her to leave.
‘Once I’m married, I’ll be able to leave Priatra.’
To Laniakea, her family had always been less than strangers.
While outsiders at least maintained some semblance of respect toward her as a princess, her parents and sisters constantly treated her as a source of shame for the royal family.
From a young age, Laniakea had dreamed of leaving the palace that treated her as defective—or, better yet, leaving Priatra altogether.
But how?
It was customary for members of the Priatra royal family to marry domestic nobles. Royals who didn’t marry were confined to the palace for life.
And yet, out of nowhere, a marriage proposal arrived from a foreign land—willed by the empress of the empire, no less, someone Priatra could never refuse.
Laniakea thought about the circumstances of her prospective husband, Prince Hyperion.
A prince with no power or influence, who only returned to the imperial palace once or twice a year at most. Someone unlikely to welcome this marriage.
Surely, even if she went to the imperial palace, he would keep his distance.
And when one of his younger brothers eventually ascended the throne, he would likely relocate outside the palace.
Naturally, Laniakea would follow him to a remote territory of the empire.
‘If that happens… I might be able to live quietly.’
Hyperion would surely be dissatisfied with this marriage as well. He might even demand a divorce before they left the palace.
Of course, there was always the possibility he might unexpectedly find her appealing.
‘Even so, it’s still better than marrying one of Priatra’s nobles.’
The noblemen of Priatra had already begun speculating about who might marry Laniakea, who was now of marriageable age.
Although not as stunning as her sisters, Laniakea’s beauty was still enough to ignite their desire.
And because she was treated as the black sheep of the royal family, they laughed amongst themselves, confident she wouldn’t complain no matter how harshly they treated her.
Unlike her powerful sisters, Laniakea wasn’t someone they feared.
Thus, the noblemen of Priatra salivated over her like hungry wolves eyeing an unclaimed piece of meat.
“If the third princess bears several children, one of them might inherit strong blood. An heir capable of using elemental magic—that would be incredible.”
Hearing such comments whispered in a corner of the banquet hall, Laniakea vowed to escape Priatra no matter what.
‘This is my chance.’
Laniakea resolved to go to the empire. To live quietly, unnoticed, in a corner of the imperial palace.
* * *
“You’ve traveled a long way. It must have been exhausting,” the empress said warmly to Laniakea, who stood before her.
Though the empress was the mother of three adult princes, she didn’t appear her age.
However, despite her youthful and beautiful face, her sharp gaze—more astute than that of seasoned statesmen—made Laniakea tense.
“Not at all. I was so busy admiring the beauty and grandeur of the empire along the way that I hardly felt tired,” Laniakea replied politely.
The empress smiled at her response.
“These are things you’ll see every day from now on. You’ll grow accustomed to them soon enough.”
From the outset, the empress spoke to Laniakea as though addressing a subordinate.
Although the royal marriage hadn’t yet taken place, and despite Laniakea’s position as a representative of Priatra, the empress showed no regard for such formalities.
“We’ll also be seeing each other often, so there’s no need for such stiffness.”
This was no accidental behavior.
As the center of the imperial palace, where intrigue and power struggles were rampant, the empress wouldn’t make such a mistake.
From the beginning, she was sending a clear message to Laniakea.
You have no choice in this marriage, and Priatra holds no power here.
“Looking at you now, I can see that the legends of Priatra weren’t exaggerated. Don’t you all agree?”
The empress glanced at her ladies-in-waiting, who nodded in agreement.
They were quietly astonished.
Everyone had heard of the beauty of Priatra’s royal family, as famous as their strength.
But rumors had it that Laniakea, the third princess, was the least impressive of her siblings.
They hadn’t expected much. Yet the moment Laniakea entered the empress’s palace, she captivated all eyes.
Her bright platinum blond hair shimmered like captured sunlight, and her green eyes resembled the lushest greenery of summer.
Her features were so symmetrical and refined that they bordered on perfection.
At that moment, a knock at the door interrupted.
Upon the empress’s permission, an attendant entered and whispered something to her.
The empress’s expression shifted to one of surprise.
“The First Prince is here? Already?”
Dismissing the attendant, the empress turned to Laniakea.
“Princess, you’re aware of the marriage contract, aren’t you?”
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