Contract Marriage: Rewritten - Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Translator: Yonnee
—
The contract covered a multitude of details, from where she would reside after the marriage to mandatory banquets and the budget allotted to her as the prince’s consort.
‘50,000 gold per year, huh.’
It was an oddly specific amount.
It wasn’t a small amount, but as the budget for an imperial prince’s consort, it felt lacking.
‘I have to cover the salaries of the maids, personal purchases, and even banquets with just this much?’
Although Laniakea wasn’t familiar with the empire’s cost of living or the salaries within the imperial palace, she was certain this was the bare minimum needed to maintain the dignity of an imperial prince’s consort.
‘If I want more, I’ll have to get the empress’s approval.’
As soon as she read that clause, Laniakea was convinced.
The amount was sufficient for a modest lifestyle but barely enough to host even a small banquet. In other words, it wasn’t enough to engage in proper social activities.
The empress intended to control all of Laniakea’s actions.
It wasn’t surprising—she had expected this.
‘Honestly, I don’t have to do anything.’
But doing nothing would also likely displease the empress, so she’d need to humbly request additional funds from time to time.
She wondered how often she should make such requests as she continued to flip through the contract.
What especially caught her attention were the map of the imperial palace and the layout of the annex where she would reside.
‘As I thought, it’s the most remote annex.’
Not only was it small, but it was also adjacent to a small forest within the palace grounds. Compared to other annexes, its size was less than half.
It was more of a retreat lodge for resting in the forest than a proper annex.
‘I actually like it better this way.’
Such a secluded location—and with its small size, there wouldn’t be many servants.
This meant she could live a quieter life.
Feeling lighter at the thought, Laniakea carefully examined the layout of the annex.
The more she looked, the more she liked it.
Unlike the other annexes where members of the imperial palace lived, it didn’t have a shared bedroom for a couple.
Her room and the first prince’s room were at opposite ends, meaning even if he returned occasionally, they’d rarely cross paths.
There was also a large garden between the forest and the annex.
Perhaps because of her faint fae lineage, Laniakea enjoyed places with natural elements like forests and lakes.
‘Though there’s another reason as well.’
She glanced down at the thickly carpeted floor before turning her gaze to the open terrace.
Being on the ground floor, the terrace led directly to the palace garden.
Laniakea turned to the maids and asked.
“Would it be alright if I reviewed the contract in the garden? The long carriage ride has left me feeling unwell, and I’d like some fresh air.”
“But…”
The maids exchanged glances. The only instructions they’d received were to serve the future imperial prince’s consort well. And…
“The empress seemed to be quite taken with her.”
Another maid had mentioned that since the empress was pleased with her, they were to treat her kindly, not harshly.
After a brief hesitation, the maids looked toward the garden.
The garden connected to the empress’s palace appeared serene and beautiful, but it was heavily guarded.
It was one of the safest places in the imperial palace. Refusing her request to visit the garden would ironically imply the palace’s security wasn’t sufficient.
“The fountain looks lovely, and there are flowers I’ve never seen before. I’d like to take a brief look.”
Laniakea deliberately sighed lightly as she spoke.
The maids, now reluctant to refuse outright, exchanged glances before bowing their heads.
“Understood. We’ll escort you.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary. I’d just like to rest alone for a bit.”
Saying so, Laniakea stood up with the contract in hand. Her quick movements left the maids hesitating at the terrace.
If the empress liked this princess, they didn’t want to risk earning her displeasure by being overly intrusive.
Leaving the maids behind, Laniakea walked to the fountain in the center of the garden and sat on the bench beside it.
After confirming that no one else was around, she spoke softly toward the ground beneath the bench.
“No one’s watching. You can come out now, Mole.”
The moment she spoke—
Rustle.
The ground near her feet shifted, and a small mole popped its head out of the soil.
[ Is this the empire? ]
Mole was one of her few friends—a lowest-rank earth spirit.
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