Read Rewriting the Marriage Contract Novel Translation Chapter 12

(다시 쓰는 결혼 계약서)

Original: 백설홍 (White Snow) | Translation: Genie

#josei #drama #romance #contract-marriage #mature #fantasy

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After returning to the star palace, Laniakea immediately began packing her belongings.

First, she pulled out everything she owned and sorted what she could take with her. As expected, most of her possessions had to be left behind in the imperial palace. Fortunately, the clothes she brought with her from Friatra remained, so she wouldn’t leave with nothing.

Since there wasn’t much to pack, it only took Laniakea a few hours to finish organising her things. Despite living in the lavish and abundant imperial palace for nearly three years, everything she could truly call her own fit into just four bags.

As Laniakea packed, Lucy stood by her side with a downcast expression. Laniakea glanced at her and offered a faint, wry smile.

Keeping Lucy by her side wasn’t solely due to the Empress’s orders. Lucy favoured Laniakea more than any other member of the imperial family, as if she had been sent here from the beginning solely to protect her.

But now that Laniakea was leaving, Lucy would have to remain in the palace and serve another member of the royal family.

“Your Highness. I too… want to run away.”

“It’s not running away; it’s departing from the palace. And Lucy, you must stay here.”

Wasn’t it due to the long-standing agreement between the imperial family and the Lupine Clan that the strongest among them, Lucy, had been sent to serve here?

“Still, I want to go with you.”

Seeing Lucy’s lips jutting out in a pout made Laniakea feel uneasy.

During her stay in the star palace, she had relied heavily on Lucy’s help. From uprooting dead trees in the garden to dusting the high walls and laundering long, heavy curtains, Lucy managed tasks that would require dozens of servants on her own.

Of course, her assistance wasn’t limited to just physically demanding work.

“With Lucy here, I never felt lonely.”

Even though Laniakea enjoyed her solitude, there were moments when she felt isolated and melancholic. During those times, she taught Lucy the language of the Empire.

Lucy wasn’t the fastest learner, but her enthusiasm never waned, and Laniakea’s dedication as her teacher never faltered. She even went so far as to teach her the imperial court’s complex etiquette, though she herself hadn’t yet fully memorised it.

“To teach Lucy properly, I ended up studying imperial decorum more diligently myself.”

As a result, Laniakea inadvertently mastered impeccable manners. She couldn’t allow herself to be an embarrassing teacher, after all.

“Considering her exceptional skills as a bodyguard, she’ll likely become one of the Empress’s attendants.”

Laniakea silently hoped that the new Empress would understand and appreciate Lucy’s unique qualities.

“It’s time to rest for tonight. You should go and sleep now, Lucy.”

Laniakea swallowed her regret and spoke gently.

Perhaps Lucy had been hoping Laniakea would ask her to leave the palace together. Upon hearing the dismissal, Lucy’s face grew even gloomier as she trudged out of the room.

─── ･: .☽ . :･ ───

Laniakea lay in bed, her room cloaked in darkness, pondering how much she should request from Hypherion.

Although she had lived solely within the imperial palace, she had a fair understanding of the cost of living outside. Her frequent visits to the royal library, one of the few privileges granted to her as a royal consort, allowed her to read books and review quarterly imperial reports.

These reports, which documented the outcomes of council meetings, also detailed the state of various regions, their market prices, and key developments. Laniakea had often pored over them, learning which regions were renowned for what, their climates, and which places offered affordable housing and low living expenses.

“The lands near the Grand Forest would be ideal,” she thought. “They may not be as fertile as Friatra, but the proximity to the forest would ensure vitality, and it would make summoning spirits easier.”

Moreover, that area was known for its low cost of living.

“Once I secure a house and some essentials… farming will likely be my means of survival.”

She pictured the small vegetable patch she had cultivated in a secluded corner of the star palace garden. Positioned near the border of the garden and the palace forest, it was so modest that calling it a field seemed an overstatement. Laniakea had planted remnants of vegetables, like carrot tops and spring onion roots, left over from her cooking.

“They thrived magnificently.”

This success, of course, was thanks to the mole spirit’s help.

“I may look small, but I’m a spirit of the earth! Growing delicious vegetables is my specialty!”

The spirit had boasted so proudly. The moment Laniakea tasted the produce grown from that patch, she understood the spirit’s confidence.

“Good heavens, Your Highness, where did you get these carrots? I’ve never tasted any this sweet before.”
“Look at the size of this onion bulb!”
“And these herbs! Such rich yet gentle aromas.”

The two elderly maids, who prepared her meals, couldn’t contain their admiration when they saw the vegetables from her patch. They swiftly prepared a feast, and that evening, everyone in the star palace savoured their meal with blissful expressions, murmuring, “That was an extraordinary feast…”

Afterward, the maids often looked at Laniakea with hopeful eyes, silently urging her to grow more produce.

“If I move to the countryside and buy cheap land with poor soil, I could farm alongside the mole spirit…”

In her imagination, a vast field blossomed with various crops: carrots, cucumbers, aubergines, pumpkins, potatoes, tomatoes… The vision didn’t stop there. Wheat and barley swayed in her mind’s eye, and she even dreamed of acquiring an orchard to grow apples and grapes.

Laniakea’s lips curled into a soft smile. Would she finally realise the dream she’d held since childhood?

“If I manage to buy a larger house and more land later, I could summon other spirits more freely too.”

Her thoughts wandered to other spirits. Unlike the sociable mole, some spirits required a long interval between summonings. Moreover, even in the relative seclusion of the star palace, with Lucy and other servants around, summoning spirits freely had been impossible.

But soon, that too would become a thing of the past.

“Still, how much should I ask for?”

She recalled Hypherion’s words, his solemn promise to respect her wishes, and his gentle yet firm declaration that she was his wife.

“At least he doesn’t seem to dislike me as much as I once thought.”

With that comforting thought, Laniakea wondered if she could ask for a slightly more generous sum than initially planned.

As these thoughts drifted through her mind, her eyelids grew heavy, and she slowly drifted into slumber.

─── ･: .☽ . :･ ───

Blink.

Laniakea blinked rapidly.

The first thing she saw was a hazy darkness. As her vision adjusted, she could make out the intricate patterns and ornaments on the ceiling of her room. It was the dead of night. This was her familiar space, her sanctuary, yet her heart was pounding fiercely in her chest.

Then, she heard it—a faint clink as the doorknob turned. Someone was trying to enter her room.

It couldn’t be Lucy. Lucy always knocked forcefully before coming in. Besides, no one had any reason to sneak into her room at such an hour.

The last time something like this had happened…

“…!”

Memories surged through Laniakea, filling her with a visceral wave of disgust and terror. She bolted upright in bed.

She needed to scream for help, but her voice failed her, stuck in her throat. As she stumbled backwards, the door creaked open, and she caught a glint of something sharp.

A chill ran down her spine. The intruder was armed, and it was clear what their intent was.

“Lucy, I have to call Lucy!”

But the assailant closed the distance faster than she could open her mouth.

“Ugh!”

The intruder’s hand clamped around her throat, cutting off her air. Laniakea flailed her arms desperately, her feeble resistance eliciting a twisted smile from her attacker. They were confident they would accomplish their goal within moments.

Just then, Laniakea’s hand brushed against the window. She threw it open, letting in a rush of cold night air.

“Mav…erick…”

With all her strength, she forced out the words.

The unexpected action caused the intruder to falter. Suddenly, a radiant light filled the room. Between Laniakea and her attacker, a translucent maverick bird materialised, its feathers shimmering like stardust.

As the intruder gawked at the bird in stunned disbelief, the maverick blinked its luminous eyes and bellowed:

[“You bastard!”]

The tiny bird launched itself at the assailant, viciously pecking at their eyes with its delicate but merciless beak.