Read Rewriting the Marriage Contract Novel Translation Chapter 3

(다시 쓰는 결혼 계약서)

Original: 백설홍 (White Snow) | Translation: Genie

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

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“Of course,” Laniakea replied, bowing her head respectfully.

The marriage contract.

Across the continent, it was a document that those of status and wealth were obligated to draft before tying the knot.

For the privileged, marriage was less a union of love and more akin to a transaction between families.

Marriage often involved not only the movement of wealth and people but also the future of entire dynasties.

For this reason, marriage contracts were far more intricate and detailed than any other agreement.

What each party would bring to the union, where they would reside, how many staff they could employ, and even mundane aspects such as how often they would dine together each week—all these details were meticulously outlined.

In cases where the betrothed shared mutual affection, such contracts held little significance.

After all, who would enforce clauses if both parties were unconcerned about breaches?

However, when the relationship soured, the contract became crucial—especially in the event of divorce.

During a divorce, the original contract was scrutinised to determine which side had violated it more, and the responsible party was held accountable.

While such contracts were vital in noble marriages, their importance was magnified tenfold in unions involving royalty.

“Coincidentally, the first prince has returned to the palace today,” the Empress said. “If it’s agreeable to you, I’d like the two of you to finalise the contract today.”

Her tone was gentle, but the statement was no suggestion—it was an order.

“I have no objections,” Laniakea answered.

But in truth, she did.

The journey here had been her first long-distance travel experience. It had taken twenty gruelling days by carriage to reach the empire from Friatra.

For someone who had rarely ventured beyond her castle walls, the trip had been nothing short of torture.

Still, Laniakea was perceptive enough to understand that voicing a desire to rest would be unwise in the current situation.

The Empress’s smile softened slightly, perhaps pleased by Laniakea’s compliant response.

“You must still be fatigued from your journey, and for that, I apologise. However, as a mother who wishes to secure a match for her son, I hope you’ll understand my urgency.”

“Think nothing of it,” Laniakea replied smoothly.

From the moment she crossed the empire’s borders, Laniakea had understood one thing with painful clarity: the Empress held immense power.

It was clear that aligning herself with the Empress would be advantageous.

For the sake of her peaceful future, Laniakea was more than willing to endure her fatigue.

Perhaps sensing her effort to cooperate, the Empress gestured to her maids.

“Still, a touch of preparation is necessary. See to it that the princess is given a moment to freshen up and relax before reviewing the contract. With her beauty, she’ll look stunning in our empire’s attire.”

At the Empress’s command, the maids bustled into action.

Watching their hurried movements, Laniakea realised something: this brief reprieve wasn’t part of the plan.

It was a concession—a small favour granted by the Empress herself.

The start was promising.

─── ･: .☽ . :･ ───

Following the Empress’s orders, the maids attended to Laniakea with the utmost care.

After being bathed in water infused with fragrant oils and flower petals, Laniakea emerged to find a white summer dress prepared for her.

The attire, from the undergarments to the dress itself, was entirely different from what she was accustomed to in Friatra.

Once dressed, her hair was neatly brushed and styled into an elegant updo. Her transformation left the waiting maids speechless.

“Oh my!”
“How… stunning you are.”

Their murmurs of awe were tinged with a quiet sorrow.

Had this princess been wed to any other prince, she would have enjoyed adoration, wealth, and prestige. But no matter how beautiful she was, they knew she would gain none of these things here.

With her preparations complete, Laniakea was led to a conference room.

“Please review the marriage contract before the first prince arrives,” an elderly lady, clearly a high-ranking official, instructed, placing a thick document before her.

“This is the contract?”

Its sheer size resembled a book more than a simple agreement.

Though she kept her thoughts to herself, the official seemed to have anticipated Laniakea’s reaction.

“For a royal union, this is standard. The terms concerning the alliance between the empire and Friatra have already been agreed upon, so you needn’t concern yourself with those sections.”

In other words, the diplomatic aspects were settled; her input wasn’t needed.

“All that remains are the personal arrangements between you and His Highness. Please review them at your leisure.”

With that, the official exited, leaving Laniakea alone with two maids who stood at a respectful distance, their eyes fixed on her.

“So they’re waiting for me to get on with it,” she thought, feeling the unspoken pressure.

Sighing inwardly, Laniakea opened the tome-like contract.

The preamble, brimming with lofty phrases about trust, faith, and love under the divine, was tedious and archaic.

Fighting the pull of drowsiness, she forced herself to focus.

As the official had stated, most of the critical terms were already fixed. The only sections open for her input were highly personal details.

Still, it wouldn’t hurt to read everything thoroughly.

She immersed herself in the document, finding it densely packed with stipulations.

It detailed where she would reside after marriage, the banquets she was obliged to attend, and even her budget as a princess consort.

“Fifty thousand gold a year.”

It was an ambiguous amount.

Not insignificant, but also insufficient to maintain the dignity expected of a princess consort.

“This has to cover the maids’ salaries, personal expenses, and hosting banquets?”

She wasn’t familiar with imperial living costs, but it was clear this budget barely allowed for the bare minimum required to uphold her status.

To receive additional funds, she would need the Empress’s approval—a clear attempt to control her activities.

It didn’t surprise her; she had anticipated this level of restriction.

“Not that I plan to do much anyway,” she thought.

Still, asking for additional funds occasionally might be necessary to avoid drawing the Empress’s ire.

Pondering how often she could make such requests without being a nuisance, Laniakea continued reading.

She paid particular attention to the map of the imperial palace and the layout of the annex where she would reside.

As expected, her assigned residence was the most secluded annex, bordering a small forest within the palace grounds.

Its size was half that of other annexes, more akin to a retreat than a proper residence.

“I like it,” she mused.

The isolation and smaller scale meant fewer staff and less interference—perfect for a quiet life.

The layout of the annex pleased her even more.

Unlike typical royal residences, it lacked a shared bedroom for the couple. Her room and the prince’s were at opposite ends of the annex, ensuring minimal interaction.

There was also a spacious garden between the forest and the annex—a detail that delighted her.

Despite her weak connection to the fae lineage, Laniakea had always felt a deep fondness for natural spaces like forests and lakes.

“For other reasons, too,” she thought, glancing briefly at the thickly carpeted floor.

Her gaze shifted to the open terrace doors, leading to the palace gardens. The conference room being on the ground floor, the terrace provided direct access to the garden.

Turning to the maids, she asked, “Would it be alright if I reviewed the contract in the garden? The long carriage ride has left me feeling a bit unwell, and I’d like some fresh air.”

“Well…”

The maids exchanged uncertain looks. Their only instructions had been to attend to the princess consort carefully.

“The Empress seems to favour her,” one maid had whispered earlier, hinting that they should treat her kindly.

After a brief hesitation, the maids looked towards the garden. Though serene and beautiful, the grounds were heavily guarded, one of the safest places in the palace.

It seemed unreasonable to deny her request.

“Besides, the fountain and the flowers are so beautiful. I’d like to admire them for a moment,” Laniakea added, letting a subtle sigh slip into her tone.

The maids relented, bowing their heads. “As you wish, Your Highness.”

“There’s no need to accompany me. I’d prefer a moment of solitude,” she said, standing swiftly with the contract in hand.

Her decisive tone left the maids hovering at the terrace. They decided it was better not to risk offending someone the Empress had taken a liking to.

Leaving them behind, Laniakea strolled to the fountain in the garden’s centre and settled on a nearby bench.

Once certain no one else was nearby, she bent down slightly and whispered towards the ground.

“It’s safe. You can come out now, Mole.”

At her words, the earth at her feet trembled lightly, and a small mole poked its head out of the ground.

[This is the empire?]

The mole was one of her few companions—a low-ranking earth spirit.

─── ･: .☽ . :･ ───