Read Rewriting the Marriage Contract Novel Translation Chapter 1

(다시 쓰는 결혼 계약서)

Original: 백설홍 (White Snow) | Translation: Genie

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

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0. Prologue

Night had fallen upon the imperial palace.
The boisterous energy of the day had subsided, leaving only the rhythmic footsteps of the guards and those still toiling away at unfinished tasks. The stillness, however, was soon disrupted by the hurried sounds of someone’s approach.

As the presence drew closer to the inner palace, everyone nearby bowed their heads deeply without needing to look. There was no mistaking it. The tall stature, the powerful build, and the strikingly handsome face partially revealed by the flickering lights could only belong to one person—Hypherion, the master of this palace.

Hypherion strode quickly past the bowing figures. His footsteps disappeared into the distance, and only then did the maids, who had been holding their breath, exhale softly, lifting their gazes with a mixture of relief and curiosity.
They whispered amongst themselves as they followed his retreating figure with their eyes.

“He’s returned to the main palace again tonight.”
“Indeed. He must be incredibly busy with all the meetings, yet he still makes time to come back.”

Since last week, the grand lords of various regions had begun arriving at the imperial palace. This was a significant period where they swore allegiance to the newly crowned emperor. As such, tradition dictated that the emperor should remain in the imperial chambers throughout. Yet, unlike his predecessors, Hypherion returned to the main palace every evening once the meetings concluded.

One of the maids, staring absent-mindedly in the direction he had vanished, murmured dreamily.
“Her Majesty the Empress must be truly fortunate.”
“Indeed…”

It was common knowledge among those working in the main palace: the newly crowned emperor and empress shared the marital chambers every night. Of course, imperial staff were forbidden from speaking of what they saw or heard. The unspoken rule was to live as if one had no eyes, ears, or mouth.

Still, even the sight of older maids swiftly carrying the neatly rolled bed linens to the laundry each morning spoke volumes. It was no secret. The palace buzzed with quiet excitement; their harmonious relationship could soon yield news of an heir. With blushing cheeks and hastened steps, the maids moved on, assuming tonight would be no different.

─── ･: *.☽ .* :･ ───

The faint sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor. Hypherion found himself unusually aware of the sound and chuckled bitterly at his own impatience. Even he admitted to walking faster than usual—so fast that anyone accompanying him might have questioned his urgency. Yet, knowing this, he could not slow down.

The maids tending to the chambers quickly bowed as he approached.
“Where is the Empress?”
“She retired to the chambers shortly after her meal, Your Majesty,” one replied.

A faint smile softened Hypherion’s lips at the response, though no one noticed, as all heads remained respectfully lowered—even Hypherion himself seemed unaware.
“All of you, leave.”

The emperor’s command was met with hurried bows, and the maids promptly descended the stairs, leaving the floor entirely vacant. It had been this way since Hypherion issued his first directive after ascending to the throne.

“Your Majesty, this could pose a security risk…” the chamberlain had once argued.
“I think I’m capable of protecting the Empress myself. The others can stay below,” Hypherion had curtly replied.

The chamberlain, realising his mistake, had bowed deeply. It was true—if there were an adversary Hypherion could not face, no knight in the palace would stand a chance. From that day onward, no one stood guard outside their chambers.

Hypherion pushed open the door to their chamber. Warmth enveloped him, accompanied by the scent of aged wood, freshly laundered linens, and an indescribable sweetness he had grown fond of. He instinctively focused on the latter—the scent that lingered on him every morning after waking with her in his arms.

“Laniakea,” he called softly as he stepped inside. Though her full name was Laniakea, he had taken to calling her ‘Lania’ recently. It was a name only he used within the palace, a cherished token of affection.

“Lania?”

Crossing a few doors into the main chamber, Hypherion faltered. The room was empty. It was unusual; she always greeted him upon his return. Yet now, there was no sign of her.

Hadn’t the maids said she’d retired after dinner?

A troubling thought flickered across his mind, but he quickly noticed the open door leading to the study connected to the chamber. Light spilled out from the room, illuminating his path. Hastily, he made his way to the study, where he found her.

Seated at the desk, engrossed in thought, Laniakea looked up only as he approached. The tension in his chest eased at the sight of her, and he let out a quiet breath of relief.

“Lania? What are you doing here?” he asked gently, expecting her to rise and greet him as she always did.

But this time, she merely glanced up, her expression unreadable. Then, rising abruptly, she spoke.
“Your Majesty, I have something to tell you.”

─── ･: *.☽ .* :･ ───

Laniakea clenched her fists tightly as she noticed Hypherion’s expression harden slightly at her words.

You can do this. I can do this! No, I have to!

She had resolved this countless times before he arrived—tens, perhaps hundreds of times. Yet, as always, the sight of Hypherion’s face, even the slightest shadow of concern crossing it, made her hesitate.

But this can’t go on.

For a long time, she had known she needed to speak up. However, each time she opened her mouth, the worry etched on his face would stop her, her resolve crumbling in the face of his unspoken affection.

But now, she had reached her limit. Today, no matter what, she would say what she had been carrying in her heart.

“You said you have something to tell me. What is it?”

His voice was polite, measured, and yet it made her shrink back further. Perhaps it was because she knew how significant her words would be to him.

As Laniakea hesitated, Hypherion sighed softly, closing the gap between them with long strides. Standing directly before her, he spoke first.

“I apologise.”

“…What?”

“I had hoped to join you for lunch today, but the documents Lord Sorel brought were riddled with errors. It took far too long to go over them. Tomorrow, I promise to have lunch with you.”

“Oh… I see…”

Now that he mentioned it, she remembered their missed lunch. But Hypherion seemed to think it was a grave mistake on his part; his expression appeared tinged with regret.

“Thank you for understanding. Now, let us return to the chamber. I’ll bathe and come to you shortly.”

With that, Hypherion began unbuttoning his shirt with swift, practised motions. The soft sound of buttons slipping through their loops brought Laniakea back to her senses, and she quickly spoke up again.

“No. That’s not what I wanted to say, Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty?”

Hypherion’s hands froze mid-motion, and he lowered his head to meet her gaze, his voice dropping to a gentle murmur.

“Did we not agree yesterday, Lania?”

He emphasised her nickname, his tone imbued with quiet authority. Caught off guard, Laniakea stammered before forcing out a response.

“Y-Yes… R-Rion…”

At the sound of his name from her lips, Hypherion’s stern expression softened immediately. Laniakea, however, blushed furiously and averted her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.

Saying “Rion” had instantly brought vivid memories of the previous night rushing back—memories she had desperately tried to suppress all day.

“Mm… Rion… Why do you keep licking—ah! Ahh!”

The outrageous things Hypherion had done to make her utter his name—the heat, the intimacy, the sheer wildness of it—came flooding back. Even the fleeting recollection left her legs trembling faintly.

“I won’t be long,” Hypherion said, his large hand resting lightly on her back in reassurance. The warmth of his touch sent an electrifying shiver through her entire body.

If things continued as usual, she knew how the evening would end. He would return after his bath, and they would climb into bed, fulfilling their marital obligations as a couple. That act—ostensibly for the empire and the future of its lineage—was too intense, too raw to frame as duty alone. As always, it would last through the night, until dawn approached.

This can’t keep happening!

Biting her lip, Laniakea steeled herself. She could not back down this time. Today, she would say what needed to be said.

Breaking away from his comforting touch, she stepped aside and picked up a piece of paper she had been staring at for hours before his arrival. Holding it out to him, her voice trembled as she spoke.

“This is…”

Hypherion’s eyes widened in recognition. He knew what the document was, and just as he opened his mouth to speak, Laniakea shouted.

“W-We need to rewrite it!”

Her voice quivered despite all the practice she’d done throughout the day. Shutting her eyes tightly, she forced herself to shout again.

“We need to rewrite our marriage contract! Starting with this!”

Her trembling finger pointed to a clause on the document.

“The two parties will only share a bed [__] number of times over the course of [__] for the purpose of producing an heir.”

The blank spaces for the frequency and duration—left uncompleted—glaringly highlighted the incompleteness of the clause.