Read Rewriting the Marriage Contract Novel Translation Chapter 11

(다시 쓰는 결혼 계약서)

Original: 백설홍 (White Snow) | Translation: Genie

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

---

As the banquet drew to a close, knights entered the hall to collect the care packages. They had come from various regions to retrieve the donated goods.

Many of the knights couldn’t hide their pride as they glanced over the accumulated gifts. They knew these would be distributed sparingly among the common soldiers, with the majority being used as bribes for superiors. Some knights might even discreetly pocket a particularly valuable item.

Laniakea anxiously awaited Hypherion’s knight.

When he eventually arrived, he showed no change in expression upon seeing the single handkerchief and the paltry handful of gold coins—a contribution that was closer to an insult. He seemed entirely accustomed to such meagre offerings.

However, when his gaze landed on the handkerchief, his eyes widened slightly. He bowed politely to Laniakea, his movements deliberate and respectful.

From behind, murmurs from the nobles reached her ears, their tone loud enough to ensure she heard them.

“I heard the casualties were significant last year?”
“Surely it’s the fault of their commander. Just look at the regions under the Empress’s family—they complete their missions perfectly without a single injury.”

What utter nonsense.

Comparing the safety of regions near the capital to the treacherous borderlands, where barbarians and monsters frequently attacked, was absurd. Yet they spoke as if the knights and Hypherion himself were incompetent.

Quietly, Laniakea approached the knight, who was methodically collecting the handkerchief and coins.

“I… I didn’t realise there would be a donation event at tonight’s banquet. If I had known, I would’ve prepared better….”

“It’s all right, Your Highness. The Prince has already made thorough preparations for this winter. He always reviews the care packages and sends them back.”

In other words, he didn’t need or want them.

A few weeks after the banquet, Laniakea overheard a conversation at another gathering. The ministers were chuckling about how Hypherion had returned even the few gold coins he’d received.

“The handkerchief must have been discarded,” she thought bitterly.

It wasn’t anything significant, so perhaps the knight had kept it briefly before tossing it aside. She’d barely given it a second thought since. That he had kept it all along was beyond her expectations.

Laniakea quickly reached for the handkerchief in Hypherion’s hand.

Fear gripped her heart, the thought that his words about treasuring it might be veiled mockery over her inadequate gesture.

“I didn’t realise the banquet would involve a donation event. Embarrassingly, I offered nothing more than this handkerchief. I’m sorry.”

She tried to take the handkerchief and hurriedly shove it into her pocket. But contrary to her expectations, Hypherion refused to let go.

For a brief moment, a tug-of-war ensued between them over the handkerchief.

Naturally, Hypherion emerged victorious. A gentle but firm pull from him caused Laniakea to stumble slightly, forcing her to relinquish her hold. He quickly tucked the handkerchief back into his pocket as if securing a prized possession.

Catching her unsteady frame, he guided her back into her seat and continued the conversation as though nothing had happened.

“If you’re not planning to return to Friatra, what were you intending to do after the divorce?”

His words reminded Laniakea of the reason she had sought him out in the first place.

“Well… actually, that’s what I wanted to discuss.”

Fidgeting with her now clean fingers, she hesitated before finally speaking.

“I would prefer to remain in the Empire after the divorce. Not in the palace, of course, but somewhere far away, where I could live quietly. However… to my embarrassment, despite trying to save as much as possible, I don’t have enough funds to support myself.”

Her voice grew quieter with each word.

The budget allocated to her annexe was barely sufficient. Without the Empress’s occasional “kindness,” even attending a banquet in a new dress would have been impossible.

Not attending would have been easier, but ignoring the Empress’s invitations wasn’t an option. Laniakea knew the invitations were a deliberate attempt to humiliate her—forcing her to beg for the Empress’s charity for gowns and jewels.

Fortunately, the invitations had stopped a year ago.

By then, she had learned to endure with the bare minimum. But while she could skip unnecessary expenses, maintaining the annexe required funds she couldn’t neglect. She couldn’t reduce her staff’s wages out of financial strain.

Instead, she had let go of any staff who wanted to leave and operated with a skeleton crew. Laniakea herself took on many menial tasks, assisted by Lucy, her loyal attendant.

For instance, she often cleaned Hypherion’s unused annexe chambers, especially his bedroom, since Lucy frequently broke furniture while tidying. It wasn’t hard—she only needed to dust.

One day, the Empress’s maids had caught her sweeping the room. They whispered among themselves, casting looks of pity and disdain.

“Imagine, the Prince’s wife wielding a broom and duster,” they’d muttered, clicking their tongues as they departed.

Shortly after, the Empress had sent a small amount of additional funds along with new cleaning supplies—a clear mockery.

“It didn’t really bother me,” Laniakea thought.

She had distributed the extra funds among her staff, especially Lucy, reasoning that it was an opportunity to provide them with a rare bonus. Whatever small amount remained, she tucked away in her drawer.

Despite all her efforts, the savings weren’t even enough to rent a small house.

Laniakea, noticing Hypherion’s silence, quickly interjected.

“I didn’t spend recklessly! I tried my best to save….”

“I’m aware,” Hypherion replied calmly. “The Empress assigned you a ludicrously small budget.”

He stood and walked over to his desk, picking up a stack of documents before sitting back down across from her.

“I’ve reviewed everything. The budget for your annexe was based on figures from decades ago, and the supplementary funds that should have been allocated each quarter were never disbursed. Frankly, I’m amazed you managed to keep the annex running at all.”

Hypherion clicked his tongue, his frustration evident.

Laniakea couldn’t hide her surprise. He’d only arrived at the palace yesterday. With the funeral preparations and the constant influx of ministers seeking his attention, he couldn’t have had a moment to rest.

“When did he have time to review those documents?” she wondered.

“I managed to maintain the annex, though it was tight. There wasn’t anything left over,” she explained. “That’s why your demand for a divorce put me in a difficult position. According to the marriage contract, I wouldn’t have anything to take with me beyond what I’ve saved. I was hoping, albeit shamelessly, to ask for a little help after the divorce.”

Hypherion remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

“How much assistance were you planning to request?”

“Well….”

She hadn’t settled on a specific amount. Her only intention was to ask for enough to secure a place to live after leaving the palace.

As Laniakea hesitated, Hypherion set the documents aside and spoke firmly.

“If we don’t divorce, you won’t have to worry about any of this.”

He wasn’t wrong. If they remained married, she would become Empress. An Empress didn’t need to worry about where she would live.

“But… I still feel that I’m too unworthy to be Empress.”

She understood why he might prefer a powerless Empress, but she was certain that she wasn’t suited for the role. Neither for him nor for the Empire.

“Why do you think that?”

“Why?” she repeated. “What could I possibly offer? I’m embarrassed to admit it, but my kingdom wouldn’t be of any help to you, and I’m far too lacking compared to the many accomplished noblewomen.”

It wasn’t humility; it was the truth.

As a royal, she had received the bare minimum of education, nothing more. Compared to the daughters of noble families who had been rigorously trained since childhood by the Empire’s finest tutors, she was embarrassingly ignorant.

Even after becoming a princess consort, her life hadn’t changed. While other consorts engaged in social activities and prepared themselves for a potential future as Empress, Laniakea spent her days dusting her annex, tending to its small garden, and reading books.

The thought of herself as Empress felt suffocating. It wasn’t a position meant for her.

Perhaps noticing her stiffened expression, Hypherion picked up the documents again and spoke.

“I understand your perspective. But I ask you to reconsider, just once.”

“….”

“I won’t force you to stay. If you truly don’t wish to remain here, I’ll respect that.”

His words brought a faint sense of relief to Laniakea.

“I doubt my feelings will change, but… for my settlement, I’ll ask for only the bare minimum. However, I’d like to request that my maid and the staff of the annexe be compensated generously.”

“I have no intention of being stingy with those who have served you. They’ll be well taken care of, with no room for complaints.”

His assurance brought Laniakea further comfort.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “I’ll take my leave now. I’m sorry for taking up so much of your time when you must be busy.”

“It’s no trouble. I’m the one who requested this meeting. Thank you for coming, even though you must still be unsettled.”

Just then, there was a knock at the door, followed by a servant’s voice.

“Your Highness! His Majesty the Emperor is asking for you!”

At the mention of the Emperor, Laniakea quickly stood and bowed her head.

Hypherion looked at her briefly before excusing himself. He placed the documents back on his desk and left the room.

Laniakea hurried back to her annexe. As she stepped into her familiar quarters, she sighed in relief.

“It seems I’ll be able to leave the palace sooner than I thought.”

But that night, as if to mock her thoughts, an incident occurred.

─── ･: .☽ . :･ ───