Read Rewriting the Marriage Contract Novel Translation Chapter 5

(다시 쓰는 결혼 계약서)

Original: 백설홍 (White Snow) | Translation: Genie

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

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“Your Highness, the First Prince?”

Laniakea looked at the man who had addressed her, her expression a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

Before coming to the Empire, she had heard many stories about the First Prince.
Her sisters had often gossiped about how little influence he had, how poorly he was treated, and how powerless he was as a prince.
During the journey to this place, the lady-in-waiting sent by the Empress had been no less eager to share her opinions, endlessly describing how cold, unfeeling, and distant the prince was.

Of course, the lady-in-waiting hadn’t said such things outright.

“His Highness, the First Prince… well, he exudes a very strong and unique presence. The other members of the royal family find him difficult to approach.”

The lady-in-waiting’s face, however, betrayed a faint sense of pity that she couldn’t quite conceal as she looked at Laniakea.
That subtle hint of compassion had been enough for Laniakea to mentally prepare herself for her future husband.

“So, he’s powerless, frightening, and has a bad temper,” she had summarised.

The Empress had stripped him of all inheritance rights, rights that traditionally belonged to the eldest son. It was clear that the Empress would have no goodwill towards the bride she had handpicked and forcibly tied to him.

Laniakea had thought she understood the situation well enough.

Yet, the moment their eyes met, she realised she might have been mistaken.

“He doesn’t seem to dislike me as much as I expected.”

She had anticipated wariness or perhaps outright hostility in his gaze. Instead, Hypherion’s eyes were… calm.

This calmness unsettled Laniakea even more.

Most men, upon meeting her for the first time, reacted with initial surprise, followed by an attempt at a charming smile.
She loathed those smiles, which always carried undertones of condescension and crude desire.

Hypherion, however, neither looked surprised nor smiled. He simply observed her with a composed gaze.

Perhaps sensing that prolonged eye contact might be deemed rude, he averted his gaze, moved to his seat, and sat down without a word.

“…”

Then, as if their initial exchange had sufficed, he began reading the contract laid out before him.

Laniakea watched him in silence, her heart still pounding erratically.

She had suspected that the lady-in-waiting’s account might have been exaggerated. But sitting face-to-face with him now, she realised that wasn’t the case.

“He’s… big.”

The First Prince, she’d heard, had spent most of his life in a monastery. Such places were known for their ascetic lifestyles, with strict limitations on food, leading to lean physiques.

Yet, the man before her bore the physique of a seasoned knight.

He was not just tall but broad-shouldered and powerfully built. Despite his size, there was no sluggishness in his demeanour—his movements were precise and disciplined, exuding an air of efficiency.

Simply having him seated across from her left Laniakea feeling immobilised. It was as if a statue of a deity from some ancient myth had come to life, overwhelming her with its mere presence.

Gripping her trembling hands tightly, she sneaked another glance at him.

Once her initial shock began to subside, she finally noticed his face.

And then, she was startled all over again.

“He’s… handsome?”

As the oppressive weight of his presence faded slightly, she found herself looking at a face that was absurdly striking.

Having grown up surrounded by her beautiful family, Laniakea had developed an indifference to physical beauty. Even when introduced to the most handsome young noblemen in Friatra, she had felt little more than mild acknowledgement.

But Hypherion was different.

“Strong features… solid, even.”

Unlike the other noble sons she’d seen, there was a ruggedness to his appearance, making him all the more memorable to her. It was as if his face had been carved from steel into the form of a man.

But her astonishment didn’t linger.

Watching him skim through the contract with that same neutral expression, her surprise soon gave way to calm acceptance.

Though he was to be her husband, Laniakea knew they were unlikely to see each other often.

“And I wouldn’t want to, anyway.”

At most, she imagined they’d cross paths two or three times a year.

While entertaining such thoughts, her gaze drifted to a faint stain on the edge of Hypherion’s clothing.

Just as she tried to examine the stain more closely, Hypherion’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Is there a problem?”

Noticing her gaze, he looked up and met her eyes.

“Oh, it’s just… I saw a mark on your clothing and was wondering what it might be…”

“Ah.”

Glancing down at his garment, Hypherion clicked his tongue softly and replied, “I left in a hurry after only washing my face. I didn’t have time to check for dirt. My apologies.”

Laniakea, realising she might have come across as rude by pointing it out, shook her head quickly.

“No, no, it’s nothing! That sort of thing happens. There was no need for you to rush here…”

“I’ve had so many orders to fulfil that I lacked the time. I hurried because I must return as soon as this is done.”

He offered a slight nod, as if in thanks for her understanding, before returning to the contract in front of him.

As silence enveloped them once more, Laniakea mulled over his words.

“He has to leave immediately?”

So this was what they meant when they said he hardly stayed in the royal palace.

“They said he spends most of his time at the borders.”

At first, she had thought the Empress sent him there deliberately, wishing for his demise in such dangerous regions. But seeing him now, it seemed more likely that he was sent because he was needed there.

“Then again, the Empress wouldn’t gain much from his death.”

Hypherion had been pushed out of the succession battle long ago. He posed no threat, and eliminating him unnecessarily might even backfire politically.

“Instead, she’s pretending to care for him by arranging this marriage.”

To outsiders, her union with Hypherion appeared perfect. She was a foreign princess, not a lower-ranking noble, and their pairing gave the appearance of a harmonious, well-thought-out match.

It allowed the Empress to portray herself as a benevolent caretaker, even to someone who wasn’t her own child.

“Well, it works out for me.”

If Hypherion was mostly absent, it meant more freedom for Laniakea.

Before coming to the Empire, she had envisioned her life in this marriage. Seeing her husband only a few times a year meant she wouldn’t be obligated to engage in frequent socialising—a relief, as she doubted the Empress would desire her to be overly active. This would allow her to retreat to her quarters and live quietly.

To others, her life might seem pitiable, but it was precisely the kind of life Laniakea desired. A life where no one paid her any attention, and she, in turn, had no obligation to care for anyone else.

Between the Empress’s disposition and Hypherion’s attitude, this outcome now seemed inevitable.

Just then, Hypherion lifted his gaze from the contract.

“I’ve reviewed the initial sections. I see no need for further amendments. Do you have any changes you’d like to make, Princess?”

None. Of course not. Making any now would only draw the Empress’s ire.

“No, I don’t.”

“Understood. Then, once we’ve discussed the final section, the contract will be complete.”

With that, he turned to the last page of the document. Laniakea hurried to find the same section in her own copy.

This part of the agreement required private arrangements between them.

The first clause addressed shared meals.

[The two parties will dine together [__] times per [__]. The meals shall follow the schedule of __.]

“Would once a year suffice?” Hypherion asked, his tone even. “I have many duties at the border, and it will be difficult to adhere to a more frequent schedule.”

Once a year? That was barely a marriage—more akin to acquaintances.

Suppressing a wry smile, Laniakea replied, “Of course.”

Recalling what an aide had mentioned earlier, she added, “I was told that not everything needs to be finalised now. We can amend the terms later by mutual agreement. I’ll do my best to accommodate your preferences.”

While she didn’t expect to see him often, maintaining a cooperative tone now seemed wise. There was no point in antagonising her husband, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their union.

Her intent appeared to register, as Hypherion gave a brief nod of understanding.

“Then, shall we leave the final clause for later discussion as well?”

Though he hadn’t yet read the last clause, his impatience to conclude the matter was evident. He seemed eager to end the meeting and be done with the contract.

“Wouldn’t it be better to finalise a bit more now?” Laniakea thought, glancing at the next clause.

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

Laniakea blinked a few times before responding calmly.

“Yes, let’s conclude the discussion here for now.”