Contract Marriage: Rewritten

Laniakea, the royal princess scorned for her weak elemental power.

She always dreamed of escaping the contempt directed at her.

One day, a marriage proposal arrived from the Empire.

The suitor? Hyperion, the First Imperial Prince, with no political base or support to his name.

Laniakea willingly accepted the proposal.

She didn’t care who her husband would be, as long as she could leave her homeland.

*

Before the wedding, Laniakea saw the marriage contract presented to her.

[ The couple shall engage in interc**rse __ time(s) every __ for the purpose of producing an heir. ]

Fortunately, that clause remained incomplete, and the marriage proceeded as it was.

As expected, her husband only dined with her a few times a year and didn’t even stay in the Imperial Palace, returning to the borderlands instead.

For three years, this continued.

She thought she could quietly live out her days until another prince ascended to the throne, at which point she could leave the palace for good…

*

“The Second, Third, and Fourth Princes have all passed away!”

While everyone was reeling in shock, Hyperion returned to the Imperial Palace, swiftly brought order to the chaos, and ascended to the throne.

What the newly crowned Emperor needed now was a strong Empress to solidify imperial authority.

‘So, he’ll divorce me and remarry someone from a powerful family.’

That’s what she assumed…

“You summoned me…?”

“Yes. Because there’s something I must ask of you.”

With a resolute expression as if he’d made up his mind, Hyperion spoke seriously, causing Laniakea to swallow nervously.

‘The moment has finally come.’

“I know what you want. Don’t worry. I’m willing to comply with Your Majesty’s wishes.”

“…Is that so?”

She had no doubt that they were both thinking the same thing.

“Let’s sign the divorce agreement right away.”

“Let’s have a child right away—son or daughter, it doesn’t matter.”

It was then that Laniakea realized.

Her husband had something entirely different in mind.