Contract Marriage Rewritten
Chapter 23
Two days later, Laniakea was still frantically busy.
“Your Imperial Majesty, regarding this agenda item…”
“Regarding the decorations for the upcoming season, not only for the Main Palace but also the Empress’s Palace…”
“When would you like to host your first banquet…?”
Ministers and officials from various Imperial Palace departments trailed behind Laniakea wherever she went, not just in her office but even as she moved between halls.
Arms overflowing with documents, they pleaded with her to review their papers first.
Normally, Lucy would have turned them away without hesitation, but their desperation was so fierce that even she faltered slightly before their sheer momentum.
Even on her way to the Main Palace, Laniakea had to listen to their appeals and sign document after document.
As a result, by the time she arrived at the Main Palace, she had completely forgotten her earlier worries about what she was supposed to do there and felt only profound relief.
“I survived…”
Even the courtiers who had hounded her all day dared not press her before the Main Palace. After all, this was Emperor Hyperion’s domain.
Watching them pace anxiously, unable to follow, Laniakea was struck once again by how swiftly Hyperion had taken command of the Imperial Palace. At the same time, she felt keenly just how far behind she lagged.
Collapsing onto the bed, Laniakea exhaled slowly. Her chest, which felt as if it had been weighed down all day, remained heavy.
Far from decreasing, the Empress’s duties only seemed to multiply. Managing all this had made Laniakea develop an unexpected sense of respect for the former empress.
Of course, the former empress had not handled everything alone. She had ladies-in-waiting she trusted.
And ladies-in-waiting were not merely personal attendants who catered to the Empress like maids.
The former empress had twenty ladies-in-waiting in total, and each was an expert in her own field.
Some were versed in imperial law, while others were steeped in the history of the Empire; some were fluent in foreign languages, and others were skilled in accounting.
They had served as the Empress’s hands and feet. All the Empress had needed to do was make the final decisions on the matters they organized.
Naturally, that was no easy feat either. Making the right choices required not only a foundational level of knowledge, but also the foresight to envision the future consequences of every decision.
In that regard, the former empress had undoubtedly been a capable woman. That much Laniakea could readily acknowledge.
“Haah…”
Laniakea let out another long sigh.
She knew how crucial this moment was for Hyperion. Now, as he worked to re-establish the shaken imperial authority, even the slightest issue could deal a devastating blow.
‘There’s probably nothing I can do to help.’
Without proper education or training, accomplishing anything grand was out of the question.
In that case, the only way she could help Hyperion was to bring some order to the chaos of the Inner Palace and bear him an heir as quickly as possible.
Laniakea glanced at the clock. It was almost time for Gemma to arrive.
A moment later, Gemma knocked on the door, precisely at the appointed hour.
“Greetings, Your Imperial Majesty. How are you feeling?”
Unlike when they first met, when Gemma had worn ordinary traveling clothes, she was now dressed in the formal uniform of an Imperial Palace physician, her hair pinned up neatly. She exuded an intensely professional aura.
Because of that, Laniakea grew nervous all over again. It truly sank in that she was about to receive lessons for the bedroom.
“Nothing hurts. The pain from that day… it vanished completely after a day, just as you said.”
Just like mild muscle soreness, the ache had indeed faded before she knew it.
“That is a relief. If it pleases Your Majesty, shall we proceed with the lesson right away?”
“Ah, just a moment. Let me tidy this up first.”
Laniakea straightened the documents she had set beside her on the table.
She could have had Lucy come in to organize them, but they were such critical papers that doing it herself felt safer.
Gemma watched her quietly before asking,
“Are all of these matters Your Imperial Majesty must review today?”
“Yes. Quite a lot, isn’t it? It hasn’t been long since His Majesty ascended the throne, so things have piled up.”
At Laniakea’s answer, Gemma’s face lit up.
“Splendid!”
“Pardon?”
Seeing Gemma so visibly pleased, Laniakea tilted her head. Why was Gemma so delighted that she had a mountain of paperwork?
“This will serve as the perfect practical exercise for today’s lesson.”
At those words, Laniakea became even more baffled.
What on earth did paperwork have to do with the bedroom?
A few hours later.
“…….”
“…….”
Laniakea and Hyperion sat facing each other on the sofa in the office attached to the bedroom.
A short while ago, Mr. and Mrs. Ency had said this to them before withdrawing:
“Then for today, simply converse comfortably.”
That was what the two of them were supposed to do today.
When Gemma had first declared she would conduct the lesson, Laniakea had swallowed nervously.
It’s finally here. Even if it’s embarrassing, I’ll study hard and make sure to do it right next time!
Steelings herself with such determination, she had braced for what was to come—only for Gemma to bring up something entirely different.
“I heard you haven’t spent much time with His Imperial Majesty. How much do you know about his personal preferences? His tastes, his hobbies…?”
“Well…”
At Gemma’s question, Laniakea searched her memory.
She and Hyperion rarely talked. What little conversation they had was during meals, and even then, it was brief. Whenever they ate together, he merely listened in silence to what Laniakea said.
At first, she had tried hard to start conversations, but when they constantly stalled, Laniakea eventually resigned herself to eating in silence.
She had assumed he only listened because he preferred quiet meals.
Consequently, Laniakea knew practically nothing about him.
When she admitted as much, Gemma let out a deep sigh.
“Honestly, His Majesty is… No, not that there is a problem. In that case, it seems you need to become closer first.”
With that, Gemma stepped out. Told to rest comfortably until Hyperion returned, Laniakea followed her advice and waited for him while reviewing her documents.
As dusk fell, Hyperion arrived at the Main Palace. Mr. and Mrs. Ency intercepted him immediately, virtually dragging him into Laniakea’s room.
They then addressed the couple, announcing today’s lesson.
“First, I believe you two need to become closer. You have been married for three years, yet you know far too little about one another. At this rate, how is this any different from sleeping with a stranger next door?”
Neither of them could offer a rebuttal to Gemma’s words. At the same time, both were slightly taken aback.
I see. Without the marriage binding us, that really is all we are to each other.
While Gemma shook her head, Tamil added to the explanation.
“There is still plenty of time, so rather than rushing straight to the deed, taking things step by step would be wiser.”
His words made Laniakea’s heart prick with guilt.
Mr. and Mrs. Ency had no doubt that the imperial couple would remain together forever. To them, it was only natural.
Laniakea glanced furtively at Hyperion. While she couldn’t openly say they were running out of time, she wondered if Hyperion might urge them to hurry instead. Surely, that was what he wanted as well.
Yet what came out of Hyperion’s mouth was completely contrary to her expectations.
“I agree with you. As things stand, how would it differ from bedding a stranger?”
At his remark, Laniakea thought, I don’t think it’s quite that bad… but kept it to herself.
“As you suggested, it would be best for the Empress and me to spend more personal time together. You may take your leave for today.”
With that, Gemma and Tamil wished them a peaceful night and departed. Before leaving, however, the couple whispered something to Hyperion.
‘What did they say?’
Laniakea fiddled with her fingers in thought. What am I supposed to do to ‘be comfortable’?
Just then, Hyperion spoke to her.
“Are you feeling all right?”
“Ah, yes.”
Startled by the sudden question, Laniakea flinched and moved too quickly. In doing so, her hand struck the stack of papers resting on the table.
The pile toppled over, scattering sheets of parchment all over the place.
As she hurriedly tried to gather them, Hyperion leaned forward and picked up the documents that had fallen near him.
He skimmed through the pages quickly and asked,
“Is there a problem with selecting ladies-in-waiting?”
“Ah, well…”
Fearing he was reprimanding her for not having chosen her ladies-in-waiting yet, Laniakea’s voice trailed off into a timid murmur.
“To my shame, I haven’t fully grasped all the noble houses of the Empire yet…”
She expected to hear him click his tongue in disappointment. But instead—
“Then, may I be of help?”
Contrary to what she anticipated, he asked in an exceedingly gentle voice.
A voice that sounded, somehow, genuinely pleased.