Contract Marriage: Rewritten

[By the Author that brought you ] Princess Laniakea has spent her life scorned for her weak spirit power, dreaming of escaping the contempt that follows her everywhere. Then one day, a marriage proposal arrives from the empire. Her prospective husband is Hyperion, the first imperial prince—a man with no political backing whatsoever. Laniakea gladly accepts. As long as she can leave her kingdom behind, she doesn’t care whom she marries. Before the wedding, Laniakea is presented with a marriage contract. [The couple shall share a bed ___ times per ___ for the purpose of producing an heir.] Thankfully, those blanks remain unfilled when they marry. Just as she expected, her husband only joins her for a handful of meals each year, spending his time at the border instead of the imperial palace. Three years pass. She assumes she can continue living quietly until one of the other princes takes the throne. Then she’ll simply leave the palace behind. But… “The second, third, and fourth princes are dead!” While the palace reels from the news, Hyperion returns, swiftly puts an end to the chaos, and claims the throne. What the newly crowned emperor needs now is an empress with enough influence to strengthen his rule. So he’ll divorce me right away and marry a daughter from a powerful family. Or so Laniakea thinks… “You wished to see me…?” “Yes. There’s something I’d like to ask of you.” At the solemn resolve on Hyperion’s face, Laniakea swallows nervously. So the time has finally come. “I know what you want. Please don’t worry. I’m willing to do as you wish.” “…You are?” She has no doubt they’re both thinking the same thing. “Let’s sign the divorce agreement right away.” “Let’s have a child as soon as possible. A son or a daughter—it makes no difference to me.” Only then does Laniakea realize… Her husband wants something entirely different.