My Contract Marriage Got Interrupted (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 2
By nature, an illegitimate imperial princess is a pawn, useful only for political marriage.
“I’ve heard rumors, Your Majesty, that the movements of the western frontier margraves are cause for concern. Wouldn’t a political marriage be the surest way to bind them firmly to the imperial court? Sending the Fourth Princess to wed one of them would surely solidify their loyalty.”
“But there’s no suitable candidate. Most are either too old or already married…”
“I hear Count Marbo has been widowed for over a year. If Your Majesty personally arranged a new wife for him, Count Marbo would surely accept it as a great honor.”
Empress Catarina seized the opportunity while Cedric was away from the palace.
She eagerly whispered into the Emperor’s ear about the troubling activities among the border nobles.
“Even with the Crown Prince inspecting the frontier, such unrest persists—it’s plainly clear they’re being negligent in their duties.”
“The Fourth Princess is now of ample age to marry. It’s time she contributed to the glory of House Celestine.”
Whether the inscrutable Emperor took her words at face value was impossible to know.
But one thing was certain: the Emperor had responded positively to the idea of a political marriage with the western frontier margrave.
As a result, rumors spread through the palace before dawn had even broken.
Rumors that Odette would be sold off as the next wife of Count Marbo.
But perhaps it wasn’t fated that Odette should suffer misfortune alone?
While it was already an open secret who had been chosen to become the margrave’s next wife,
by sheer coincidence, a perfect opportunity for marriage came Odette’s way.
[This is the timeline separator]It truly was a stroke of luck.
“What do you mean Louis can no longer provide the investment funds?!”
“He insists there’s absolutely nothing he can do about it. No matter how many times we ask, his answer stays the same.”
Exhausted from wandering aimlessly while searching for a way to avoid the political marriage, she’d sought out a secluded spot—only to overhear this conversation.
‘Louis?’
Recognizing the subject of their talk wasn’t difficult.
Odette had heard the name Louis a few times before.
Louis Clovis.
The young, fair-haired man who’d recently inherited the title of Count after the previous Count Clovis passed away.
‘They said he was sociable and open-minded.’
Put generously, he was personable; less kindly, he lacked the decorum expected of a high-ranking noble.
Yet for a young man, such behavior wasn’t considered a serious flaw, so overall, his reputation wasn’t particularly bad.
This time, however, the mood was unusually tense.
Peeking slightly, Odette saw Louis’s friends frowning as they spoke.
“Damn Dowager Countess still doesn’t trust Louis, it seems.”
“The Dowager Countess—you mean his grandmother?”
“Yes. She’s refusing to hand over the estate until he marries. Louis is apparently in quite a bind because of it.”
“Damn stubborn old woman.”
One of the speakers twisted his face and muttered under his breath.
Only then did Odette grasp the situation.
Imperial law stated that upon the patriarch’s death, the eldest direct descendant would serve as the family’s estate manager for three years.
Therefore, the current manager of House Clovis was—
‘The Dowager Countess Clovis.’
Louis’s grandmother, a towering figure held in the highest esteem and reverence within high society.
Apparently, she wouldn’t transfer the estate to her suspiciously unreliable grandson until he married.
“Then why not just marry someone suitable?”
“It’s not that simple—his grandmother insists he must marry someone she deems worthy.”
“For heaven’s sake, it’s not like she’s disciplining a three-year-old.”
“Probably because Louis has caused such a ruckus in that department.”
Though Louis had no serious romantic partner, his list of scandalous affairs numbered well over ten.
In other words, he was the quintessential playboy.
“Then why doesn’t he just date someone seriously for once?”
“He says he’s not interested in uptight women like his grandmother—that’s the problem.”
“Honestly, what a mess. He has no intention of marrying, yet they’re insisting he marry to gain control of the estate.”
“What if he found someone compatible? Someone understanding enough to accept however many lovers he might have?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Where would you even find someone like that?”
The man who said this laughed and gave his friend a hearty slap on the back, then added,
“If someone like that existed, he’d marry her immediately!”
And with that, they returned to their discussion about the investment funds, laughing and chatting amongst themselves,
completely unaware that, just around the corner, Odette stood utterly stunned by what she’d just heard.
‘So Count Clovis needs a marriage partner.’
Odette’s mind reeled in astonishment.
It wasn’t because she’d just learned Louis was a playboy.
Rather, it was the other part of the story that astonished her.
‘He needs a bride because of the Dowager Countess Clovis.’
And this bride had to be someone of high status and impeccable reputation—someone the Dowager Countess herself would approve.
Moreover, she’d need to be understanding of Louis’s notorious womanizing—a major hurdle.
‘But if those are the conditions…’
Then I’m the perfect fit, aren’t I?
Odette instinctively stepped back a few paces and covered her mouth with her hand.
The sudden thought felt like a stroke of luck handed directly to her.
‘I thought I’d be helplessly sold off as a frontier margrave’s next wife…’
Just moments ago, she’d returned from a meeting where she’d desperately sought a way to avoid this political marriage.
“Duke Pavel, is there truly no way? You’re His Imperial Highness’s maternal uncle—there’s no one else I can turn to.”
“As I’ve said, the only way to avoid this political marriage right now is if Your Highness marries someone else—someone who can replace the frontier margrave. But where would we find such a person on short notice?”
No noble would willingly marry an illegitimate imperial princess.
High-ranking nobles had no reason to, and anyone of lower rank would never be accepted by the Emperor.
“At the very least, stay silent and endure until His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince returns. Imperial law forbids any noble from proposing to a member of the imperial family first, does it not?”
Indeed, as Duke Pavel pointed out, imperial law strictly prohibited anyone from sending a formal marriage proposal to a member of the imperial family without the royal party initiating it first.
Even if both parties had already agreed privately, the marriage couldn’t proceed unless the imperial family expressed their intent first.
It was a final safeguard, given how often imperial bloodlines were sacrificed for political marriages.
“So even if His Majesty arranges a political marriage, as long as Your Highness remains silent…”
“If I stay silent, they’ll pressure me in every imaginable way until I speak. Unless I propose marrying someone else instead, there’s simply no way out.”
Of course, someone of Duke Pavel’s standing might risk everything to block Odette’s marriage—but Odette knew she wasn’t valuable enough to warrant such intervention.
‘I’m little more than a sentry left behind to observe the situation while His Highness is away.’
Thus, she’d resigned herself to accepting the marriage the Emperor arranged, however dreadful it might be.
But now—
‘If I could marry Count Clovis, everything would change.’
If Louis proposed marriage to her, the Emperor would surely accept.
House Clovis was among the most prestigious noble families—gaining their support in exchange for a daughter of little value would be an unquestionable advantage.
Moreover, the honor-conscious Dowager Countess Clovis would surely welcome Odette, an imperial princess, as her grandson’s bride.
‘So if I propose marriage to Count Clovis under certain conditions, he’ll definitely accept.’
The terms were simple:
Odette wouldn’t interfere in Louis’s romantic affairs after marriage.
In return, Louis would grant her freedom from the imperial palace.
Both sides had no reason to refuse.
Admittedly, with such explicit conditions, it felt less like a marriage and more like a contract—but whether it was a contract or a marriage, did it really matter?
‘Of course… I know Louis isn’t an ideal husband.’
Some might question whether marrying such a notorious playboy was wise, but Odette had never expected much from her future spouse.
In fact, for someone who only wished to leave the palace and live quietly, he was practically perfect.
‘A carefree man with no ambition or thirst for power.’
He wasn’t unattractive, had an easygoing personality, and lacked nothing financially.
‘Though his high status is a bit of a drawback…’
Marrying someone of such elevated rank would inevitably draw attention, making a quiet life somewhat difficult—but that was a minor concern.
Right now, she had no other options.
Rather than cling to a rotting lifeline, she’d rather grasp even a thorny vine to escape this place.
‘In my position, a perfect marriage is impossible anyway.’
If things continued as they were, she’d inevitably be sold off as a political pawn.
So why not sell myself first, on my own terms?
‘I won’t find better terms than this.’
Odette steeled her resolve inwardly.
One week later.
After attending Walter’s victory banquet, slipping a note to Louis, and waiting at their agreed meeting spot—
everything seemed to be going smoothly.
Until Walter suddenly stepped forward and intercepted Odette.
[This is the timeline separator]After Louis closed the door and disappeared,
“What on earth… is this…?”
Odette couldn’t hide her shock.
Everything felt like a lie.
A man she’d never expected to speak to, somehow appearing right in her path—
and, as if that weren’t enough, even proposing marriage.
This was far beyond the fanciful daydreams of a debutante.
If only it were a delusion—
then she could enjoy it without worry,
and perhaps even admire that handsome face properly.
‘He really is quite handsome.’
The problem was, with that handsome face, who knew what sort of mischief he might be plotting?
Because of Walter’s interference, Odette’s carefully laid plans were already ruined.
‘I should’ve never engaged with him in the first place.’
She knew it, yet his knowing gaze—so clearly aware of her circumstances—had drawn her in despite herself.
Grasping her throbbing head in confusion, Odette finally asked,
“…Why me?”
“I told you—I desire Your Highness. Is any reason beyond that necessary?”
“Of course it is. Because you…”
Odette trailed off unintentionally.
She’d just recalled Regina’s voice from earlier that day, overheard in passing before the banquet:
“Duke Ertman is clearly interested in me—you can tell by how kindly he treats me!”
Though Odette hadn’t heard the full conversation, she knew Regina and Walter had met several times.
Regina talked about Walter constantly—there was no way not to know.
But mentioning Regina’s name in front of Walter would make it seem like some bizarre love triangle, so Odette carefully circled around the topic.
“…Don’t you already have someone you’re seeing?”
“I’m not involved with anyone.”
“You’re not?”
“No. So now I’d like to discuss my proposal with you.”
The meaning of Walter’s “proposal” was unmistakable.
A marriage contract.
After a brief moment of deliberation, Odette finally spoke.
“You mentioned a contract marriage.”
“Exactly as you heard.”
“Then what are the terms?”
“Give yourself to me. That’s all I ask.”
Male lead is reincarnated to save his wife
I’ve also read this one twice already. The female lead is kinda soft and gets embarrassed easily—not really my type, but the plot is definitely worth reading. Hurry up and read it, y’all!
Intro
When Shen Yuan encountered Su Jin again in his previous life, she had already become the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. As for him, the former top young master of the capital, he had long since fallen into the abyss, becoming a singer on a pleasure boat.
After a song ended, he was redeemed and sent to the Su Residence.
Su Jin respected and cherished him, gave him a roof over his head, and bestowed him with warmth. Shen Yuan fell deeper and deeper, but before he could express his feelings, Su Jin passed away.
Shen Yuan died to follow her in death, but instead, he returned to when he was fifteen years old.
At that time, he was not yet engaged, and Su Jin was just a poor scholar.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, casting aside all his pride, and thought of ways to coax and entice her every day.
The colder and more indifferent Su Jin was towards him, the more proactive Shen Yuan became.
He was not afraid of being mocked by the world, only wanting to marry his Wife-master early, to hold her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
[Note: This story will not specifically point out the male lead’s reincarnation time point; it’s all in the details. Whenever you feel that the male lead is acting strangely, he has most likely been reincarnated.]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
One thing I haven’t been able to understand about situations such as this one, is why anyone would believe a maid has any autonomy in the face of an emperor that wants their body. It’s always the ‘lowly’ peasant’s or maid’s fault for having relations and a subsequent child with a person in a position of power. Perhaps Regina is just one of those that must blame others regardless of reality.