The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 100

Crash!

The tall windows of the banquet hall shattered all at once. At the same moment, a black horse burst through the glowing shards of light.

Time slowed before Tericia’s eyes.

The broken glass sparkled mid-air as it scattered. The horse halted in front of Count Clu, rearing up with a loud cry.

Just before Count Clu’s blade could reach her, the man on the horse swung his sword.

A flash of light sliced through the air in a wide arc—and slashed across Count Clu’s neck.

Thud.

His head dropped and rolled away. His body, unaware of what had happened, tilted slowly before collapsing to the floor with a heavy sound.

“Tericia!”

The scream pierced through her ears.

Count Clu’s sword fell not far from her feet, hitting the floor with a sharp clang. Steeped in hatred, the blade now lay discarded, without purpose.

“Tericia!”

Rashid leapt from his horse and ran to her in a panic.

“…Rashid?”

His figure appeared before her eyes like a vision.

Yes… Of course. There’s no way you could be dead. They said you were gone—but you wouldn’t leave me. You’d never leave me.

Realizing it was real, Tericia tried to move toward him. Her legs, weak and unsteady, nearly gave out. Still, she forced herself to walk to him. Just as she stumbled, about to fall—

Rashid caught her in his arms and held her tight. His embrace was warm, like life itself.

He was alive. Rashid… was alive.

“You’re alive, right? You didn’t die?”

Her voice trembled. Tericia lifted her hand to his face. Her fingers frantically traced his cheeks, his hair, needing to feel it—needing proof. Warm skin met her touch.

“Yes. It’s me. I’m here. I’m alive.”

He was warm. He was real. Rashid hadn’t died. He hadn’t left her.

“Rashid.”

“Yes, Tericia.”

“Rashid.”

Every time she said his name, he answered her without fail.

You’re alive. I don’t have to worry about losing you anymore. I don’t have to be afraid of you disappearing.

Her vision blurred. Tears began to fall. His face became hazy through them.

“Rashid…”

Tericia smiled, tears and joy mixing as she wrapped her arms around him.

“…so that’s how it happened… I see…”

“Your Grace, that’s…”

Faint voices buzzed somewhere near her ears.

The darkness before her eyes began to lift, replaced by soft light. Tericia frowned slightly—the brightness was irritating. She wished she could just sleep a little longer.

“…Tericia?”

Someone had heard her stirring. She heard hurried footsteps approaching.

“Tericia, you’re awake?”

She was too tired to answer. Too many people were talking.

Tericia rolled over, curling up again. She just wanted a bit more rest. Just a little longer.

A soft chuckle came from near her head.

“Alright. Rest some more.”

Yes… just a bit longer…

It was the sweetest sleep—like honey.

Tericia didn’t wake again until the next morning, just after the sun had risen.

Still half-asleep, she sat blankly on the bed. Her eyes blinked slowly, her mind still lost somewhere between dream and reality.

“My lady, are you alright?”

A voice filled with concern reached her. She turned toward it.

Her movements were slower than usual. She met Mandy’s eyes for a moment, then blinked again.

Her soft, violet eyes, still dazed with sleep, disappeared beneath long lashes and reappeared slowly.

“…Rashid?”

“The Duke returned safely and is taking care of everything. …Would you like me to call him?”

“…No.”

Tericia gently shook her head and lay back down.

Just a little longer…

By the time Mandy understood the half-whispered words, Tericia had already fallen into a peaceful sleep, breathing evenly.

“My lady… are you asleep again?”

A sigh escaped her lips.

How long is my lady planning to sleep?

Soon, the Duke will come looking for her again. It felt oddly embarrassing to have to tell him—yet again—that she was still asleep.

It wasn’t until the afternoon of the following day—after a full twenty-four hours had passed—that Tericia finally rose from bed. By then, everything had been resolved, and the ducal estate had returned to its normal rhythm.

The royal guards, who had rushed in urgently, had already returned to the capital. The knights of Hespelt who had gone to the battlefield were back as well.

Count Clu’s corpse—struck down by Rashid’s sword in the banquet hall—had been sent back to his territory and buried in some unmarked place. His lands were absorbed once more into the Duke’s domain.

By the time Tericia awoke, she was told that Rashid’s very first order had been to erase any trace of the attack from the estate.

“The mercenary group that attacked the estate was from the Eastern Kingdom. Apparently, they always prioritize that kingdom’s orders.”

At Heinz’s report, Rashid’s brows drew together slightly.

“So… the prince’s army.”

“Yes, it seems that way. Judging by the timing, they moved after the prince’s death.”

“An army that acts after their lord is already dead…”

Adler muttered the thought under his breath, his tone unsettled.

According to the reports after the final battle, the prince’s chief strategist—who had played a crucial role in the war—had vanished. He hadn’t been seen on the battlefield, nor during the attack on Hespelt Manor. Even within the Eastern Kingdom, he had disappeared without a trace.

“If even the strategist vanished, then this could be something more. A hidden agenda… or a revenge plot. Maybe even a personal grudge.”

Rashid gave a dry chuckle.

“That strategist… what kind of man was he? I heard he was behind most of their plans.”

It was Heinz who replied to Adler’s question.

“His face was always hidden, but we believe he’s the same man who delivered the prince’s war helmet.”

“Did you find out who he is?”

“According to our agent in the Eastern Kingdom, he’d served the prince for years. He disappeared for a while, then returned to his side about five years ago.”

Rashid felt a strange discomfort—a creeping, cold sensation.

Like he was missing something important…

Only a handful of survivors remained. They had been thrown into prison and tortured for days. Rashid personally interrogated them himself.

And finally, from one of their mouths came a name—both unfamiliar and strangely familiar.

“Sheffer… Verus, was it?”

Rashid frowned, repeating the name the mercenary had given.

“Sheffer Verus. That name…”

The surname didn’t feel right. But the first name…

“Sheffer Boren.”

A realization struck like lightning.

The man who had once pestered Tericia after Rashid returned from the Academy—the one Rashid had personally driven out with his own hands.

“The House of Verus…”

Rashid let out a cold, twisted smile. A harsh, dangerous sound followed from deep in his throat.

At his words, Adler looked at him in shock.

“You don’t mean that House Verus—the one destroyed after the civil war with Hespelt?”

“They said every last member was wiped out. Even the distant branches.”

“So how… how did he take on the Boren name?”

“That woman, even in death, continues to sow seeds of chaos.”

The icy air radiating from Rashid made Adler instinctively step back. The Duke’s anger could be felt physically—sharp as a blade.

“Adler.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Find him. Within three days. The war is over—it’s time to clean up. I want everything on Verus.”

“…Understood.”

“Heinz, reinforce security around the manor. And find out how he got mercenaries inside. There’s no excuse for not knowing until they were already here.”

“Yes, sir.”

Both Heinz and Adler answered with equal gravity, fully aware of the seriousness of the situation.

Just then, there was a soft knock at the door. A quiet sound. The door opened slightly, and a pale face peeked through.

“Are you busy?”

At the soft, gentle voice, Rashid immediately stood up.

“Tericia.”

She had been sleeping nearly non-stop since his return, but now, for once, her face looked clear—and slightly embarrassed. She smiled sheepishly.

The cold, severe look Rashid had worn only seconds ago melted away as though it had never existed. He smiled back at her, warm and soft.

Adler, watching the sudden transformation for the hundredth time, once again struggled to keep his expression neutral. No matter how often he witnessed it, he never got used to it.

I can’t afford to be caught off guard. I’m not trying to earn any extra punishments for lack of composure.

As if Rashid didn’t even notice the two men still in the room, he strode over and gently lifted Tericia into his arms.

“W–Wait a second…”

“You’re awake.”

Flustered, Tericia tried to wriggle free, but when she saw his beaming face, her movements faltered.

“Rashid, could you… maybe… put me down?”

Adler jabbed Heinz in the ribs with his elbow. If they didn’t leave right now, they were going to get caught loitering where they weren’t wanted—and Adler had no intention of being sent off somewhere awful just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Why do I always have to be the one keeping track of this stuff…?

Adler sighed and flashed Tericia a teasing smile.

“Enjoy your time, milady.”

Then he grabbed Heinz—who was mumbling something like “Wait, but—” under his breath—and dragged him out of the room.

“Now that we’re alone… I can stay like this, right?”

“…That’s not really the issue here.”

Tericia mumbled as Rashid grinned down at her.

Blushing, she turned her face away in mock annoyance. Still holding her, Rashid sat down on the couch and tilted his head until their eyes met.

“I’m back, Tericia.”

“Welcome home, Your Grace.”

With a playful tone, Tericia answered, wrapping her arms around his neck with a soft, bright smile.

Finally, she gave him that beautiful smile he had longed to see.

Support The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out