The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 102

“If I’d been just a little later…”

If things had gone like in his dream, Count Clu’s sword might have pierced Tericia’s heart. The thought alone made Rashid’s chest tighten and his blood run cold. His hands and feet trembled; a chill settled into his bones.

She had greeted him with a calm face, yet when she didn’t wake for two whole days afterward, he had nearly lost his mind. If her personal maid hadn’t assured him that she was only sleeping—that she occasionally sat up and answered questions—he didn’t know what he might’ve done.

“Rashid…”

“Tericia. My dear sister… my Tericia.”

Rashid reached out and gently touched her cheek. His hand was still trembling.

“I can’t live without you. If something happened to you…”

His face twisted in pain.

“I wouldn’t survive. You’ve taken my heart—you have to take responsibility for it.”

“You can’t say things like that…”

Her voice trembled too.

“Even if I’m gone, you have to keep living. No matter what happens to me—”

“Tericia.”

Rashid’s voice sharpened.

“Can you live without me?”

“I… I…”

Her eyes wavered. As she tried to turn away, Rashid’s hand gently held her cheek in place, keeping her from looking away.

His eyes, filled with pain, stared straight into hers.

I’ll keep going. So you have to, too…

She wanted to say it. She needed to say it.

But the words wouldn’t come.

Rashid’s gone. He’s not beside me…

She couldn’t breathe. Her face turned as pale as possible, and when he saw it, Rashid slowly lowered his hand from her cheek.

“Tericia…”

His voice was full of anguish.

“Please, don’t say things like that. Don’t forget—you are the reason I’m alive.”

Oh… what am I supposed to do with this foolish man?
She wanted to smile. To laugh. But her lips wouldn’t move.

“Rashid.”

She reached out and took his retreating hand.

“I’m sorry.”

I’m sorry I didn’t avoid Clu’s sword.
I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you.

“I’m sorry.”

But most of all… I’m sorry that one day, I’ll have to leave you behind.
That I’ll cause you that pain again.

“I’m sorry.”

“…”

Rashid said nothing. His face twisted in silence, staring only at her. And Tericia knew—her face looked just the same.

She should say more. She had to say more.

“Tericia…” Rashid breathed her name like a sigh, a bitter smile curling his lips.

“Please, remember just this one thing.”

“…”

“I’ll never let go of you again. Not ever. I can’t live without you. Please… remember that.”

“…Okay.”

But one day, I’ll have to leave this place…

When that day comes, please… forget me.

Dear God. If you will grant me one wish…

When the time comes for me to leave Rashid, please erase all his memories of me.

So that he doesn’t have to suffer. So, he won’t grieve.

Please…

＊＊＊

The sun had long since set, and the night had grown deep when Adler and Heinz came to find Rashid. Despite the late hour, he hadn’t yet gone to bed, still seated in his office.

There was much to handle—not only the aftermath of the battle, but restoring order to the estate.

He greeted them with a tired face but sat upright, composed.

“You look exhausted,” Adler said.

Rashid gave a small chuckle and extended a hand.

“Report.”

He took the documents Adler offered and began flipping through them. As he read, Adler and Heinz exchanged a look—quiet, brief. Then Heinz stepped forward.

“I’ll speak first.”

Without waiting for permission, he began to speak.

“As mentioned in our previous report, the attackers were indeed a mercenary unit affiliated with the Eastern Kingdom. The messenger was also identified as one of the Eastern Kingdom’s embedded spies within the Empire. When their side began to lose the final battle, they quickly set this entire plan in motion.”

“…So it was led by the prince’s strategist? That man?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Rashid let out a dry laugh, shaking his head in disbelief.

“That name again. Do I really have to keep hearing it?”

“The moment the mercenaries began their assault, one of the spies unlocked the door to Count Clu’s underground cell.”

“…How did a spy from the Eastern Kingdom know the layout of this estate?”

His voice dropped low, his tone sharp as a blade. The atmosphere turned savage.

“Sheffer Verus…”

For once, Heinz hesitated. Normally quick to speak and act, he was unusually quiet—hesitant.

Rashid noticed. He looked up and fixed his gaze on Heinz, brow furrowed.

Heinz bowed deeply under the weight of that gaze.

“It seems… he figured it out while staying here under the Boren name. That’s my failure.”

Rashid didn’t scold him. He simply exhaled, long and deep.

Had they discovered it before the war, it would’ve been a disaster. But now, it was too late for blame to matter.

“Continue.”

“Sheffer Verus is said to be the illegitimate son of the last Duke of Verus. Born of a maid, he was cast out of the family at a young age. That’s likely how he survived the purge.”

“Hah.”

Rashid let out a cold, mirthless chuckle.

“So he risked his life for the very people who abandoned him?”

“We can’t be sure of the full story, but it seems the former Duke held some affection for him. It was the Duchess who forced him out.”

Rashid remained silent, listening with an expression of dry contempt.

“He was the last direct heir. If something happened to Hespelt, they must’ve believed they could take advantage.”

Another humorless laugh escaped him.

“They must’ve thought I was a fool.”

The deadly pressure in the room began to build. The bloodthirst in Rashid’s voice spread through the office like a storm cloud. Adler felt his chest tighten.

“Your Grace!”

Heinz quickly stepped forward, and just like that, the killing intent vanished.

Adler wobbled slightly, barely catching himself on the sofa. As a man of letters, enduring Rashid’s rage was nearly impossible. Even Heinz had sweat beading on his forehead.

Rashid clicked his tongue and ran a hand roughly through his hair, pulling back the violence that still clung to him.

“He must’ve gotten in through Lady Boren. Claimed to be her cousin, perhaps. That’s likely how he gained access to the estate and learned its layout.”

“…That woman, even now…”

Rage twisted inside him. He should’ve erased her from the beginning.

Rashid gritted his teeth and waited for the rest.

“After you expelled him, he fled to the Eastern Kingdom. There, he aligned himself with the prince and acted as his strategist. He played a key role in placing the current king on the throne during the coup.”

“He may come off as sly, but he’s clearly skilled in strategy. It’s said the prince valued him deeply and considered him one of the masterminds behind the rebellion.”

“…There’s no proof yet, but it’s likely he orchestrated the Count Clu incident as well.”

“Ha… ha… hah…”

A hollow laugh left Rashid.

When… where… did it all begin with him?
If Sheffer Verus had entered under the Boren name, then this started even before Rashid went to the Academy.

Ironically, it had been his entanglement with Tericia that got Sheffer expelled from the estate. In hindsight, it might have been divine luck. If he had remained then—if Rashid had still been the powerless boy he once was—he might not have been able to stop him at all.

“So thanks to Tericia, I gained time.”

“If not for Lady Tericia, it could’ve ended very differently,” Heinz agreed with a firm nod.

“He made many enemies while working under the prince.”

“Then after the prince’s death, he must have been ousted.”

“Yes. He’s currently missing.”

Rashid fell silent.

This man had been laying plans for a long time. Whether by fate or coincidence, without Tericia, Hespelt might’ve fallen long ago. If not for that expulsion back then… if he had remained…

How far are you planning to protect me, Tericia…?

Rashid exhaled a short breath, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“If he had officially inherited the Verus name, he’d have been a nightmare.”

“He used Lady Boren, used Count Clu—he was very busy indeed.”

“Even if he’s not showing himself yet, he’s bound to come back. Word is, he barely escaped the Eastern Kingdom alive.”

“Still.”

Rashid leaned back in his chair. He looked more composed now, the fire in his gaze smoldering but contained.

“If he’s alive, he’ll be a nuisance.”

“True. Some remnants remain, but without strong leadership, he’s likely preparing one last desperate move. Especially since Lady Tericia was the one who first ruined his plans—he’s probably holding a grudge.”

At that, Rashid’s brow furrowed deeply.

“He dares hold anything against Tericia?”

The killing aura returned, sharp and immediate. Adler instinctively stepped back. He knew there was nowhere to run in this room, but still—his body remembered that earlier terror.

Rashid saw his reaction and exhaled again, smoothing down the rage.

“Heinz, increase Tericia’s guards. Strengthen all estate security. I will not let this place fall again.”

“Understood. I’ll see to it immediately.”

Rashid then turned his gaze toward Adler. His face had softened again, a bit of color returning to his features.

“Adler.”

“Yes, Your Grace?”

“Prepare the engagement ceremony.”

“…Pardon?”

Adler’s voice cracked, almost a squeak. He had served Rashid for years—but this level of surprise was rare even for him.

“The engagement,” Rashid repeated, calmly lacing his fingers together with a slight, contented smile.
“Get it ready.”

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