The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 103

“Are you heading out?”

Tericia ran into Rashid just as he was returning from a ride. As he dismounted, removing his gloves and handing them to a waiting attendant, he reached out a hand to help her into the carriage.

“Yes. I was about to stop by Sarah’s salon… Care to join me?”

After escorting her in, he naturally climbed in as well and took the seat beside her. Tericia looked at him in surprise.

“You’re coming with me?”

Rashid closed the carriage door as if her question was unnecessary and gave the order to depart before she could object. The carriage began moving.

“Didn’t you just get back?”

“I did.”

“Don’t you still have work to do?”

She remembered the way Adler’s face had looked earlier—clearly troubled—and asked carefully.

“Nothing will fall apart if it’s delayed a little.”

You’re the only one who thinks that…

Tericia almost said it but held her tongue. He wasn’t the type to change his mind once it was made up—and he’d already decided to come with her.

Poor Adler, she thought with a quiet sigh.

Rashid gave a short chuckle at her expression.

“I was planning to find you anyway. There are things we need to talk about.”

“Well, if that’s the case…”

Though still a bit skeptical, Tericia didn’t argue. The carriage had already left the estate, and turning back now would only be awkward.

“I actually had something I wanted to ask you too.”

Maybe it was for the best. A private conversation like this—just the two of them—was hard to come by.

“Go ahead,” Rashid said with a soft smile, waiting patiently for her to speak. That look made her sigh again.

“The Black Knights… The ones who were guarding me.”

He fell silent.

“Were they an existing order? I don’t remember them.”

In all her time at the estate, Tericia couldn’t recall ever seeing them. Their sudden appearance and behavior suggested they were a force that operated from the shadows, invisible until needed.

“They were disbanded after the civil war, but I reactivated them after the Hunting Festival. They used to handle more… questionable tasks. Now, they’re primarily assigned to your protection.”

Rashid answered easily, but left out the fact that their work extended far beyond just guarding her. There were things he didn’t want her to know—things he believed she didn’t need to.

Their most important task right now was to protect Tericia. That much, he wouldn’t hide. But everything else—he would spare her from it.

“I see.”

Tericia nodded, seemingly convinced. Apparently, the man who had once revealed her identity wasn’t lying.

“I can’t say I’m thrilled about them. Especially after what happened this time.”

They should’ve stopped Count Clu before he ever got close to her. That failure still stirred anger in her chest.

Rashid didn’t say anything about nearly overhauling the entire order out of fury. But Tericia seemed to sense his thoughts and gave him a sheepish smile.

“If something had happened, they would’ve stepped in. And in the end, you showed up first anyway.”

“Let’s just say that.”

His voice betrayed his dissatisfaction, and Tericia couldn’t help but laugh.

“So? What was it you wanted to talk about?”

Rashid hesitated.

He wasn’t sure if he should tell her. But she had a right to know. If anyone was more deeply connected to this matter, it was her.

Seeing the look in his eyes—the way his expression darkened—Tericia felt her body tense slightly. She knew that look. Whatever he was about to say wasn’t going to be easy.

And then, he said a name she hadn’t expected to hear.

“Do you remember Sheffer Boren?”

“Sheffer Boren?”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

“You mean… the man who said he was my mother’s cousin?”

“Yes. That Sheffer Boren.”

“That’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time.”

The last time she saw him was when Rashid had just returned from the Academy. She remembered clearly—it was in the garden, and Rashid had stepped in to save her. Years had passed since then.

“You do know he wasn’t actually related to you, right?”

“Yes, I know.”

“His real name is Sheffer Verus.”

“Verus?”

The name felt familiar. Where had she heard it?

“Ah.”

A realization sparked in her eyes, and she looked directly at Rashid.

“You mean… the House of Verus?”

“Yes. That House of Verus.”

A bitter smile curled at the corner of Rashid’s lips.

“Sheffer Verus. He’s the last surviving bloodline of House Verus.”

In the long history of Latran, there had been several civil wars.

Some arose from rebellion against the Emperor, others from bloody struggles among royal princes for the throne. There were even uprisings driven by famine and desperation.

But if one had to name the fiercest among them, it would be the civil war that broke out nearly twenty years ago, during the early reign of the current Emperor.

It was known as the Great Noble War—a brutal conflict between two ducal houses.

“Fifteen… no, it’s nearly twenty years ago now. That civil war included not just the noble houses but their vassals as well. The war dragged on for three long years.”

Rashid spoke in a calm, even voice.

“Eventually, no one even remembered why the war started. Only the fighting remained. But behind it all, it was clear the Emperor had a hand in it. By the time we realized, it was too late to stop.”

Over time, the pieces fell into place.

Whatever the original cause, the Emperor had feared the growing power of the two great houses and had subtly fanned the flames. The result was war—swift and merciless.

Almost every noble in Latran was pulled in one way or another. When it finally ended, only the imperial family remained standing, stronger than ever. Most noble houses were weakened, some obliterated.

Hespelt survived, but barely. They were left scarred and hollow. In order to recover, they had to refocus inward. They needed wealth, and they had to at least appear loyal to the imperial crown.

If there was even the slightest hint of rebellion, the now-strengthened imperial court would strike first.

That’s why Duke Jester Hespelt agreed to the marriage arranged by the imperial family. He had no choice but to accept the dowry that came with that woman—to use it to heal and bind the wounds of his house and retainers.

Jester Karl Hespelt had chosen pragmatism over pride. And even now, he had no regrets.

“Hespelt won. House Verus was annihilated. And to ensure nothing like it ever happened again, the imperial court took no chances. Not just the direct line—but even the extended branches, the entire Verus bloodline, was wiped out.”

“And yet?”

“It seems… he survived. The only one.”

Rashid spoke like he was recounting someone else’s story. His tone was distant, detached.

Only now did Tericia begin to fully understand the background behind her mother’s marriage. The Duke’s words back at Pelos Castle made sense now—so did the bitterness beneath them.

And now she could grasp just how desperately Hespelt had prepared for the future—how much pain had gone into regaining that lost strength. The life she remembered before her return was the failed outcome. This time, they had succeeded.

“Sheffer Boren… or rather, Sheffer Verus. He’s the bastard son of the late Duke of Verus.”

“How… how did he survive?”

“He lived in the duchy as a child but was cast out with his mother. That exile is what saved him.”

Tericia fell silent.

“Later, when he realized he was the last living heir of House Verus, he reclaimed the name for himself. Claimed the legacy.”

“…And that man… How did he meet my mother?”

At her question, Rashid gave a bitter smile.

“We suspect he deliberately approached Lady Boren to get close to Hespelt.”

“So she really… did something unforgivable to you.”

Tericia’s expression mirrored Rashid’s.

How could I ever make it up to you? How can I possibly repay you for the humiliation and pain you endured… because of her?

“Don’t look like that.”

Rashid noticed her lowered gaze and gently lifted her chin with his fingers until their eyes met.

His golden eyes softened, filled with quiet light—and affection. Even his smile was warm.

“Just having you by my side is all the compensation I need.”

“But—”

“If it weren’t for your mother, I never would’ve met you. And if that were the case, I’d still be living cold and alone in that dark house. So…”

He leaned in and brushed a soft kiss against her lips before pulling away.

“I hope you’ll think the same of me. I hope you’ll believe you’re lucky to have met me. Just as I do.”

“Rashid…”

My brother. My love. The one I would give my life to protect…

Tericia smiled.

It was a radiant smile—so beautiful it almost hurt to look at. And Rashid, seeing it, smiled in quiet satisfaction.

“So stay by my side. Keep smiling like that. I’ll make sure you always can.”

“…Alright.”

“Now then… I think that’s enough of the heavy talk.”

Rashid reluctantly let go of her hand. Though his fingers lingered, he pulled back and leaned casually against the cushioned seat of the carriage, arms crossed.

“But you’re still not going to tell me who attacked the estate or why?”

“Tericia.”

“Hmm?”

Rashid gave her a familiar look—the kind that said I knew this would come up. He didn’t want to worry her unnecessarily, but he also knew she wouldn’t drop the subject easily.

Still, there was something more important—something he needed to say before anything else.

“I’ll tell you everything when the time is right. But for now, isn’t there something more important for us to talk about?”

Something more important—for us.

A blush crept into Tericia’s cheeks. Rashid’s gaze lingered, full of unspoken anticipation.

She held his stare for a while before finally looking down, her face pink. Rashid let out a soft laugh. Just as he expected.

“Now then… shall we talk about our engagement?”

He leaned back with a satisfied smile, arms still folded, clearly enjoying every moment.

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