The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 104
“Engagement…?”
The words escaped her lips in a soft, trembling voice. Tericia blinked, wondering if she’d heard correctly.
“Yes. The engagement. The one you promised, remember?”
Our engagement. Yours and mine.
Rashid added quietly, and just like that, Tericia’s cheeks turned crimson.
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten?”
“…No. I haven’t.”
If anything, those words helped her gather her thoughts. Her face was still flushed, but her heart felt oddly calm.
Engagement.
Lowering her gaze, she silently mouthed the word to herself.
Her engagement to Rashid. Or perhaps… their marriage.
He had definitely promised—before going to war—that they would hold an engagement ceremony if he returned.
But now, hearing him say it out loud made it all feel strangely real. And that brought a fresh wave of embarrassment.
“Engagement ceremony…”
“Honestly, if I could help it, I wouldn’t do it. But if I want the world to know you belong to me, there’s no better way.”
Rashid’s tone was gruff, his expression less than thrilled. That, more than anything, caught Tericia by surprise.
She’d assumed he would be the type to throw a grand party, revel in the formality. But now he looked genuinely annoyed.
“You don’t like it?”
Rashid’s brow twitched.
“Not particularly.”
“Why?”
Tericia tilted her head, genuinely curious. Rashid let out a long sigh.
“Think about it. At your debutante ball, that bastard tried to touch you.”
Ah. Tericia’s eyes widened slightly.
That night—Sheffer Verus had tried to approach her inappropriately. Rashid had stepped in and saved her.
It had been her first formal escort by a grown-up Rashid. Her heart had fluttered then.
“Then, at the announcement ball for the young duke, you were poisoned.”
Pain crossed his face, just thinking about it. Tericia averted her eyes, her heart aching at the memory. Rashid looked like he was struggling to even recall it.
After a pause, Tericia gently placed her hand over his.
“I’m sorry. For making you suffer.”
Rashid looked down at her hand on his. Then he turned his palm up and laced his fingers with hers, holding her tightly.
“Don’t ever let that happen again. Not that it will.”
“…Okay.”
“And then,” he sighed again, “at the Hunting Festival banquet, Count Clu caused a scene.”
Another sigh escaped Tericia’s lips, this time with a faint, embarrassed smile.
That was when she’d nearly been assaulted by a drunken Count Clu on the terrace. Rashid had broken his nose that night.
“And during my birthday celebration, Clu made another absurd claim and drove you to flee the hall.”
Rashid’s grip tightened slightly. Not enough to hurt, but enough to show how deeply he remembered.
Seeing the frustration on his face, Tericia turned her head away, looking sheepish.
“…A lot’s happened, huh.”
“Exactly. And you wonder why I don’t like banquets?”
When she shyly tried to pull her hand away, Rashid released her without resistance, letting out another deep sigh.
“I’ve already given Adler the order to handle everything. This time, I want you to do nothing. Just let them take care of it.”
“But I’m in charge of domestic affairs—”
“Not this time. Don’t worry about a single thing. Just get fitted for a dress, and maybe pick out some jewelry.”
His voice was firm, teeth gritted in determination.
“Don’t even look at the logistics. Adler and Harris will manage.”
“You really overwork your aides.”
“That’s what they’re for.”
Tericia couldn’t help but chuckle at his dry response.
He always claimed it was concern for her that drove him—but he really was hard on Adler. The expression on his face, too—stubborn and defiant—reminded her of the boy she once knew.
“You’re too harsh on Adler. Honestly, it’s like you’re getting back at your old mentor for childhood grievances.”
“Absolutely not.”
His response was quick and sharp, frowning as he said it. Tericia laughed again.
The way he denied it so fast—it sounded more like a confession than a denial.
“Truly, that’s not it.”
“Sure. Let’s go with that.”
“Tericia!”
It felt like ages since she’d seen him like this—so human, so familiar. Her smile wasn’t polite or practiced; it came from somewhere much deeper.
“Rashid.”
And maybe it was that warmth that brought a memory back to her—the memory of a much younger Rashid, smiling brightly at only her.
The little boy in that sun-drenched study… My sweet, beautiful brother. My precious Rashid.
“I care about you. A lot. You know that, right?”
“…Why are you saying that all of a sudden? You’re making me nervous.”
“I just… wanted to say it.”
“…Tericia.”
He looked at her quietly, eyes filled with emotion. The usual golden warmth in his gaze was now deeper, flickering with a quiet fire.
“Hearing you say that makes me happy… truly.”
He loosened his tie slightly, as if his collar felt too tight.
“But personally, I’d prefer a kiss to words.”
His whisper made Tericia’s eyes go wide.
“Because whenever you look at me like that, I—”
You have no idea how badly I want to push you down right here—how much I want to climb on top of you, even in this moving carriage.
Rashid, who had been leaning slightly toward her, slowly leaned back—putting as much distance between them as he could.
He retreated as far as the carriage seat allowed, then gave her a slow, heated smile. The hunger he was feeling… he had a feeling it wasn’t going away anytime soon.
“So please, just stay right where you are. If you come any closer… I really can’t promise what I’ll do.”
At those words, Tericia froze—then, ever so slowly, scooted toward the far end of the carriage. But the space was too small to truly escape.
“The engagement ceremony planning is Adler’s responsibility. Don’t even think about touching it.”
“…Fine.”
She answered while looking away, doing her best to hide her face—now flushed a vivid red, along with her neck. Rashid, watching her, let out a soft, low laugh.
It was the laugh of a man barely restraining his thirst.
After visiting Sarah’s salon, the two headed to a jewelry boutique.
Though Tericia insisted they should return to the estate, Rashid gently steered the conversation—and her—toward the shop instead. The moment they entered, Rashid began suggesting pieces like he intended to buy out the entire store.
“I said I don’t need anything.”
“Well, we’re here. Might as well pick something out.”
“We already have too much. Remember when you bought out an entire jewelry store last time?”
At that, the store owner’s eyes lit up.
He finally realized who was standing in front of him—the infamous Duke of Hespelt and his sister. Or rather, the woman who might soon be his wife.
They were the talk of the capital once. The scandal from the Duke’s birthday banquet alone had made headlines across the city—how the woman Rashid adored turned out not to be a legitimate noblewoman, how she’d fled after her identity was revealed.
Rumors swirled—some claimed the Crown Prince had taken her, others whispered of a duel between him and the Duke over her. The social circles had buzzed for months.
But when the so-called “fake princess” reappeared a month later—more stunning than ever—and continued to walk by the Duke’s side as if nothing had happened, the story changed again.
Then came the story that the Duke had bought her an entire jewelry shop. Since then, everyone believed the wedding was only a matter of time.
Had the war not happened, it might have already taken place.
“That was then. This is now,” Rashid said calmly. “Why refuse a gift?”
“Because I don’t need it. It’s not like we’re overflowing with money.”
“Our finances won’t collapse over a few trinkets. Even Harris says you’re too frugal.”
“Harris exaggerates.”
“Just pick one. Something simple. Your real wedding gifts will be separate.”
“……!”
Tericia’s mouth fell open.
“Wait—this isn’t for the wedding?”
“Of course not.” Rashid frowned. “Why would I use something this light for your dowry? Adler’s out right now securing something truly worthy. You don’t need to worry about it.”
Tericia opened and closed her mouth, utterly speechless. She sighed in disbelief.
When did my sweet little brother become so… extravagant?
“Um, Your Grace…”
The jeweler, who had been silently gauging their conversation, finally spoke up. Words like “trinket” and “pocket change” stung a little—but to him, it also meant the Duke was willing to spend anything for her. That was enough.
“There’s a set I believe would suit the lady perfectly. May I show it to you?”
Rashid gave a small nod, and the jeweler rushed to the back vault. Based on how this was going, if he moved too slowly, the lady might say no again.
“It’s a wasteful expense.”
“That doesn’t matter. I’ll buy the entire store if I have to.”
“Rashid…”
His voice was so serious, she couldn’t help but laugh—half in disbelief, half in surrender.
When did this happen?
With a resigned sigh, Tericia quietly took a seat on the couch. Meanwhile, Rashid wandered along the display cases, studying the pieces one by one.
It was the VIP room, after all. Everything was exquisite and elegant. Rashid admired the jeweler’s taste as he picked out pieces that would suit Tericia.
Amber stones to match her brown hair. A delicate bracelet that would complement her slender wrist.
But then something caught his eye.
Too big for a bracelet, too short for a necklace—a hybrid piece. Its gold chain held small but high-quality gemstones.
It would look beautiful on Tericia.
He’d just made up his mind to buy it when the jeweler returned to the room.
Seeing the man return, Tericia gave a soft smile.
Please, let him only bring one piece…
She watched the ornate velvet box in his hands with cautious hope—but one look at the box told her it housed something far too extravagant.
“I think this will suit the lady perfectly,” the jeweler said proudly, opening the box with a flourish.
Inside was a platinum multi-strand necklace, set with small diamonds and accented by a single stunning gem at the center—a vivid amethyst that matched the color of Tericia’s eyes.
“This is…”
Rashid exhaled, almost like a sigh or a groan.
The color. It was the same shade as the necklace he had once given her long ago… The one that had been soaked in her blood.
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