The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 121

Heinz stood in front of the Duke’s office door, taking a long, steady breath.

Today, the door felt even larger than usual. He knew it was just in his head, but thinking about the person sitting inside already made his chest tighten.

If avoiding this were possible, he would’ve done it long ago.

He swallowed hard, his throat visibly moving. After one more deep breath, he raised his hand and knocked.

“Come in.”

The response came immediately—without a moment’s pause.

Of course he’s in…

Letting out a long sigh, Heinz stepped inside.

“What is it?”

As expected, Rashid greeted him with an annoyed tone and a cold stare.

Glancing to the side, Heinz saw Edler quietly shaking his head and sighing.

“I’ve selected all the knights who will serve as escort for the procession, Your Grace.”

Rashid set down the quill he had been holding and leaned back deeply in his chair.

“How’s their skill?”

“They were chosen through sparring matches, regardless of division. Their abilities are solid.”

Heinz spoke with extra care. Even someone as tactless as the knight commander knew just how foul Rashid’s mood had been lately.

Rashid was quiet for a moment, then let out a low, cynical chuckle.

“‘Solid ability,’ huh…”

He rose slowly from his seat, muttering.

“I suppose I should confirm that myself.”

Though it sounded like a question, it was anything but.

He loosened his tie and mentally set aside every task he had yet to deal with.

“They’ll be guarding my wife. I’ll check their skills personally.”

Hearing those words, Heinz shut his eyes tightly.

I knew it…

He had hoped—just for today—that they might avoid another one of Rashid’s “training sessions” disguised as sparring.

But of course not. His lord would always find some excuse to beat the hell out of the knights himself.

Heinz sighed deeply.

“They’re waiting at the training grounds.”

With a sharp, wolfish grin, Rashid left the office.

The silence he left behind was heavy.

“…You’ve got it rough.”

Edler gave a tired smile as he looked at Heinz’s drooping shoulders.

Heinz’s eyes moved past the Duke’s now-empty desk to the mountain of papers stacked on Edler’s.

“…So do you.”

With all the tasks Rashid had dumped on them, it was clear Edler wouldn’t be going home on time today either.

“One week left, right?”

“Yeah. One week.”

“……”

“……”

They both let out a sigh at the exact same time.

That one week… was going to feel longer than a year.

When Heinz arrived at the training grounds shortly after Rashid, he had to suppress another sigh.

All around, knights sat slumped and panting, their bodies bruised and beaten.

Clearly, the so-called “skill test” had already taken place—and had turned into yet another one-sided brawl.

“…How were they?”

Heinz approached Rashid, who was rolling his neck in the center of the arena.

“Better than the last batch. They lasted a bit longer.”

Heinz looked around. Sure enough, more knights seemed to be conscious compared to the last round.

“Promote them to the First Order and assign them as official guards.”

“Understood, Your Grace.”

Heinz placed a hand to his chest and bowed formally.

But as Rashid looked off in another direction, a frown appeared on his face again.

His brows furrowed. Then, without a word, he suddenly moved.

“Your Grace? Wait—!”

Before Heinz could stop him, Rashid tossed him a sword and walked away, heading toward the exit of the training grounds.

“Where are you going, Duke?”

“The Glen estate.”

That short reply was all Heinz got before Rashid disappeared into the distance.

The Glen family had been busy lately with wedding preparations.

After the war with the Eastern Kingdom ended, Lord Glen had been promoted from a border count to a marquess for his achievements and was invited to move to the capital.

His son had taken over as the new border count in his place.

Glen’s rapid rise in rank had been made possible by the powerful support of House Hespelt. No one questioned the political deal behind it—it was understood.

Now, the first major event since their move to the capital was approaching: the wedding of the marquess’s daughter.

“Your Grace.”

When Rashid arrived at the Glen estate, the butler rushed out to greet him.

“Apologies for coming without notice.”

“Not at all. We’re honored by your visit, Your Grace.”

The butler welcomed him with practiced politeness as Rashid dismounted. It was clear this kind of interaction wasn’t new.

“…Is the young lady home?”

“I’ll take you to the drawing room.”

Rashid followed him into the reception room. Not long after he sat down, tea and refreshments were served.

Everything about the setting felt familiar—routine.

“The young lady will be here shortly.”

Rashid leaned back deeply into his chair, nodding once.

It was another impulsive visit.

“Has it been three days?”

He counted the days since his last visit and let out a short, self-mocking laugh.

He’d promised himself he’d last until the wedding… and yet, here he was again. Still, three days was an improvement over last time, wasn’t it?

Even if it was pathetic, he couldn’t help it. The remaining week until the wedding felt suffocating.

“Aren’t you coming a bit too often?”

At the voice that greeted him as the door opened, Rashid lifted his eyes with a blank expression.

Josephine Glen walked in gracefully and sat down across from him. He didn’t say a word—just met her with a steady, unreadable gaze.

“I understand how deeply you love your fiancée, Your Grace, but these visits are rather frequent,” she said with a wry smile, lifting one corner of her lips.

She was being extra polite today, but Rashid’s expression remained unmoved.

“You know I’m not here to see you.”

Even at that blunt remark, Josephine didn’t flinch.

Sometimes, Rashid thought she might be even braver than her father, the Marquess of Glen.

Still smiling, she said lightly, “My sister is busy preparing for the wedding. If you keep visiting, she won’t be able to focus.”

“…She’s not overworking herself, is she?”

His voice softened slightly with the question.

“If it were up to me, I’d tell her not to lift a finger. But as you know, my sister is endlessly diligent.”

At that, Rashid’s expression shifted slightly.

“Too diligent for her own good,” he said with a faint sigh, almost like a laugh.

Just then, he seemed to sense something and turned toward the door. Josephine followed his gaze with a look of exasperation.

“Seriously…”

Before she could finish her sentence, the parlor door opened—and Rashid stood up at once.

“Rashid!”

Her golden-brown hair shimmered in the light, and her flushed cheeks were warm from rushing.

His eyes were instantly drawn to her violet irises, glimmering with excitement, and her parted lips, catching her breath.

Rashid stared at the woman before him, as if dazzled.

Still beautiful. Still the one he loved.

“Tericia.”

He opened his arms, and with light steps, she ran to him and fell into his embrace.

As her familiar scent filled his lungs, Rashid swallowed back a deep breath.

“Have you been well?”

“Yes. And you?”

“I’ve held up surprisingly well, considering I haven’t seen you.”

“You’re not pushing yourself too hard, are you?”

“You should ask yourself the same…”

“Ahem.”

The polite cough from beside them broke their little world.

Only then did Tericia realize someone else was there. Her cheeks flushed bright red.

She tried to pull away from Rashid in embarrassment, but he only tightened his arms around her.

“How long do you plan on staying, Lady Josephine? I have a lot to discuss with my fiancée.”

His shameless tone made Josephine stare at him, incredulous, then burst into laughter.

Honestly, it wasn’t even surprising anymore. What was surprising was how embarrassed Tericia still managed to get every time.

“It seems I’ve interrupted your private time.”

Josephine rose gracefully from her seat, watching the back of her flustered sister nestled in Rashid’s arms.

At times like this, it was hard to believe Tericia could be so bold and capable. She looked so adorably timid now.

“Your Grace.”

With a satisfied smile, Josephine gave a polite curtsy as Rashid turned to her.

“The Marquess of Glen will always welcome you gladly. Please enjoy your time together.”

She smiled sweetly and walked out.

“Josephine catches on way too quickly…”

Tericia fanned her burning cheeks with both hands.

“That’s her strength. Honestly, she’s probably better at politics and business than any of my brothers.”

“I think so too.”

Tericia shifted in his lap, trying to get off, but Rashid pulled her in closer without hesitation.

After a few silent tugs and resistance, she gave up and leaned into his chest with a sigh, making Rashid chuckle.

“How’s life as the Marquess’s daughter treating you?”

His teasing tone made her cheeks flush again.

“It’s… not bad. Actually, it’s been really nice. Josephine, the Marquess—they’ve all been so kind to me.”

As she turned her face away, embarrassed, Rashid gently cupped her cheek and made her look at him.

Her violet eyes—shining and full of warmth—looked straight into his.

He was grateful for that gaze.

“Tericia Glen…”

He said her name slowly, almost tasting it on his tongue. After repeating it a few times, he frowned.

“It doesn’t suit you. You’re a Hespelt. You always have been—Tericia Hespelt.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She laughed, and Rashid’s lips curled into a smile too.

“You’ll have the Hespelt name again soon. And this time, it will be yours forever, Tericia.”

He leaned in and kissed her.

The breath she’d come to know so well brushed against her lips. When she parted them slightly, his lips moved in with practiced sweetness.

What started like a bird’s gentle peck quickly deepened, wrapping around her tongue with warm, indulgent affection.

Tericia responded in kind, pressing her body close, wrapping her arms around his neck, accepting everything he gave.

Between their lips, a deep sigh escaped—neither of them could tell whose it was.

Rashid pulled her tighter and deepened the kiss.

“…Ra—Rashid…”

She tried to call his name through a gasp for air, but it barely formed into words.

Rashid stifled a laugh and kissed her again, claiming her lips with a hunger both tender and consuming.

It was a kiss that felt like they were the only two people left in the world, gentle, sweet, and endless.

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