The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 122

When Tericia stood at the edge of life and death, Rashid had left the estate to save her.

In his absence, the atmosphere in the mansion grew heavy, as though darkness had fallen over the entire household.

Rashid returned just before that tension reached its breaking point.

“The Duke is returning!”

The news that the carriage, which had left with the Duke, was now on the grand avenue leading to the main house sent everyone rushing outside, abandoning whatever they had been doing.

Among them were Duke Pelos and his aide, Edler Reisfeld. Even Mandy had rushed out upon hearing news of her lady.

As the carriage neared, escorted by Heinz and his guards, everyone stood waiting anxiously for it to arrive at the entrance.

And finally—it did.

“Where are they?”

Pelos spoke the moment Heinz dismounted, not even waiting for a proper greeting. Everyone turned toward Heinz, waiting for an answer.

Instead of replying, Heinz quietly approached the carriage and opened the door.

Rashid stepped out first. He looked thinner, slightly worn.

“Rashid.”

“I’ve returned, Father.”

He bowed formally to Pelos, who stood watching him.

“And Tericia?”

Rashid looked at him without expression for a moment—then slowly, a faint smile curved his lips.

He turned back to the carriage and extended his hand inside.

A small, pale hand reached out and placed itself in his. Then, Tericia appeared.

Relief and soft gasps echoed from the crowd.

With her eyes lowered, Tericia carefully stepped down, guided by Rashid’s escort, and stood before Duke Pelos.

“I’ve returned,” she said, dipping into a graceful curtsy.

Her violet eyes shimmered with life. She moved, spoke—just as they remembered her, just as they had missed her.

Pelos’s eyes turned red at the sight. He blinked hard, clearly moved.

“You were worried, weren’t you?” Tericia asked, offering a gentle smile.

The tension broke, and many people began to cry. Some wiped their eyes quietly. Mandy and Orzo wept openly, overwhelmed with relief.

“…Welcome home.”

It took Pelos a long pause to steady his voice. There was much he wanted to say, but he held it back.

At his words, Tericia turned to look at Rashid again. His expression mirrored hers—relief mixed with guilt, the overwhelming realization that they were finally back.

“There’s a lot to talk about, but first, rest. You’ve both been through a lot.”

“Yes, Father.”

Still holding her hand, Rashid led Tericia inside.

Peace had returned to House Hespelt.

It felt like spring sunlight was finally filtering into the hearts of everyone there.

At least… that’s what most of them believed. That everything was over. That their lords could now finally live in happiness.

“You’re… sending her away?”

Rashid looked stunned.

It was like being struck by lightning. He struggled to keep his voice calm, his temper barely in check. One wrong word from anyone and he might explode.

“Yes. I believe Tericia should be adopted into another family.”

“What are you talking about?”

It had been a week since Rashid and Tericia returned. That was when Duke Pelos summoned both of them together.

Perhaps from fatigue—or everything she had endured—Tericia had fallen into a deep sleep after their return.

Rashid had recovered by the next day, but Tericia had remained bedridden for nearly a week.

She could barely rise from bed after five days, and only on the sixth did she finally step outside and eat meals with others again.

Now, a full week later, when she could walk again on her own, Pelos gathered all three of them.

And that was when he brought up the matter of her adoption.

“What’s your intention behind this?”

Sensing Rashid’s rising anger, Tericia gently tightened her hold on his hand, calming him.

“Considering what happened during the engagement ceremony, it’s better to resolve things properly.”

“You’re right,” Tericia replied calmly, before Rashid could speak.

He had been about to object, but clamped his mouth shut and sank into his chair, sulking. Still, he didn’t let go of her hand.

Pelos clicked his tongue softly and continued.

“If there is to be a proper marriage, it should be between members of different households.”

“……!”

Rashid visibly froze, unlike Tericia, who remained composed.

“You’re both aware that Imperial law prohibits marriage between close relatives within the same noble house. If the Ducal family ignored this law and went through with the union, it would surely come back to haunt us. More importantly, His Majesty would never approve.”

“Father!”

Rashid’s voice rose in protest, and he half-rose from his seat—but suddenly stopped, something crossing his mind.

He paused, then asked in a far more composed voice:

“You’re suggesting we change Tericia’s legal status—by adopting her into another family?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have a household in mind?”

“I’ve been thinking about the Glen family. Count Glen is an honorable man, and he’s not the type to use this as leverage to climb into central politics. I believe that makes him suitable.”

“The Glen family may be rising to marquess status soon, but there are still a few issues.”

Rashid spoke calmly. “They’re minor enough to overlook, but the Border Count himself is notoriously uninterested in politics. That makes him ideal for us—but it also means he’s made quite a few enemies.”

“That’s true,” Pelos replied. “Still, helping them a little now will make things easier for us down the road. Minor issues will fade on their own.”

A rare, relaxed smile touched Pelos’s lips. Rashid’s tense expression softened as well.

“A marquess’s daughter is fitting for Tericia.”

“I agree.”

Rashid nodded.

“When we send her to be adopted, we should also include the formal proposal.”

“The Glen family can be trusted to care for her for a little while.”

Seeing father and son nodding in such agreement, Tericia couldn’t help but feel a bit amused. Weren’t these the two who never saw eye to eye? And now they were bonding over this so easily?

She did her best to hide her thoughts and quietly asked,

“So I’ll be officially adopted into the Glen family?”

“The Border Count agreed without hesitation,” Pelos replied.
“He said this was his chance to repay the debt he owed you from the last war.”

He explained that he had arranged everything while Rashid and Tericia had been away.

“You were that sure I’d return?” she asked gently.

“If it was him, I knew he’d bring you back,” Pelos said with a surprisingly warm look.

Since her return, he had treated Tericia more gently than ever, as if trying to make up for everything he hadn’t done before—like a real father.

“Then…”

Tericia hesitated, then spoke with quiet resolve.

“Will I be staying with the Glen family until the wedding?”

Pelos nodded, as if that were obvious. Rashid, however, looked stunned—as if the idea hadn’t even occurred to him.

“A month should be enough for wedding preparations,” Pelos continued.
“Any longer and…”

He glanced sideways at his son.

“That boy might stop functioning like a human being.”

The only one who laughed at that was Tericia.

“Alright. I understand.”

It was a little embarrassing, but maybe this was the smoothest way to handle everything.

While Tericia accepted the arrangement, Rashid looked like he was about to burst from frustration.

But deep down, he knew it was the best option. Having a wedding under the name Hespelt would be legally and politically complicated. And he certainly didn’t want her using her biological mother’s name—Boren—either.

So, when the Glen family was officially granted the marquess title, Tericia moved into their estate in the capital.

From that day forward, Rashid Hespelt’s already difficult personality took another sharp turn—and the air around him grew colder by the day.

The Hespelt mansion, once finally free of darkness, had now frozen over again.

＊＊＊

“I think the person happiest to see me arrive at House Glen was Josephine.”

Tericia smiled softly as she remembered her first day there.

Josephine, who had been waiting eagerly, immediately took her on a tour of the estate. She even insisted on calling Tericia “sister” due to the age gap and treated her with utmost respect.

Now, Tericia was living as the marquess’s daughter and nearly done with all the wedding preparations.

Only a week remained until the ceremony.

“This week feels longer than an entire year,” Rashid groaned.

Aside from childhood and war, this was the longest he’d ever been apart from her. Every moment away made him want to bring her back faster.

“Just a little longer.”

“Do you not miss me, Sister?”

Ah. Sister, again.

Even though he tried to sound indifferent, there was a clear note of sulking in his voice. Tericia couldn’t help but laugh at him.

“Of course I miss you. How could I not?”

“Then why—”

“Because this way made the most sense. My father thought so. So did the Glen family.”

“…You’re already calling them both ‘Father’?”

“They like it.”

“Haaah…”

Rashid let out a dramatic sigh.

Why did it feel like the whole world wanted to steal her away? He couldn’t relax until she had his name—and soon.

“Don’t tell me you’re jealous.”

“…I’m not sure. My fiancée barely seems interested in me anymore.”

Tericia laughed again at his exaggerated despair.

“My future husband is surprisingly jealous.”

She reached out, wrapped her arms around his neck, and his expression finally softened.

“Just wait a little longer. Soon we’ll be together. And I won’t ever leave you again.”

“That promise—”

Rashid pulled her in close, wrapping his arms around her waist.

His reflection filled her eyes, and she filled his.

In her gaze, there was nothing else. In his, only her. And it felt just right.

From now on, he thought, this would be the only thing he wanted to see for the rest of his life.

“Please… keep that promise.”

Just before their lips met, Rashid whispered with a smile full of contentment.

As Tericia opened her mouth to respond, he kissed her playfully—catching her words before they could leave.

She giggled softly, running her fingers along his cheek.

“Tericia. The promise?”

“Even if you didn’t want it… I’d still stay by your side forever.”

Rashid, deeply moved, took her hand and pressed a warm kiss to the back of it.

And just for her, he gave a rare, charming smile, one that he never showed to anyone else.

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