The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 123

Two days before the wedding.

“What’s the problem this time?” Heinz asked in a hushed voice, glancing toward Adler.

He had come to Duke Rashid’s office to deliver the final report on the carriages and security personnel for the wedding. But seeing his master’s increasingly irritable mood, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy again.

Everything was nearly finished.

Rashid’s dowry and wedding gifts had already been delivered to the Glen household and Tericia had received them. In return, the Glen family had sent a generous dowry and gifts to House Hespelt.

All that remained now was the ceremony in two days. And yet…

“It’s the venue,” Adler said dryly.

“Ah.”

The wedding was scheduled to take place in the Imperial Palace’s Spring Banquet Hall.

As soon as Tericia moved into House Glen, Crown Prince Ludwig had offered the venue, and Rashid had accepted without hesitation.

And now he had a problem with it?

“He says he’s fine with the venue.”

At least, that was Rashid’s claim.

“Then what’s the issue, exactly?”

“…”

Rashid remained silent.

He was self-aware enough to realize his irritation was unreasonable—but that didn’t stop him from being annoyed.

“Didn’t both of you hate the ballroom and the colonnade here at the duchy?”

Every painful memory was rooted in those places—neither of them could ever truly like them.

Rashid hated the ballroom. Tericia hated the colonnade.

Actually, Rashid hated the colonnade too.

He loathed it so much that one of the first things he did after returning from the mountains was to tear it all down and order a complete renovation.

The redesigned ballroom was at least tolerable.

“I’m so sick of that place,” Rashid once muttered, visibly shuddering.

Tericia felt the same. Even hearing the name of the colonnade drained the color from her face. Her lips would press together in silence, her entire body tensing up—and that always set Rashid on edge.

In the end, he ordered the entire colonnade removed—pillars and all. It had once been a historic building, but no one opposed its demolition.

“We’ve decided to remove the colonnade.”

That news may have brought Tericia the greatest relief.

She didn’t even leave for House Glen until the very last pillar had been taken down.

The space was eventually converted into an extended garden path—peaceful and quiet.

“Having the Imperial Palace host the wedding is a great honor,” Adler pointed out.

“I know.”

Rashid ran a hand through his hair in clear irritation.

He knew he was being immature—but he couldn’t help it.

What truly bothered him was the Crown Prince’s lingering feelings. That offer hadn’t been purely out of generosity.

“His Highness still hasn’t let her go, has he?”

“…”

“…”

Heinz and Adler exchanged a look.

He knows, doesn’t he?

He does. So what’s he upset about?

Pre-wedding mood swings?

Maybe. Or maybe it’s just him.

The silent conversation between them was quick—but not quick enough.

“I can see everything.”

“…Apologies, Your Grace.”

Of course.

The two immediately bowed in apology.

But that wasn’t really the issue.

Rashid let out a heavy sigh.

As much as he wanted to dismiss it, he knew the Crown Prince’s feelings weren’t shallow. And Tericia, ever careful and respectful, had never firmly rejected him.

Part of Rashid wanted to use that lingering affection to his advantage.

“Might come in handy someday.”

His voice lowered, filled with quiet calculation and a sly smile.

Heinz and Adler exchanged another look.

Why is he getting worse?

Because Tericia isn’t here, obviously.

Two days, right?

Yeah. Just two more.

Another shared sigh passed between them.

“Shall I prepare to change the venue?” Adler asked cautiously.

There were only two days left, but with the power and influence of House Hespelt, it was still possible.

Perhaps the Temple Hall would be easier to arrange—especially since the High Priest would be officiating and might be more willing to accommodate a last-minute change.

“Are you insane?”

Rashid’s answer came sharp and fast.

“The entire point of having the wedding at the palace is to make sure His Highness gives up. It needs to happen publicly—right there in the palace banquet hall—so those smug nobles see exactly where Tericia stands.”

A cold, smug smile curved his lips.

“His Highness needs to see who her husband is. Who my wife is. I want that made very clear.”

His grim satisfaction was almost palpable.

She needs to come back soon…

Adler pressed a hand to his temple, his head beginning to throb.

Heinz looked up at the ceiling and wished for an excuse to leave—for drills, for patrols, anything.

Knock knock.

A soft knock came at the door.

With Rashid’s permission, a knight stepped inside. He was one of the guards assigned to the underground prison.

“Your Grace.”

The moment the knight entered, the air in the room changed.

Rashid’s earlier irritation vanished. His expression went cold.

“What is it?”

The knight bowed deeply before answering.

“Sheffer Verus has been found dead.”

Everyone in the room immediately turned toward him.

He spoke with a calm voice, fully aware of the weight his words carried.

“Just as Your Grace instructed, we neither tortured him nor used Panarin. We didn’t try to save him, but we didn’t actively kill him either.”

“……”

Rashid said nothing, simply staring silently at the knight. After a moment, he lifted his gaze toward the ceiling, then turned his chair toward the window, facing the outside.

“…Leave me.”

“Yes, sir.”

At his quiet command, the knight who had brought the report, along with Heinz and Adler, all rose from their seats.

They gave a respectful bow to their duke’s turned back and quietly exited the room.

Silence settled like a heavy curtain.

Rashid stared wordlessly out the window.

The first green buds had begun to sprout—clear signs of the changing season.

Sheffer Verus is dead.

He was surprised by how calmly the thought came to him. He’d expected to feel fury at the mention of the man’s name—but instead, he felt almost nothing.

“Sheffer Verus.”

He murmured the name quietly.

The man who had called himself a relative of hers. The one who had harbored hatred for House Hespelt for years, and who had finally raised a blade against Tericia in the name of revenge.

A sharp pang bloomed in his chest. It pulsed with his heartbeat—throb, throb—before slowly settling down.

“Franz Clu.”

The uncle who had tried to kill her, only to be killed by his own hand.

“Lady Boren.”

Perhaps, the one who had started it all.

The woman who had separated him and Tericia as children. Who had taken Tericia away. Who, in trying to kill him, nearly killed her own daughter instead.

In the end, she had been killed by the very man she brought into their lives.

“I killed the mother. What’s one more sin if I kill the daughter too?”
That was what Sheffer Verus had said during his interrogation.

He had staged a carriage accident to kill Lady Boren—so no one would discover he was once affiliated with House Hespelt, or that he had any ties to House Boren.

That’s why her corpse had shown signs of foul play.

Rashid had no intention of telling Tericia the truth.

No matter what Lady Boren had done, she was still her mother. The woman who, for better or worse, had brought Tericia into his life.

He would let Tericia believe her mother had simply died in an accident. Accidents are easier to forget than murder.

He didn’t know how long he sat there, lost in thought.

Suddenly, he wanted to see her.

But… what would he say?

The man who tried to kill you is dead. The one who targeted you to get to me is gone. So don’t worry. Everything’s safe now.

…Something like that?

No. More than anything…

He just wanted to hold her. To feel her warmth, to know she was real and alive in his arms.

“Tericia.”

Rashid stood and walked out.

The sun had set, and night had fallen, wrapping the estate in darkness. But he didn’t care.

He had to see her.

Without telling anyone, Rashid left the duke’s residence and rode off.

Tok.

The faint sound pulled Tericia from her light sleep.

Tok.

Normally, she wouldn’t have noticed such a soft noise, but her nerves had been on edge from the upcoming wedding.

She sat up.

Tok.

Another small sound. She pulled a shawl around her shoulders and moved toward the balcony.

Tok.

A small stone bounced off the window and hit the floor.

No way…

She stepped closer and opened the window.

Below, Rashid had just picked up another stone, but froze when he saw her.

“Rashid!”

Delighted, she leaned over the railing—and Rashid’s expression immediately turned stern.

“Careful! Please, get back inside.”

“How did you get here?”

“I just wanted to see you. Please, step back.”

“Do you want to come up?”

“What?”

Rashid blinked, unsure he heard her right.

Was she… inviting him up to her bedroom? At this hour?

“Or should I come down to you?”

“…No. I’ll come up.”

“Alright. I missed you too.”

She smiled gently, watching him with soft eyes.

Tericia stepped back from the balcony to give him room. A few moments later, he climbed over the railing and stepped into her room.

Just like she remembered—graceful, agile, and sure-footed.

“Rashid.”

As soon as his feet touched the balcony floor, she ran into his arms, wrapping herself tightly around him.

Surprised by the intensity, Rashid’s eyes widened slightly—but only for a moment.

“That’s quite the welcome,” he said, holding her warm body close.

Tericia looked up at him, her eyes locking with his.

His golden gaze, warm like sunlight, curved with a gentle smile—and she smiled back.

“I missed you. So much.”

Her voice trembled with joy, and her smile brightened even more as she gazed into his eyes.

Rashid felt his own face soften.

Yes. This was what he’d missed.

Those eyes that only ever looked at him.

He held her closer, the tightness in his chest finally beginning to ease.

And just like that,  the night no longer felt so heavy.

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