The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 124

The sky far above was beginning to turn blue.

When Rashid opened his eyes, dawn was just breaking.

“Mmm…”

A warm body shifted in his arms, snuggling in closer. Rashid lowered his gaze to the peacefully sleeping Tericia.

Perhaps the early morning was still chilly, she burrowed deeper into his embrace, seeking warmth. A soft smile rose to his lips.

“Tericia,” he whispered, pulling her closer.

“We should definitely share a bedroom once we’re married.”

That way, he could wake up to this sight every morning.

It had been his decision, but now he was more than pleased with it. Rashid closed his eyes again, basking in her warmth.

Yes, he could rest just a little longer.

When Rashid opened his eyes again, it hadn’t been long—but he felt more refreshed, as if he had slept deeply.

Tericia was still fast asleep.

Was she always this sound of a sleeper? Then again, there had been many times he’d come and gone while she slept, completely unaware.

He let out a soft chuckle and carefully slipped his arm out from under her.

He was reluctant to leave, but he had to go before morning fully broke. Being seen here would cause more than a scandal.

Suppressing the desire to stay, Rashid slid out of bed.

Just one more day. If he could hold out for today, then—

“Rashid?”

Just as he finished dressing, her voice called out.

“Are you leaving?”

Her voice was drowsy, tinged with sleep.

When he turned around, she was sitting up with half-lidded eyes, looking at him. Unlike her usual perfectly arranged appearance, her loose, golden-brown hair tumbled freely down to her waist, framing her curves.

She was always beautiful—but now…

Rashid suddenly felt breathless. He loosened his tie slightly.

Her fair skin peeked through the sheer fabric of her chemise, drawing his eyes despite himself.

He swallowed dryly.

“…?”

When Rashid took a step toward her, her gaze followed.

He cupped her cheek gently, then climbed onto the bed, bracing one hand beside her and half-kneeling above her. Trapped between his arm and body, Tericia blinked up at him in confusion.

As he moved closer, her eyes followed his, her head tilting back.

“Rashid?”

Her voice, clearer than before, called his name.

Her face was cast in his shadow, her wide eyes glowing with innocence.

“May I kiss you?”

His voice was low and husky, like a gentle scrape. Tericia flinched slightly—her face turning red, perhaps remembering the heat of the night before.

Rashid chuckled quietly.

Not that he expected her to answer. And clearly, she wasn’t planning to.

Thump.

Her body relaxed and fell back onto the bed, her hair splaying out across the pillows. Her eyes, full of heat and confusion, locked onto his.

“Of course. I wasn’t really asking for permission,” Rashid murmured with a smile, then kissed her.

It was a kiss full of warmth and longing—of shared heat and affection.

By now, the early morning sky had completely brightened.

Rashid sat on the edge of the bed beside her, resisting the urge to stay longer. He reached out and brushed her damp hair back.

“Tericia.”

Her eyes opened at the sound of his voice. Sleep still lingered in her gaze.

“You’re leaving?”

She’d asked the same thing earlier, and Rashid smiled wryly. At this rate, he’d never leave.

“Yes. If I stay any longer, it might cause trouble.”

“I see…”

Her sleepy voice murmured the words.

Even that sounded adorable. He thought to himself that once they were married, he might end up granting her every whispered request in bed.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Mm. See you tomorrow, Rashid.”

She smiled sleepily.

Just one more day.

Tomorrow, they would be together forever.

Rashid forced himself to stand, resisting the temptation to lean in again.

Listening to her now-steady breathing, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Then, with reluctant steps, he finally left her room.

It was truly time to go.

The day of the long-awaited wedding dawned bright and clear, as if to celebrate the end of all their hardships.

Rising early to prepare, Rashid checked his appearance one last time in the mirror.

“Not a single flaw, Your Grace. You have nothing to worry about,” Harris said with a smile.

Under normal circumstances, Rashid might have brushed off the compliment—but today, he couldn’t deny the nerves.

“I see.”

He gave a short chuckle, and Harris took a respectful step back.

“The young lady will love how you look. There’s no need to worry.”

Instead of replying, Rashid simply smiled.

At last, he buckled the ceremonial sword to his belt and turned toward the door.

“I’m off to bring back my bride.”

Harris bowed deeply as he watched the Duke walk away.

A satisfied smile rested on his face.

“My lady! You look absolutely stunning!”

Mandy’s voice trembled with emotion, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

The preparations that had begun the night before were now complete. Before she could even fully take it in, it was already time to leave for the ceremony.

Tericia couldn’t remember much of the night before.

Rashid had come to see her that evening…

The memory made her flush, and she lowered her gaze.

Her gown, snugly fitted across her shoulders and sparkling all over, gleamed under the light. Not only the bodice but also the wide skirt shimmered with jewels—real jewels, to her astonishment.

Each embroidered detail on the hem had been hand-stitched, and gems were individually set into place. It was overwhelming in its intricacy and meaning.

Even more surprising was that some of the lace and gemstones used in the dress had come from the wedding gowns of Rashid’s biological mother and great-grandmother.

She had been left speechless when she heard that.

“Each one of these is beautiful and meaningful,” Josephine had said, gently patting her shoulder. “It just shows how much the Duke cherishes you.”

Around her, maids from both the ducal and marquis households were securing every ribbon and pin with determined precision, leaving no room for error.

Mandy soon entered with a box filled with brushes, hairpins, and rollers, trailed by four assistants. They encircled Tericia like a well-rehearsed unit.

“Now comes the most important part. My lady, I’ve prepped everything up to this point, so all that’s left is styling. Leave it to me—just relax.”

By “prepping,” she meant all the hair care she’d done throughout the engagement—applying essence, massaging Tericia’s scalp, and carefully curling her hair into soft waves.

“…Well, I’ve already been leaving everything to you,” Tericia sighed, knowing there was no stopping Mandy today.

At her cue, all five maids moved as one. Like trained soldiers, each assumed their role and began twisting Tericia’s golden-brown hair into an elegant, goddess-like updo. Some strands were styled to fall gracefully down her back—structured yet soft.

Thus was born “Mandy’s Soulful Styling.”

Finally, a carefully measured sprinkle of golden powder was dusted over her hair.

Then came the tiara—Rashid’s great-grandmother’s, the “Beautiful Claudine,” worn at her own wedding. The diamond tiara sat atop Tericia’s head like it had always belonged there.

The tiara brought out her pale skin and violet eyes so perfectly that even the usually composed Josephine couldn’t hide her awe.

“It suits you too well… Just perfect!”

Even Tericia had to admit, when she looked in the mirror—she was surprised.

“This is… thank you, everyone. Today’s truly unforgettable—wait, is that a ladder? Why…?”

She had thought everything was finished, but then two maids entered carrying a small ladder.

“This is the real final step. Please don’t move at all, my lady,” Mandy said, clapping twice.

At her signal, the maids climbed the ladders on either side, each holding a corner of an incredibly delicate silk veil.

Three other maids behind her carefully gathered the trailing portion of the veil and positioned it perfectly.

With great care and precision, the veil was lowered over her updo and tiara, not disturbing a single strand of hair.

“You’re truly breathtaking.”

Mandy choked up with emotion as she admired the completed look. Even Josephine and Emily stood silently, awestruck.

Tericia had to agree.

She looked beautiful. The gown, overwhelming as it was, suited her so well—it only enhanced her beauty.

“The Duke has already departed for the ceremony,” Josephine said, bringing news from outside.

They checked every tiny pearl on her lace gloves to ensure nothing was out of place. Even the amethyst necklace Rashid had gifted her was adjusted with great care.

Only once everything was perfect did Josephine step back, visibly pleased.

“It’s such a shame we have to hand you over to him now,” Josephine sighed.

Emily nodded gravely. “A month just wasn’t enough.”

“Thank you both. Truly.”

“Tericia,” Josephine said in a more serious tone.

“If the Duke ever mistreats you, or if things ever get hard, you’re always welcome back. This will always be your home.”

Tericia flushed at those words.

She had never imagined there would be people waiting for her, cheering her on, outside of the Hespelth estate.

“Promise you’ll visit even if nothing’s wrong, okay? You’ll always be the Lady of Glen.”

“…Thank you.”

Satisfied, Josephine stood tall again.

“Then let’s go, shall we? If we’re late, the Duke might come storming in with his knights.”

“It’s my honor to escort you, my lady.”

As Tericia stepped outside, Heinz was waiting.

He momentarily lost his composure at the sight of the bride, then quickly bowed deeply.

Behind him, the Hespelth carriage and knights stood ready in regal formation.

Heinz smiled. “Only the finest knights for the finest bride.”

“You must’ve had a hard time,” Tericia said knowingly.

Heinz gave a strained smile. “I’ll be in your care from now on.”

There was more meaning in those words than he let on, and Tericia couldn’t help but smile.

Taking Heinz’s hand, she stepped into the carriage. The door closed smoothly behind her, and the wedding procession began to move.

Inside, Tericia sat alone.

To keep the groom from seeing the bride before the ceremony, the windows were covered, and the veil remained down. She would travel alone to the palace.

[Hello, Tericia.]

Even when the voice spoke, she wasn’t startled.

It felt expected—almost as if she had been waiting for this.

She looked up.

Someone now sat in the seat across from her—someone who hadn’t been there just a moment ago.

A being not of this world.

It was the voice she had once heard long ago. The same voice that had disappeared, never to return—until now.

As it looked at her in silence, it finally spoke:

[You look beautiful, Tericia.]

There was warmth and laughter in its voice.

Tericia smiled gently in return.

“Thank you.”

Somehow, she had known that if it were ever to return, it would be now.

And somehow, she also knew—this would be their final meeting.

“I wanted to see you again,  just once more,” she said, her voice trembling softly.

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