The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 126

Clang.

The sound of armor striking echoed through the hall. It was as if the steadfast Hespelt Castle, standing strong for 300 years, was crying.

Rashid slowly descended the central staircase, the echoes bouncing off the stone walls.

His body was clad in pitch-black armor.

Soon, Rashid Hespelt would have to leave the duchy and head to the battlefield. Whether for better or worse, this would be his final campaign.

If he returned alive, he would fully inherit the Hespelt title. If he didn’t—

“That will be the end.”

His face blank, Rashid continued down the stairs, until he noticed a woman waiting at the bottom.

Tericia Hespelt.

Not of Hespelt blood, yet carrying the name—a stranger in name only.

Unlike the heavy, somber air of the ducal estate, she wore a light-colored dress. It wasn’t flashy, but its quiet elegance suited her well.

“Rashid,” she said, meeting his eyes as she took a step forward.

As the distance closed between them, Rashid stopped.

He stood with two steps left to the landing; she stood at the base. They faced each other.

It struck him—how long it had been since they had stood alone like this.

“Rashid. My beautiful little brother.”

Brushing aside the voice that echoed like a ghost in his mind, Rashid quietly looked her over.

She looked far more pale and thin than he remembered. He could’ve sworn she’d once been a little round-faced and childlike.

“Was she always this grown-up?”

She felt unfamiliar now.

“…Sister,” he said at last, the word rough in his mouth. It had been a long time since he’d used that title.

“You’re leaving?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“It’ll be dangerous.”

At that, Rashid let out a short, bitter laugh without meaning to.

“Now you say that?”

“…What?”

“You wished for my death, didn’t you?”

The words slipped out, carrying the resentment he had kept buried.

When did you ever care about me? If you had, you wouldn’t have let go of my hand.
And now, suddenly you’re worried—when this might be my last war?

Tericia’s face went pale.

“No, Rashid. I…”

She stopped. She didn’t deny it. Just closed her mouth.

Her eyes, trembling slightly, stayed locked on him. Her skin was so pale he could see the veins beneath it.

Is she sick?

The thought hit him suddenly. He glanced away with a quiet sigh, as if to shake the thought off.

She flinched.

He hadn’t meant to frighten her.

Rashid didn’t even understand what he wanted anymore.

What did he want to hear from her?

Did he want her to urge him to go fight bravely and die with honor for the family? Or to ask him to come back safely because she cared?

Neither felt right. Not between them.

“You’ve always hated me, haven’t you, Sister?”

He was the first to break the silence. Tericia flinched again, slightly shrinking back.

She opened her mouth to say something, but the words died before they could come out.

Still, her pale face stayed focused on him. That gaze—quiet, unwavering—made something cruel rise from deep inside him.

It was a petty, ugly, twisted feeling.

“If I hadn’t existed, everything would’ve been yours.”

Words he didn’t mean scraped across Tericia like a blade, only to come back and wound him.

He knew she didn’t care about the wealth or lands of House Hespelt.

He knew how fiercely she had fought to protect the family in his absence.

He knew how many people had whispered poison about her in his ear.

Yet she had endured it all and continued to support Hespelt. Even knowing how others blamed her, she never turned away.

And still… do you think of me as your brother?

Then why did you let go of my hand?

Maybe she had never abandoned him after all. That thought brought both relief and bitterness.

He wanted to ask her. Wanted to demand an answer.

But what good would that do now?

Tericia’s confusion at his cold gaze began to settle.

She used to be full of expression. Now, like him, her face was harder to read.

Without realizing it, they were starting to resemble this cold, lifeless ducal house.

“I’ve never once thought Hespelt was mine.”

“Most people wouldn’t believe that.”

His voice came out cold and sharp, and he felt a bitter smirk tug at his lips. He didn’t realize that his smile pierced her heart like a blade.

“…I…”

Tericia’s voice trembled.

“I never chose to become the Lady of Hespelt. And I certainly didn’t choose to become your sister.”

“I never once wished for you to be my sister, either,” Rashid replied flatly.

Only then did he begin to understand his own feelings.

Not once—not even once—had he wanted Tericia to be his sister.

Not from the moment she first stepped foot into House Hespelt.

Even when she came to him, hugged him while he sat alone, called him her brother and held him close—he let her, called her “sister,” and rested in her arms because they were warm.

But deep in his heart, something had always resisted calling her that.

At first, he thought it was just because he didn’t like her.

But when she took his hand and led him through the forest—he had started to understand.

I… I didn’t want you as a sister. I wanted—
“Stop. That’s enough. Don’t go any further.”

Even if he understood it now, there was no meaning in it. Rashid turned away from those feelings and buried them.

“….”

He slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again.

Tericia was still standing before him, her gaze locked on his.

In her violet eyes, he saw only himself reflected—no one else, just him.

That alone was enough to make him smile faintly. He stepped down the last two stairs.

At last, they stood on the same level.

She looked at him. He looked at her.

Rashid reached out his hand toward Tericia. He felt the soft warmth of her skin at his fingertips.

Her eyes widened and trembled.

Is she about to cry?

But Tericia didn’t cry.

She only blinked once. Then again. But she never looked away.

“…Sister.”

A thought crept into his mind—maybe I’ll never return to this place again.

He was slowly realizing he might never see these violet eyes—eyes that held only him—ever again.

“If my death…”

Rashid leaned in and gently pressed his lips to hers before pulling away.

Tericia’s eyes widened in shock and trembled again.

“…can bring you peace—”

He smiled faintly.

If his death meant everything would be returned to her…
If it meant she could finally live in peace…

Then perhaps that wasn’t such a bad way to die.

Without another word, Rashid walked past her.

Leaving Tericia standing frozen behind him, he opened the mansion door and stepped outside.

A cold wind swept around him as he went.

Will we meet again?

With a bitter smile, Rashid began walking.

＊＊＊

The war ended in Latran’s victory.

The Eastern Kingdom had formally offered to surrender that very morning. By tomorrow, they would sign the declaration—and the war would be over.

The Imperial Army was overjoyed. The knights of House Hespelt were no exception.

“We’re finally heading home for good.”

Even Heinz—known for keeping his emotions in check—couldn’t hide the relief in his voice.

“…It seems so,” Rashid replied a beat later, quietly polishing his sword.

“You don’t sound very happy about it.”

“I am.”

“You don’t look it, though.”

“……”

At Heinz’s comment, Rashid lifted his sword and checked the blade.

In the reflection of its silver edge, he saw his own face—blank, unreadable.

Outside, the soldiers were already celebrating their victory.

Only the Hespelt knights, bound by strict rules, refrained from drinking. Instead, they gathered around food and meat.

Some grumbled about the no-alcohol policy, but they didn’t truly mind. That same discipline had saved their lives time and again.

“What will you do now?” Heinz asked.

“About what?”

“About Lady Tericia.”

“……”

Rashid fell silent at the mention of her name.

Once the surrender was signed and they returned to the duchy, the Emperor’s approval would arrive.

Rashid would become not just the heir in name—but the true Duke of Hespelt.

And with that, Tericia’s role as acting head of the house would come to an end.

“…I don’t know,” Rashid answered at last.

Heinz hesitated, then said carefully, “I believe Hespelt needs someone like her.”

“…What exactly are you trying to say?”

“I want to ask… what she means to you.”

Rashid didn’t respond. He simply sheathed his sword in silence.

Watching him, Heinz pressed on with a mix of frustration and sincerity.

“Maybe the people who stayed behind don’t know. But those of us who fought beside you—we do know how much she did for us.”

Still, Rashid said nothing.

“You know better than anyone that the supplies from the capital were always insufficient. But ever since Lady Tericia took over the finances, the Hespelt knights never once faced shortages. Supplies never arrived late.”

“……”

“Everyone who fought with us knows those provisions came because of her leadership.”

“…It’s good to know people noticed,” Rashid finally said.

“My lord,” Heinz continued, his voice firm now.

“What will you do with her?”

Rashid fell into deep thought.

What will I do with her…?

I have no intention of sending Tericia away from Hespelt.

Her presence in the duchy felt like a given—like she belonged there.

But then… what would her role be? What title would she hold?

She was still the lady of Hespelt.

The Lady. The daughter of the Duke’s household.

And that meant… someday, she would be expected to leave the house in a political marriage—for the benefit of the duchy.

The moment that thought entered his mind, something hot and bitter surged through him—boiling from his chest to the top of his head.

A political marriage…?
I’m supposed to send her to another man?

To someone who isn’t me?

The thought alone made Rashid clench his sword without realizing it. Just then, someone stepped into his line of sight. Heinz’s gaze shifted in the same direction.

“What is it?”

Rashid frowned and questioned the knight-in-training who was approaching.

Since it was the final night of the war, it wasn’t unusual for knights to come into the commander’s tent to pay their respects. Some stayed behind to eat and talk, carving meat and laughing.

But this trainee was different. He held a jar of wine in his hands, and he was visibly shaking.

Rashid stared at him. The knight hesitated several times before finally speaking.

“I… I brought some wine for you, sir.”

“Hespelt Knights do not drink until after they return home. That’s the rule,” Heinz said as he stood up.

The trainee instinctively stepped back under the shadow cast by the towering knight commander.

“But the war ends tomorrow, and… I thought…”

His eyes kept darting around, never once meeting theirs. Something about him was off.

Still leaning back in his chair, Rashid slowly sat forward.

“What’s your unit and name?”

His voice was low and heavy.

The sharp pressure coming from Rashid made the young knight’s hands tremble even more, the wine jar wobbling slightly in his grip.

“I—I’m…”

The trainee stammered, eyes shifting in panic. Sensing something was wrong, Heinz placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“It’s an ambush!”

Suddenly, a wave of shouts, fire, and suffocating heat erupted from outside.

Knights who had just been eating and talking jumped to their feet with tense faces and rushed out of the tent.

Others quickly grabbed their swords, the mood turning grim.

Rashid stood and drew his sword. With a cold ring, the blade caught the firelight and gleamed a deep, icy blue.

“It’s you.”

He looked directly at the trembling trainee.

Heinz ignored the man and ran out of the tent to assess the situation.

Rashid pointed the sword at the young knight.

“Who are you? Are you with the enemy… or…”

He took a step forward.

“…Count Clu’s man?”

“…!”

The wine jar slipped from the knight’s hands, shattering loudly as it hit the ground.

From beyond the tent, screams filled the air. Soldiers stumbled in through the open entrance, coughing blood as they collapsed.

The only ones fully prepared for battle were the Hespelt Knights, who had remained sober.

A quiet resolve settled on their faces.

“My lord! I—!”

The knight tried to explain, but Rashid was faster.

His blade slashed through the air in a clean arc.

Before the man could react, his head was already separated from his body, thudding to the ground.

At that moment, Heinz returned.

“What’s the situation?”

“Most of our troops are vomiting blood. The wine was poisoned.”

“How many are still standing?”

“Only the Hespelt knights remain unaffected.”

“…”

Rashid placed his helmet over his head and closed the faceplate.

“Gather the survivors. Prepare for battle.”

He stepped out of the tent and gave the order.

With flames engulfing the fortress, the final battle had begun.

＊＊＊

Rashid was walking—alone.

Somewhere in the forest of Membroux, he dragged his exhausted body forward, step by painful step.

Blood soaked his body. His own, others’—he couldn’t tell anymore.

The sky was full of heavy gray clouds, thick with the promise of snow.

They had lost a battle they were certain to win. Traitors from within had poisoned the wine and opened the gates, handing their allies over to the enemy.

Even with the elite strength of the Hespelt Order, a hundred knights couldn’t stop over two thousand soldiers.

His men—knights who had once been saved by him—threw themselves into the fight to protect him.

But the numbers were too overwhelming.

He had slain dozens, maybe hundreds, but he had also taken a fatal wound. His end was near.

“You must survive, my lord.”

Commander of the knights, Roben Heinz, had given his life for Rashid—right to the very end.

Even the young knight who had smiled earlier, thinking this would finally be their last battle, had died before Rashid’s eyes.

Despite all their sacrifices, Rashid was now approaching the end of his own life.

“……”

The forest stretched on endlessly.

His armor, soaked in blood, felt unbearably heavy. He had never known it could feel this burdensome with every step.

His pace grew slower and slower.

“I have to go back.”

That one thought echoed over and over in his mind.

“She’ll be waiting.”

As always, she wouldn’t say a word. But the moment she saw his face, she would let out a quiet sigh of relief and smile gently—his beautiful sister.

You’ll be waiting for me… won’t you, Tericia?

“……!”

He took one more step—and blood surged up his throat.

His knees gave out. His legs, heavy as stone, could no longer move. Rashid collapsed with a loud thud, falling to the cold ground.

The chill of the earth pressed against his face.

In the open space between the tall trees, not even snow had fallen. The ground was dry and lifeless.

No sounds reached his ears.

His breath grew ragged. His vision began to fade. And through the blur, her pale face appeared in his mind.

Her voice came to him like an echo from a dream.

“Rashid. My sweet little brother.”

When had she said that?

It wasn’t her last words. No—it was even further back. An old memory, gently whispering to him now.

What would you think, Tericia, seeing me like this?
My body soaked in blood, no part of me left unbroken…

Those violet eyes of yours, always filled with so much emotion—
Would they widen, as if ready to cry, the way they used to when you looked at me?

“Rashid…”

He hadn’t even answered her last call.

He hadn’t seen what expression she made after he kissed her.

“……”

Rashid parted his lips. A faint breath escaped.

“…Sia.”

If only he had called her by name.

Would things between them have been different?

If he had said her name just once…
What would her face have looked like then?

Would her eyes widen in surprise—and would she smile at him, her gaze full of warmth?

He had always called her “sister,” always kept her at a distance.
And now, in this moment, he regretted that more than anything.

“…Ah.”

Rashid felt it—his final moment had come.

Bitterness rose with his breath. Regret followed.

If I had just been honest with you…
If I had told you that it hurt when you let go of my hand…
If I had asked you to hold it again…

Would everything between us have changed?

“…Tericia.”

He could no longer keep his eyes open.

I should’ve been kinder to you…

Rashid closed his eyes.

I hope you don’t cry…

And that… was his last thought.

On the day the first snow fell too early, Rashid Carlo Hespelt, heir to House Hespelt, took his final breath.

His body was never found lost in a place where no one could reach him.

It was a death that left Tericia in deep, inconsolable sorrow.