The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 35

In the end, the entire day was spent buying dresses, jewelry, shoes, and hats.

At first, Tericia refused most of Rashid’s choices, insisting on picking only a few pieces she actually liked, if only to show some resistance.

But when he bought even those without hesitation, as if it were only natural, she gave up.

At that point, she figured it was better not to choose anything at all.
That backfired too, Rashid looked ready to buy out the entire boutique.

It was only after she made him promise to limit his shopping to once per season that he finally stopped.

“That was so satisfying.”

The most pleased person of the day was clearly Mandy.

“The young duke picked everything so quickly. If it were left to you, my lady, you probably wouldn’t have bought anything.”

Mandy was proudly relaying the details of today’s “joyful shopping spree” to Sarah, who had just returned after finishing her errands.

“I’ve clearly spoiled you, Mandy,” Tericia sighed, shaking her head.

“I think I’ll need to be stricter from now on.”

“My lady!”

“You brought this on yourself, Mandy,” Sarah added, causing the girl to pout.

“But it’s so frustrating! You’re so beautiful, and yet you never attend any social events.”

Sarah nodded in agreement.

“It’s fine to help the duke and focus on work, but I truly wish you’d dress up more and enjoy yourself like the other young ladies. Staying cooped up in the duchy—it’s a waste of your beauty.”

“That should be Rashid’s line…”

The words slipped out before Tericia realized.
Both Mandy and Sarah turned to look at her.

“Ah.”

As soon as she saw their faces, Tericia’s own turned bright red.

“…Rashid is… quite handsome, isn’t he?”

“Not just quite. He’s very, very handsome,” Sarah corrected her instantly.

“Thank goodness,” Mandy chimed in.
“I was starting to worry you had no sense of aesthetics at all.”

“Mandy…”

“I always wondered how you could sit next to the young duke and act like it didn’t affect you.”

As if it didn’t affect her…

Of course it did.

Tericia lowered her head slightly, trying to hide the heat rising to her face.

She had known for a long time that Rashid was handsome.

“Tericia.”

Whenever he called her name and smiled at her like that—it was blinding.

At some point, her feelings had started to shift, and now… she was finding it harder and harder to keep them in check.

But—

“…He’s my younger brother.”

Even as she said it, she knew it wasn’t the truth.
But she had to repeat it—to convince herself.
Because otherwise, her heart might slip out of her control before she even realized it.

Mandy and Sarah narrowed their eyes at the same time.

Was Rashid really acting like a younger brother?

They both thought back on his behavior lately. Of all the things he’d done—none of them could be called “brotherly.”

She’s the only one who still sees it that way…

Neither of them said it aloud, though.

Still, they were quietly relieved.
At least now, their lady seemed to be aware of him—troubled by him, even.

They knew better than anyone that whatever happened next… would be between Tericia and Rashid alone.

＊＊＊

It took less than a week for rumors to sweep through the capital’s social circles:

The young Duke of Hespelt had personally purchased the most expensive dresses and finest jewelry for his sister from the capital’s most exclusive boutiques.

On top of that, the Princess of Hespelt had received a personal invitation from the Emperor to attend the summer royal hunt.

This stirred the nobility into a frenzy.

Already, the Hespelt House was under watch due to speculation about a possible succession, and now, these events added more fuel to the fire.

Those who thought Tericia would be dismissed after Lady Boren’s death were confused by the unexpected turn of events.

Rashid’s extravagant spending quickly became a hot topic, whispered about in every salon and tea room.

And it wasn’t just Hespelt drawing attention. Over at the Count of Feder’s estate, things weren’t calm either.

“Why can’t I have the jewels I want?!”

Emily Feder, the count’s beloved daughter, threw a tantrum.
Count Feder, desperate to please her, looked completely lost.

“Emily, sweetheart. There’s nothing I can do. I’ve brought the very best jewels that money can buy right now.”

“But they’re not the ones I want!”

Emily had golden blonde hair and bright green eyes—features she proudly flaunted, since they resembled those of the imperial family, even though she wasn’t of royal blood.

Her dream for the upcoming royal hunting festival was to decorate her golden hair with an emerald hairpin to match her eye color.

But now—there were no gems?

No, the gems did exist. But every time she visited her usual jeweler and tried to pick out the ones she liked, she was told they had already been reserved.

And when she found out the buyer was the House of Hespelt, Emily completely lost it.

“She’s just a fake noblewoman, isn’t she? Are you telling me the daughter of a prestigious count is lesser than her? And that the young Duke Hespelt treats someone like that as his sister?!”

“Emily!”

Count Feder jumped to his feet at his daughter’s outburst.
Even if she was his only child, there were lines she absolutely should not cross.

He had seen Duke Rashid Hespelt in action.
Though young in age, he carried the composure of a seasoned veteran.

At first, many nobles dismissed him because of his youth.
Even in noble council meetings, Rashid never spoke first. He would sit back, leaning in his chair quietly, even as elder nobles launched aggressive attacks meant to undermine the new heir of the Hespelt family.

But just when they assumed he was intimidated, Rashid would begin—methodically and precisely—addressing each point, dismantling their arguments one by one.

By the end, no one could refute him.
His investigation and follow-up work were so thorough that not a single noble dared to challenge him further.

After witnessing this a few times, Count Feder realized that Rashid Hespelt was anything but ordinary.

If only it were just youthful arrogance… he had thought.
But the pressure Rashid exuded—he might prove even more troublesome than the current Duke.

And Tericia Hespelt—she was the only one Rashid openly showed affection for. Not only that, but she herself…

Wait. That Tericia Hespelt received her own invitation to the royal hunting festival? Not just the duchy—her, personally?

He recalled the chatter he had overheard at a banquet not long ago and frowned.

Whatever the case, Tericia Hespelt was no ordinary woman, either.
Neither of the Hespelt siblings could be taken lightly.

These kids aren’t normal.

With that, Count Feder resolved never to provoke the House of Hespelt.

But then,

“I won’t let this go.”

Hearing his only, most precious daughter speak so recklessly was frustrating beyond belief.

“Emily, listen to your father. You must stay on good terms with the House of Hespelt. Especially with Lady Tericia.”

“Why?! Why should I get along with a woman like her who doesn’t even have proper lineage?”

“Because she belongs to House Hespelt. You must get along with her.”

“…”

His voice rarely rose. But now that it had, Emily’s mood plummeted even further.

Not only had she failed to get the jewelry she wanted, now her father was scolding her too.

In her mind, it was all the fault of that so-called noblewoman—this fake, unknown “Lady” whose face wasn’t even widely known.

Just wait. I’m not letting this go.

Emily bit her lip hard, her resentment taking root.

The day of the hunting festival arrived.

At the break of dawn, Mandy burst into Tericia’s room.

“My lady! Wake up!”

Normally, Mandy would let her sleep in. But not today.
She led a half-asleep Tericia straight to the bath.

Still drowsy, Tericia sank into a tub filled with floating flower petals.

Then came the massages—using a blend of aromatic oils, including her own Sedamen flower essence, and other fragrant oils she didn’t even recognize.

Her hair was also pampered with layer after layer of scented oils to ensure it shone perfectly.

“Mandy… Isn’t this enough?”

Her feeble protest went ignored.

“No, my lady. Not even if the young duke shows up—he won’t stop me today!”

When Mandy said even Rashid couldn’t interrupt her, Tericia knew it was over. She surrendered completely.

Just when she feared the whole day would be consumed by preparations, Mandy finally returned—with the dress Rashid had said made her look beautiful.

At a glance, it looked white—but in the light, it shimmered with soft lavender hues.
The silk gown hugged her figure perfectly, with long layers of lace trailing behind her, emphasizing her elegance.

Her hair was swept to one side and pinned with ruby-and-diamond ornaments, the rest cascading in soft waves.

“With this look, no one can outshine you today.”

Mandy nodded in complete satisfaction.

“I wonder if this is too flashy.”

Tericia sighed as she slipped on her lace gloves.

Mandy, carefully fastening the tiny pearl buttons—smaller than a child’s pinky nail—frowned in protest.

“What are you talking about? The other ladies will be dressed up way more than this. This is our chance to put them in their place—just a little!”

“Mandy.”

Tericia called her name gently but firmly. Mandy immediately pressed her lips together and fell silent.

That made Tericia smile despite herself.
Mandy’s charm was that even when she overstepped, she never came across as unpleasant.

“My lady, the young duke is waiting.”

A voice called from outside the room.

The imperial hunting festival began with an evening banquet, where the Emperor would give his opening address. After that, three days of official hunting would commence in the royal forest.

It was time to head to the banquet.

“I’m coming.”

Tericia stood up from her seat.
Naturally, her partner for the evening was Rashid.
Remembering that made her heart flutter a little.

Rashid was waiting quietly for her.

Normally, he would have come up to escort her personally—but this time, Mandy had put her foot down.

“You absolutely must not come upstairs, young master. Please wait downstairs!”

He had no idea what she was plotting, but the fire in Mandy’s eyes had rivaled that of a soldier heading to battle. Rashid couldn’t help but chuckle at the memory.

No matter what she wears, she’ll be beautiful anyway…

It was a ridiculous thought, even to him, but one he accepted fully.
He pulled out his pocket watch—it was almost time to leave.

“Maybe I’ll go up anyway.”

His body itched with anticipation.
He could be late to the banquet—it didn’t matter. What mattered was seeing her.

The thought of her wearing the dress he had given her, adorned in the jewels he had chosen—his imagination wasn’t enough.

He needed to see it with his own eyes.

Just as he took a step forward, unable to resist any longer—

swish—

A soft rustle of fabric.

There she was. Tericia, descending the grand staircase.

“…!”

Rashid instinctively clenched his fist.
The metal of his pocket watch groaned under the pressure, warping slightly in his hand.

“Rashid.”

She smiled brightly at him as she made her way down, her every step graceful and poised.

He fought the urge to run to her—held it down with all his strength—and instead reached out his hand toward her.

“…Tericia.”

Her name slipped from his lips in a hushed breath, barely a whisper like a prayer.

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