The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 36

Tericia placed her hand atop Rashid’s.
Her small, pale hand disappeared into his much larger one.

“You look beautiful,” he said, his voice sincere and low.

The words, spoken from the heart, made her cheeks flush faintly.

“I wonder if it’s too much. Mandy went all out—I couldn’t stop her.”

“Then Mandy deserves a reward.”

He silently decided to double whatever she’d been paid last time.
Taking Tericia’s hand, Rashid gently placed it on his arm and began walking.

A few steps in, Tericia glanced up at him. His expression was calm as he looked ahead, but the sharp lines of his profile caught the light—beautiful, regardless of gender.

And tonight… she found it especially hard to look away.

Her heart had raced the moment she saw him at the top of the stairs.

He wore his hair brushed back, exposing his forehead, and his black formal suit was draped with a cape, embroidered with gold that matched his eyes.
He looked regal, magnetic.

She had to stay focused just to avoid tripping on the stairs.

Her face still warm, she lowered her gaze to hide it.
The arm beneath her hand felt strong—solid.

When did he change like this?

The walk to the carriage felt short. Or was it long?

Truthfully, she couldn’t even remember how she’d gotten there.
Only after Rashid helped her into the carriage did, she realize—she’d been holding her breath the entire way.

“What about the Duke?”

“Father left earlier,” Rashid replied, as always making sure her dress was arranged properly before she sat.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to.”

“…”

“That’s fairly kind of me, isn’t it?”

Startled, Tericia dropped the fan in her hand.

Rashid looked at her, puzzled—then saw the deep blush on her cheeks.

He smiled, softly.

So she does remember…

She must have remembered what happened while half-asleep.

And she pretended not to, huh?

He picked up the fallen fan and handed it back to her.

“Tericia.”

He said her name like a whisper, voice low and intimate.

“…Call me sister.”

“Is it the ‘sister’ that matters, or the ‘kindly’ part?”

Her face turned even redder.

“If I called you by your name, wouldn’t that sound even kinder?”

“Rashid!”

She looked like she might explode at any moment, and it was unbearably cute.

“As I said… I don’t intend to remain your ‘brother.’”

He felt her tense, but he didn’t stop.
If she tried to ignore the truth, then he’d just have to express himself more clearly, more persistently.

He wasn’t going to force her.
But he wouldn’t back down either.

“I’m courting you, Tericia.”

“…!”

“And like I told you before—I have no intention of giving up, no matter what you say.”

“Rashid…”
Her voice faltered; her tone troubled.

“Even if you push me away, I won’t retreat.”

He took her hand and slowly ran his thumb across it.
Her hand, delicate and light in his grasp, reminded him of a small bird.

He smiled.
There was no way she’d ever escape from him.

Be tense. Let me stay in your mind a little longer.

He almost said the words aloud—but held them back.
It wasn’t time yet.

When she was more used to him… that’s when he’d pull her closer.
And she wouldn’t be able to run anymore.

“I’m not asking for an answer right now,” Rashid said quietly, like a confession.
“But… please don’t push me away.”

Tericia flinched.
She’d started to pull her hand back but hesitated.
Rashid’s expression—eyes lowered; gaze fixed on her hand—felt unfamiliar.

“I…”

She couldn’t finish the sentence. She didn’t know what to say.

Rashid blinked slowly, reading her silence.
He knew he needed more time. Time to keep her within reach.

Whatever she might’ve thought he meant, it didn’t matter.

After a moment of hesitation, Tericia let out a quiet breath—and nodded.

“…Just give me a little time.”

Rashid kept his expression neutral, barely managing to hold back a smile.

He watched her carefully, gently.
But inside, he knew— Time wasn’t her ally.
The more it passed, the more the advantage would be his.

Because slowly, one by one, he would start to close off every path she could escape through.

He wouldn’t tell her that, of course.

Instead, he smiled warmly and replied: “That’s more than enough. Take your time.”

“…Okay.”

Tericia placed her hand over Rashid’s, and this time, he let go without hesitation.

There was a lingering awkwardness between them.
Trying to smooth over the silence, Tericia cleared her throat softly and glanced away.

“So… we…”

“Yes. We…?”
Rashid leaned in just a little, gently encouraging her to continue.

“Well, I mean…”
She hesitated, then looked him straight in the eyes.
“We’re okay now, right? We’ve made up?”

At that, Rashid gave a dry, amused smile and let out a soft laugh.

“We were never really fighting.”

“…”

“Besides, you and I could never actually fight.”

“Rashid.”

“Because I’ve never once won against you, sister.”

When he said “sister,” it sounded like he forced the word through clenched teeth.
Maybe it was just her imagination—but Tericia couldn’t shake the feeling.

At the banquet—

Emily Feder arrived and took a moment to scan the grand hall before approaching a group of acquaintances.

“Oh, Lady Feder, you look lovely tonight.”

“That apricot gown suits you so well.”

“Thank you,” Emily replied, offering a modest smile while quietly surveying the room.

No one here is more beautiful than I am.

The daughter of a viscount, said to be charming?
Plain.
The elegant young lady from the marquess’ house?
Refined, but still not on her level.

Yes, I’m definitely the most stunning one here tonight.

Satisfied with the thought, Emily hid her pleased smile behind her fan.

Despite a few setbacks, things were going well enough.

Just then, the Hespelt family’s carriage arrived at the banquet.

“…!”

Emily blinked, unable to believe her eyes.

The man who stepped out from the carriage was so stunning she was momentarily speechless.

The young Duke of Hespelt, Rashid.
He was everything she had imagined—and more.

When Rashid’s golden eyes casually swept across the crowd and briefly landed on her, her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.

It pounded wildly, as if something had just struck it.

He looked around, as if searching for someone, then extended a hand toward the carriage.

The moment Lady Tericia Hespelt stepped out, a new wave of murmurs rippled through the banquet hall.

It wasn’t just surprise—it was admiration, awe.

“That must be her…”

“So that’s the lady from House Hespelt…”

Tericia wore a gown in soft lavender silk, with just a hint of shimmer under the lights. Every piece of jewelry, every accessory was clearly of the highest quality.

But more than that, it was the way she carried herself.

She wasn’t just well-dressed. She radiated confidence and poise—like she had been born for moments like this.

“Stand tall. Move gracefully. Make even the smallest gesture elegant.”

Everything her etiquette tutors had drilled into her over the years now seemed to unfold effortlessly in real time.

“She’s so different from her debut…”

“I remember thinking she was sweet back then, but now… she’s something else.”

Even Emily was stunned.
She found herself staring for too long—only to snap out of it and look away quickly.

“No way!”

As much as she hated to admit it, Tericia was beautiful.

She looked perfect standing next to the young duke. The two of them had an aura that felt unreachable, untouchable.

“Anyone would look good dressed in such luxury…”

But suddenly, Emily felt her own gown and jewelry look plain—almost dull.
The joy she’d felt just moments ago disappeared in an instant.

Frustrated, she clenched the fabric of her dress.

Just then, as Tericia stepped out of the carriage with Rashid’s escort, she stumbled slightly.

Without hesitation, Rashid’s firm arm wrapped around her waist to steady her.

“Are you feeling unwell, sister?”

“My legs just went numb from sitting too long.”

“Sounds like we need to replace the carriage with a better one.”

His voice was calm, but his tone made it sound like the current carriage might be scrapped that very night.

Tericia reached out and lightly gripped his arm.

“You’re not seriously going to do that, are you?”

Rashid smiled.

“Would I really do that right away?”

“You absolutely would.”

He didn’t deny it. Just smiled again—quiet and knowing.

It was easy to guess that by the time they returned home, something about that carriage would have already changed.

There’s no stopping him once he decides something.

Tericia sighed quietly. She made a mental note to just stop bringing these things up altogether next time.

“But still, don’t just keep things to yourself.”

“You’re overreacting.”

“You always hide how you’re feeling.”

“…”

Rashid looked at her intently.
She met his gaze, and for a moment, it felt like they had a thousand unspoken thoughts between them—none of which either could say out loud.

It was Tericia who broke the silence.

“I don’t hide anything.”

“If you say so.”

“…”

Then—

“Lady Tericia! Rashid!”

A cheerful voice called out to them, bright and loud.
Rashid’s face instantly darkened.

There was only one person who could make him look like that.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince,” Tericia said with a soft breath.

Sure enough, Crown Prince Ludwig strode toward them as if he had been waiting nearby the whole time.

Tericia turned toward him and offered a graceful curtsy. Rashid, too, masked his expression and gave a polite bow.

“Tericia,” Ludwig said warmly, calling her name with unmistakable fondness.

Rashid’s jaw tightened slightly.

He shot her a look that seemed to ask, what’s going on?

The way he looked at her—like she had something to explain—made Tericia frown slightly. Why do I feel like I’m being questioned?

“How delightful to see you here at the banquet,” Ludwig said, smiling as he gently motioned for them to stand upright.

“His Majesty is expecting you. Shall we go together?”

He extended his hand toward Tericia to escort her.

Caught off guard, she looked down at his outstretched hand, unsure how to respond.

Then she glanced at Rashid.

As expected, his face was expressionless but in a way that was chilling.

His golden eyes stared at Ludwig, cold and unreadable.

Support The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out