The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 37

Ludwig noticed Tericia’s hesitation. Watching her, he didn’t withdraw his outstretched hand and smiled softly.

“Tericia.”

Calling her name once again, Ludwig seemed to enjoy Rashid’s unhappy expression.

“At this moment, taking my hand would be the wiser choice for you. Considering your current position, my escort will help you more than your brother’s.”

The corners of his lips, usually gently curved, deepened with confidence.

His words brought Tericia back to her senses. He was right.

If she entered the banquet hall holding the Crown Prince’s hand after meeting the Emperor, people would see her differently. She would become a noblewoman favored by the imperial family.

The Crown Prince had once invited her to dance in the past as well. Back then, he also said it would be best for her to use him.

“To use this man… What would it cost me in return?”

Tericia remembered what he had done after becoming Emperor in her previous life. The very first thing he did was eliminate his political enemies.

To use someone like that—it was far too dangerous.

“Your Highness.”

Tericia smiled, her eyes gently curving, lips lifting in a polite expression.

“As I said before, I would prefer Rashid as my escort.”

Ludwig’s face changed oddly, clearly not expecting her refusal. Unlike Rashid, who was quietly smirking beside him, Tericia explained calmly.

“Your Highness’s offer is always more than I deserve. But this is my first time meeting His Majesty, and I’m very nervous. If my dependable younger brother isn’t by my side, I might not even be able to stand properly.”

Her bright expression made her rejection seem even more graceful.

“More importantly, if I walk in holding Your Highness’s hand, people will assume Hespelt is siding with the Crown Prince.”

Tericia glanced at Rashid. He looked back at her with a calm, unreadable face.

“Rashid has his own position to consider. Hespelt would like to stay neutral—for now.”

Though it might already be too late, she added to herself quietly, still smiling.

The Crown Prince looked at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he suddenly burst into laughter—loud enough to turn heads in the room.

“Well now. It seems you reject me every time.”

He seemed genuinely amused. It wasn’t just a formal smile—he truly looked entertained.

“This is why I like you. Did you know that?”

Tericia’s brows twitched slightly.

“Does he like being turned down?”

Whether he understood her thoughts or not, Ludwig just kept smiling.

“Let’s go see His Majesty. He doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

As Ludwig turned around without hesitation, Rashid let out a loud sigh beside her.

Tericia gave Rashid a reassuring smile, as if to say she was alright. But her smile only made him furrow his brows even more.

As they followed the Crown Prince, Rashid leaned toward her slightly, as if thinking something over, then whispered:

“Sister… I really didn’t want to say this, but…”

“Yes?”

“Please… don’t smile at just anyone like that.”

His eyes stayed fixed on the Crown Prince’s back.

“Especially not at His Highness.”

“What are you saying?”

Tericia let out a soft, clear laugh.

“He seems like a good person, doesn’t he?”

“He’s not a bad person, that’s true. But…”

Rashid’s expression turned serious.

“Royalty can’t afford to be good people. They shouldn’t be, either.”

Right now, he might be smiling kindly. But no one could say when he might change and turn against you.

“They’re the kind of people who can cast others aside at any time. So please… don’t give your heart too easily.”

“I’ll be careful.”

Tericia gently patted Rashid’s arm. At that small gesture, his eyebrows twitched—and then he let out a quiet laugh.

“Please make sure of it, Sister.”

＊＊＊

The audience with the Emperor didn’t last long. Tericia was guided to the place where the Emperor resided and met him for the first time.

Strictly speaking, she didn’t meet him face-to-face. She simply bowed from a distance, kept her head down, and heard his voice.

“The young lady’s gift helped improve my appearance.”

With that brief comment, the Emperor awarded her a necklace made of light pink diamonds. Tericia quickly understood the hidden meaning—he expected her to continue sending offerings.

After that, the Emperor left immediately, saying his schedule was full. The entire meeting didn’t even last ten minutes.

“He is always a busy man.”

Back in the banquet hall, Ludwig spoke. Even the opening ceremony for the royal hunt would be handled by the Crown Prince, not the Emperor himself.

“Still, I’m rather glad to have something to do.”

At his words, Tericia tilted her head slightly in curiosity.

The Crown Prince was the only son born of the Empress. The Emperor had a consort as well, and children from her, too.

Even though the Empress had long been bedridden and could no longer support her son politically, nothing could change the noble blood that flowed through his veins.

He had the most legitimate and prestigious lineage of them all.

“Things in other families are always more complicated than they appear, my lady,” Ludwig said, seeming to sense her curiosity.

At that, Tericia let out a faint laugh, almost like a sigh.

“I was too naive, Your Highness.”

If we’re talking about complicated families, the ducal house was no less tangled. It only appeared peaceful on the surface.

“If you’ve come to the banquet, you should enjoy it. The imperial kitchen has quite the selection—you should treat yourself.”

With those light words, Ludwig gave a brief nod to them both and walked off toward the group of nobles waiting for him.

But the smile he wore as he approached them was different—cool and reserved, unlike the warm smile he’d shown to Tericia and Rashid. His entire expression had shifted. His attitude, too.

Still, he seems to consider Rashid a close friend…

With mixed feelings, Tericia watched his retreating figure.

“The position of Crown Prince must be quite the burden,” she murmured.

Rashid let out a quiet laugh.

“If it were unbearable, he wouldn’t still be doing it.”

“You’re awfully cold toward His Highness.”

“The world gives back what you put into it, Tericia.”

Now that the Crown Prince was gone, Rashid’s tone and the way he addressed him changed instantly. Tericia seemed about to say something but closed her lips instead.

“So stop worrying about him. He’s more than capable of surviving on his own.”

“You really are harsh.”

Rashid gave another amused chuckle at her words.

“More importantly…”

He frowned, glancing in another direction.

“That’s what’s bothering me more.”

Following his gaze, Tericia spotted the Duke of Hespelt—Rashid’s father. Standing beside him was Count Clu, wearing a clearly forced and exaggerated smile.

Tericia let out a sigh instead of answering. She sincerely hoped they wouldn’t have to cross paths.

Trying to hide the tension on her face, she quickly opened her fan. Noticing it, Rashid let out a small chuckle from above her.

“So that’s what the fan is for.”

“It’s more useful than you’d think.”

“Hm.”

Rashid looked at the fan thoughtfully, as if something had occurred to him. While he was still deep in thought, a page from the Crown Prince approached.

“His Highness has requested your presence.”

It seemed there was something that required Rashid’s input.

“Go ahead. I’ll stay here.”

“If you get tired, feel free to rest in the lounge.”

“Alright.”

But Rashid didn’t seem pleased about leaving her side. He hesitated to move, even as the page nervously urged him a few times.

“I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be here.”

Tericia gave him a soft smile as he finally turned and walked away.

As soon as he left, the sound of the banquet seemed to grow louder all around her.

She hadn’t noticed it before, but now that he was gone, it felt like the calm had disappeared. She suddenly felt as if she had been left alone in the middle of everything.

Well… it can’t be helped.

She shook her head. She couldn’t rely on Rashid forever. Still, that didn’t mean she wanted to dive headfirst into society either.

She’d never been the social type. And now wasn’t the time to force herself to build shallow connections with strangers.

After all, I…

Just then—

“Um…”

A soft, delicate voice reached her.

A girl’s voice. Small and hesitant.

From the direction of the voice, a girl stood with golden hair and green eyes—she looked like a delicate porcelain doll. Behind her were three other girls, seemingly around the same age.

The girl in the soft apricot-colored dress gave a slight curtsy and politely introduced herself to Tericia.

“Lady Tericia of House Hespelt, I am Emily of Count Feder’s family.”

It was clear that she had grown up well-loved and protected. Emily seemed entirely confident that Tericia would naturally return her greeting.

The House of Feder…

Tericia recalled the family at once. The Feder household was well-known—even she was familiar with them.

The head of House Feder served in the royal court, overseeing administrative duties. They were known for being diligent and honest, maintaining their position without greed or ambition.

“This is our first time meeting in person, so I was eager to come and introduce myself,” Emily said with a bright smile.

“……”

Traditionally, a noble of lower rank was not supposed to speak first to someone of higher status. It was expected that the higher-ranking noble would initiate the conversation before any greeting could be made in return.

This young lady had just broken that basic rule of etiquette.

So she’s underestimating me.

Tericia paused briefly, considering how to respond to such bold behavior.

Even if her current position was somewhat uncertain, she was still a noble daughter of House Hespelt. And she had no intention of being treated lightly.

Once she’d made her decision, Tericia turned toward Emily with a gentle smile.

“My lady, I—”

Before Emily could finish her sentence, Tericia snapped her fan shut with a crisp clack, loud enough to interrupt her. Then, without a word, she turned her back on her and began walking away.

“Lady Tericia!”

Emily called after her, but Tericia walked off without the slightest hesitation, as though she hadn’t heard a thing.

Emily, left standing there with her cheeks burning red, could only watch her walk away.

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