The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 40

The incident during the hunting festival’s eve banquet was quietly buried under the power of the ducal house. Only a few within Hespelt knew about it, let alone anyone outside the family.

“So, how do you want to handle it?”

Duke Jester Karl Hespelt asked the question in his usual calm tone.

“That seems like a strange thing to ask.”

Rashid stood before him, face cold and unreadable.

“He tried to harm a woman of our house. There’s no reason to keep him alive.”

The Duke remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking.

“We’ll confiscate all of his property and businesses. But his title and land—those we’ll leave intact.”

“Are you serious?”

Rashid let out a bitter laugh.

“You’d show that much mercy to someone who tried to hurt Tericia?”

“……”

Only after another long pause did the Duke respond.

“It was your grandfather’s dying wish.”

His voice was heavy, yet composed.

“No matter what happened, I was to protect Franz.”

“……”

“…He’s my only brother, after all.”

And since when have you cared so much about your brother?

Rashid’s lips curled slightly in contempt.

He never lacked authority as the Young Duke, but in times like this, the title still had its limits. If he had already inherited the dukedom, he wouldn’t have needed anyone’s approval to act.

“You’re the head of the family, Father. It’s your decision to make. But if you go through with this… I can’t promise how I’ll respond.”

“Then—” the Duke said, cutting in, “I’ll give you the dukedom.”

“…What?”

“I’ll hand over the title of Duke to you. I plan to retire to the estate. If Franz causes trouble again after that, then as Duke of Hespelt, deal with him however you wish.”

“Are you serious?”

The Duke nodded.

“Your grandfather’s final wish was meant for me alone. I believe I’ve honored it enough.”

“……”

“I’ll obtain His Majesty’s approval before the hunting festival ends.”

“Is he really worth that much?”

“…Even I don’t know anymore,” the Duke murmured, almost to himself.

“His properties and businesses will be seized. He’ll keep his lands and title, but everything essential to his survival will be confined to his estate. He won’t be allowed to leave. House arrest.”

“Very well.”

With permission granted, Rashid bowed and turned to leave. But the Duke called out to him.

“Rashid.”

“Yes?”

“Do you resent me?”

“Resent you?”

Rashid chuckled quietly.

“No. If you hadn’t married that woman, I never would’ve met Tericia. For that, I’m grateful.”

“…You and that girl—”

“Just watch. As long as you don’t get in the way, that’ll be enough.”

“……”

“If you can do that, I won’t resent you.”

Rashid gave a formal bow and walked out without hesitation, as if there wasn’t a single doubt or regret in his actions.

The Duke leaned back deeply in his chair.

Father…

As he closed his eyes, an image came to him—of a little girl, looking like she was about to be crushed by the weight of the grand estate.

A girl he had never once shown affection to.

And then, his son—the boy he had never offered a single kind word to—now acting completely of his own will.

The Duke let out a long, deep sigh.

The study grew dim as the late afternoon light stretched shadows across the room.

“What did the Duke say?”

As soon as Rashid stepped out of the study, Adler and Heinz were there waiting for him.

At Adler’s question, Rashid let out a dry, humorless laugh.

“He’s confiscating all assets and business holdings. But he’s leaving Franz with his lands and his title.”

“Didn’t you tell him what almost happened to Lady Tericia?”

Both men looked stunned.

“Of course he knows.”

“And still?”

“He said if I accept it, he’ll pass me the dukedom.”

“What?”

Adler and Heinz stopped in their tracks; certain they’d misheard.

“Apparently, our late Duke knew his youngest son would cause trouble one day. He left instructions for my father to protect him.”

“Even so…”

“It works out well for me. Once I’m Duke, anyone who dares lay a hand on Tericia—”
Rashid’s eyes darkened.

“—I’ll deal with them myself.”

A cold smile spread across his lips.

“What about Count Clu?”

“He’s in the dungeon. His nose is broken—we’ve given him temporary treatment.”

At Heinz’s answer, Rashid let out a short, amused breath.

“He’s tougher than he looks. I expected more bones to be broken.”

“Well, he’s always been healthy—except in the head,” Heinz muttered dryly.

“He’ll cause trouble again someday,” Adler added.

Rashid stopped walking.

“Do we really need to wait for that day to come?”

“Sorry?”

“He’s going to be bored under house arrest anyway. I might as well fulfill my duty as his dear nephew.”

“Naturally. We wouldn’t want the Count to feel neglected,” Adler replied with a smirk.

“Even if we don’t need it now, it’ll come in handy later. Heinz.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Select a few knights from the order. I’m going to revive the Black Order.”

Heinz was momentarily taken aback but quickly regained his composure.

The Black Order was a unit within Hespelt’s knight corps, once tasked with dangerous and discreet operations. It had fallen into disuse over time and was practically defunct. Now, Rashid was reviving it.

“How many should I choose?”

“Ten. Make sure they know how to keep their mouths shut.”

“Understood.”

Heinz bowed and immediately turned to carry out the order. Rashid didn’t watch him go—he simply continued walking.

“What about Tericia?”

“……”

Adler hesitated.

Rashid stopped again.

“What’s wrong?”

“Actually…” Adler struggled to speak.

“Lady Tericia hasn’t woken up.”

“What?”

“She’s been asleep since returning… she hasn’t opened her eyes once.”

Rashid’s brow furrowed instantly, deep and sharp.

“She’s simply resting deeply due to the shock. There are no other signs of abnormality.”

Carlson, the physician, trembled as he answered, overwhelmed by the icy pressure coming from Rashid.

He felt like a single wrong word would cost him his life.

“Then why won’t she wake up?”

“Even I… I’m not sure…”

Cold sweat ran down Carlson’s back. It felt like he’d been in this exact terrifying situation before.

It might have been easier if Rashid had lashed out in anger—but instead, he just stood there, silently staring with piercing cold eyes.

That was even worse.

“During her last check-up, everything seemed fine.”

“Yes. As I mentioned then, she’s still recovering from her earlier poisoning. Her body is weaker, but she’s in no danger.”

Rashid stood with his arms crossed, gazing at the bed where Tericia lay. It had already been a full day since the banquet. The first day of the hunting festival had come and gone.

“Leave us.”

Everyone except her personal maid, Mandy, was dismissed with a single command. As if they’d been waiting for it, Carlson and the other attendants quickly hurried out.

Rashid immediately moved to her bedside, sitting in his usual spot on the edge of the bed. He gently looked down at her face.

Her eyes were shut tight, her breathing soft and steady—she was clearly just asleep.

Then why am I so uneasy?

He couldn’t explain it. It felt like something important was slipping through his fingers.

“I’ve never once wanted your place. Your death would never bring me peace.”

She had cried those words as if in response to something she’d been told—someone had spoken to her about his death.

“Mandy.”

“Yes, Young Duke?”

“Did anyone say something strange to Tericia?”

“No… no one except Count Clu.”

That much, Rashid already knew. But still—why had she cried so much?

He gently brushed a lock of hair away from her forehead.

“You can go rest.”

Mandy hesitated for a moment, then gave a respectful bow and quietly left the room.

Now only Rashid and the sleeping Tericia remained. Even the candlelight in the room flickered quietly, subdued.

He sat in silence, replaying her words again and again in his mind.

Something about them didn’t add up.

She said she had waited for him to return—but it wasn’t the academy she had meant.

“What exactly did she mean by that?”

Rashid knew that Tericia had been under subtle pressure from various sides.

But the way she had broken down—her tears, her voice—hadn’t come from that kind of pressure.

It was something deeper. Something he didn’t yet understand.

“…What are you hiding from me?”

He murmured softly after a long silence.

But Tericia, still fast asleep, didn’t hear his low voice.

The next morning, before the sun had even risen, Tericia finally woke.

As soon as Rashid heard the news, he came to see her.

Embarrassed by how she had clung to him in tears the day before, Tericia immediately dove back under the blanket the moment their eyes met.

The lump on the bed wriggled like a small creature, and Rashid couldn’t help but let out a short laugh.

“Tericia.”

“……”

“Sister, will you at least show me your face?”

“…No.”

“You’re not going to look at me?”

“……”

“I knew it. You do hate me.”

“No!”

Tericia shot up from under the blanket.

“There you are,” Rashid said with a soft smile.

She blushed deeply as she took in his appearance—fully dressed, perfectly groomed, looking radiant.

Then, realizing she was still in her nightgown, she panicked and pulled the blanket up to her neck.

“It’s not like it’s my first time seeing you like this.”

Tericia felt her face burn even hotter.

The memory of the night they stayed at the inn on their way to Baron Jun’s estate came rushing back.

Rashid always had a way of reminding her of the things she desperately tried to forget.

“…Get out.”

“Tericia.”

“I need to get up and get ready. Please… just go.”

Her voice trembled, as if she might cry any second. Rashid bit back a laugh and gently responded.

“Alright. Take your time. I’ll be waiting.”

He gave her a comforting pat before leaving the room.

“…You’re so mean.”

While Rashid left with a smile, clearly amused by the whole thing, Tericia silently screamed into her blanket, mortified by the memory.

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