The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 42

“I’m Josephine of House Glen.”

The red-haired young lady introduced herself politely.

“The daughter of Count Glen, the Border Lord,” Tericia replied, prompting a flicker of surprise from Josephine.

“You know my father?”

“The stories of the Border Count’s integrity are quite well-known.”

Count Glen was the noble who guarded the eastern frontier.

A red-haired man known both for his military prowess and unyielding nature, his rigid personality—so unbending it often clashed with others—had made him famous for blocking his own path to advancement.

“Calling it integrity is generous. In truth, he’s just stubborn.”

The sharp remark caught Tericia slightly off guard.

“I’m constantly being told to watch what I say too,” Josephine added, noticing her reaction and smiling softly.

Then, she nudged the blonde-haired girl standing next to her—Emily—who had been silently taking in the inside of the tent. Startled, Emily turned to look at the two women.

It wasn’t hard to figure out what was going on.

Clearly, after what happened the night before, Josephine had insisted on coming to apologize, and Emily had followed reluctantly.

“…I was rude last night, Lady Tericia.”

Her apology was stiff and clearly forced. But Tericia just smiled gracefully.

“If you don’t truly feel sorry, then there’s no need to apologize, my lady.”

Emily’s face turned crimson.

She immediately realized Tericia had seen right through her—that she was only here out of obligation, wanting to leave as quickly as possible.

To be honest, Emily didn’t believe she had done anything wrong. She was the only daughter of House Feder, a family with deep noble roots. Why should she have to apologize to someone like Tericia?

After all, Tericia only became a duke’s daughter through her mother’s remarriage. In Emily’s eyes, that made her lower in status.

If it weren’t for Josephine, I never would have come.

Everything about this irritated Emily. From the very beginning, she simply didn’t like Tericia.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you, Lady Tericia.”

With a smile, Tericia gestured for them to sit. Josephine took the seat cheerfully, while Emily sat reluctantly, following her friend’s lead.

Even as a maid poured tea into delicate cups, Emily’s expression stayed stiff and unreadable. Choosing to ignore it, Josephine continued speaking with Tericia.

“This tea has a lovely fragrance.”

“It was sent by His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“The Crown Prince?”

The words slipped out before Emily could stop herself. She quickly shut her mouth, but it was too late—everyone had heard her.

“Yes, my lady. Quite gracious of him.”

Tericia answered as if it were nothing and took a sip. The tea truly did smell wonderful.

“You’re not quite what I expected, Lady Tericia.”

Josephine smiled as she said it, clearly meaning no offense.

Tericia returned the smile.

“I don’t avoid fights when they come knocking.”

“We didn’t come here to start one,” Josephine said quickly.

That made Tericia laugh softly.

“Lady Glen—”

“Please, just call me Josephine.”

“Josephine, then. I think I rather like you. And I don’t particularly dislike Lady Feder, either.”

Her gaze shifted toward Emily, who visibly flinched.

“But I’m not so kind that I’ll treat someone warmly when they clearly hold resentment toward me.”

Her voice was calm, but her eyes were steady and direct as she looked at Josephine.

“I get the feeling we’ll get along well. But I also know the world doesn’t always work the way I want it to. And if someone only understands when spoken to a certain way—well, then I’ll speak to them in the way they understand.”

Josephine’s eyes widened at Tericia’s words—then she laughed.

“Oh dear, forgive me, Lady Tericia. I only laughed because I completely agree with you. It made me genuinely happy to hear someone speak so plainly.”

Once she finished laughing, Josephine Glen stood from her seat, lowered herself to her knees, and bowed respectfully.

“I sincerely apologize for the rudeness shown the other day, my lady.”

“Apology accepted.”

Tericia replied with a gentle smile.

The only one who didn’t seem to understand what was happening was Emily. She couldn’t make sense of why her friend was apologizing again or why the Lady was accepting it so solemnly.

She didn’t realize that Josephine had been testing Tericia all along.

“I can’t ask you to understand her, Lady Tericia. But she’s not a bad person. Sooner or later, she’ll come to understand things on her own.”

“She must be, if someone like you chooses to stay by her side.”

At Tericia’s response, Josephine gave a faint, bitter smile.

“It’s frustrating when people don’t see what’s right in front of them.”

Tericia smiled softly at that.

Emily felt her pride sting. She had a feeling they were talking about her, but since she couldn’t quite grasp the meaning, she had no idea when or how to respond.

“You should visit more often. Bring Lady Feder with you.”

“Thank you.”

Josephine smiled at the offer. Emily, on the other hand, frowned slightly. She couldn’t hide her emotions.

Seeing her expression, Tericia let out a small, amused sigh.

She’s someone who’s been deeply loved her whole life…

She can’t hide her feelings, nor can she scheme behind someone’s back. Even when she tries, it’s written all over her face.

No wonder Josephine Glen always stays by her side, helping and covering for her.

The thought left Tericia feeling unexpectedly hollow. To have someone beside you—someone who loved you regardless of your flaws, who always stayed with you no matter what…

In her past life, and even now, Tericia had never had someone like that.

She had always been alone.

At least—until now.

There was now one person. Just one, who saw only her.

“Sister.”

Just then, the tent’s flap opened and he stepped inside.

“……”

Rashid looked at Tericia and offered a soft smile. That smile spread through her chest like warmth.

How do you always manage to show up when I need you most?

“Rashid.”

To stop herself from crying, Tericia beamed brightly.

Her smile was stunning.

Josephine narrowed her eyes as she looked at Tericia.

The young lady’s composed face bloomed like a flower the moment the Hespelt heir entered. Only now did she understand what it meant when someone’s smile could dazzle.

“Sister.”

He seemed not to notice anyone else in the tent. Walking straight to Tericia, he gently placed a hand on her bare shoulder, then leaned down and brushed a kiss across her soft, peach-colored cheek.

Tericia tilted her head upward to receive the gesture. Light shimmered off her half-lowered lashes.

Josephine looked away before she realized what she was doing. Her cheeks were flushed.

Is this… what a simple cheek-kiss is supposed to feel like?

From the corner of her eye, she saw Emily staring at the two of them with her mouth slightly open, her face just as red.

“Ah, we have guests.”

Rashid finally noticed.

“This is Lady Josephine, and this is Lady Feder,” Tericia said, introducing them.

“The daughters of Count Glen and Count Feder.”

Rashid’s voice changed instantly. Unlike the tender tone he had used with Tericia, his voice addressing the guests was cool and formal.

The soft affection from a moment ago had disappeared, replaced with a voice as cold and low as winter frost.

And there was a reason.

He knew who they were.

They had been among the young ladies Tericia had walked away from at the banquet. He remembered the atmosphere clearly—it had been anything but friendly.

“They came to visit so I wouldn’t be lonely. My companions for tea.”

At Tericia’s light remark, Rashid’s expression softened slightly.

“Have I interrupted?”

“Not at all,” Tericia said, shaking her head.

At the same time, Josephine gracefully rose from her seat and gently tugged on Emily’s arm to prompt her to stand as well.

“We’ve had more than enough tea, Young Duke. We were just about to leave. Until next time, Lady Tericia.”

Josephine offered a polite bow to both Tericia and Rashid, then took Emily by the arm and guided her out of the tent.

“Haa…”

As soon as they were a good distance from the Hespelt ducal tent, Josephine let out a long sigh.

Wow. What even was that?

Rashid Hespelt—the sole heir to the empire’s one and only dukedom. She had heard plenty about him from her father, Count Glen.

But I didn’t think he’d be like that.

How could someone send out such a chilling aura… at two ordinary young noblewomen?

Had she not grown up under a frontier lord like her father, she might not have recognized it—the subtle pressure in Rashid’s presence. That rising chill wasn’t mere discomfort.

It was a warning.

A very clear one: If you so much as harm the Lady, I won’t let it slide.

Did he see how we acted at the banquet?

But he hadn’t even been there that night. Could it be… he’d been watching how everyone interacted with Tericia the whole time? From somewhere else?

Josephine shook her head. That couldn’t be possible.

“Why did you drag me out like that?”

Emily’s annoyed voice broke her train of thought. It was obvious her young friend had no clue just how dangerous that encounter had been.

“That was really the Hespelt heir, wasn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

“He’s really handsome.”

“…What?”

Josephine stared at her in disbelief. Sure, Rashid was attractive—but that’s what she noticed in that atmosphere?

“That was my first time seeing him up close. He’s seriously good-looking.”

“…Emily.”

“What?”

“You’re strong in a way I can’t explain.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Josephine just shook her head.

Brave? Naïve? It was hard to tell. But honestly, that was Emily’s charm—her unshaken innocence. A sweet noble girl whose world revolved around dresses, parties, and romance. She probably wouldn’t understand no matter how dangerous someone told her Rashid was.

“Just… stay exactly the way you are.”

Josephine gave Emily’s shoulder a light tap, watching her pout and complain.

I’ll have to visit the Lady again soon.

She genuinely liked Tericia. And more than that, she hoped they could continue growing closer from now on.

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