The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 45

“So, you’re telling me the young duke went out himself to find the lady?”

There was no mistaking the incredulous tone in Ludwig’s voice.

Anyone else might’ve immediately apologized in this situation, but his conversation partner was none other than Roben Heinz, the commander of the Hespelt Knights. Though not quite as imposing as his lord, the man’s shamelessness was certainly on par. Heinz nodded without flinching.

As if that wasn’t enough, he added, “From what I’ve heard, Your Highness, the fox that caused all this commotion was your gift.”

His attempt to subtly pin the blame back on Ludwig earned an exasperated laugh. The crown prince clenched his jaw. He couldn’t punch the man, no matter how much he wanted to.

“Was she five years old or something? Wouldn’t she have returned on her own after a while? What’s with all this panic?”

“Our lady has never received any form of knightly training, Your Highness. Because of her position… she’s always extremely cautious with her words and actions. The fact that someone like her slipped past the guards without being noticed—it’s strange.”

The more Heinz spoke, the more Ludwig’s annoyance turned to grim concern. By the end, his tone had quieted significantly.

“…This could be the work of something… not quite human.”

“Yes. Lord Rashid believes the same. He ordered us to release the First Knights if there was no word within a day. We’ve been told to proceed discreetly, without alarming anyone.”

“…I see.”

Ludwig understood. Whatever that fox truly was, this wasn’t something they wanted getting out.

Whether it had been an attempted kidnapping to stir internal strife in House Hespelt or something else entirely, they couldn’t act without certainty.

If word got out, the consequences could damage not only the crown prince—but also Hespelt’s already precarious political position.

There’s no one in this empire who can beat Rashid in a straight fight…

He sighed and lifted his gaze to Heinz.

“The closing feast will proceed as planned. House Hespelt will be informed that the young duke left early to escort his unwell sister back home. That’s all.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Heinz bowed politely and exited.

As soon as he was gone, Ludwig raised a hand and made a complex gesture. From the shadows, a man in black silently appeared.

“Contact the Grand Temple. Tell them I wish to speak with the High Priest as soon as the hunt ends.”

The black-clad man bowed wordlessly and disappeared just as quietly as he had come.

Left alone, Ludwig leaned back in his chair and sighed again.

His fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest as he muttered to himself.

“Tericia Hespelt, huh…”

The one person who could make the ever-calm Rashid Hespelt act with such emotion.

He had teased Rashid before, amused by his reactions. But this… this situation wasn’t amusing. Not in the least.

Ludwig couldn’t deny he was intrigued by her. She looked delicate—like someone who might bend easily under pressure—but when it counted, she stood her ground and rejected people with a smile that cut sharper than any blade.

And it hurt, a little.

At first, he’d assumed she was just hiding behind Rashid’s protection. But after a few interactions, he’d learned otherwise. She stood her ground on her own. She fought—quietly, but with steel in her spine.

Still…

“Will she become your weakness, Rashid… or your strength?”

Ludwig’s smile was warm, but his gaze had turned calculating.

That much would be clear once the two of them returned safely.

＊＊＊

Rashid, carrying an unconscious Tericia in his arms, surveyed the surroundings.

Thankfully, the river they’d fallen into had been deeper than it looked, and the current wasn’t dangerously fast.

Following the flow of the water downstream, he searched for a safe place to come ashore.

Why…

He clenched his jaw at the memory of her whispered words just before they hit the water. Her eyes—resigned, hopeless—as if she hadn’t expected anyone to come for her.

This is exactly why I can’t leave you alone.

Once they were safely on the riverbank, Rashid checked her condition thoroughly. She was breathing steadily, her chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm.

He finally allowed himself a breath of relief.

The sun had already begun to set, casting shadows over the forest.

We’ll head for the Hermit’s Cabin.

That place still existed in this forest—an old shelter used by mages and researchers who once studied in seclusion. Travelers and hunters occasionally took refuge there when caught in the woods after dark.

The landscape had shifted back to normal, unlike the strange space they’d just escaped. Rashid recognized the area now—it matched the terrain he had memorized earlier.

If I remember correctly, there’s a cabin not far from here. We can stay there tonight and return home tomorrow.

He was confident Heinz would handle the rest in his absence.

He glanced back down at Tericia.

“Oh…”

Even Rashid, rarely one to lose composure, quickly averted his gaze with a frown.

The dress she wore—soaked and clinging to her skin—left nothing to the imagination.

Because they had been staying in tents during the hunting festival, she had chosen a lighter outfit, and now it revealed far more than she’d intended.

“…Damn it.”

With a rare look of genuine discomfort, Rashid looked to the sky, then back to Tericia.

After a long pause, he gently lifted her into his arms again.

Her body felt unusually warm—like fevered skin.

“You really do cause me all sorts of trouble.”

Despite his words, Rashid held Tericia gently in his arms as he walked, cradling her like something precious.

The sound of crackling firewood and the warmth it brought helped Tericia slowly regain consciousness.

“……?”

She didn’t recognize the place. It was somewhere unfamiliar.

The log walls were hung with tapestries to block the wind, and a kettle was steaming on a fireplace.

It wasn’t the kind of lavish place she was used to—it was small, but warm and cozy.

“You’re awake?”

Still half-dazed, she looked around just as the door opened. Rashid walked in carrying an armful of firewood. What she had assumed was just another part of the wall was, in fact, a door hidden behind the tapestry.

“…Rashid?”

He set the logs down in front of the fireplace and walked over to her side. Sitting at the edge of the bed, he gently placed his hand on her forehead, checking her temperature.

“No fever.”

“…….”

“Would you like some water?”

“…Yes.”

He stayed close until she finished drinking, then took the cup and placed it on the table.

“Where are we?”

“A hermit’s cabin in the forest.”

Her eyes were still a little dazed as she looked at him. It was strange to see him dressed so casually, wearing only a light shirt.

“You should lie down.”

“No, I want to sit up.”

Despite his urging, Tericia pushed herself up and perched on the edge of the bed. Her mind was still foggy.

“Rashid.”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t the hunting festival going on right now?”

“They’re probably holding the closing feast by now.”

“Then why are we here?”

“Don’t you remember?”

At his words, she tried to recall the events.

She’d been resting when Rashid brought her a fox. Then the fox scratched her and ran away…

“We… really did fall off a cliff?”

“Yes.”

His calm reply made her shoot up in alarm.

“You jumped off a cliff?! Are you insane?! Why would you do something so dangerous?!”

“That’s what I want to ask you.”

Rashid frowned slightly.

“What was that thing? Why did you follow it into the forest? No—why were you at the edge of a cliff in the first place?”

“I didn’t jump… I was pushed.”

“Do you know how I felt, seeing you fall off that ledge?”

He spoke like he couldn’t even bear to recall it.

“Don’t ever do that again. I… truly…”

He cupped her cheek gently.

“It felt like my heart stopped.”

His hand was warm. Maybe it was just her imagination, but his fingertips seemed to tremble ever so slightly.

“If something like that happens again…”

“……”

“I’ll jump after you, every time. Without hesitation. Just to catch you.”

His low voice sent her heart pounding.

“It won’t happen again. I’ll be more careful…”

She averted her eyes, murmuring awkwardly.

“I don’t really believe that, but I suppose I’ll let myself be fooled again.”

Rashid’s voice held both a sigh and a faint smile of resignation. Tericia gave an awkward smile in return.

And in that moment, Rashid’s gaze fell softly on her again. His golden eyes held only one reflection—her.

‘Upset? But why?’

Tericia instinctively clutched at the fabric over her chest.

But something felt off.

She glanced down—and only then noticed her clothing.

It wasn’t the dress she had been wearing before falling from the cliff. Instead, a thin chemise clung to her body, outlining her figure through the delicate fabric.

With wide eyes, Tericia yanked the blanket up to cover herself.

“Rashid.”

She turned toward him. He was tending the fireplace, adding more firewood.

“I have a question.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“……”

She hesitated for a moment, then asked in a soft, slightly trembling voice:

“Who undressed me?”

“……”

Rashid paused. Then, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“There’s only the two of us in this cabin, isn’t there?”

“……!”

Tericia’s face flushed instantly—redder than the flames crackling in the hearth.

“Rashid! You—!”

“I didn’t say a word, Sister,” he said with a completely innocent look, lifting his hands slightly as if to show his clean conscience.

That only made her cheeks burn even hotter.

“It wasn’t easy,” he added, placing a hand over his chest with mock solemnity, “but I assure you, I did nothing indecent.”

“You only call me ‘Sister’ when it suits you.”

Her voice carried clear frustration, but Rashid only laughed in response.

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