The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 46

Rashid felt his tension finally begin to ease as he watched Tericia, her ears turning bright red in embarrassment.

He’d worried when she looked so dazed after the fall from the cliff. But now, thankfully, she seemed like her usual self again.

He tossed another log into the fireplace and settled beside her. Almost out of habit, his fingers found her hair, and he fell into silent thought.

‘What… was that thing?’

It had looked like a deer—huge, white, crowned with massive antlers, like a god of the forest. But it hadn’t been an ordinary animal.

It had glowed faintly, yes. But what truly unsettled him was that smile.

That human-like smile it gave just as he jumped after Tericia—he’d never forget it.

And then, it had nudged her off the cliff.

‘If I had been even a second late…’

The thought made his chest tighten all over again.

He looked at the strand of hair still between his fingers. It shimmered a warm crimson in the firelight, smooth as silk. He brought it to his lips and kissed it without thinking.

“R-Rashid!”

Tericia yelped.

Startled, Rashid blinked—realizing what he’d done. It had been a thoughtless gesture, not something he’d ever shown her before.

Tericia had scrambled to the edge of the bed, clinging to the blanket as if it were her last line of defense.

“…”

Rashid turned to apologize—but froze.

She looked up at him, startled, eyes wide and glistening. Her lips were parted in shock, her cheeks and neck flushed with color. Her hair spilled over her shoulders in waves.

And beneath the blanket, she wore only a thin chemise. The firelight made it nearly translucent.

His throat bobbed.

“Forgive me, Sister.”

He dropped her hair and rose quickly to his feet. Without another word, he left the cabin.

Only the gentle crackling of the fire remained in his absence.

Tericia slowly pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped the blanket tightly around herself.

Her heart was pounding out of control.

‘He was looking at me like that…?’

That intense gaze had nearly consumed her.

At first, she hadn’t thought much of it. Rashid often touched her hair absentmindedly when he was lost in thought. But tonight, something had felt… different.

His fingers had lingered longer. Slower. Warmer. It had felt like he was caressing not just her hair—but her.

She’d tried inching away, but he didn’t notice. His touch never stopped.

And then—his lips had brushed her hair.

“R-Rashid!”

She’d shouted without thinking, terrified she might melt if he went any further.

It wasn’t until he walked out that she could finally breathe.

Her face still burned, and her heart wouldn’t stop racing.

‘I know he’s a man.’

She understood now—his feelings for her weren’t just familial.

But she hadn’t expected the truth to come crashing down like this.

“What do I do…?”

How was she supposed to face him?

No—what did she want?

She buried her face in her knees.

Her chest ached with too many feelings to name.

The cabin they’d spent the night in—an old hermit’s shelter—wasn’t far from the hunting grounds.

Somehow, as if he’d known exactly where to go, Heinz arrived at dawn with a team of knights.

“My lady, you’re going to be the death of me!”

Mandy’s eyes were swollen from crying all night. Tericia could only listen quietly as her maid scolded her between sobs and deep sighs of relief.

Mandy helped her change into a dress, wiping at her tears while grumbling nonstop.

“The young lord is waiting,” a knight called softly from outside.

When she stepped out, a carriage from House Hesfelt was waiting. Tericia looked across the path to find Rashid speaking with the knights, commanding them with effortless authority.

He moved so naturally—like someone born to lead.

Gone was the boy she’d once left behind in pain. The man before her was calm, capable, and strong.

And yet—

[‘Poor Tericia. I told you—the countdown has already begun.’]

That voice from the forest echoed in her memory.

Was it trying to help her?

Or manipulating her?

At one time, she’d thought it might be a god. After all, hadn’t it returned her to the past, saving her from death?

But now…

‘No. That wasn’t the kindness of a god.’

There had been no warmth in that encounter. No mercy. Only amusement—and something far more dangerous.

As if sensing her gaze, Rashid looked toward her.

His stiff, serious expression softened the moment their eyes met. His lips moved silently—We’ll be leaving soon—a gentle reassurance meant only for her.

[One life… for another.]

If that voice had spoken the truth— ‘Then there’s only one way I can protect you.’

Her only option.

Tericia swallowed the sigh that threatened to escape, forcing a smile in Rashid’s direction.

Just a little one.

One that hid the tears at the corner of her eyes.

Rashid’s gaze didn’t waver as Heinz approached and asked,

“What are you looking at, sir?”

“Tericia.”

“Is something wrong with the lady?”

“She’s smiling like that again. Which means she’s probably thinking of something reckless.”

Heinz barely managed to hold back a sigh. He had long since grown used to his master’s overprotectiveness, but sometimes—even for him—it bordered on obsessive.

“The Black Knights?”

“Ten, all highly capable and tight-lipped. They’re ready.”

“Assign three to Tericia as soon as we return to the estate. Make sure she doesn’t notice, but keep her protected at all times.”

“Understood.”

“What about Count Clu?”

“The Duke ordered he be escorted back to his territory. The Second Division left this morning with him under guard.”

Rashid clicked his tongue and frowned.

“Father beat me to it.”

“He likely knew once you returned and formally inherited the title, Count Clu wouldn’t be so lucky.”

Heinz’s voice held a bitter edge. He, too, disliked seeing the Count get away so easily.

“Assign two men to shadow him. If he tries anything again, deal with him immediately.”

“Yes. Also…”

He hesitated slightly, prompting Rashid to finally glance his way.

“A message from Adler. The Crown Prince has sent word to the Grand Temple.”

“The Crown Prince?”

“Yes, sir.”

Rashid crossed his arms, brow furrowed. The Grand Temple…

Latran’s people believed more in what they could see and control than in unseen forces. The imperial house had built its strength through a dominant military, diminishing the Church’s authority in the process. Eventually, the Temple recognized the Emperor as the sole sovereign, accepting his protection in return for keeping their influence.

So why would the Crown Prince reach out to them now?

“What would you like to do, sir?”

“We’ll wait and see. Sending someone without knowing his true intentions could backfire.”

“Understood.”

Heinz bowed and stepped back.

“Rashid.”

Tericia’s soft voice reached him before he realized she was beside him.

“Tericia.”

Rashid’s features relaxed immediately, and his voice warmed. Anyone watching would’ve heard how naturally his tone changed when speaking to her.

“Are you ready?”

Nearby knights, not yet accustomed to the dynamic between their young lord and the lady, stared in open disbelief—until Heinz gave them a sharp look that had their heads snapping down in unison. Others, long familiar, didn’t even flinch.

“You’re not going back to the hunting grounds?”

“No, we’ll return to the estate. The hunt is over now anyway.”

“…You didn’t even get to enjoy it because of me. I’m sorry.”

“I never cared for the hunt. I only came because His Highness insisted… and because I wanted to bring you a gift.”

Tericia didn’t respond. Rashid’s quiet confession caught her off guard.

“Besides, after what happened, I like it even less.”

She looked down, clearly feeling guilty. Rashid’s tone didn’t accuse, but she couldn’t help but blame herself.

“The biggest problem was whoever selected the location in the first place.”

He sounded like he was laying all responsibility at Crown Prince Ludvig’s feet.

She tried to calm him, though she couldn’t help but smile a little at how ridiculous he was being. But Rashid didn’t back down, instead tilting his head like a stubborn child.

“And that creature His Highness gave you? I fully intend to file a formal complaint.”

At that, Tericia had no rebuttal.

“Do as you wish,” she muttered with a sigh, and Rashid gave a crooked grin of satisfaction.

As she watched him, the image of the strange creature flashed back into her mind—but it remained just as hazy and confusing.

‘I still don’t know what it was…’

She shook her head slightly, as though to chase the memory away.

Rashid, misreading her action as unease, gently reached for her hands. He enclosed them in his own, lowering his head and pressing a kiss to the back of one.

“Tericia, you’re safe. That’s all I care about. So please… don’t look so sad.”

“…Okay.”

Her voice was small, but steady. Rashid responded by offering his arm to her, a gesture so natural it felt like second nature to him by now.

She smiled.

Wherever they were, whatever the moment—he was always offering his hand, silently promising I’m here. Take it. You’ll be alright.

She placed her hand on his arm and held on, feeling the warmth spread through her fingers and into her chest.

That simple act made him smile—gently, deeply.

“Before I left to find you, I had already spoken to His Highness. Everything should be fine.”

“You’re not indebted to him, are you?”

“Only that I’ll have to endure him bragging about his glorious hunt. That’s punishment enough.”

Rashid’s tone soured, and Tericia chuckled.

“I’ll listen with you.”

He looked horrified.

“…Absolutely not.”

“Why not? I said I’d share the pain.”

“It’s pain I can shoulder alone. Please, don’t go near His Highness.”

“Rashid…”

“No. In fact, don’t even look at him.”

Without warning, he pulled her close by the waist.

“Promise me, Sister—don’t even show your face to the Crown Prince.”

Tericia blinked, incredulous.

That firm jaw, those narrowed eyes—he was completely serious.

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

Rashid Hespelt, you unreasonable man.

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