The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 69

Crown Prince Ludwig was enjoying a rare moment of peace.

The season had moved past autumn, brushing away the last of the heat and bringing in cool, refreshing breezes.

Basking in that breeze, Ludwig sat in the palace garden enjoying a leisurely afternoon tea.

He savored the quiet, knowing it would soon be broken.

“Strangely, the tea tastes better today.”

No sooner had he spoken than the entrance to the garden grew loud and restless.

He took another sip, calm as ever, then gently placed the teacup back on its saucer. His fingers lingered briefly, brushing the porcelain rim as if reluctant to part with it.

He thought to himself with a quiet smile, “I should ask Lady Tericia to help me choose a new tea set later.”

And just then, he appeared.

“Your Highness.”

Rashid placed one hand over his chest and gave a formal greeting.

Still holding onto protocol, I see, Ludwig thought, accepting the gesture with a cordial smile. He then raised a hand to dismiss the surrounding attendants.

“It’s been a while, Rashid. Three days? No—four?”

He leaned comfortably into his seat, fingers interlaced across his stomach.

He glanced at the empty chair across from him as if to offer a seat, but Rashid didn’t move.

“Where is she?”

His voice was unnaturally calm and smooth. But beneath the even tone, his eyes were sharp, and his appearance slightly worn from days of unrest.

According to the spies planted in the Hespelt estate, the atmosphere was dire.

The mansion was silent as death, staff barely daring to breathe. The Duke’s presence alone made the air cut like a blade.

He’s worse than I thought, Ludwig mused, suppressing a sigh as he thought of the small, pale lady behind all this.

“Where have you hidden Tericia?” Rashid asked again, this time more firmly.

“And why ask me that?” Ludwig countered.

“I know that Your Highness left the estate with her that night.”

“If you knew, then you should’ve come sooner. What do you intend to do now, barging in like this?”

“Your Highness.”

Rashid reached forward and placed a hand on the tea table.

The moment his fingers touched the surface, an icy killing intent spread like a wave, pressing down on the air.

The porcelain teacups and pot atop the table trembled violently—then shattered.

So much for my favorite set, Ludwig mused with a tsk of his tongue.

Despite the overwhelming pressure, Ludwig remained unfazed. His expression didn’t so much as twitch.

Startled, the royal guards rushed in, but Ludwig raised a hand, silently commanding them to stand down.

Engaging now would be meaningless—and reckless. Rashid wasn’t someone they could stop. There was no point in allowing needless injuries.

“She wanted this.”

“I don’t accept that.”

“And since when do you get to override her will?”

“…”

“You should never have let things spiral this far. A man exiled to his estate walks free, no one can find the people responsible, and the best you can do is get angry? Is that the extent of Hespelt’s power?”

Each word from Ludwig cut deep—and each one was true. Rashid couldn’t refute a single line.

His jaw tensed. His expression grew darker.

They said after the banquet, the entire estate had flipped upside down.

The knight order was restructured. Security was fortified. Even the lowest servants were interrogated and their identities verified.

Most spies planted by various noble houses were flushed out in the process.

Among them were Ludwig’s own agents. Fortunately, they had been spared execution—merely sent back, shaken.

Ludwig sighed quietly as he looked at Rashid, who was barely restraining himself. If pushed even a little more, he might flip this entire palace upside down.

“She’s not here.”

“…”

“I did take her that night, yes. But she left at dawn the next morning.”

Ludwig had hoped Tericia would stay in the palace.

He knew this moment would come—that Rashid would charge in demanding her back. But he’d believed Rashid wouldn’t dare act recklessly in the presence of the Emperor.

No, he realized now. This Rashid… wouldn’t care about consequences anymore. Not about the Emperor, or the palace, or anything else.

He smiled faintly. He remembered her words.

She had told him: “He will not hesitate. If I stay, he’ll take me by force.”

Ludwig was glad he had listened.

He had personally arranged a safe place for her. Somewhere far from Rashid’s reach.

You were right, Tericia. If you were still here, he would’ve taken you, no matter what.

Ludwig found himself wishing for another cup of tea. But no servant dared enter now. A pity.

“Where is she?” Rashid asked again.

“She’s definitely not here, that much I can say.”

“Then at least tell me.”

Ludwig shrugged. He had no intention of answering. And more importantly, he couldn’t. It had been her one request.

“I made a promise to Tericia. Not to tell a soul. I’m a man who keeps his promises.”

Rashid’s brow twitched. The killing intent flared again like a storm.

He hated everything about this—the tone, the words, the way Ludwig said her name so casually.

But above all, he hated the truth:

She had run from him and taken someone else’s hand.

Just thinking about it stirred something savage inside him, boiling up in his chest.

“…”

Their eyes locked.

One man sat with a faint smirk on his face. The other stood like a statue, glaring coldly.

They were at a silent standoff—both circling around one woman’s whereabouts.

The one to speak first again was Crown Prince Ludwig.

“Rashid, you do realize what you’re feeling right now isn’t… exactly normal?”

“What’s so abnormal about it? It’s only natural for her to be by my side.”

“Your obsession will destroy her.”

“I don’t care. As long as she stays with me.”

Ludwig frowned.

“Then, if you want her to return and stay safe—make sure no one dares touch her again. Handle everything first, then go looking for her.”

“You don’t need to say it. That’s already being done.”

“Don’t make her cry because of some half-witted fool again.”

Rashid shut his mouth tightly.

Ludwig could tell that his emotions were settling—at least a little.

“Where is she?”

Rashid’s voice was quieter now, more controlled.

“I can’t tell you. She needs time. And I promised to give her that time.”

Rashid simply stared at him—expressionless.

Then, he lifted his eyes to the sky. As though calming himself, he took in a deep breath with his eyes closed.

“…Is she alright?”

“She’s more composed than I expected. She held up well.”

Though all she worried about was you.

Ludwig smiled but didn’t say it aloud. A small act of mischief.

“And don’t touch my spies either.”

“I returned them alive, didn’t I?”

“Yes, but you beat them black and blue. You know what? Never mind.”

Ludwig chuckled softly.

“We’ll have a proper conversation later about today’s little ‘visit.’ For now, you should go.”

Rashid remained still for a moment, then placed a hand to his chest and bowed.

“I’ll take my leave.”

Though the air was still icy, he turned away without another word.

“Rashid.”

He’d only taken a few steps when Ludwig called to him again—his voice uncharacteristically subdued.

Rashid paused and looked back.

“She asked me not to tell you. Begged me, actually.”

Ludwig smiled faintly. But a trace of regret lingered in his eyes.

“She didn’t say I couldn’t give you a hint.”

“…”

“Don’t look far. Stay close. She’s somewhere very near you.”

Rashid furrowed a brow slightly, then gave a small nod of acknowledgment. Without another word, he turned and walked out.

After a long moment of silence, once Rashid had fully disappeared—

“Whew. That nearly killed me.”

Ludwig slumped back in his chair, letting out the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. Though he’d kept a composed front, he’d been tense the entire time.

“That poor woman’s in for it.”

He could already imagine it: Rashid would find her—and when he did, he’d never let go again.

“Now then… let’s see how long it takes him to find her.”

Shaking his head, he muttered to himself.

The soft garden air settled once again. A timid servant finally approached.

“Your Highness… shall I bring more tea?”

“Make it strong.”

The servant bowed quickly and stepped away, returning moments later to tidy the table and pour a fresh pot.

Once again, the air filled with the comforting scent of warm, fragrant tea.

“This debt… I’ll collect someday, Rashid.”

Ludwig sipped from his cup, a subtle smile curling his lips.

Even after storming the palace to confront the Crown Prince, Rashid returned to Lady Tericia’s chambers.

From the day she disappeared, he had come here each night without fail.

It was an empty room—but still warm. They kept it that way, in case she returned. He wanted her to come back to comfort. To something familiar.

Everything was exactly as it had always been. Only the lady herself was missing.

And Rashid… Rashid was slowly unraveling within it.

He sat in the chair where Tericia used to enjoy her tea, one elbow resting on the armrest, his head cradled by his hand.

“You need to sleep, sir,” Harris, the steward, finally spoke—unable to hold his tongue any longer.

But even when he lay down, sleep never came. So instead, Rashid worked himself mad—digging into reports, issuing orders.

He’d unleashed the knights to search for her. Questioned the staff. Rooted out every spy in the estate.

And yet, he knew there were still more hidden among them.

Still, he wanted to make sure—when she returned, no one would dare question her identity again. No one would speak of bloodlines or names.

That’s all he wanted.

So why wasn’t she here?

Why, when everything remained the same, did only she vanish?

He could still hear her voice. Still imagine her laughter coming from the window seat. It felt like she could step through the door any second and call his name.

So why wasn’t she here?

With dry, sleepless eyes, Rashid stared into the quiet air.

Then, he slowly closed his eyes.

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