The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 72

Tericia felt it deeply this man before her, too, carried the blood of Hespelt.

If it hadn’t been for Rashid, if she hadn’t already grown used to such cold, emotionless words, she might have been wounded by them.

But instead, she lifted her gaze and met her stepfather’s eyes directly. His steady gaze did not waver, but the corner of his mouth loosened just slightly.

“You were once called the Lady of House Hespelt. I can’t pretend you don’t exist. I’ll help you live safely, peacefully. I’ll hide you somewhere in the world where Rashid will never find you. That is something only I can do.”

And he was right. If there was anyone in the world who could truly hide her, it was likely him.

Even the Crown Prince couldn’t make such a promise—but the Duke could, and Tericia believed it.

“But… Rashid wouldn’t want that.”

“……”

“If you choose to stay by my son’s side… no matter what’s said about you, no matter how harsh the blame—you must be strong for him.”

“Blame…”

Tericia repeated the word softly, with a faint scoff.

Blame? She had heard enough of that in a lifetime.

What she had endured in her past, in her former life, went far beyond simple criticism. She had been surrounded—smothered—by lies and insults from every direction.

Simply for enduring within the ducal house. Simply for carrying the Hespelt name.

“The world’s scorn… is nothing.”

She spoke quietly.

“If you have power, you can ignore it.”

At her words, the Duke raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. Then a faint smirk tugged at his lips, followed by a low chuckle.

“Yes. The world’s scorn is meaningless.”

His laughter took on a sharp edge. In that moment, he looked very much like his son.

“It’s just the noise of those who lack the strength to challenge us.”

“……”

“Let me ask again. Will you stay by Rashid’s side?”

“…There was only the two of us.”

Yes. Only the two of them.

In that wide, cold, and terrifying house—only the two of them had reached out for warmth. Only they had answered when called. Only they had embraced each other.

In their loneliness, they saw no one else. She called him her little brother; he called her sister. The little girl followed the boy, and the boy smiled only for her.

Until their mother tore them apart.

In her past life, their bond had been poisoned by her mother’s schemes. Misunderstandings had driven them apart.

They had never resolved those misunderstandings. She had left him. And she died, missing him still. As she had longed for him, he must have longed for her too.

‘May my death bring you peace.’

No, Rashid. Your death would never bring me peace. Your death would be my despair, my ruin. And I cannot live through that despair a second time.

That’s why I came back—to live this life differently. I swore I would change it.

For the only person who had ever mattered to me. For the one person who saw my fear and understood it.

‘Sister. My Tericia.’

It didn’t matter what he called her.

Whatever name they gave it, the warmth of his hand had always reached hers—and once that warmth was known, she couldn’t let go.

Because she had once held it. Because she now knew how warm it was. If she took his hand again, she wouldn’t let go.

“…Please give me time to think.”

She needed time—to gather her courage, to sort through her fear.

To stay by his side would mean enduring anything that came their way. She needed to be sure she could do that.

“Yes. I hope you decide… before it’s too late.”

The Duke’s voice came out like a sigh in response to her request.

‘Will being by Rashid’s side truly help him? Can I save him by staying?’

Tericia didn’t know. But…

‘If I could… I’d want to always be with you.’

Rashid.

Every time you call my name—every time you say you want me—my heart races.

When I see your golden eyes, when I see myself reflected in them, I feel like I could burst from joy.

Just as you make me happy, I wanted to bring happiness to you.

As you say you’d do anything for me—I, too, would do anything for you.

Even if it meant giving my life.

…If this isn’t love, then what is?

The garden of Pelos Castle was full of blooming flowers. It was said to have been the favorite place of the former Duchess.

She had never left the castle and spent her final years tending to that very garden.

Tericia, standing in the middle of it, looked calm—at least outwardly. Her mind, however, was anything but peaceful.

‘May I pick flowers from the garden?’

‘Do as you wish.’

With the Duke’s permission, she had decided to decorate the study with fresh blooms from the garden.

The study had been heavy and somber in its atmosphere. She wanted to bring a little warmth and color to it.

It had been several days since her conversation with the Duke.

‘You don’t have to decide too quickly. I’ll wait.’

Her stepfather hadn’t pressured her, but Tericia knew time wasn’t on her side.

‘Rashid will figure out where I am soon.’

If she was going to make a decision, she wanted to make it before he arrived—whether that meant going back to him or walking away for good.

With a quiet sigh, Tericia picked up a pair of scissors and snipped a flower from its stem.

‘As long as you don’t hate me… As long as I’m not a burden to you, I want to stay by your side. Even if only for a short while.’

She picked another bloom and tucked it into her arms.

Lost in thought, she continued picking flowers until her arms were full. So full, in fact, that she could hardly see ahead of her for the colorful petals.

“I’ve picked too many.”

It was almost too much to carry on her own. But she didn’t want to call for help.

Cradling the flowers carefully, Tericia started walking back toward the mansion.

As she entered the house, the old butler greeted her with surprise.

“Shall I help you, my lady?”

“It’s all right. I can manage if I’m careful.”

She answered cheerfully, not wanting to take him away from his duties.

“Do you think His Grace will mind?”

At her question, the butler smiled kindly.

“I hope he likes it.”

“Since they’re from me… maybe he will.”

Tericia replied softly, her cheeks tinged pink.

Thinking back, she realized she had never really done anything for the Duke before—not even once while living in the capital estate. She used to think he was distant and indifferent, but maybe she had been the same.

Under the butler’s watchful, worried eyes, she made her way upstairs.

The flowers blocked most of her vision, so she tilted her head now and then to make sure of her footing.

Her slow, cautious steps helped her gather her thoughts.

“My lady, may I help you?”

Just as she reached the Duke’s study, a servant happened to be coming out and was startled by the sight.

“No, I just need you to open the door.”

“Still…”

“The Duke is inside, isn’t he?”

“His Grace? Ah… yes, yes, he is.”

The servant hesitated a moment, then answered.

“I won’t take long. I just need to speak with him.”

Before her courage slipped away, before her mind changed—she wanted to tell him her decision. So that when she returned to Rashid, she could do so with a clear and open heart.

“Understood.”

The servant gave a small bow and opened the door for her.

Tericia stepped into the study. Embarrassed, she ducked her head behind the bundle of flowers, hiding her face among the blooms. Somehow, it felt easier to speak if she didn’t have to look him in the eye.

As she entered, she heard a dull thud—something had dropped.

Before the Duke could speak, Tericia quickly started.

“Your Grace, I have something to say.”

“……”

She was glad the flowers covered her face.

“I’ve thought a lot about what you said.”

The Duke didn’t respond, but she could feel his sharp gaze fixed on her.

“I’ve thought it over again and again. And… I can’t leave him.”

She took a deep breath. Her heart was pounding.

“You’re right. Maybe staying by his side won’t be good for him. Maybe I’ll only bring more criticism, more pain. Maybe Rashid will have to hear things he shouldn’t… because of me.”

“……”

“But even so…”

The Duke still said nothing, listening in silence.

“I won’t leave Rashid.”

Clatter. A chair scraped, followed by the thud of something falling over.

But Tericia kept her eyes lowered, her face hidden in the flowers.

“Unless he tells me to go—no matter what happens—I won’t leave him.”

She missed him. Desperately. If he were here, she would’ve embraced him without hesitation.

“That’s what I want.”

At that moment, someone grabbed her arm.

The flowers she had held so carefully spilled to the floor. Petals scattered around her in a sweet-scented whirlwind.

And through the falling blossoms… appeared golden eyes.

Eyes like the sun—burning with intensity.

“Rashid…?”

Tericia whispered, stunned by the face she never expected to see.

Before her stood Rashid—his gaze filled with a storm of emotion, pain and joy, and everything in between, as he looked at her as if she were the only thing in the world.

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