The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 75

“Sir Heinz has been away from the estate for a week now. He’s out with the knights on special training.”

Mandy spoke while gently brushing Tericia’s hair. She had been so moved to be attending to her again—helping prepare her for bed, that she’d even shed tears of joy.

‘Heinz probably had the hardest time. Please encourage him later, tell him he did well.’

Adler had said that earlier, shaking his head in exasperation, and the words had lingered in Tericia’s mind. So, she had asked. And just like a dam breaking, Mandy had started to talk.

“It was chaos.”

Having finished brushing, Mandy now began applying scented oil to Tericia’s hair.

“Honestly, do none of the maids at Pelos Castle know how to care for hair properly? What happened to your hair, my lady? It’s gotten so rough. I spent so much effort maintaining it, and look what happened in just a few days!”

“Still… no one can take care of it like you do.”

Fearing the scolding would go on even longer, Tericia quickly responded. Mandy’s expression softened at that, and a smile crept onto her face.

“Right? No one manages your hair like I do.”

“Exactly. Now, keep going with the story.”

“So, as I was saying…”

At first, many of the staff were shocked when they found out the truth about her. Some even spoke critically of her.

And then there was Rashid—who had, in the eyes of everyone, publicly declared his affection. That had shaken people even more.

But when the Duke flew into a rage and turned the entire household into something colder than a northern winter—hunting down spies planted by other houses, cracking down on discipline—people began to understand.

They realized, unmistakably, that Tericia had been the one person who kept him grounded and calm.

The moment she was gone, Rashid became a terrifying presence. They had no choice but to see her in a different light—through experience.

“He barely slept. That’s probably why he was so on edge. And he barely ate either.”

“What?”

Mandy sighed deeply.

“He sat in your room every night, my lady. Just sat there, all night long.”

“…In this room?”

“Yes.”

Tericia looked at her in shock. Mandy nodded, confirming her words.

She started to understand now—why the servants had greeted her return with such emotion.

She could only imagine how much he had tormented himself. How much of the mansion he had overturned with his frayed nerves. How deeply the pain had etched itself into his face.

Her heart ached at the thought.

“We were seriously worried he might do something reckless. And when he finally said he was going to get you, we all breathed a sigh of relief.”

“You must have had a hard time.”

“Please don’t go anywhere again. His Grace… he was really terrifying.”

“I won’t,” Tericia replied softly, swallowing a sigh.

She realized she needed to have a talk with Rashid—privately.

“What exactly did you do while I was gone?”

“Nothing much.”

When she confronted him, Rashid answered with a straight face.

“I just disciplined the knights for allowing intruders to wander freely and rooted out some planted spies.”

His answer made it sound simple—but Tericia could tell the truth had far more layers.

“He threatened the Crown Prince to get you back. We even received an official protest letter,” Adler added, letting out a long sigh.

Tericia’s lips parted in disbelief.

“It was a simple protest. After all, the duchess had been taken. They let us off easy, considering.”

“Taken…?”

How had this turned into a kidnapping?

Tericia was left speechless.

“And now I have to go deal with the extra paperwork it caused.”

Adler’s clear resentment toward that “extra work” was met with a shrug from Rashid, who leaned back comfortably in his chair beside Tericia.

“All of this happened because you followed that man, sister.”

“Rashid!”

Tericia jumped, alarmed, and quickly looked around.

No one could have heard… right? He had said something that could very well get him accused of treason, yet he spoke as if it were nothing.

“Don’t worry. Adler’s the one who’ll be suffering for it anyway.”

Adler sighed again, this time even deeper.

Rashid, meanwhile, twirled a strand of Tericia’s hair around his finger, grinning playfully—as if none of this concerned him in the slightest.

Tericia rubbed her forehead. Her head throbbed.

Why is he acting like this? Was he always this reckless?
He was like a walking scandal.

Peace returned to the Ducal Estate.

The staff finally felt at ease now that the household and the Duke had settled back into normalcy. And they could no longer deny the obvious—that Tericia had played a huge part in that.

Regardless of titles, names, or official recognition, what mattered was her presence.

As long as Tericia remained in the ducal house, peace would follow.

And everyone silently hoped they would never have to endure what they’d experienced during her absence… ever again.

It was a week after Tericia had returned to the duchy when they came.

“Josephine and Emily?”

Rashid had been reluctant to let Tericia out of his sight, worried she might vanish again. After ignoring five summons from the imperial palace, he had only gone when the Crown Prince threatened to come find him in person.

‘You are not to step outside the mansion. Not even a single step.’

With a face full of displeasure and after making her promise multiple times, he had finally left for the palace.

Just as Tericia was finally starting to breathe again, Mandy came to announce a visitor.

“The two of them are here… together.”

“Where should I receive them?”

Mandy asked carefully, having heard Tericia’s quiet murmur.

It was unexpected.

The world of nobles was built on appearances and whispers. They smiled to your face and stabbed you in the back. If there was even the smallest scandal that could tarnish the empire’s only ducal house, it was sure to be magnified and twisted.

Tericia had already given up on social life. She had briefly thought of Josephine and Emily, but had let go of that hope quickly. She assumed their ties were severed.

‘It would’ve been nice to become friends… but that’s just how it is.’

She hadn’t expected to ever meet them again privately.

And yet, here they were.

“Set the table in the garden. Tea and something light to eat.”

At Tericia’s command, Mandy quickly hurried off, and another maid led the two young ladies to her.

“It’s been quite a while, Lady Tericia,” Josephine said with a bright smile. She looked genuinely happy to see her.

“Please, have a seat.”

Tericia guided them to the table Mandy had prepared.

“My father said things were absolutely wild here while you were gone. That the Duke had turned into something else entirely,” Josephine began as soon as she sat down, clearly not one to hesitate. She rolled her eyes, her tone somewhere between exasperation and amusement.

“It seems Rashid caused trouble in more ways than one.”

“Trouble? My father may have suffered, but I certainly didn’t.”

Josephine laughed with a light, musical voice.

Every time Tericia met her, she was reminded that this girl truly said whatever she wanted.

“I’m not one for all that ‘modesty’ or polite small talk. If something’s fine, I’ll say it’s fine.”

Winking playfully, she added in a cheerful voice:

“Regardless of what others say, it never mattered to me. What I saw in you was someone more graceful than any noblewoman and—most importantly—someone who carried out her duties with strength and dignity. Not everyone can do that, you know.”

Tericia realized she had been more nervous about this meeting than she’d thought. After everything, she had assumed they might treat her differently now. She had been bracing herself for cold politeness or subtle jabs—but Josephine was… exactly the same.

It left her feeling oddly disarmed. Almost embarrassed by how much she had overthought it.

‘Why did I even worry?’
‘Rashid is on my side.’

Her face flushed just slightly.

“If anyone gives you trouble, just tell the Duke. He won’t let them get away with it.”

Josephine leaned in as if sharing a secret. Tericia couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“Thank you, Josephine.”

Her heart felt lighter.

Looking at her, Tericia smiled genuinely.

She felt Josephine’s sincerity. And considering this was the first time she’d met anyone from outside the duchy since returning, she was truly grateful it had been her.

“Lady Tericia.”

It was then that Emily, who had been sitting quietly with her head bowed, nervously fidgeting with her dress, suddenly lifted her gaze.

She had always been by Josephine’s side but kept a polite, distant formality with Tericia. Now, for the first time, Emily looked her directly in the eyes.

“Yes, Lady Feder?”

Still riding the gentle ease of Josephine’s visit, Tericia responded warmly. Emily looked a bit thinner than before, she thought.

“Lady Feder?”

And then, the moment their eyes met—Emily’s large green eyes filled with tears. One by one, they started falling.

Tericia was taken aback. It was rare for her to be caught off guard like this. Josephine, too, looked surprised, clearly not expecting this reaction.

Emily opened her mouth to speak, but her words came out mixed with sobs.

“I—I… I’m sorry. H-heuk… It was my f-fault, I… I wronged you… I shouldn’t have… I’m sorry…”

Tears streamed down her face as she stumbled through her apology, half crying, half confessing.

“Lady Feder, please… it’s all right…”

Tericia didn’t know how to respond.

When she reached out and touched Emily’s shoulder, the girl collapsed into her arms and cried even harder.

Tericia glanced at Josephine, hoping for an explanation, but the girl simply shrugged helplessly with a faintly embarrassed expression.

With a soft sigh, Tericia wrapped her arms gently around Emily and patted her back, trying to soothe her.

She didn’t know what Emily regretted so deeply or what guilt she was carrying—but she let her cry.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I truly am…”
Emily’s repeated, tear-soaked apologies echoed through the garden.

Tericia didn’t push her away.

She just let her cry.

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