The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 77

“Let’s spar.”

As expected, the moment they arrived at the training grounds, the Crown Prince pointed his sword at Rashid.

When he saw Tericia with him, Ludwig greeted them with his usual bright smile and a hand over his chest, but kept his distance out of respect.

“Everything is ready.”

Perhaps he’d anticipated Tericia’s presence, because one side of the training ground had been prepared with a parasol and a tea table for her to rest comfortably.

Rashid guided her to her seat before taking off his coat.

“Ah…”

Tericia let out a small gasp as she noticed something at his waist.

“That…”

Rashid, aware of what had caught her attention, smiled with a raised brow.

“Since it was a gift from you, I made sure to keep it close.”

He didn’t mention how it was that dagger—the one she had prepared as a birthday gift—that helped him hold onto his sanity. He didn’t say how it was only after receiving it from her maid that he came back to his senses.

The dagger had become something more than just a weapon. It had become her presence when she was gone. Without it, he wasn’t sure how far he might have fallen.

Since then, it had never once left his side.

“It’s not even that special…” Tericia mumbled, a bit embarrassed.

“The steel is good, and the blade is well-forged. It’s an excellent piece.”

Her cheeks flushed a deeper red.

“You brought a weapon into the palace? That’s treason, you know.”

Suddenly, Crown Prince Ludwig appeared between them, eyeing the dagger with mock disapproval.

“Even if it’s just a dagger, it’s still a weapon. How’d that get through security?”

“Then I suppose the palace guards need discipline. You should probably tighten things up.”

Rashid answered in a calm, nonchalant tone—as if it had nothing to do with him.

Ludwig stared at him in disbelief. Of course Rashid had probably claimed it was ceremonial. And really—how many palace guards would dare stop the Duke of Hespelt?

“Wow. You’re getting shameless.”

Rashid removed his coat and changed into lighter, more flexible clothing. A nearby servant handed gloves and a sparring sword to the Crown Prince.

“Tericia, I dedicate my victory to you.”

Rashid’s brow furrowed immediately.

“Don’t use my sister’s name so casually. And don’t go offering her your victory, either.”

“Sister?” Ludwig smirked.

“After all that chaos? I know you want to call her something else. Don’t pretend with me.”

“I’ll make it official soon.”

Despite Tericia’s face turning crimson, the two men continued their war of words as they headed toward the center of the sparring ground. The duel hadn’t even started yet, but the tension was already sharp and palpable.

“This time, I’ll finally put that arrogant pride of yours in check.”

“Seems like Your Highness’s pride needs more adjusting. I’ll gladly assist you.”

In contrast to their words, both of their eyes gleamed—eager for the duel ahead.

At the center of the training ground, the Crown Prince and Duke faced each other. They saluted formally with their swords before stepping back to create distance.

Neither moved first. They knew each other’s skill too well for reckless actions.

Their sword styles were different.

Rashid’s was unconventional. Though he had never formally gone to war or served as a mercenary, his swordplay was fluid and unpredictable.

It was exactly why he often criticized Ludwig’s textbook technique as being too rigid.

‘What a monster…’

Ludwig clicked his tongue as he watched Rashid, perfectly still and unreadable.

People often said Rashid never had time to train, but judging by his stance now… when had he gotten this good?

Not even a single opening.

In the past, Ludwig might’ve found a weak spot or two. But now… nothing.

With a crooked smile, Ludwig broke the silence.

“You want to impress her, don’t you?”

Rashid didn’t answer. Only the faintest smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

“Well, I can’t let you steal the spotlight. I’ve got pride too, you know.”

He was proud of his swordsmanship. He had always thought he could hold his own.

But this match… it might be the last time he’d spar with Rashid.

Ludwig let out a bitter laugh. It was an oddly melancholic thought.

The duel ended much faster than expected.

They stood still for a while, watching, calculating. Then Ludwig made the first move.

They exchanged only a few blows before Ludwig suddenly lowered his sword and declared defeat.

“I don’t see the point in wasting my strength on something so hopeless.”

Later, in the drawing room of the palace, Ludwig sipped tea and grumbled.

After their morning training and duel, he had insisted on continuing the conversation and invited the two of them back to his quarters.

“Besides, look at how happy she is that you won. It only makes sense for me to step aside gracefully.”

At the sudden mention of her, Tericia turned toward the prince. He pretended not to notice and simply shrugged.

“I’m a very generous man, after all.”

“When should Adler depart?”

Rashid ignored the comment and smoothly changed the subject.

“Sometime early next month.”

Ludwig’s expression turned serious.

“That timing should be safe.”

“It’s starting to seem like war with the Eastern Kingdom is unavoidable.”

Ludwig’s expression darkened.

“The Eastern Kingdom recently crowned a new king. Apparently, he was always part of the hardliner faction. If the upcoming negotiations fall apart…”

The Crown Prince trailed off. His jaw clenched as if forcing himself to say something he didn’t want to admit.

“War will break out.”

A heavy sigh followed his words.

“…War.”

Clatter.
A teacup tipped over, and the tea spilled across the table, forming a thin line.

Startled by the word, Tericia’s voice trembled.

Both men turned toward her. She sat frozen, her face drained of color, her wide eyes fixed on Rashid.

“Tericia?”

“Ah… I’m sorry. It surprised me.”

Snapped back to reality by her name, Tericia lowered her gaze. It was rare to see her so shaken, her voice laced with uncertainty.

At a signal from the Crown Prince, a servant quickly stepped in to clean the table. Once everything had been cleared, Ludwig offered an apologetic smile.

“It wasn’t a pleasant topic for a lady to hear.”

He softened his tone, clearly trying to ease the mood.

“I’m not sure I should be listening to this conversation… Should I excuse myself?”

“There’s no need. Rashid is deeply involved in this.”

She turned to look at Rashid. His golden eyes met hers—calm on the surface, but she could sense the emotions stirring beneath.

Unable to face it, she lowered her eyes again.

“The Hespelt family doesn’t run from duty,” she said quietly.

She had been taught that. She knew he would live by it.

Even if she opposed it, Rashid would go.

Just like before.

The carriage ride back was silent.

Tericia said nothing, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. Rashid stared at her, not once looking away.

Finally, he spoke.

“There’s something you want to say, isn’t there?”

She didn’t respond.

“Tericia.”

When she still didn’t answer, Rashid reached for her hand—but she instinctively pulled away, brushing his touch aside.

His eyes widened. She had never rejected him before.

At last, she looked at him. Her expression was blank—not because she felt nothing, but because she didn’t know how to express everything she felt.

So many emotions collided inside her, they left her expressionless.

She glanced down at her hand—at his—and sighed quietly.

“I hate war.”

“So do I.”

“Then why?!”

Even she was startled by the volume of her voice. Her pale cheeks had flushed red from emotion.

And still, Rashid found her beautiful.

Her flushed cheeks, the burning violet-red in her eyes—this side of Tericia, so full of fire, stirred something deeply satisfying in him.

The fact that she felt so strongly, because of him, filled his chest with heat.

“You’re insane,” he thought, amused.

Even if it was madness—even if he was boiling over inside—he couldn’t help it. He closed his eyes and swallowed.

No, he swallowed the storm rising within him.

“Tericia.”

His voice was calm again.

“I made an oath of loyalty to the Crown Prince.”

It had been during their academy days.

Their relationship wasn’t just friendship. If anything, it was closer to a contract. And Rashid had never once intended to break that vow.

And now, Tericia understood she had become part of it.

“I swore to be his sword—when he needed me, wherever he needed me. And in return…”

Rashid looked at her.

Her neatly styled golden-brown hair. Her pale skin, nearly translucent. The tension in her clenched hands. Her slender waist, the delicate curve of her neck.

Her lips—red and trembling—and those amethyst eyes that always met his head-on.

Everything about her made his heart race.

“You were what I asked for.”

He didn’t say it aloud. He simply smiled softly.

Thanks to Count Clu’s recklessness, the timeline had only moved up. But even if it hadn’t, Rashid would’ve done whatever it took to make Tericia his.

“Don’t smile.”

The tears that had threatened to spill finally rose. Tericia’s voice cracked.

“You always smile like that. Say nothing. Brush everything off.”

“I’ve never hidden anything from you.”

“Not saying something is the same as hiding it.”

“I’ll tell you when the time is right.”

“Then don’t go to war.”

“The Hespelt knights are the Empire’s strongest force. We’re essential.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to lead the charge!”

She knew. She knew how hard he had worked to build his position. That it was natural the knights would go where danger was highest. That he, too, would be on the front lines.

When he’d become Duke of Hespelt—when he no longer needed the battlefield to prove his worth—Tericia had finally felt safe.

She believed the past had changed.

As long as he didn’t go to war… she thought he would survive.

Even as she searched for Orzo and prepared a rare elixir, she’d hoped it would never need to be used. She wanted it to be something she could give to others in need.

She had let her guard down.

She forgot about the one thing that still remained unchanged.

Because of Count Clu’s stunt—because her name had become a weapon—she had overlooked the one war that mattered most.

The war with the Eastern Kingdom.

The war that had taken Rashid’s life.

“No. Not that war. Anything but that.”

Her hands trembled as she clenched them tightly in her lap. Her voice was quiet but firm, resolute.

Support The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out