The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 81

Tap. Tap-tap.

Urgent footsteps echoed down the quiet corridor of the ducal estate.

Tericia ran through the hallway, paying no mind as her hat, worn for an outing, fell to the ground and her hair came loose, flying wildly around her.

The startled expressions of the servants she passed didn’t matter.

The only thing in her mind was the single message she’d received: Rashid had returned.

She had dashed off the moment she heard that the one she had been worrying about and waiting for was finally back.

“M-My lady?!”

Reaching the third floor, where the duke’s quarters were located, she didn’t even pause to acknowledge the shocked greetings of the staff. Without hesitation—something she would never normally do—she threw the door open.

Panting, she scanned the room, only now realizing how breathless she was from running.

A soft, medicinal aroma drifted through the air. Her eyes instantly locked onto the sofa in the center of the parlor.

Standing in front of it, administering treatment, was Carlson, the family physician, who looked startled to see her burst in.

“Where’s Rashid?”

Her voice was laced with urgency.

But no one responded. They merely exchanged awkward glances. And Rashid was nowhere to be seen.

Tericia stood frozen, her face pale.

“Rashid… is he hurt?”

Her voice trembled. Her body began to shake, her legs unsteady as she took a step forward—

“I’m perfectly fine.”

Before she could fall, a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind, and a familiar, warm voice—laced with a soft chuckle—whispered near her ear.

“Rashid?”

“Yes.”

As she turned in surprise, Rashid gently pulled her into his arms and held her close, resting his chin lightly atop her head with a faint smile.

“I’m not the one who’s hurt. Adler is.”

Only then did Tericia finally see the face of the man receiving treatment.

It wasn’t Rashid—it was Adler Reissfeld, sitting in front of Carlson, his pale face marred with wounds, while the physician replaced his bandages.

“It’s been a while, Lady Tericia.”

Despite the visible injuries, Adler offered a gentle smile and greeted her politely. Carlson, having finished the treatment, began packing away his medical kit, while Adler started buttoning up his shirt.

Relief hit her all at once, and her knees nearly gave out. Rashid quickly supported her and gently lowered her to face him.

“It seems the message got mixed up. They must’ve thought I was the one who was injured.”

Finally, Tericia could properly take in Rashid’s appearance. It was him—no injuries, no blood, just the same soft smile he always had for her.

“You’re really not hurt?”

“I’m really not. I’m safe.”

“You’re not lying?”

“I swear.”

Though he smiled reassuringly, she still couldn’t quite believe it.

“The Duke is unharmed, my lady. You need not worry,” Carlson added kindly, trying to ease her fears.

But Tericia didn’t seem to hear him. Her trembling hand rose and brushed Rashid’s cheek.

The warmth at her fingertips finally brought her peace. Her body, overcome with emotion, sagged against him.

Rashid’s arms wrapped around her tightly as she collapsed into him, and a flicker of guilt passed over his face.

Sensing the intimacy of the moment, Carlson simply gave Rashid a slight nod and silently left the room.

“I’ll give a full report after you’ve had some rest.”

Adler also stood up, clearly still weak but able to move on his own.

“Sir Adler.”

Just as he was about to leave, Tericia called to him.

“Thank you… for coming back.”

“It’s nothing.”

With his hand over his heart, Adler gave her a respectful bow and smiled as he stepped out.

Tericia noticed the way his face tightened slightly as he bent, likely from the pain of his wounds—but before she could say anything, he had already closed the door behind him.

With all the noise gone, only the two of them remained. The stillness of the room wrapped around them.

“I heard you were out earlier,” Rashid said, breaking the silence. His voice was low, tinged with amusement, his eyes soft on her.

“Is that really important right now?”

“If you run like that, you’ll hurt yourself.”

His calm response made her bite her lip.

How can he act so nonchalantly after putting my heart through this?

Irritated for no good reason, she bowed her head, saying nothing, and just toyed with the obsidian brooch on his chest.

“Tericia.”

His voice, gentle and warm, came from above.

But she didn’t lift her head. Her hands gripped the folds of her dress as she tried to steady her breath.

“…Aren’t you going to kiss me?”

If she opened her mouth now, she knew her voice would tremble. So she stayed where she was, her face buried in his chest, unmoving.

“Tericia.”

Rashid’s voice dipped into a teasing whisper. A low, soft tone that sent a shiver down her spine.

When she didn’t respond, Rashid moved.

He gently lifted her chin with his fingers.

Their eyes met—and instantly, locked.

There was something different about him now. After nearly a month away, he had returned carrying a sharper edge.

A powerful, magnetic presence surrounded him—too strong, too close.

As their eyes met, Tericia’s heart softened. She was simply grateful that he had returned without injury. That surge of relief bubbled up and stung her eyes red.

Trying to suppress the sudden rush of emotion, Tericia turned away from Rashid’s face.

“Let me see your face again.”

“…No.”

“I risked my life to get back here quickly just so I could see you… and now you won’t even show me your face?”

“……”

“Sister.”

Tericia’s eyes snapped back to Rashid. She shoved him away, and he let her, still smiling as he stepped back without resistance.

His gaze caught her tear-glazed, flushed eyes and lips red from biting them—so red, they seemed almost bruised.

“You always call me ‘sister’ when you’re in trouble. Do you know how much I—”

Rashid pressed a light kiss to her lips.

It was gentle—just lips meeting lips. Soft enough to make her stop mid-sentence.

“I’m back,” he said, flashing a grin far more playful than usual.

Her resentment melted away. Tericia narrowed her eyes, trying to collect herself.

“You think I’ll let you off that easily?”

“Just this once, sister.”

Rashid pulled her into a tighter embrace. Though hesitant, Tericia allowed herself to be drawn into his arms.

The warmth she felt quickly turned to heat, like sunlight wrapping around them. His lips, seeking something deeper, clung to hers—hungrier, more desperate.

She didn’t know if the heat she felt came from her own emotions rising from within… or if it was his longing, spilling from his kiss and infecting her.

The faint resistance in her body faded. She simply held onto his shoulders, clinging as her trembling legs threatened to give out beneath her.

Finally, when Tericia gasped for breath and trembled slightly, Rashid let her go—reluctantly.

His arms still encircled her, his hands gently stroking her back and slender waist.

“You’re shameless.”

Her pout made him laugh as he lifted her into his arms with ease.

Her perspective shifted. Their eyes met again—his golden gaze, often described as cold and intimidating, softened completely when directed at her.

“I missed you.”

“…Me too.”

Tericia hesitated, then wrapped her arms around his neck. She told herself it was just to keep from falling.

Noticing her hesitance, Rashid laughed softly.

“Your face is a mess.”

“I don’t care,” she mumbled, trying to hide her emotion. What others might find dramatic, she said with quiet sincerity.

Rashid smiled it off, but Tericia’s expression didn’t lighten.

Even though she felt guilty for feeling relieved that it was Adler who was injured and not Rashid… she couldn’t help it. She was thankful he had come back safe.

If Rashid had been hurt—if something had happened to him—The fear she had buried rose again.

“You look pale.”

She realized she’d lowered her head and fallen deep into thought. Rashid gently lifted her chin with his hand, meeting her eyes.

Her beautiful violet eyes, usually bright, were now shadowed and dim.

“What are you thinking?”

Tericia opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words. She hesitated, lips parting slightly before closing again. Rashid waited patiently.

“…That I’m glad you’re not the one who got hurt.”

She pushed his hand away lightly as she finally spoke.

“I feel sorry for Sir Adler, but… I can’t help but feel relieved that it wasn’t you.”

“Tericia…”

She felt guilty, but also thankful.

Just the thought of Rashid being the one injured drained the blood from her face. As much as she regretted Adler’s condition, she was simply relieved that Rashid had made it back safely.

“So, the negotiations fell through, then.”

Rashid didn’t reply—only offered a bitter smile. It said enough.

Tericia let out a small sigh. She had hoped it wouldn’t come to this.

“…I see.”

There was still so much she didn’t know.

In her previous life, she hadn’t taken part in politics or paid much attention to the state of affairs. She remembered the broad strokes from rumors and experience—but not the details.

Adler’s injuries hadn’t happened before. If she looked closely, there were more and more things that were different this time.

If only I could tell what had changed, and what hadn’t.

Maybe she should have paid more attention to the world around her. A tinge of regret crept in.

“Don’t worry about Adler. He’s banged up, sure, but it’s nothing serious. He was walking on his own, after all.”

Rashid gave a short laugh, trying to ease her worry.

“If it was just minor injuries, a sacred potion from the temple should’ve healed him already. So why…?”

She trailed off mid-sentence, as a realization struck her. Her gaze turned sharply toward Rashid.

“You don’t mean…”

No—it couldn’t be. Tericia immediately rejected the thought rising in her mind.

She knew the temple hadn’t been on good terms with Rashid lately—not after the destruction he caused on her behalf. But that was unrelated to battle.

Sacred potions were a necessity for soldiers and knights in combat.

Even if the high temple disliked House Hespelt, there was no way they would deny Rashid, who acted under royal command. She had believed that.

“They didn’t give you the potion?”

“They did.”

“Then why…”

“There wasn’t enough. Even with what we received, it was barely sufficient for the knights and soldiers at the negotiation site. The only reason I was able to stabilize Adler and bring him back was because we had at least some of it.”

So, they had withheld it—just not openly.

The bitter smile on Rashid’s face said it all. Tericia bit her lip hard.

It’s always like this. They never give what’s truly needed.

The royal court and the high temple were never kind to House Hespelt. She had hoped that at the very least, the temple was neutral—but it seemed not even that was true.

“Don’t be like this.”

She hadn’t noticed she was clenching her fist. Rashid gently took her hand and opened it. A faint pain followed.

He frowned at the red imprints left by her nails.

“Tericia…”

He began softly rubbing her palm, as if to erase the marks.

“If you act this way, I’ll start hiding things from you. And you don’t want that, do you?”

“…No.”

“I don’t want to worry you. So please, don’t get so angry. If I say I’m fine… I am fine. Hespelt won’t be shaken by something so petty.”

Tericia looked directly into his eyes.

“You’re not going to tell me everything, are you?”

Rashid smiled.

He had promised not to hide anything, but there were still things he couldn’t—wouldn’t—say. Not yet.

Sensing that, Tericia’s expression mirrored his own with a reluctant smile.

It may be early… but still.

She had made up her mind. After all, this was something she had started—for his sake.

“I have something to show you.”

Her eyes shimmered as the light caught them. That dazzling glow stole Rashid’s breath for a moment.

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