The Princess’s Final Wish Before Her Time Runs Out - Chapter 88

“There’s nothing seriously wrong with her.”

“Please check again.”

“As I said, no matter how many times I examine her—”

“Doctor, are you sure you’re not a quack? Our lady collapsed, and she still hasn’t woken up!”

Unable to hold back any longer, Mandy finally snapped and shouted.

Dr. Carlson, who had been urgently summoned to the main building, had turned pale when he saw Tericia unconscious.

These days, his top priority was making sure Tericia Hespelt stayed healthy and unharmed. He was studying harder than ever—perhaps harder than he ever had in his life—just to keep her well.

The beautiful lady of the Hespelt household had a tendency to disappear or injure herself at the worst times, and each time she did, it gave him a dozen heart attacks. Enduring the icy wrath of Duke Hespelt when anything happened to her was not something his aging nerves could handle.

“I’m telling you, I’m going mad too. There’s nothing wrong with her—aside from being severely fatigued. She’s just weakened from overwork.”

“If you keep saying that, I’m going to tell the Duke on you!”

“I’m scared of the Duke too, okay?! Why on earth would I lie about this!”

Yelled at by Tericia’s personal maid, the doctor finally lost his temper and shouted back. And at that exact moment, Tericia stirred.

“…Mandy, quiet… my head hurts.”

“My lady!”

Mandy rushed to her side, eyes brimming with tears she barely held back.

“Can you help me sit up?”

At her request, Mandy gently helped her into a seated position and propped a pillow behind her back.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I think I just overdid it a little.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying! You should rest more.”

“I do rest. Or at least, I think I do…”

Tericia offered a faint smile, though even she sounded unsure.

“You stay up all night going over documents.”

“I go to bed early.”

“Liar. You always lie like this…”

“Mandy.”

Tericia gave her a soft but pointed look. Mandy, grumbling, turned her head away with a pout.

Watching them bicker, Dr. Carlson let out a long sigh of relief and stepped closer. At least she was awake now—that was enough for him.

“You’ve grown weak. There’s no particular illness, but your vitality is clearly depleted. I’ll prescribe something to help restore your strength.”

“No, that won’t be necessary—”

She started to decline, but when she saw Mandy’s tearful, almost breaking face, she sighed and relented.

“Alright.”

“Don’t skip your meals, and please take the medicine.”

“Fine.”

Another sigh escaped her lips. It all seemed like an overreaction for one fainting spell.

“This isn’t just about you. When you fall ill, the whole estate falls into chaos. You know how the Duke is.”

Tericia went silent at that, his words striking home.

If Rashid heard she had collapsed again, there was no doubt he’d be furious.

Well, he wouldn’t raise his voice—he never did. He would just silently direct all his wrath toward everyone else… except her.

Just thinking about how to calm him down already gave her a headache.

“I’ll be careful.”

“Please do. I’d like to live a long life, my lady.”

The rare vulnerability in the physician’s voice made her smile awkwardly.

“Mandy, could you make us some tea? One cup for the doctor too.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Though she didn’t seem entirely pleased, Mandy quietly left the room.

Now alone with Dr. Carlson, an odd silence settled over the space. He looked around awkwardly, clearly unsure how to behave with just the two of them.

Then Tericia spoke in a soft voice.

“Carlson.”

“Yes, my lady?”

“Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“Pardon?”

“I have the feeling that what you said earlier wasn’t everything. About my health. I’d like to know the truth. Not for Rashid—tell me directly.”

He hesitated, opening and closing his mouth several times. Finally, he seemed to make up his mind.

“It’s just… I’m not entirely sure myself, which is why I hesitated.”

Carlson looked troubled, but Tericia waited patiently.

“It’s strange, my lady. There’s no illness I can pinpoint. But still, your body continues to weaken. It’s as if… your life force is being drained. Why would that be?”

He said it even as he realized how ridiculous it sounded.

But Tericia lowered her gaze, hiding a bitter smile.

As expected, my life really is fading away. Like someone whose death is already set in stone.

Still, she said nothing. She simply looked up again and gave him a calm smile.

“Looks like I was right to call on you whenever I feel off. I can’t seem to fool you. I’ve been pushing myself a bit too much lately. Burning the midnight oil and all that.”

Carlson furrowed his brows deeply.

For someone who had just fainted, she was far too flippant—and clearly lying about not overworking herself.

“So I must’ve just been tired… I’ll rest well and eat properly.”

“Please do, I’m begging you. I’ve said it many times—your health is what matters most.”

“Alright, alright.”

With a deep sigh, Dr. Carlson rose to his feet.

“If we’re finished here, I’ll take my leave. I’d better prepare the prescription before the Duke returns.”

Tericia didn’t stop him this time. She simply smiled as if nothing was wrong and saw him out.

When Mandy came in with tea, she paused the moment she saw Tericia sitting alone on the bed, staring out the window.

The light of the setting sun filtered through, scattering in glimmering rays across Tericia’s figure.

The room, now bathed in warm hues, looked lovely—but also strangely quiet. The way the light traced her silhouette made her appear lonely, and Mandy found herself unable to speak easily.

Her grip on the tea tray loosened. The lid of the teapot clinked as it shifted. At the soft clatter, Tericia turned to look at Mandy.

Gone was the earlier lonely air. Tericia turned and smiled radiantly.

“What a shame, Mandy. Dr. Carlson left early, said he was busy. Shall we drink alone?”

“…Yes.”

Mandy set the tea set down on the side table beside the bed and poured the tea. A gentle aroma began to fill the room.

Tericia watched her movements with a warm smile.

“You’ve gotten really good at this. I might not need to teach you anymore.”

“No matter how much I try, I’ll never match you. You’re always so elegant, my lady…”

“Thank you for saying that.”

“It’s true.”

Tericia smiled at Mandy’s sincere words. The once-cold air in the room warmed. The loneliness from earlier faded.

Was I just imagining it? Mandy tilted her head slightly.

“What about Sir Adler?”

“He hasn’t arrived yet. Thank goodness, I suppose. If he had seen this, he’d have reported straight to the Duke…”

“Did you tell Rashid?”

“…No.”

Mandy’s voice lowered with regret.

In truth, she had almost done so several times. If Tericia hadn’t begged her so desperately not to—hadn’t said “absolutely not”—she would’ve gone straight to inform him. In fact, she’d barely stopped Harris from sending a messenger to the palace earlier.

“But he’ll find out soon enough once he returns.”

“We’ll just have to deal with it then.”

“……”

Tericia calmly sipped the tea Mandy handed her. After the cup was halfway empty, she spoke.

“I think I’ll rest now. You should rest too.”

“If you feel unwell, please call for me—promise?”

“I promise.”

After repeating her concern several times, Mandy finally gathered the tea set and left. Before closing the door, she glanced back one last time, her gaze making a silent plea.

Please…

Tericia smiled softly in response. Only then did Mandy step out in peace.

Once alone, Tericia slumped against the headboard. The strength she’d kept in her back faded away, and her body sank into the bed.

One life for another. Whose life will be traded for Rashid’s?

The voice echoed inside her mind.

Tericia closed her eyes.

All she could see was endless darkness. No answers revealed themselves.

“Lady Tericia collapsed?”

The butler spoke before Rashid could even ask about her condition, as was his custom every time he returned home.

Lady Tericia had insisted—repeatedly—not to inform the palace, so they hadn’t sent a messenger. But she hadn’t said they couldn’t tell him when he returned.

Knowing full well the risk, Harris made the call to tell him anyway.

“And why, exactly, are you telling me this just now?”

Rashid’s voice was cold, his fury quiet but sharp. Harris felt his heart drop—but he stood his ground. He hadn’t served House Hespelt for thirty years without learning to face a storm or two.

He spoke with as much calm as he could muster.

“The lady was adamant. She made it very clear she didn’t want you informed.”

Rashid’s brow furrowed. A long breath escaped him.

Of course—he knew her stubbornness all too well. If he took it out on someone else now, she would only blame him later. Slowly, he tamped down his anger.

It took a moment, but he managed to compose himself and began walking again with his usual calm.

“Dr. Carlson already saw her and left.”

“Symptoms?”

“Fatigue, from overwork. Since your deployment was confirmed, the lady has been very busy.”

Rashid’s steps halted.

“You mean… she’s been preparing supplies and provisions?”

“Yes.”

“…Ha.”

A dry chuckle escaped him.

What am I going to do with her…

Rashid quickened his pace. His feet were already carrying him to where her room was.

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