Chapter 74: Stalkers don’t realize they’re stalkers
Translator: Soafp
Victoria and I, both dressed in detective outfits, arrived at the Imperial Capital's clinic where Nee-san was working.
As expected of the capital, the lobby was packed with people, so crowded that I felt like I might lose sight of the short Victoria at any moment.
“Mm. There are so many people, I might get lost.”
“Want to hold hands?”
“Hug me from behind.”
“…What?”
“Hurry, come on, hurry. Hug me from behind!!”
I did as she said and wrapped my arms around Victoria from behind.
“Mm. Now I won't get lost, and I can feel Ask's warmth.”
“I see.”
Honestly, it's pretty hard to walk like this…
But Victoria looks like she's enjoying herself, so I guess I won't nitpick the details.
More importantly, we need to find Nee-san.
“Ah, there she is. Princess Victoria, I've found Nee-san.”
“Mm. …What is she doing?”
“She's probably going around asking patients about their condition and symptoms.”
“Mm. She has an unbelievably gentle expression. Is that really her?”
Victoria stared in shock at Nee-san as she spoke kindly to the patients, smiling softly.
Right, this must be the first time Victoria has seen Nee-san like this.
Honestly, when someone who's usually cold and sharp suddenly wears a saint-like smile, it really does feel like a different person.
I get it. Totally get it.
Even I still sometimes suspect that some evil spirit has possessed Nee-san.
And then—
“Mm?”
“What is it?”
“…Someone is watching Sister-in-law Fran from behind that pillar over there.”
I looked where Victoria was pointing, and sure enough, someone was peeking out from behind a pillar, glancing at Nee-san.
They were dressed entirely in black—extremely suspicious.
“Could that be the prince who's proposing to Sister-in-law Fran? Is he stalking her?”
“No, probably not. Judging by the build, I think it's a woman. About the same age as me or you, Princess Victoria.”
“Ah.”
“What is it?”
“…Somehow, she feels similar to Christina Onee-sama.”
I took another look at the person hiding behind the pillar.
“Oh, yeah. That really is Princess Christina.”
“Mm. A family member stalking another family member.”
“What should we do?”
“Capture her and ask what she's doing.”
Victoria and I blended into the crowd, circling around widely as we carefully approached Christina.
She was so focused on observing Nee-san that she didn't notice us closing in—
Until we finally reached right behind her.
“Christina Onee–sama.”
“Eek!? Th-that voice is Victoria!? A-and Ask-sama…”
“Hey. It's been a while since we last met.”
“Y-yes, it has.”
“So, what are you doing, hiding like this?”
In response to my question, Christina answered without the slightest hint of guilt.
“Well, I heard that Fran-sama was being stalked by an imperial prince, so I simply thought I'd protect her from the shadows…”
“Mm. From an objective point of view, Christina Onee-sama looks more like the stalker.”
“Me, a stalker? Fufu, Victoria, you're good at jokes.”
Ah. She's completely unaware.
They say stalkers don't realize they're stalking, but seeing one in real life gives off a kind of indescribable fear.
“Christina Onee-sama, no matter what you do, I won't abandon you.”
“Princess Victoria, that makes it sound like something already happened to her.”
“Mm. Sister-in-law Fran can handle things on her own, so it's fine.”
“That's true.”
And so, including keeping an eye on Christina, the three of us continued watching Nee-san.
After some time passed, just after noon—
A young man entered the clinic, accompanied by several knights who looked like guards.
He wore a flashy outfit dominated by black, looking like a washed-up actor.
In his hands was a bouquet of roses, and he looked around the lobby restlessly.
Seeing him, Christina cried out.
“Ah!! That man! That fly pestering Fran-sama!!”
“Calling a foreign prince a fly won't cause a diplomatic incident?”
“Mm. It will.”
The fly—no, the second prince—spotted Nee-san, his face lighting up as he rushed toward her.
“Oh!! My beloved Fran!! Please, accept my love—”
“You're in the way.”
“Guh!?”
Nee-san struck the second prince in the face with a backhand.
Without even looking.
“Y-you b*****d!! To lay hands on Prince Sidin!!”
Naturally, one of the knights rushed forward in outrage—
But it was the second prince himself who stopped him.
“Enough!! Enough, all of you. Stand down.”
“W-what? B-but…”
“This is your first day as my guard, isn't it? It's fine. It's always like this lately.”
“What!?”
While the guards stared in shock, the prince himself—blood streaming from his nose—smiled as he spoke to Nee-san.
“Another splendid backhand today!! The pain was so intense it brought tears to my eyes!! I would very much like you to treat me!!”
“Please take a number and wait.”
“Ah, gladly!!”
The prince took a numbered ticket from reception and sat on a lobby sofa, clearly excited.
That prince is… something else.
“Did you see that, Ask-sama!? That prince is a pervert who smiles after being punched by Fran-sama!!”
“Uh, yes. I mean… shouldn't Nee-san be the one getting arrested here?”
“I will never give Fran-sama to such a pervert!!”
“Mm. I don't think that's something Christina Onee-sama should be saying.”
Still, at a glance, the second prince didn't look like a bad person.
If anything—
“Madam there!! Please take my seat!!”
“O-oh, Your Highness, I couldn't possibly… I'm only a fourth-class citizen…”
“Hahaha!! It may not be appropriate for a prince to say this, but there's no need to worry about rank!! I'm still young, after all!! One must show respect to the elderly!!”
Though his manner was a bit high-handed, the second prince gave up his seat to a frail old man who looked exhausted from standing.
“Mm. He seems like a really good person.”
“Yeah.”
“No!! It must be an act!! He's clearly trying to win Fran-sama's favor like that!!”
“Mm. Objectively speaking, Christina Onee-sama is starting to look like the unpleasant one.”
After that, the second prince caused no trouble and quietly waited for his turn—
“At last!! It's my turn!! My beloved Fran!!”
“Please keep quiet inside the clinic.”
“My apologies. I was so happy at the thought of being healed by you that I got carried away. Now then, please heal me with your light.”
“Yes, yes. Please stay still.”
“Oooh!! The pain in my nose is fading!! I see why they call you a saint!!”
“Please never come here again.”
“No, I shall return!! And be struck by you once more, and healed again!!”
After receiving treatment, the second prince placed the bouquet of roses into a vase at the clinic and left.
Hmm… doesn't he actually seem like a genuinely good person?
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