**Stalker Duchess Episode 19**
**Stalker Duchess Episode 19**
Ah, so that's the reason.
In the Crown Prince's eyes, it must have looked like I was trying to sacrifice myself for the country.
I'd never even considered such a noble reason, but depending on how you heard it, my words could be interpreted that way.
As the empire's Crown Prince, he must have felt guilty about selling off one of his own people.
But I still couldn't understand why this was such a serious issue.
I wasn't actually being sold off.
The Elf Child had proposed to me, and I'd simply accepted.
If it had truly been unacceptable, I could have just refused to their face.
The Elf Child wouldn't force a marriage if I said no.
And, to put it coldly, what was so wrong with the Crown Prince selling me off for the empire's peace?
Sitting in the position of Crown Prince, shouldn't national interests come first?
No way he'd say I was more important than his own citizens… right?
"…I had no intention of suggesting that. Though it might end up that way in the end."
"Do I seem like the type to do such a thing?"
"…."
Well, the Crown Prince wasn't the ruthless sort to sacrifice people for his goals. Not even for Duchess Serabi, whom he hated to death.
As I hung my head with a dejected expression, the Crown Prince raked a hand through his hair in irritation and spoke in a fierce voice.
"Anyway, you're absolutely not getting married. I'll stop it somehow. Have you lost your mind? Deciding to marry so suddenly? It's ridiculous."
"…?"
He'd clearly been angry about me deciding so lightly on a marriage to a heterorace…
But now, it somehow felt like he was angry about the marriage itself.
With no way back to my original world after possessing Serabi and no particular goals anyway, what did marriage matter?
Besides, wouldn't it be better for him if I got married and disappeared?
The Crown Prince seemed unaware of what he was saying.
I tilted my head in confusion but soon nodded in understanding.
People's thoughts can get tangled when they're too shocked.
Especially the Crown Prince, who flipped moods several times a day—he seemed emotionally unstable.
I should subtly recommend therapy later.
With that thought, I let his nagging go in one ear and out the other.
He repeated endlessly that marriage was absolutely forbidden until it drilled into my ears.
Until I finally gave in to his stubbornness, said I understood, and nodded carelessly.
After finishing my talk with the Crown Prince, I sat beside the Elf Child, who was blankly dipping their feet in the lake and playing around.
The Elf Child glanced at me as I sat, then resumed splashing water.
I gazed at the serene lakeside and said to the Elf Child,
"Was teasing him fun?"
"You knew."
"You never intended to marry me from the start. Don't tease my comrade."
"Hmph. Punishment for daring to throw me. Watching him squirm was kinda cute."
Now that I looked closely, it was a pretty nasty elf.
I'd realized later, but the Elf Child's words were a lie.
If the marriage made the elf come of age, the Elf Queen from the original story couldn't marry the Crown Prince.
With mind-reading ability, they'd come up with a way to torment him.
I had no idea why that involved marrying me, though.
I stared down at the Elf Child silently.
From my memory, the Elf Queen in the novel had also come of age not long ago.
She was probably around the same age as this Elf Child now.
Then, did this child know the Elf Queen?
With subtle anticipation in my eyes, I asked the Elf Child,
"Is there maybe an incredibly pretty young elf in your village?"
"I'm the prettiest in our village."
"…."
Looks like a miss this time. I needed to find the Elf Queen quickly.
So I could marry her off to the Crown Prince soon, and then, and then…
"What are you thinking?"
"Ah."
Despite having a mind-reading elf right there, I'd thought something too obvious.
At this rate, the Elf Child would realize I wasn't really Serabi.
"Why ask if you can read minds?"
"But I can't read yours, Serabi. Nothing comes through."
"…."
I was slightly startled by the child's answer.
They couldn't read my mind.
Hmm. Probably because I'm a being from another world?
As I pondered that, the Elf Child said casually,
"You seem like a really weird kid. Because I can't read your mind? But you seem nice, so whatever."
"…I'm not nice at all."
It was fortunate the elf couldn't read my mind.
Otherwise, they wouldn't stick around me like this.
I stared at the Elf Child, still splashing water with their feet, and asked,
"So, what's the real way to come of age?"
"…I."
At my words, the Elf Child froze mid-play.
Unlike their beaming smiles until now, they hesitated long before speaking with difficulty.
"I'm a bit different from other elves… Actually, I'm kinda special. So for me to come of age, I need recognition from the sacred Elf God. But that god bastard's been dragging it out for 200 years, saying I'm not ready yet. Probably because I'm a half-elf or something…."
The once confident child now drooped their head sadly, splashing water listlessly.
Hmm. Super fantasy setting. Heteroraces and now a god.
Who knew there'd be such detailed lore.
And from the child's story, the god seemed utterly merciless.
Refusing even this beautiful Elf Child for 200 years despite their sadness.
So this Elf Child wasn't an ordinary elf?
In the novel, elves besides the Elf Queen had no special roles…
As I recalled the story, a low voice came from behind.
"I see. So if you get the god's recognition, the issue resolves without marrying Serabi to you."
"Raven."
Crown Prince Raven approached.
Meeting the Elf Child's eyes, he smirked twistedly and said,
"Just beat that bastard up or kill him to get recognition? Fine, I'll make it happen."
With that, the Crown Prince cracked his knuckles menacingly.
Cold sweat trickled down my back at his vicious words.
He must not have heard that the proposal was the Elf Child's lie to tease him.
His speech and actions differed completely from his usual refined tone, but he seemed serious.
Did he miss 'god'? Or did he hear and still say kill? Not sure, but…
With the Crown Prince's current resolve, he might actually do it. Kill a god.
Hmm. The original Crown Prince wasn't the type to solve things violently.
He was a pacifist in the novel, so how did he become like this?
Well, his position must have its own stresses.
Better not pry.
It had nothing to do with me anyway.
* * *
The Elf Child led the way to their village, while the Crown Prince and I followed three steps behind.
Looking at the Elf Child's face could mesmerize me, so their back was easier on the eyes—but even that drew the gaze inescapably.
Glowing translucent skin, sacred golden hair—nothing wasn't beautiful.
Gender determined on coming-of-age day.
Hmm. Androgynous, but looks lean more female… As I thought that, the Crown Prince suddenly said from behind,
"Totally entranced."
"Pardon?"
"…."
Another dissatisfied mutter. Even when I asked back, he just glared with a grumpy expression.
I was getting used to the Crown Prince's odd way of speaking.
He'd toss out weird remarks then pretend otherwise.
Or maybe talking to himself, mistaking it for addressing me.
Might be soliloquy, so next time, pretend not to hear.
I reaffirmed my resolve to recommend therapy seriously.
Not sure if this world had mental illness concepts, but constant muttering seemed pathological.
How to suggest it gently without offending…
As I pondered phrasing, the Elf Child suddenly shouted, spotting something.
"Oh, it's the Village Chief."
Where the child pointed, an elderly elf leaned on a staff.
