I Became the Replacement Fiancée for My Childhood Friend Who Went Missing, but Apparently He Has Been Found - Chapter 1

“I missed you, Ellis.”

“Welcome home, Prince Schnaud, the First Prince.”

“……”

Upon hearing my words, Prince Schnaud’s previously gentle expression instantly shifted to one of clear displeasure.

“…That’s wrong. The real Ellis would leave just a tiny pause between ‘Schnaud’ and ‘First Prince.’ That’s precisely what makes our words stand out and pleasantly stir my heart, don’t you think? …Do you still not understand even that?”

“Y-yes, I’m sorry…”

Prince Schnaud is trying to make me play the role of a woman named Ellis who lives within him.

Ellis is someone who grew up with Prince Schnaud, and it seems he was quite fond of her.

So much so that she was celebrated as a potential candidate to be his next consort, given his status as the First Prince.

“Now then, say it again with genuine feeling for me. Don’t make a mistake this time, alright?”

“Yes! Welcome home, Prince Schnaud, the First Prince.”

“…Well, I suppose that’s somewhat better than before. Ellis, don’t make the same mistake again next time.”

“U-understood…”

It was about six months ago now that this Ellis vanished without a trace from Prince Schnaud’s life.

At first, people said it was just a quarrel or some romantic entanglement, and everyone assumed her whereabouts would be found soon.

But no matter how much time passed, Ellis never returned to Prince Schnaud’s side.

“Well then, Ellis, shall we move on to dinner? I’ve been working hard all day, looking forward to this time spent with you. Sharing the meal with you will surely make it taste even more delicious. It’s bound to be a wonderful time.”

“Oh, Prince Schnaud, you… Saying things like that won’t put me in a better mood, you know?”

“I’m not saying it to win your favor. I mean it from the bottom of my heart. Ellis, I truly love you.”

“I feel the same, Prince Schnaud. But, if we carry on like this, we’ll never get to our meal, will we?”

“Ah, I got carried away. My apologies, my apologies.”

After losing Ellis, Prince Schnaud suffered an incredibly deep wound in his heart.

The people around him tried every possible method to heal that wound.

But none of their efforts succeeded in helping Prince Schnaud recover.

And it was right around that time that Prince Schnaud became aware of me.

“Ellis, do you remember? You were so terribly hungry that you stuffed your mouth full of this bread and ended up collapsing, didn’t you?”

“Y-yes, that’s right. As expected of Prince Schnaud, you remember everything about me.”

“Of course. Ellis, I think of you far more than you realize. Ah, here, have some soup before it gets cold.”

At the time she disappeared, I was merely the daughter of a noble serving in the First Royal Palace.

Naturally, the difference in status between Prince Schnaud and me was as vast as heaven and earth; I had never even spoken to him, let alone met him directly.

It was during that time, by pure chance, that Prince Schnaud apparently caught sight of me walking through a corridor in the First Royal Palace.

“The palace folks seem utterly envious of us. Well, I can’t blame them. To be connected with such a cute and wonderful partner—it’s a happiness too great to boast about to anyone.”

“I feel the same, Prince Schnaud. But, please keep your boasting in moderation? I feel rather apologetic if we flaunt our happiness too much.”

“That humble side of you hasn’t changed a bit. You’re right, I’ll do as you say. …Well, that is, if I can manage to hold back…♪”

The moment Prince Schnaud saw me, his previously gloomy expression brightened all at once.

It was, how should I put it, really like a child reuniting with a long-lost parent, a pure yet aura-filled atmosphere he exuded.

As for me, I had absolutely no idea what was going on.

One moment I’d made eye contact with Prince Schnaud, whom I’d never even spoken to before, and the next he was wearing such an overjoyed expression. There was no way I could comprehend what was happening.

But when I heard the first words Prince Schnaud spoke at that moment, I understood everything.

“Hmm, hmm, today’s Ellis is quite satisfactory and entertaining. Your appearance and voice are a perfect match, so all that’s left is your personality and behavior. Ellis, you must inevitably overlap with the Ellis who continues to live within my heart. Understand that this is the very reason you were born.”

“Yes…”

My appearance was the spitting image of Ellis’s.

From that day on, I was forced to abandon my original name and was decided to be completely reborn as Ellis.

Ordered to part with all my memories and experiences up until then.