I Became the Replacement Fiancée for My Childhood Friend Who Went Missing, but Apparently He Has Been Found - Chapter 16

“Now, this should perfect the relationship between me and Alice!!”

Schnaud showed a buoyant demeanor after sending away Alice, whom he had judged to be an interference.

However, the palace life he had idealized was already beginning to crumble.

“…Alice? Where is Alice?”

The spot where Selena would normally be was still empty.

Since she had never once been late for their appointed time before, Schnaud felt a strange discomfort in his heart.

…But that discomfort soon turned into anxiety.

“…Alice is gone?”

It wasn’t just that particular spot.

Everything that proved her presence here had vanished completely.

Her shoes, her dresses, even her room—everything had disappeared in an instant.

“…Wh-what is going on?”

Schnaud appeared completely unable to comprehend the situation.

Then, a man appeared before him.

It was none other than Oct, the very person responsible for creating this situation.

“Lord Schnaud, it’s been a while.”

“You are… The one from the Count’s household, if I recall.

“Lord Schnaud, there is something I must inform you about.”

“Hmph. No matter how many times I’m told, I have no intention of changing my mind. I’ve already decided to sever my ties with Alice. No matter what anyone says to me from now on.”

“Ah, is that so? So you were already aware of it, Lord Schnaud.”

“…?”

“Alice is no longer here. She has come to live with me at my estate. And simultaneously, it seems all those who had sworn loyalty to you until now have decided to leave you as well. They say they cannot follow a prince who failed to recognize the true identity of the royal princess born in the neighboring kingdom and carelessly revealed information about himself and his surroundings.”

“……Wh-what?”

Schnaud seemed unable to comprehend what Oct was saying.

But Oct paid no mind to Schnaud’s confusion and continued speaking.

“Therefore, you are now all alone here. Well, it’s understandable—forcing another woman to impersonate the woman you loved who disappeared is not something anyone could comprehend. If it were my own family in the same situation, I would do everything in my power to bring them back to their senses.”

“……”

“The people here tried to do the same for you. But you rejected them and ultimately refused to accept their concerns. Such a man has no qualification to lead others.”

“You… If you continue with such excessive remarks, I could order your execution right here and…”

“That won’t be possible. All your authority has been frozen, you see.”

“Wh-what!?”

Oct continued speaking in a matter-of-fact tone, as if delivering a death sentence.

“It seems you haven’t realized. This incident has already reached the King’s ears. Because of your arbitrary actions, Lord Schnaud, it has developed into a situation that shakes the entire palace.”

“Th-that can’t be… Such a…”

Upon hearing about the involvement of someone he had never even imagined, Schnaud’s expression instantly froze solid.

Now that the situation had reached the King’s ears, there was no possible way for him to turn things around from here.

…Thus, the final words Alice had spoken to Schnaud became reality exactly as she had said.

However, on the other hand, Alice herself was also being driven into a situation that wouldn’t end simply—something she had yet to realize.