I Became the Replacement Fiancée for My Childhood Friend Who Went Missing, but Apparently He Has Been Found - Chapter 5

The tea parties I attended always had the highest-ranking seat prepared for me.

But that was only because I was playing the role of Ellis not because my own status was high.

“Lady Ellis, you look absolutely beautiful today. Lord Schnaud, who is away on business, must surely be suffering in his heart. How he must wish to return quickly to see the lovely Lady Ellis.”

“Oh, Marquis, you always know just what to say. But it makes me happy. Thank you.”

Seven people, including myself, were gathered around the table for this tea party.

Since Lord Schnaud was absent due to work, I was effectively in charge of this gathering.

That was why everyone was desperately trying to win my favor with their behavior.

“Lady Ellis, how did you capture Lord Schnaud’s heart? I’m rather inexperienced in matters of love, so I’d very much like to hear your story.”

“Hey now, isn’t it rude to ask such a thing so suddenly? Do you realize Lady Ellis is to become the Crown Princess?”

One man reprimanded the other who had directed the question at me.

Both were undoubtedly acting this way because they wanted to be seen favorably by me as Ellis.

…Though I hadn’t been in the royal palace for very long, I’d become quite adept at sensing these ulterior motives.

“It’s quite alright, both of you. However, I cannot speak freely without Lord Schnaud’s permission, so please understand.”

“I-I see… Yes, of course. My apologies for asking something so improper.”

“See? Lady Ellis always puts Lord Schnaud first. You shouldn’t say such tactless things.”

As I mentioned earlier, Lord Schnaud wasn’t present.

But that didn’t mean my mind was at ease.

Because later, Lord Schnaud would thoroughly check every action I took and every word I spoke in his absence.

Regarding this tea party, he would likely question the other participants afterward to gather impressions of me.

If I gave anyone even the slightest impression that differed from his image of Ellis, I would immediately be summoned to Lord Schnaud and forced to correct that aspect.

“Then, may I ask the opposite? What do you particularly love about Lord Schnaud, Lady Ellis?”

“……”

These kinds of questions were the most dangerous.

Because Lord Schnaud, who shouldn’t have been here, was perfectly monitoring how I would answer.

I desperately suppressed my true self as Selena and imagined in my mind what Ellis would say.

When something appropriate surfaced in my thoughts, I slowly voiced the words.

“Lord Schnaud and I were childhood friends from the beginning. So, I believe we understood each other’s feelings quite well. In that sense, perhaps there was never much of a barrier between us. That’s why we naturally grew closer. Before I knew it, I had fallen in love with him.”

“I see, a deep relationship since childhood. As expected, the two of you are quite passionate.”

The nobleman responded with exaggerated words.

He probably thought this would please me.

There was no way they could genuinely be happy about me, a substitute fiancée who had entered the royal palace.

Because my presence here meant that all the relationships they had built with the real Ellis until now had been completely reset.

“To be so united with Lord Schnaud. He must be truly delighted by your presence, Lady Ellis. As someone whose relationship with his wife isn’t going well, I must say I’m quite envious.”

“Hey now, that’s probably your own fault.”

“Hahaha, that’s harsh. Surely there’d be no harm in sharing a little happiness from Lady Ellis?”

“You’re all exaggerating. I’m not such an important presence.”

While their intentions to close the distance with me were transparent, I simultaneously had to perfectly maintain my behavior as Ellis.

…Though I had long since given up on living such days, I now had the courage to endure this daily life.

“(Oct, I believe in you…)”