I Became the Replacement Fiancée for My Childhood Friend Who Went Missing, but Apparently He Has Been Found - Chapter 6

“What’s this, Oct? Skipping out on the family duties again today?”

“Please understand, Father. If I don’t act now, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”

Oct was engaged in a heated argument with his father, Count Galar, within their mansion.

The central topic of their dispute was, of course, Selena—the girl burdened with the mission of becoming Ellis’s fiancée.

“I understand what you’re trying to say. However, this matter has already been decided by Lord Schnaud. No matter how much we noble families scramble about, it’s unlikely we can overturn it now. Oct, with your sharp eyes, you must have already realized this, haven’t you?”

“Even so, Father. If I give up on Selena here, she’ll never be able to live as herself again. To spend her whole life pretending to be someone else—there’s nothing more= cruel than that, is there?”

For Oct, this was an utterly straightforward sentiment.

He wasn’t exaggerating in the slightest; he genuinely believed it from the bottom of his heart.

“But Oct, you must face reality. The Crown Prince is the most powerful figure in this kingdom. If you defy him, especially by raising your voice about his fiancée, even a child could guess what the outcome would be.”

“…Father, why don’t you be honest with me?”

“…What?”

Oct spoke in a very low tone, fixing Galar with a sharp gaze.

“Aren’t you only thinking about your own position, Father? Saying it’s pointless to try is just an excuse—what you’re really worried about is the Earl family earning the disfavor of Lord Schnaud and the royal family, isn’t it?”

“……”

“…Selena and I have been together since we were children. You remember that, don’t you, Father? She was truly honest and adorable, with an innocence unbecoming of a noble lady. …But if things continue like this, all of that will be lost.”

“……”

Oct’s tone was remarkably calm, yet it carried a firm passion for Selena.

It was precisely because of this that Galar found himself unable to strongly refute Oct’s feelings.

“Of course, I remember. You two have always been close. I still vividly recall the days she looked up to me as if I were her own father.”

“Then, what needs to be done is clear, isn’t it!”

“…But the opponent is who he is. Even if you confront him head-on, you stand no chance of winning. Do you have a plan?”

Whether it was meant as a probe or a warning, Galar posed this question to Oct.

In response, Oct wore a slightly smug expression as he replied.

“Don’t you find it strange in the first place? Why did Ellis vanish so suddenly? They weren’t in a romantic relationship, but everyone knew how close they were. Under normal circumstances, she was undoubtedly destined to stand beside Lord Schnaud as the Crown Princess. Yet, she rejected that and disappeared on her own.”

“We don’t know if it was on her own, do we? The possibility that she was taken by someone hasn’t been ruled out, has it?”

“No, I don’t think that’s the case. Lord Schnaud adored Ellis excessively and had her under heavy guard. It’s hard to imagine anyone managing to abduct her from within that protection without anyone noticing. In fact, I’m more inclined to believe that, since she couldn’t disappear on her own, she sought someone’s help to vanish from the palace in the way she desired.”

“Hmm… So, what do you plan to do?”

“Lord Schnaud searched frantically for Ellis but ultimately failed to find her. So, I want to investigate the reason behind her disappearance.”

Oct’s expression as he spoke to Galar was filled with strong determination.

Even after witnessing this resolve firsthand, Galar couldn’t bring himself to deny Oct’s words and feelings.

“…Good grief. Well, fine.”

“…?”

“Oct, I’ll handle things on this end for now. Lord Schnaud might send some probes our way, but I’ll deflect them skillfully. Do as you please.”

“F-Father… Th-Thank you!!!”

With those words, Oct quickly disappeared from Galar’s presence.

Watching his retreating back, Galar’s expression seemed, in some small way, rather pleased.