Chapter 2.3

Marceau’s heavy breathing gradually calmed. He took one last puff from his nearly burnt-out cigar before extinguishing it on the table and spoke again.  

“Earlier, you said you’d do anything, didn’t you?”  

“…Yes.”  

Yvonne hesitated but eventually nodded. She felt uneasy, sensing something ominous, but there was no other way.  

“Does ‘anything’ include throwing away your own life and becoming someone else?”  

“Becoming someone else…?”  

“I’m asking if you’re willing to become Jeanne de Debroge.”  

“…!”  

“Not forever. Just until we find Jeanne, you’ll pretend to be her.”  

The moment her fears became reality, Yvonne tried to remain composed as she replied.  

“But, Monsieur… I don’t have blue eyes.”  

“That’s nothing to worry about. Changing eye color is easy.”  

“How…?”  

“When I was looking for medicine for Clemen, I bought an item from Eris Witch’s shop. It’s said to change eye color. At the time, I thought it was useless junk, but now it’s proving useful.”  

An item from Eris Witch…  

Having already seen the effectiveness of the ring Philip had given her, Yvonne didn’t doubt Marceau’s claim.  

“So, Monsieur, you want me to replace Miss Jeanne and somehow marry Earl Marlon to secure canal access?”  

“It’s a relief you’re not completely dense.”  

“I need some time to think…”  

“You call her family and claim you’d do anything, yet this is the extent of your resolve?”  

“…”  

“Leave. If you can’t decide immediately, you’re of no use to me. Since you’re Clemen’s niece and I’ve made my point, I’ll give you a month. Use that time to figure things out.”  

It was a cold dismissal. Yvonne remained frozen in place.  

If Emma were to see this situation, she would surely tell her there was no need to go through with it—just as she had when the soldiers of Rivette Estate had made unreasonable demands of her.  

But this time, Yvonne couldn’t refuse. Marceau was right; hadn’t she said she’d do anything for Emma?  

If she truly considered Emma family… If she remembered the debt she owed her…  

“I’ll do it.”  

“I told you to leave.”  

“Monsieur, I know you’d be troubled if I actually left, wouldn’t you?”  

Yvonne clasped her hands together, steadying her trembling voice. If he truly didn’t need her, he wouldn’t have made such a proposal.  

The threat to send her away was merely a tactic to gain the upper hand—as a businessman and negotiator.  

He likely knew she would accept eventually and wanted to push her into agreeing under terms more favorable to him.  

“I’ll become your daughter. I’ll gladly marry Earl Marlon. But I have one more condition.”  

“You’re already asking for terms, even after receiving medicine worth 20 talents per root?”  

“That’s the price of selling my life. This is the price of selling my body and soul.”  

Marceau tilted his head slightly, signaling her to continue.  

“Send Emma… to a place with fresh air where she can recuperate. And ensure she doesn’t hear anything about me.”  

“Is that necessary? This place is perfectly suitable for recovery.”  

“Verno is undoubtedly beautiful. I’ve come to know that during my stay here. But Emma will suffer if she learns what I’ve done—especially if it’s for her medicine.”  

“…”  

“So please send her far away under the pretense of needing rest for her health. If you do that, I’ll do everything you ask.”  

Marceau was silent for a while. Then, as if one cigar wasn’t enough, he began trimming another. He was clearly a heavy smoker.  

After taking a puff and exhaling smoke, he finally spoke.  

“Fine. I’ll do that.”  

“…”  

“We’ll draft the contract tomorrow. My lawyer will act as the notary. You can start using the medicine the day after tomorrow.”  

“…Thank you.”  

Yvonne bowed deeply before leaving Marceau’s private study.  

As she stepped outside, the smell of cigars clung to her. It was as suffocating as the mire she had just stepped into.  

Yvonne tried to ignore the stench as she returned to her room.  

***

Marceau de Debroge was a businessman who honored his commitments. He drafted a contract based on the conversation they had the previous day and found a residence for Emma to recuperate.  

It was located about five villages away from Verno, within the Viscount Pontoise Estate. Marceau mentioned it was a summer villa near the sea, where he often took his wife during the summer.  

Although building a villa on another noble’s estate was typically forbidden, Marceau had managed to secure this arrangement by promising the Viscount Pontoise various benefits, including a steady supply of spices.  

“That place should be suitable for living.”  

“Thank you, Monsieur.”  

Although Yvonne hadn’t seen the villa herself, she felt satisfied with Marceau’s description.  

A few days later, Yvonne carefully brought up the topic while she was alone with Emma.  

“Emma, Monsieur Marceau has found a residence that is said to be good for your health. It’s convenient for obtaining medicinal herbs, and the sea makes it ideal for relaxation. What do you think about going there?”  

“I wouldn’t mind, but… I’m worried that Monsieur Marceau might be overextending himself. I’m grateful for his consideration, of course.”  

“Don’t worry about that. Monsieur Marceau assured me it’s perfectly fine.”  

“Even so…”  

“Well, actually… there’s something else I need to tell you about this.”  

Emma seemed uneasy, so Yvonne tried to reassure her. Of course, she mixed in quite a bit of falsehood.  

“Monsieur Marceau didn’t offer his kindness entirely selflessly.”  

“Don’t tell me he said something strange…!”  

“It’s nothing like that, so don’t worry. It’s just… he made me a small proposal. A few days ago, Monsieur Marceau asked me to become his adopted daughter.”  

“What?”  

“You’ve seen it too, Emma. I resemble his daughter, Miss Jeanne, quite a bit. Monsieur Marceau misses her dearly, but since he doesn’t know her whereabouts, he asked me to take her place as his daughter.”  

“That’s… So he wants to use you as a substitute for Miss Jeanne?”  

“That’s true, but it’s also a good opportunity. With Monsieur Marceau’s support, I can receive an education similar to what Miss Jeanne had.”  

“…”  

“After all, my parents have passed away… It’s not unusual for a relative to adopt me as their daughter.”  

Emma’s expression showed she had much to say. She opened her mouth slightly, then sighed deeply.  

“You’re right. Being adopted by relatives isn’t unusual. I know Monsieur Marceau is a good man. But somehow, I still feel uneasy. Are you sure you truly want to become his daughter?”  

“Of course. Monsieur Marceau will arrange a good match for me. I can forget about Rivette and start anew.”  

“…”  

“I’ll write to you often, Emma. If I have the chance, I’ll visit you too. Monsieur Marceau is kind and understanding, so I’m sure he’ll allow it. Please focus on recovering at the villa—for my sake.”  

Yvonne deliberately smiled brightly, trying to convey genuine happiness about becoming Marceau’s adopted daughter, so Emma wouldn’t suspect her.  

“Can you promise me that?”  

“…Yes, I promise.”  

Emma reluctantly nodded.  

About a week later, Emma left Marceau’s mansion and moved to the villa, accompanied by Louise.  

Louise’s reassignment was decided by Marceau. While Emma needed someone to care for her, Louise was also the biggest obstacle to Yvonne pretending to be Jeanne.  

Having served Jeanne since childhood, Louise would certainly recognize that Yvonne wasn’t her, even if her eye color changed.  

Initially, Marceau intended to write Louise a recommendation letter and send her away, but Yvonne stopped him. She suggested it would be better to keep Louise nearby and monitor her, as one never knows when connections might be useful again.  

Finding this argument plausible, Marceau called Louise aside and persuaded her to accompany Emma. Coincidentally, the villa was near Louise’s hometown, making it easier to convince her.  

At the departing carriage, Emma gently touched Yvonne’s face.  

“…You must keep your promise to send me updates. Visit me occasionally too. Do you understand?”  

“Of course.”  

“I regret that I won’t be here tomorrow to celebrate your birthday. I made a cake for you in the kitchen. Eat it tomorrow.”  

“What? When did you make that?”  

“It wasn’t difficult. My legs may be weak, but my hands are perfectly fine.”  

“Emma…”  

Yvonne felt her throat tighten with emotion. She said, “Thank you,” and sniffled. Then, as if remembering something, she pulled a brown handkerchief from her pocket and handed it to Emma. It was a handkerchief she had obtained from a servant.  

“Here, take this.”  

The handkerchief seemed ordinary on the outside, but it was stitched with gold coins inside—a single mina of gold gifted by the third son of the Conrad Family.  

Emma’s expression stiffened as she realized, without even opening it, that gold coins were concealed within.  

“Why are you giving me this…?”  

“Keep it with you and use it when you need it.”  

“Yvonne. This isn’t for me—it’s for you…!”  

Emma tried to return the handkerchief, but Yvonne’s grip was stronger. She firmly pressed the handkerchief into Emma’s hand and whispered softly.  

“Don’t forget. I’m now Monsieur Marceau’s adopted daughter. And as you know, Monsieur Marceau is wealthy. This will soon be pocket change for me, Emma.”  

“…”  

“So keep it and use it whenever you want—for yourself.”  

“Yvonne…”  

“I’ll miss you.”  

Yvonne embraced Emma tightly. Emma hesitated, then returned the hug with equal strength.  

After the brief embrace, Yvonne called Louise to help Emma board the carriage.  

As the carriage door closed, Emma gazed at Yvonne through the small window. Yvonne waved and smiled until the carriage disappeared over the hill.  

***

After Emma left, Marceau summoned Yvonne in secret.  

“This is the potion of the Eris Witch that I mentioned earlier.”  

The object he placed on the table was a small bottle, no bigger than a pinky finger. The bottle, made of glass, appeared exceptionally luxurious.  

“If you drink this, your eye color will change in three days. From then on, you will be Jeanne de Debroge. I will be your father. Do you understand?”  

“Yes, Monsieur.”  

“Now, drink it.”  

Yvonne picked up the bottle that Marceau had pushed toward her. Without hesitation, she emptied its contents completely.