The incident with Jack's wife, Ines, occurred before Elodie was adopted.
In the original story, she is mentioned through Ethan's memories.
The serial killer targeted young women with brown hair.
After Ennis goes missing, Jack quits his job and desperately searches for the killer.
Fearing capture, the killer stopped killing after Ennis' death. For half a year, Jack wandered the streets like a ghost until Ethan personally searched for him.
Jack listened blankly as Ethan urged him to return to the duchy.
Finally, Ethan grabbed Jack by the collar and said, “The killer will start over again someday. People like him never change. I promise you, when he returns, I will find him and submit him before you. Then you can do whatever you want with him – boil him alive or tear him to pieces.”
The killer resumed his activities about six years after Elodie was adopted, when she was sixteen years old.
Once the news spread, Ethan and Jack immediately realized that the killer was the same as Ennis's, so they began hunting him.
Realizing the situation, Elodie offers to disguise herself as bait.
Jack strongly disagreed, knowing that Ethan would be angry, but Elodie insisted, saying that Jack could protect her. After several nights of temptation, Elodie finally succeeds in catching the killer.
Jack was ready to kill the killer, but Elodie got in his way.
“We can't kill him. He must be tried. Ines doesn't want to get your hands dirty with it.”
“What do you know about Ennis?” Jack asked sharply, raising his voice in a rare display of emotion before gritting his teeth to regain control.
“Step aside. The Duke promised me this man's life. He said I could do whatever I wanted to him.”
«Of course, my father could easily cover up this man's death. But if we do that, all the other crimes he committed will be buried. Think of others who have lost their wives, daughters, and mothers. “They deserve to know the truth and achieve justice.”
“……”
“Please, Jack. Do what I say. He will be sentenced to death anyway. Let the world see his crimes and hold him accountable.”
Moved by Elodie's pleas, Jack gives in and follows her advice.
In the original story, the exact date of Aeneas's death is not given.
As a reader, I only saw it as part of Jack's background, and it never occurred to me that it might be in the future. While I was focused on surviving this new reality, I did not consider that these events had not yet unfolded.
To think this would happen after Camille and Ethan's divorce...
Ethan adopted Elodie about a year after his divorce from Camille, and by then Jacques had already returned to the Duchy.
It's been two months since I moved into this world, and Jack has been lost for almost half a year. So, this incident is likely to happen in the next three or four months.
Of course, that was the limit.
It could have happened today if we weren't so lucky.
"Duchess? Is something wrong?" Jack asked, noticing my long silence.
"Nothing at all. But tell me, is your wife at home now?"
"Sorry? Well, it's supposed to be dinner time soon, so it probably is," Jack replied, a little puzzled.
“Okay. Then let’s go to your house so I can say hello.”
I wanted to make sure for myself that Ennis was safe.
“To greet her? Do you mean you want to meet my wife?” Jack looked at me as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
“Yes. You are an important servant of the Dumont family. I have the right to know your wife’s face.”
“Our house is too modest to host someone like you, Duchess. Besides, we have nothing prepared for such a distinguished guest. If you make an appointment, I can invite you to come and do the homework,” Jack suggested.
“There's no need for all this trouble. I don't want to bother her with unnecessary preparations. I'll stop by and say hello. Don't worry,” I insisted.
“……”
Jack looked at me with a worried look, clearly wary unlike usual. I ignored his annoyance and opened the window to talk to the driver.
“Daniel, do you know where Jack lives?”
“Yes, ma'am,” he replied.
“Take us there, please.”
“Understood,” Daniel said, and the carriage started moving toward Jack's house.
***
Jacques's house was located about a twenty-minute drive from the Duke of Dumont's house, in a lively area.
Although Jacques was a commoner, he received a salary from the Dumont family, which allowed him to live comfortably. His house was spacious, comparable to that of many merchants, and he employed several servants.
“Wait a minute. I will get everything ready for your visit as soon as possible,” Jack said.
“No need. I just want to see her for a little while,” I replied.
“But… Duchess?” Jack protested, but I ignored him and opened the carriage door. The driver, Daniel, rushed to help me get off.
As we approached the front door, a dog started barking and ran towards us.
It was a Border Collie, about as tall as my knee.
Despite his barking, I felt more happy than afraid, as it was the first dog I had seen since I came to this world.
A young woman, who looked to be in her early twenties, followed the dog outside.
“What's wrong, Titi? Oh my God...” she shouted, her eyes widening to see me. Her hair was dark brown, and her face was delicate and gentle.
“Titi, no!” She scolded the dog severely, but the dog retreated and circled around her protectively.
“I'm sorry. He's so careful,” she apologized to me.
“Don't worry about it. He's just afraid of strangers,” I said, smiling.
Judging by her hair color and demeanor, I was sure it was Ines.
Seeing her safe reassured me.
Although I doubted that today would be the “day,” it was better to be cautious than sorry.
"You must be Jack's wife. Nice to meet you. I—"
“Duchess!” Jack interrupted, rushing inside and positioning himself protectively in front of her.
“It is not appropriate for you to enter like this. We were not prepared for your visit, and we were not informed of it,” he said with obvious annoyance.
“Come on, do you think I'll hurt your beloved wife?” I joked with Jack and he remained silent.
From behind Jacques's huge body, Ines whispered softly: "Duchess? Duchess Dumont?"
“Yes, I am Camille Dumont,” I confirmed.
"Oh, my God!" Ines gasped, and took a step forward, placing her hand over her mouth.
"I was surprised that such a beautiful person showed up at our door. I'm Ines. I've heard a lot about you from my husband," she said excitedly, then bowed her head in respect.
It is striking that her enthusiasm was not rude or childish, but rather seemed intelligent and sincere.
"You have a beautiful wife. I understand why you value her so much," I commented.
“……”
Jack looked around, seemingly at a loss for words.
“So, Jack talked a lot about me? I'm sure it wasn't all praise,” I said sarcastically.
“Yes? Oh, no, that's not what I meant...” Ines stammered, looking confused. I could easily imagine what Jack would say about me.
“Okay, I've satisfied my curiosity, so I'll leave now. Why don't you take the rest of the day off and spend some time with your wife?” I suggested.
“Excuse me? No, Duchess. I must accompany you to the palace as I was initially ordered.”
“Why? Are you worried that I will abandon you and do something shady?” You said jokingly.
“……”
Jack fell silent again, and I laughed at his inability to speak.
“I'm just kidding. The palace is very close. I'll go straight there, don't worry.”
“But I-”
I approached Jack and whispered softly, "Someone is already tracking us, right? If you're worried about me wandering around, you can always check on me later."
“……”
Jack's expression furrowed subtly.
I patted his shoulder gently, then turned to Ennis.
“I'm leaving now. Bye.”
"Oh, yes. Good-bye, Duchess. Good-bye," said Ines, as she hurried to accompany me on my way out.
***
"It blew my mind. I didn't know there was anyone so beautiful. Do you see that face every day? I'm so envious," Ines said, still looking excited after Camille's departure.
"She was nothing like what I described. Her appearance, the way she spoke — she was so elegant and sophisticated," she continued.
“……”
Jack frowned, lost in thought.
What is this girl doing?