Seeing Jeanne Alter's movements, Laurent immediately rushed forward, grabbed both her hands, and pinned her firmly to the ground to prevent any reckless action.
"Let go of me! Aren't you protecting her? Then go protect her! Don't mind me!"
She acted exactly like a petulant young woman throwing a tantrum, struggling wildly against Laurent, kicking her feet chaotically. Laurent naturally sensed all this. Rather than being genuinely angry, she seemed more embarrassed than furious. He firmly gripped her wrists and used his legs to lock down her flailing limbs.
"Could you calm down and listen to me properly!?"
"Listen properly? Then let me kill her! If she dies, I'll listen to everything you say! Do you think I don't know? In your eyes, I'm just her replacement! Do you think I'm really unaware of it all!? Those looks, that gaze! When you look at me compared to her, even the way you speak and act is completely different!"
Jeanne Alter, consumed by anger, vented all her bottled-up frustrations at once.
"Childhood memories? You think I don't want those? Give them to me, then! Can you? My mind is just blank—I can't recall anything! I'm clearly the one who truly treasures you, so why does she get everything!? Why are you siding against me!? Why am I the only one left with nothing!?"
"Not just now, but always! Do you think I don't desire those things? You think I don't want to have them? She understands nothing, treasures nothing, yet you still treat her like that! Why!? What qualifications does that woman even have!?"
Laurent could clearly feel the pain behind her angry shouting, even the tears mixing into her voice. Jeanne Alter was jealous, enraged, deeply envious of everything Jeanne possessed.
He felt it clearly through her weakly resisting body, sensing how fragile her heart really was at this moment.
Even Jeanne, hearing those words, started to feel somewhat guilty herself. Jeanne Alter wasn't wrong—Jeanne had indeed made many mistakes. But Jeanne would compensate for it, no matter what method it took; she would absolutely repay Laurent for everything she owed him.
"Shut up!" Laurent suddenly shouted, startling Jeanne Alter enough that she briefly paused her struggling. Her reddened eyes stared up at him defiantly, with an expression clearly saying, "You yelled at me…"
But before she could protest further, Laurent directly lowered himself, pinning her hands to the ground, legs tightly locking hers—
And then kissed her forcefully!
At this moment, explanations were worthless—only actions mattered.
Immediately, everyone watching was stunned by the sudden development. Jeanne especially was frozen, her gaze almost melting into tangible tears.
She murmured Laurent's name softly. Even knowing he was only dealing with the situation, she couldn't stop the discomfort flooding her heart.
Meanwhile, Jeanne Alter—being kissed like this—obviously wasn't just going to accept it quietly.
She hadn't expected him to act so directly at all.
Her eyes widened as she struggled furiously, limbs flailing desperately, making muffled protests:
"Mmm—mmph—mmphh!"
Laurent strengthened his grip, refusing to let her break free. He'd expected her to bite his tongue or lips—but he'd guessed wrong.
After about four or five seconds, Jeanne Alter's resistance gradually weakened. Her body still seemed reluctant, but her mouth had already started awkwardly responding to his kiss, cheeks visibly flushing red.
Even Laurent was slightly startled. Wow… Even though her words aren't honest, her body is surprisingly cooperative…
Still, despite her cooperation, Laurent only continued for a short moment longer before pulling back, their lips briefly connected by a thin strand of saliva.
Jeanne Alter's lips were incredibly soft, and the sensation of kissing her… felt slightly different from Jeanne.
Although their bodies were identical, their actions were naturally not the same. Even their scents differed. To describe simply—Jeanne was like creamy white, while Jeanne Alter… was somehow even whiter than creamy white.
Though Jeanne Alter appeared domineering, Laurent had clearly felt her hesitant but eager reaction during their kiss— Wait, stop, don't think about it anymore.
Jeanne Alter's watery eyes finally overflowed, tears trailing down her cheeks.
Laurent sighed softly. "Have you calmed down?"
She stubbornly turned her head away, refusing to answer.
Seeing this reaction, Laurent's voice finally softened considerably.
"Don't overthink it. You're you, Jeanne is Jeanne. Different names exist precisely to distinguish you both. From the very beginning, I've always considered you two as separate individuals."
Jeanne Alter remained silent, waiting for his words.
"My childhood memories with Jeanne are indeed precious, but that's just for the two of us. You didn't experience that personally with me, and you don't need to. Memories like those—people create them."
He slowly exhaled, his tone becoming almost pleading.
"Please, give me a break. I'm honestly exhausted. I tried so hard, for so many years, to be with you both, but ultimately Jeanne died, leaving me alone."
As he spoke, Laurent got up from Jeanne Alter.
"Eternity? From the moment I gained this power, I understood eternal life was nothing but endless torment. I exhausted every method I could think of to find a solution. So, seeing you both again—I'm truly happy. I don't want to lose any of this again. And this time, I absolutely won't lose it. No matter what, I simply can't endure losing you again."
Laurent stood and reorganized his thoughts clearly.
"No, rather—it's not that I 'don't want' to lose you again, it's that I simply 'can't' afford to lose you again."
This time, he turned his gaze toward Fujimaru and the others.
Laurent reached down, gently helping Jeanne Alter to her feet.
"I'm sorry—I knew if I tried explaining this normally, you definitely wouldn't listen."
He extended his hand, carefully wiping away tears from Jeanne Alter's face.
"So, I figured this method was the best explanation. I've never treated you as Jeanne's replacement. If I had, I'd have killed you the moment we first met."
Jeanne Alter still sulked like a child, letting out a dissatisfied snort as if trying to sound tough. Laurent felt it was closer to playful pouting.
"Between me and her, who's more important to you?"
"Laurent!"
Jeanne's voice suddenly interrupted at that precise moment.
Laurent's heart, which had just begun to relax, instantly tightened again.
Jeanne's eyes also brimmed with tears, voice quivering as she accused him.
"You said I was your wife!"
She looked overwhelmingly wronged and hurt. "Why did you kiss her—right in front of me?"
As she spoke, Jeanne's emotions overwhelmed her completely, her voice on the verge of breaking into a sob.
Conversely, Jeanne Alter, seeing Jeanne's misery, immediately brightened up from her previously depressed state. A satisfied smile appeared on her lips, and she took a few deliberate steps closer to Laurent.
"Laurent, let's continue—there's no need to listen to this silly village girl."
Laurent broke into a cold sweat.
Fuck. I just managed to handle this one, and completely forgot my real wife was standing right there.
---
T/N: LMAOOOO DESERVED