The Spy Heiress

The Substitute Heiress Pt. 1

Restia is a young woman burdened with a birthmark—a cruel mark that marred the understated beauty of her face. From the moment she came into the world, fate had etched a twisted design on her skin—a birthmark that spans half of her right side, running from her forehead to her upper cheekbones. It often draws unwanted attention, an incessant reminder of her perceived imperfection. To conceal this blemish, she puts on makeup and hides behind a curtain of long locks using it as a shield against the world's judgmental gaze. She shrouds herself in darkness, hoping to diminish the glaring spotlight cast upon her flaw.

But despite her efforts to hide, it remains a constant source of shame and embarrassment. From childhood, she endured cruel taunts and jeers from others, who saw her mark as an easy target for their ridicule.

"That cursed child."

"She has the demon's mark."

"How ugly."

And even as she matured into adulthood, the whispers of disdain persisted, haunting her every step like an unshakable shadow. In Eldoria, where perfection is revered above all else, her mark is a stain on her noble lineage. But she knows she does not belong to the pristine echelons of pure nobility. Duke Rugard Jarvinen, her adoptive father, took her in after tragedy struck his family. And so, she harbors a secret—a truth that gnaws at her soul. She is not the original Restia Jarvinen. No, the true heiress to the Jarvinen name, the firstborn daughter, suffered from the relentless grip of an uncured disease that has been plaguing the lands for decades. Eventually, she put a sorrowful end to her life and committed suicide, leaving behind a legacy of pain and unanswered questions. And in her place stands the substitute Restia, burdened by her birthmark and the weight of her predecessor's memory.

She had been thrust into the role of substitute heiress, a pawn in a game of familial intrigue orchestrated by the Jarvinen family. The Jarvinens, driven by fear and desperation, had needed a substitute to preserve their reputation and avoid scandal. They instructed her to conceal the scar that marked her face and to spin a tale of a tragic fire accident to veil the truth that lay beneath. Born as a love child of Duke's late half-brother Ruark, she bore some resemblance to the true heiress since they were relatives. With her darkish hair and brown complexion, she has replaced the dead Restia.

"If you convincingly portray my deceased daughter, I will fulfill your wish." Those were the Duke's words a very long time ago.

Restia has become the perfect substitute—a living embodiment of the daughter they had lost, a vessel for their desperate hopes and dreams. And in her innocence, she has played her part without question, eager for the warmth of their embrace and the promise of a place to call home. Despite being ridiculed by the Duchess, she persevered diligently to nurture hope. However, her optimism changed completely when the Duchess gave birth to a stunning, healthy baby girl named Raisa. With her mother's golden curls, captivating ocean-blue eyes, and pale ivory skin, Raisa seemed like a perfect reflection of the Duchess. As Raisa blossomed through her childhood, she effortlessly embodied the epitome of perfection, earning admiration from all who crossed her path. The spotlight perpetually illuminated her, casting a shadow upon her elder sibling, Restia. The Duke and Duchess, consumed by their fascination with their youngest daughter, inadvertently abandoned Restia to solitude. She was often left out and felt like she didn't belong. With each passing day, Restia's presence became an unwelcome reminder to the Duchess, her existence met with annoyance rather than affection.

The seeds of resentment took root in Raisa's heart as well, fostering a disdain toward her neglected sister, mirroring the sentiments echoed by her mother. "You do not belong to our family. You are not my sister. You are fake and hideous."