Bourbon Island, 1841. Mr. Bellier-Beaumont, the owner of a small sugar cane plantation, has taken a liking to Edmond, a young slave of twelve. He shares with him his knowledge of botany and his research. The owner hopes to discover the secret of Vanilla fertilization. For the moment, as elsewhere on the island, the plant does not produce any pods. When one of the property’s runaway slaves is caught, Edmond finally opens his eyes to his condition as a slave. He now has only one desire: to discover the secret of vanilla himself in order to change his own destiny.