I am deadass obsessed w Palmier at this point and I'm just theorizing here, but suspect he chose to do that because:
- First, it would be easier to convince us to throw our life away if we were doing it to save the one we loved. Ivar was the one being held captive. Hhe probably thought it would be a greater emotional pull rather than us just being an accessory to help Palmier.
- Second, Palmier has abysmal self esteem. Like he talks a big game about being a charming harlot who has so much sex and flirts with literally everyone ooooh, but then you read his dialogue and it's like. Sweetie have you considered therapy? He probably believed we'd never fall for him as himself, better to pose as the hot witch DILF.