ECNV Chapter 11

 “Even Villains Have Ranks”

All four of them—Carmen, Aria, Melody, and Lilith—gaped in shock.
“What… he means he’ll live here?” The three women stared at Francis, frozen.
Francis remained composed, even smiling faintly:

“It just occurred to me, but this seems the best solution: Countess stays close to Lilith, I stay close, and we all end up happy.”

But would anyone except Francis be happy?

Lilith, regaining composure, grasped his hand:
“Mother, you’ve seen how much we love each other, right? Now, let me show Francis around our home.” She rushed from the drawing room with him, leaving the three behind in stunned silence.

Carmen flopped onto the fainting couch, overwhelmed.
“Is this even possible?” Aria asked, disbelieving.
“I don’t know…” Carmen groaned.
“How can he say he’ll live here?! That violates etiquette!” Melody even blurted out.

Carmen looked to Aria:
“Melody’s right—this isn’t proper, is it?”

Aria hesitated. Staying over while courting could happen—sometimes. But truly moving in? That was unheard of unless it was part of a formal, arranged political alliance.

Though rare, if Francis truly wanted to propose marriage, he’d at least have a dinner or two, or a few nights stay. But demanding to live there before anything official? Impossible.

Aria spoke gently:
“It’s unusual, but not completely unheard of… in arranged matches, the groom can stay over.”

Carmen shook her head:
“Usually the bride goes to the groom’s home!”

“Yes, but there’s no rule stopping the groom if he insists—especially if he wishes to propose soon.”

“Propose soon?” Carmen paled again.
Aria tried to reassure her:
“He hasn’t officially proposed yet—he just asked permission to court her.”

Carmen felt relief—for a heartbeat—then panic the moment Lilith whisked Francis away.
Lilith had taken Francis’s ring on her pinkie.
“How could I even refuse? She just vanished!” Carmen moaned.

Aria calmed them:
“The only way to stop it now is to prevent an official proposal.”

“Do I have to continue cleaning? Just like today?” Carmen asked dismally.

Melody, exasperated:
“I just wish I could punch her once!”
A spoon smacked Melody’s head from Aria:
“Silence, idiot. You’re worthless right now!”

Aria took point:
“Beating Lilith is useless. If Francis finds out, he’ll hate us.”

Carmen nodded miserably.
They needed a plan beyond violence.

Aria emphasized the ring:
“The fact he has Lilith’s ring… we can’t grab it unless he removes it. He’s skilled with a sword and top of his class—nabbing it quietly would require hired muscle. Impossible.”

Carmen sighed:
“Then our only option is to make Francis give her up.”

Aria nodded:
“We need to discover his weakness. Why Jill? On what point was he captivated?”

“But Lilith—”
Aria interrupted:
“Yes, she’s beautiful. But how can we scratch her face to ruin her image?”

Carmen snapped, newly remembering Baron Schultz—Lilith’s other fiancé.
“That Baron! We have to act before he finds out. He’s offered an entire townhouse in the Undine district!”

Aria’s jaw dropped—this was monumental wealth.
“That’s a dowry worth a baronet’s title!”
“This money can help secure a better match for Aria or even Melody.”

But the Baron might back out if he hears Francis is in the picture. Disastrous.

They’d need a plan before Francis told him. Carmen suggested spreading a false rumor—that Francis stayed over because of Aria, not Lilith, to mislead the Baron.

“Aria’s more believable,” Carmen reasoned. “At least that shifts focus.”

Aria thought it over, her resolve hardening:
“We have fifteen days before the Baron returns. That’s our window.”

Carmen perked up at the mention of money.
“If we secure this dowry, our daughters will have better prospects—Aria, Melody, even Lilith can find noble matches.”

Now motivated, Aria leaned forward with a sly smile:
“I have an idea about Francis. Would you like to hear it?”