@alhatch@amwriting Thank you! It sounds much nicer the way you put it, vs me being like "oh, I'm not safe alone with my own thoughts."
Even my "villains" are good people dealt a bad hand. Camille is a prolific poisoner-assassin. But... he's also a jubilant, exuberant fun-loving guy! He has a job, that's all. It's an avenue to restore his family's good name and he tries not to think about it.
His cousin Merveille really DOES love Phon, who constantly trashes her to all who will listen.