IYO how "nefarious" is Armand?

I love Armand as a character especially after reading his book, but I have a question for people who have known this franchise longer than me

In your opinion, how "aware" do we think Armand is about his lies? Like obviously we know he lies and loves to play innocent to keep his hands clean but personally, I've always gotten the impression that a lot of Armands thought processes mirror that of a child, even tho he technically hasn't been a kid for a very long time. I always thought that Armand sort of lies in the same way children lie about knocking over a vase. He just doesn't want to get in trouble with people because he craves that validation and love he thinks he can earn by being obedient

Like because of his trauma with Marius, in brothels and with the coven, he kind of has a very twisted idea of innocence. He wants to be kept so he plays up his own meekness and weakness. I never really got the vibe that he lies or twirls his mustache just for funzies 🤔🤔