Francis Harcourt is a central character from the early 20th-century European setting, introduced as the son of a wealthy English nobleman. Following the death of his mother, he was raised by his kind aunt, Emma Queensbury. He is first encountered by the protagonist at a charity ball, where their connection is forged through shared memories and a mutual sense of compassion.

Personality-wise, Francis is depicted as a genuinely bright and kind-hearted young man, known for his long, thin fingers and blonde hair. He carries the nickname "White Rose" or "Scion of the White Rose," a title that reflects his aristocratic charm and popularity, especially among young women. His actions are guided by the principle of noblesse oblige, leading him to become an active advocate for charity. He acts as a sort of guardian angel for the poor, not believing in the rigid social classes that separate him from those in need. However, this focus on charitable work can become all-consuming, making him somewhat of a workaholic and causing him to be oblivious to the romantic affections of girls close to him, such as his friend Marianne Hamilton.

Despite his outwardly perfect and altruistic demeanor, Francis struggles with serious internal conflicts. He suffers from low self-worth and experiences heavy guilt, particularly when he realizes that his good intentions are not enough to truly alleviate the suffering of the poor. He also tends to hide his loneliness and low self-esteem behind a mask of happiness. For instance, while he claims to have stopped being sad about his mother's death because of the memories she left him, he is shown on multiple occasions recalling her with a very sad and lonely expression, revealing his suppressed grief.

In the story, his path crosses frequently with the protagonist as she travels across Europe with a traveling troupe. He is initially seen by the heroine as a "knight with shining eyes" after he defends her. However, a significant revelation complicates his role: the person who originally defended her was not Francis, but his twin brother, Keith Harcourt. Keith is a cynical figure who operates as a mysterious thief known as the "Black Rose," sharing Francis's desire to help the poor but believing that noblesse oblige is insufficient. This dynamic creates a romantic triangle, as both brothers fall in love with the protagonist. Francis is aware of the heroine's affections for his brother and at one point accepts this, though the narrative concludes with the twins declaring they will compete fairly for her love, leaving the romantic resolution open-ended.

Regarding his development, Francis is shaped heavily by the differing perspectives he and his brother took from their mother's death. While the more innocent Francis saw only his mother's kinder side, Keith perceived her secret unhappiness as a woman trapped in a gilded cage. This backstory informs Francis's relentless, if sometimes flawed, pursuit of charity as a solution to social ills. As the series progresses, he is forced to confront the limitations of his worldview, moving beyond simply being a "perfect" nobleman to a more self-aware individual who acknowledges his own vulnerabilities. In terms of abilities, Francis is notably capable of physical defense, having been shown using karate chops to fell assailants.