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the Villainess they took for granted

Chapter 289: v3 - 50: His first appearance II · Oct 27, 2026

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Chapter List (304)

Page number / 7

251 Chapter 251: v3 - 12: training grounds I 2026-10-27
252 Chapter 252: v3 - 13: training grounds II 2026-10-27
253 Chapter 253: v3 - 14: training grounds III 2026-10-27
254 Chapter 254: v4 - 15: Training grounds IV 2026-10-27
255 Chapter 255: v3 - 16: the first duel I 2026-10-27
256 Chapter 256: v3- - 17: the first duel II 2026-10-27
257 Chapter 257: v3 - 18: the first duel III 2026-10-27
258 Chapter 258: v3 - 19: the first duel IV 2026-10-27
259 Chapter 259: v3 - 20: the first duel V 2026-10-27
260 Chapter 260: v3 - 21: the first duel VI 2026-10-27
261 Chapter 261: v3 - 22:First duel’s aftermath 2026-10-27
262 Chapter 262: v3 - 23: changing seasons 2026-10-27
263 Chapter 263: v3 - 24: unexpected guests I 2026-10-27
264 Chapter 264: v3 - 25: unexpected guests II 2026-10-27
265 Chapter 265: v3 - 26: challenged 2026-10-27
266 Chapter 266: v3 - 27: the challengers I 2026-10-27
267 Chapter 267: v3 - 28: the challengers II 2026-10-27
268 Chapter 268: v3 - 29: the challengers III 2026-10-27
269 Chapter 269: v3 - 30: the challengers IV 2026-10-27
270 Chapter 270: v3 - 31: the challengers V 2026-10-27
271 Chapter 271: v3 - 32: the challengers VI 2026-10-27
272 Chapter 272: v3 - 33: the challengers VII 2026-10-27
273 Chapter 273: v3 - 34: a gamble I 2026-10-27
274 Chapter 274: v3 - 35: a gamble II 2026-10-27
275 Chapter 275: v3 - 36: the first recruit 2026-10-27
276 Chapter 276: v3 - 37: a way forward I 2026-10-27
277 Chapter 277: v3 - 38: a way forward II 2026-10-27
278 Chapter 278: v3 - 39: a way forward III 2026-10-27
279 Chapter 279: v3 - 40: a new beginning I 2026-10-27
280 Chapter 280: v3 - 41: a new beginning II 2026-10-27
281 Chapter 281: v3 - 42: a new beginning III 2026-10-27
282 Chapter 282: v3 - 43: a new beginning IV 2026-10-27
283 Chapter 283: v3 - 44: a new beginning V 2026-10-27
284 Chapter 284: v3 - 45: a new beginning VI 2026-10-27
285 Chapter 285: v3 - 46: Count Carlo of Almery I 2026-10-27
286 Chapter 286: v3 - 47: count carlo of almery II 2026-10-27
287 Chapter 287: v3 - 48: count carlo of almery III 2026-10-27
288 Chapter 288: v3 - 49: His first appearance I 2026-10-27
289 Chapter 289: v3 - 50: His first appearance II 2026-10-27
290 Chapter 290: v3 - 51: years in passing 2026-10-27
291 Chapter 291: v3 - 52: the final six months 2026-10-27
292 Chapter 292: v3 - 53: securing the crown 2026-10-27
293 Chapter 293: v3 - 54: the rewards of victory I 2026-10-27
294 Chapter 294: v3 - 55: the rewards of victory II 2026-10-27
295 Chapter 295: v3 - 56: the truth I 2026-10-27
296 Chapter 296: v3 - 57: the truth II 2026-10-27
297 Chapter 297: v3 - 58: the truth III 2026-10-27
298 Chapter 298: v3 - 59: the road home I 2026-10-27
299 Chapter 299: v3 - 60: the road home II 2026-10-27
300 Chapter 300: v4- - 1: the life she had chosen I 2026-10-27

Chapter 289: v3 Chapter 50: His first appearance II

As the evening progressed, the attention widened.

The young ladies had begun noticing him.

At first, it was only occasional glances.

Then whispered questions.

”Who is that?”

”Count Carlo.”

”From where?”

”Almery.”

”Is he really related to the Kensingtons?”

”I believe so.”

”He certainly looks like one.”

Another young lady glanced toward him.

”He looks even more like Marquess Kensington when they stand together.”

That earned a quiet laugh.

”Perhaps the Kensington family has been keeping their handsome relatives hidden.”

Cassian noticed the attention without looking directly toward them.

He did not allow it to distract him from the men around him.

They were the ones who would sit beside fathers and inherit estates.

They were the ones who would eventually hold seats, commands, influence, and family authority.

They were the people he had come here to reach.

But that did not mean the women were irrelevant.

He had grown up in noble society.

He knew perfectly well that influence did not belong exclusively to the men.

A daughter could carry her father’s confidence.

A wife could know her husband’s private thoughts.

A sister could influence a brother.

A mother could determine which young lord her family welcomed into its circle.

And sometimes, a woman knew more about a household than the man who officially ruled it.

So when a young lady approached him, Cassian did not dismiss her.

He smiled.

He gave her his attention.

And, when the conversation offered an opening, he made her laugh.

It came surprisingly naturally.

A young woman approached while Cassian was speaking with another gentleman.

”Count Carlo.”

Cassian turned.

”Lady.”

She introduced herself.

”Lady Evelyn White.”

Cassian inclined his head.

”Lady Evelyn.”

”I hope I am not interrupting.”

”Not at all.”

The gentleman beside Cassian gave them a knowing smile before excusing himself.

Cassian turned his attention back to her.

”You seem to be settling into the capital quickly,” she said.

”I have been fortunate.”

”Fortunate?”

”To have met interesting people.”

She smiled.

”That sounds suspiciously like a compliment.”

”If you choose to take it as one.”

She laughed again.

Cassian smiled.

He had already learned that the simplest charm was often the most effective.

He did not need to overwhelm her with attention.

He only needed to make the conversation pleasant.

She asked about Almery.

He answered just enough.

She asked whether he intended to remain in the capital.

He told her he expected to.

She asked whether he had attended many gatherings such as this.

”Not in Milicia.”

”Then you must find the capital overwhelming.”

”Not overwhelming.”

Cassian’s mouth curved.

”Merely unfamiliar.”

She laughed.

”You make it sound very simple.”

”I have found that unfamiliar things become easier once one stops treating them as frightening.”

”That sounds like something a much older man would say.”

”Then perhaps I have been given an older man’s wisdom without the benefit of his age.”

She laughed again.

Cassian allowed himself a faint smile.

The conversation continued.

And before long, Lady Evelyn was telling him about the families she had seen that evening.

Which houses she visited most often.

Which gatherings she preferred.

Which people she found amusing.

Which ones she avoided.

Cassian listened.

He did not need to ask directly for anything useful.

People volunteered information when they were comfortable.

And he was beginning to understand how easily comfort could be created.

When Lady Evelyn finally excused herself, she left smiling.

Cassian watched her go for only a moment before returning his attention to the men nearby.

He had no intention of encouraging anything beyond what was useful.

A few minutes later, another young lady approached.

Then another.

Cassian treated each with the same easy courtesy.

He smiled when they spoke.

He listened.

He answered with enough warmth to keep them interested.

When one teased him about being new to the capital, he responded with humor.

When another asked whether he found Milician society difficult to understand, he admitted that he was still learning.

He never appeared overly eager.

He never gave the impression that he was courting any of them.

But neither did he make them feel ignored.

It was a careful balance.

And Cassian was learning to manage it.

He could recognize the subtle changes in someone’s expression when they felt noticed.

He knew when to ask another question.

When to offer a compliment.

When to laugh.

And when to let a conversation end before it became too much.

Across the room, Mary had been watching.

She finally made her way toward him.

”Carlo.”

Cassian turned.

Mary smiled brightly.

”There you are.”

He inclined his head.

”Lady Mary.”

”You’ve been introduced to nearly everyone.”

”Marcus has been thorough.”

Mary laughed.

”He certainly has.”

Her gaze drifted toward the young ladies who had been speaking with him.

”You seem to be making an impression.”

Cassian’s expression remained neutral.

”I am trying to.”

Mary blinked.

That answer clearly surprised her.

Cassian added smoothly,

”It would be impolite not to make an effort when your family has gone to the trouble of introducing me.”

Mary smiled.

”You really are different from what I expected.”

Cassian raised an eyebrow.

”What did you expect?”

”A quiet country cousin.”

Cassian almost laughed.

”I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

Mary laughed.

”You aren’t disappointing anyone.”

She glanced around the room.

”If anything, everyone is becoming rather interested in you.”

Cassian followed her gaze.

He could already see it.

People were looking.

Some were curious.

Some were impressed.

Some were assessing him.

And some were simply enjoying his company.

That was precisely what he wanted.

Mary smiled proudly.

”You know what they are saying?”

”I can imagine.”

”They think the Kensington blood must run particularly strong in your branch.”

Cassian glanced briefly toward Marcus.

The resemblance was not exact.

Marcus had black hair and hazel eyes.

Cassian had the same dark hair but striking blue eyes.

Yet there was enough similarity in their features and bearing to make the connection believable.

Mary looked pleased.

”I told you.”

Cassian returned his attention to the room.

”Let them think so.”

Mary laughed softly.

”You really don’t care what people think?”

Cassian considered the question.

”I care what they believe.”

She stared at him for a moment.

Then laughed again.

”You’re impossible.”

Cassian gave her a faint smile.

Before the conversation could continue, another gentleman approached.

”Count Carlo.”

Cassian turned toward him.

The man offered his hand.

”I believe we have not been properly introduced.”

Cassian accepted it.

”No, we have not.”

And just like that, the conversation began again.

Mary remained for another moment, watching him.

Then she shook her head with an amused smile and moved away.

Cassian barely noticed.

His attention had already returned to the gentleman before him.

The evening continued.

And the attention continued with it.

A few ladies watched him from across the room.

Some whispered.

Some smiled when he happened to look their way.

One or two were already asking their companions whether he was expected at any other gatherings.

Cassian noticed.

Of course he noticed.

But he did not pursue them.

There was no need.

Attention was useful precisely because he did not have to chase it.

He could accept it.

Encourage it when necessary.

And let it create the impression he wanted.

A young, handsome count.

New to the capital.

Well connected enough to be interesting.

Pleasant enough to be invited again.

And unattached enough that people could wonder.

Cassian knew better than to correct their assumptions too quickly.

Whatever smiles he gave tonight, whatever charm he used, whatever attention he accepted, none of it altered the simple truth.

Everything he did was strategy.

And if a little charm could make people more willing to speak to him, invite him into their homes, or introduce him to their families, then he would use it.

There was no shame in that.

He had come here with a purpose.

Tonight was only the beginning.

By the time the reception began to wind down, Count Carlo of Almery was no longer simply a name attached to the Kensington family.

He had become a person people were already curious about.

A man they wanted to see again.

And perhaps, more importantly, a man they wanted to know.

Cassian had made his first impression.

Now he only needed to make it last.

Tbc

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