Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent

Seeing that he had Louri's interest, Kyle decided it was time to pull back.

'I already dangled the carrot in front of him. Now, it is up for the kid to decide whether he wants to take this route or not. But looking at him, I am already certain I have my answer.'

Kyle had pushed enough—it was now up to the boy to take the next steps. Folding his arms, he gave Louri a measured look.

"If you ever decide to seek me out once you're strong enough to make a real change, I'll welcome you. Until then, just survive. Do what you must to stay alive."

Kyle said.

Louri stared at him, his small fists clenched as if he were still debating whether to fight or flee. But Kyle could see something change in his expression.

A flicker of understanding. Perhaps even respect.

Kyle could tell that Louri realized he wasn't going to be coddled.

There was no empty sympathy here, no hollow words of comfort. Just straightforward advice from someone who had already accepted how the world worked.

For the first time, Louri considered that Kyle might be different from the nobles he despised.

He wasn't patronizing, nor did he look down on him just because he was a child. Kyle had treated him as an equal, and that alone made Louri pause.

'This man is dangerous. But my instincts also tell me that I can trust him. I don't know what to believe in for now…but perhaps, his advice is not bad. I think I can follow it for now.'

Finally, Louri exhaled and met Kyle's gaze.

"I'll think about your advice."

He said, his voice quiet but steady. Louri was trying his best not to appear as a kid.

Kyle simply shrugged, as if it didn't matter to him either way.

"Suit yourself."

He said before turning to leave.

But even as he walked away, Kyle knew the boy would come to him eventually.

He had planted the seed, and in time, Louri Shade would grow into someone truly useful. Another asset secured for the future.

______

After lunch, the Grand Duchess held a farewell banquet in Kyle's honor.

It was a grand affair, held in the duchy's lavish ballroom, with nobles and high-ranking officials gathered in their finest attire.

Kyle had expected something extravagant, but he hadn't anticipated the sheer amount of attention focused on him.

Everywhere he turned, eyes followed. Conversations halted as people subtly observed him, whispering behind their wine glasses.

He knew the reason.

He was no longer just a third son of a duke. He was now the fiancé of the powerful Grand Duchess Amanda, and with that title came a level of influence he had never sought.

Amanda, standing beside him, leaned in slightly.

"Try not to draw too much attention. You may not care for politics, but you're in the center of it now."

She murmured, her voice calm but firm.

Kyle smirked, his tone casual.

"I'm not looking for a fight, Amanda. You don't need to hover."

The Grand Duchess arched a brow at his use of her name but didn't comment on it.

Instead, she took his words at face value and decided to leave him alone for the time being.

As she walked away to greet more guests, Kyle immediately felt the change in the atmosphere.

With the Grand Duchess no longer at his side, nobles saw it as their chance.

It was almost amusing how quickly they moved.

Families that had once ignored him now pushed their daughters toward him, each one vying for his attention.

Elegant young women surrounded him, all smiles and soft laughter, each subtly trying to make an impression.

Kyle sighed internally but kept his expression neutral.

He wasn't particularly annoyed, nor was he interested. It was just another predictable part of noble society.

The young ladies fluttered around him, some making bold compliments, others attempting to engage him in conversation about art, music, or literature.

He answered politely but kept his responses short, knowing that any real interest from him would only encourage them further.

One particularly daring girl, a blonde with bright green eyes, stepped a little too close, her fingers brushing his sleeve.

"Lord Kyle, I hear you are quite the swordsman. Perhaps you could offer me a lesson someday?"

She said sweetly.

Kyle chuckled lightly but stepped back just enough to reestablish distance.

"I don't think a noble lady should be swinging swords."

He replied smoothly.

The girl pouted, but before she could push further, another young lady cut in, eager to take her place.

Kyle sighed inwardly. He wasn't irritated—this was simply how the game was played.

Right now, he was a desirable connection, and every family with an unmarried daughter would want a piece of him.

Still, he wasn't in the mood to play along too much.

His eyes casually scanned the room, searching for an excuse to extract himself from the gathering.

He briefly considered summoning Bruce or Melissa, but he knew that would only make them uncomfortable.

Instead, he caught sight of Amanda across the room, engaged in conversation with a group of high-ranking officials.

Kyle smirked to himself. It was ironic.

A few months ago, no one would have cared about him. Now, everyone wanted a piece of him.

But he wasn't here to make allies among these people. He had his own path to carve.

For now, he decided he would tolerate their attempts—at least until he found a convenient way to slip away.

Finally, Kyle met Bruce's eyes across the hall and gave him a subtle signal—a slight tilt of his head, a glance toward the suffocating crowd of noblewomen, and a barely perceptible sigh.

Bruce, ever the loyal attendant, immediately understood.

He gave a small nod, acknowledging Kyle's silent plea for help.

Without wasting a moment, Bruce turned toward Melissa, who was nursing a glass of wine and deliberately avoiding looking in Kyle's direction.

"Melissa."

He said, his tone firm but quiet enough to keep others from overhearing.

Melissa barely spared him a glance.

"What?"

She muttered, swirling the wine in her glass.

"Stop drinking. You need to do something for our young lord."

Bruce ordered.

That caught her attention. She lowered her glass and turned fully toward him, eyes sharp with alertness.

"What does he need?"

Bruce gestured slightly toward Kyle, who was now trapped in the middle of an eager crowd of noble ladies.

Each one was vying for his attention, their laughter unnaturally sweet, their touches far too frequent.

Melissa stiffened.

Her grip on the glass tightened as she finally allowed herself to really look at her young master.

She saw the way they all leaned in too closely, how their gazes were filled with admiration and intentions she didn't like one bit.

Jealousy flared in her chest, hot and irrational.

She hadn't wanted to look at him tonight.

Not when he was standing beside the Grand Duchess. Not when he was surrounded by people who were now seeing him as someone valuable, someone desirable.

But now that she had, she couldn't just stand back.

Without another word, Melissa set her glass down, straightened her dress, and marched toward Kyle.

She was going to save him.