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

The tension between Melissa and the Grand Duchess was palpable, and it didn't go unnoticed.

Nobles and knights alike whispered among themselves, speculating whether a fight would break out between the two women.

Some even placed quiet bets, amused by the unspoken war of dominance playing out before them.

However, no such fight occurred.

After exchanging a few more pointed looks, Melissa and Amanda went their separate ways, though the atmosphere remained thick with unresolved animosity.

Melissa returned to Bruce's side, her emotions churning.

She didn't even hesitate before reaching for another glass of wine, downing it in one go.

Bruce raised an eyebrow, watching her pour herself another.

"Are you sure you should keep drinking?"

He asked.

Melissa didn't bother looking at him as she responded.

"You're the one who told me to do something for our young master. I did it. Now I drink."

Bruce considered stopping her but then sighed and leaned back in his chair.

Perhaps it was better to let her drown her frustration in alcohol for now.

______

Meanwhile, in a quieter corridor away from the main hall, Kyle had been about to leave when he heard the approaching footsteps of Grand Duchess Amanda.

He paused, waiting as she closed the distance between them.

The Grand Duchess wasted no time.

"Kyle, what exactly is your relationship with your female knight?"

She said, her voice even.

Kyle arched an eyebrow at her directness.

"Melissa? She's my knight. My subordinate and someone I'm responsible for."

He clarified.

Amanda's lips pressed into a thin line.

"And you're aware that she likes you?"

Kyle let out a short chuckle.

"Of course. She's not exactly subtle about it."

Amanda didn't look pleased by his response.

"Then what do you plan to do about it?"

She asked, her tone sharper now.

Kyle shrugged.

"Nothing."

Amanda narrowed her eyes.

"Nothing?"

"That's right. She's young. Most likely, she'll grow out of it if nothing happens. Besides, my relationships have nothing to do with you, right? Didn't you tell me to act how I wanted since it's better for you?"

Kyle leaned against the nearby wall, crossing his arms.

Amanda studied him for a long moment, searching for any signs of hesitation or insincerity. Finding none, she let out a quiet breath before saying.

"I know I said that, but this is not what I meant. Why don't you leave her with me for now?"

Kyle's expression turned unreadable.

"What?"

"I'll take responsibility for her. She won't have to serve you anymore. That way, she won't be tormented by one-sided feelings."

Amanda explained.

Kyle's eyes darkened slightly.

"No."

Amanda was taken aback by how firm his response was.

Kyle continued, his voice calm but absolute.

"I didn't pick Melissa up on a whim. I chose her because I see talent in her, and I intend to nurture it. She's one of my people, and I have no intention of handing her over to anyone else."

Amanda clenched her jaw.

She had expected Kyle to dismiss Melissa easily, to push her away for the sake of practicality.

But now, seeing how possessively he spoke about his people, Amanda understood—Kyle was someone who valued his subordinates deeply.

And that meant Melissa wasn't out of the game yet.

'Will he show the same feelings for me? I want to know…and yet I don't. This is so frustrating.'

Amanda crossed her arms.

"You may not see her romantically now, but feelings change, Kyle."

Kyle smirked.

"And what if they do?"

"Then I'll make sure you fall for me before that. I'll do my best to make you fall for me. That way, you won't have room to think about anyone else."

Amanda stated confidently.

Kyle chuckled at her declaration.

"You're welcome to try."

He said.

Amanda held his gaze, her confidence unwavering.

"I will. I always make sure to get what is mine at all costs."

The grand Duchess felt a sudden pressure on her shoulders and she looked at Kyle's face, only to see his blank expression.

"Do what you want to. However, if you touch one of 'my people' to harm them, then I will not forgive you. Ah, that does include yourself as well."

It was a clear cut warning and the Grand Duchess quickly backed off.

"Of course not! Our relationship is based on mutual interest and outcome. I won't jeopardize it because of something as messy as feelings. I am a noble as well. I know how these things are in this world."

Considering that even married nobles could have different partners outside their marriage as long as they could support it, Kyle was not out of his right to get romantically involved with others.

Just because he was engaged to the Grand Duchess did not mean he was bound to her forever.

'As much as I want to tie Kyle to me, I know that I need to act within boundaries. And who knows! Maybe one day I will fall out of love with Kyle and look for another partner. I need to keep my options flexible.'

That seemed highly unlikely, knowing the Grand Duchess's personality, but she was always willing to keep a way out.

Kyle nodded, pushing off the wall.

"Then I'll look forward to seeing what you come up with."

Amanda smirked slightly before turning back toward the banquet hall.

Kyle watched her go, a flicker of interest in his usually unreadable eyes. This engagement was turning out to be more interesting than he had expected.

As Amanda disappeared down the corridor, Kyle exhaled and straightened his coat.

"Well then, I suppose it's time to head back to the feast."

He murmured to himself before making his way back.

______

Kyle and his party rode in silence as they made their way back to the Armstrong territory. They had left the castle as soon as the feast was over.

The air was crisp, and the faint scent of burning still lingered as they approached the village they had passed on their way to the Grand Duchess's castle.

However, what they saw this time was drastically different from before.

The village was in ruins.

Burned homes stood as hollowed-out skeletons of what once was, the blackened remains of wooden beams still smoldering in some areas.

The land itself bore the scars of destruction, with deep gouges in the dirt as if something powerful had torn through it.

Bruce scanned the area, his senses sharpening.

Last time they were here, he had sensed a strange mana signature in the village, but now, it was completely gone.

It was as if whatever presence had been there before had vanished without a trace.

Just as he was about to give up on investigating, a sharp tug on his shoulder made him turn.

Queen, Kyle's hawk, had landed gracefully, it's talons gripping his coat as it chirped insistently and pulled at him and trying to direct his attention.

Kyle narrowed his eyes, understanding immediately.

"Looks like Queen found something,"

He said, already steering his horse toward the direction Queen was pointing out.

The others followed him as he moved through the ruins, the quiet crunch of charred debris beneath their boots filling the silence.

Queen flapped it's wings and took off, circling over a particular area. It cried out, it's voice echoing through the empty village, drawing their focus to a small structure nestled behind what was once the village square.

It was an old shrine.

The shrine was barely standing, its wooden pillars cracked and blackened from fire, the roof half-collapsed. It looked ancient, as if it had been here long before the village itself.

Kyle dismounted and approached cautiously, placing a hand on the fragile wood.

"What do you think?"

Bruce asked, standing beside him.

Kyle ran his fingers across the carvings on the shrine, recognizing symbols he had only seen in ancient texts. His gaze sharpened.

"This shrine… it might be the key to this village's curse."