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

Kyle gave Lady Rose a slow, almost lazy smile, the kind that said he had already seen through whatever she was trying to hide. His gaze flicked to the side, catching the faint stiffness in her posture.

She was very deliberately avoiding looking at the people gathered just a few steps behind him. Her eyes never wandered past his shoulders, as if the rest of his party didn't exist.

Amana's presence was easy for Kyle to sense.

Even in disguise, the Grand Duchess carried herself like a blade wrapped in silk—her mana restrained, her expression calm, but her aura too refined to mistake for anyone else.

He felt her move, just a fraction closer, as though she intended to stride right past him and confront Rose directly.

His hand twitched at his side, a subtle signal. A silent warning.

Not now.

Amana's steps paused. She knew he was right.

She was not the Grand Duchess at this moment—she was playing another role entirely, and blowing her cover here would be foolish.

Still, Kyle could feel her irritation humming in the air, a tightly coiled thread of possessiveness. Her voice remained silent, but her thoughts might as well have been written across her face.

Lady Rose, oblivious to the sharp undercurrents between the two, straightened her back and addressed her guards with a perfectly measured tone.

"Show the… guests… to their rooms."

Her emphasis on the word was just noticeable enough to hint that she didn't quite consider everyone behind Kyle as worthy of such treatment.

Then she turned to him, her smile softening in a way that was clearly reserved only for him.

"As for Lord Kyle, I will personally attend to his accommodations."

Kyle's eyebrow lifted a fraction.

"That won't be necessary. I'll be traveling and staying with my party. A shared space will be fine."

He said mildly, though his tone left no room for argument.

Rose blinked at him, her composure flickering for half a heartbeat before returning.

"That would be… against my honor. Surely you deserve proper—"

She countered, her voice carefully tinged with concern.

"Then prepare a good space for all of us. I wouldn't want my companions treated any differently than me."

Kyle interrupted, not unkindly, but with the ease of someone who had no intention of letting the conversation turn into a debate.

Her lips parted, perhaps to object, but she caught herself. The tiniest crease formed between her brows.

She was caught between wanting to indulge Kyle and needing to keep her pride intact. At length, she inclined her head, her tone light though her shoulders had stiffened ever so slightly.

"Very well. I'll have the special guest lodges prepared for you and your… companions."

From behind Kyle, Melissa leaned closer to Bruce, her voice pitched just loud enough to carry across the quiet courtyard.

"She's different from when I last saw her. Her whole temperament feels… gentler. Almost like she's found some kind of inner peace."

Bruce snorted softly.

"Don't be too sure. Nobility hardly ever changes. And when they do, most of the time it's just a mask—something pretty to hide the same ugly self underneath."

The remark was deliberate. Kyle could tell from the corner of his vision that Rose had heard every word.

Her hands, clasped neatly in front of her, tightened until the knuckles turned pale. She drew a slow breath through her nose, fighting to keep her composure.

If she snapped now, it would prove Bruce right.

"Your lodges will be ready shortly."

She said, her tone steady but a little sharper around the edges.

"If there is anything else you require, do not hesitate to send word."

Her gaze darted once toward Kyle—only him—and then she turned on her heel, leading them through the stone archways toward the guest area.

The estate was quiet, save for the faint echo of boots on polished stone and the rustle of wind through the courtyard's tall trees.

Servants passed them occasionally, bowing with practiced precision, but their eyes were quick to dart toward Kyle, their curiosity thinly veiled.

Rose kept her chin high, every step perfectly measured, as though the very ground beneath her feet belonged to her alone.

When they finally reached the guest lodges, she gestured with an elegant sweep of her hand.

"These will be yours during your stay. The finest the estate has to offer."

Melissa glanced around the wide, lantern-lit courtyard, the buildings arranged in a neat crescent.

The air smelled faintly of fresh herbs and wood polish.

"Not bad."

She murmured, though she was still watching Rose with the kind of assessing look that made people uncomfortable.

Rose's fingers twitched again, but she forced them still.

"I trust everything will be to your liking," she said, managing a final, polite smile.

Kyle simply nodded.

"It will do."

She inclined her head once more before retreating, her steps just a little too quick for the calm image she tried to project. Only once she was out of sight did Melissa let out a quiet whistle.

"She's definitely changed."

Melissa said again.

Bruce crossed his arms.

"Or she's just gotten better at pretending."

Neither noticed the faint smile tugging at the corner of Kyle's lips.

Kyle's gaze swept over his companions, catching the lingering stares in Lady Rose's direction.

Some looked curious, others almost hostile, and a few wore faint smirks as if already plotting something.

He let out a small sigh, shifting his sword hilt at his hip before speaking in a firm, even tone.

"Stop paying attention to our hostess. If you want to speak to her, do it on your own time—later. Not now, and not here."

He said, voice calm but carrying enough authority to silence the quiet murmurs.

His eyes swept over each of them, making sure the point landed.

"And whatever you do, don't cause an accident."

Melissa was the first to nod, her expression neutral.

"Understood, young master."

Bruce gave a grunt of agreement, though Kyle didn't miss the faint spark of amusement in his eyes.

"We'll behave."

Silvy tilted her head innocently, her lips curling into the faintest smile.

"Of course. I'd never cause trouble… unless someone else started it first."

Kyle's brows drew together. He knew that tone. He had heard it enough times to recognize trouble wearing a sweet smile.

"Silvy."

He said, the warning clear in his voice.

She held up both hands in mock surrender, though the glint in her eyes remained.

"I said unless, didn't I?"

Even the usually quiet mage in the back gave a small chuckle. Kyle's suspicion deepened.

"This is exactly what I mean. You've all agreed far too quickly. That never happens unless you're already thinking of doing the opposite."

He said, scanning their faces again.

Melissa tried to look offended.

"We are perfectly capable of showing restraint."

"That's what you said last time. And it ended with half of you causing me endless trouble."

Kyle reminded her dryly.

"That was an accident."

Bruce muttered under his breath.

Kyle resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"I'm serious. Lady Rose is… complicated. This is her territory, and whatever our history is, I don't need you making it worse."

They all nodded in unison, their faces a picture of obedience. But Kyle knew them too well. That synchrony was never a good sign—it meant they'd silently agreed to something among themselves.

He didn't call them out on it. Instead, he turned and started walking, his tone light but his words edged with certainty.

"Mark my words… something is going to happen sooner or later."