Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 158: Ch : The Arrival - Part 1

Chapter 158: Ch 158: The Arrival – Part 1

Only a day remained before the auction, and the town near Kyle’s developing village was already beginning to thrum with the weight of important guests.

Nobles, merchants, and adventurers filled the inns and markets, their whispers and expectations weaving through the air like smoke.

Kyle stood on the path just outside the village, his back straight and expression unreadable.

While the village was still under construction, the auction would be held within it—out of necessity more than pride.

Yet, Kyle had ensured the area chosen was presentable: a newly finished hall with reinforced walls, luxurious seating, and wards for security.

Among the crowd of arrivals, Kyle knew only two parties truly required his attention: those sent by his fiancée, the Grand Duchess Amanda, and those from his father’s side, led by none other than High Inquisitor Charles.

As fate—or perhaps cunning—would have it, both carriages arrived at the same time.

Kyle did not hesitate.

He stepped forward without glancing at the Inquisitor’s retinue, making his way directly to the heavy, velvet-draped carriage bearing the crest of the Grand Duchy.

Though the woman who stepped out wore a heavy gown and a sheer veil that masked her face, Kyle would recognize her anywhere.

Her aura was sharp yet elegant, poised yet powerful.

With grace, he extended his hand to her.

“Welcome, Duchess Amanda.”

He said, his voice low and smooth.

The veiled woman placed her gloved hand in his.

He guided her carefully from the carriage and, as formality dictated, brought the back of her hand to his lips for a light kiss.

The murmurs began immediately among the onlookers.

High Inquisitor Charles, still stepping down from his own transport, froze.

His lips curled slightly in displeasure.

Watching Kyle choose to greet his fiancée first—rather than a senior officer of the Armstrong Dukedom—was a grave insult in his eyes.

A thin cough escaped him, subtle yet pointed.

Kyle did not even glance his way.

However, Bruce, who had been watching the exchange with interest, caught the shift in atmosphere immediately.

The moment Charles coughed, Bruce approached with perfect timing, a concerned look on his face.

“Inquisitor Charles, are you well? That cough sounded harsh. Shall I fetch you some warm tea or medicine?”

He asked, feigning ignorance.

Charles went red instantly.

“I—! There’s no need! I was—merely clearing my throat. One should mind proper behavior and rank,” he added under his breath.”

He muttered, clearly flustered.

“Of cours. Let me know if you feel unwell again.”

Bruce said with a polite smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

With his pride pricked and no clear ground to stand on, the High Inquisitor quickly retreated with his men, muttering about protocol and respect.

Only when Charles had disappeared from view did Kyle turn back to Amanda.

“My apologies. Shall we? I have something prepared for you.”

He said with a slight smile.

Amanda inclined her veiled head, her voice amused.

“You’re already making enemies, Kyle. Is this how you always treat allies?”

“I choose my allies wisely. And I always repay loyalty in kind.”

He replied.

Together, they began walking toward the village hall, but Kyle’s senses prickled mid-step. He paused.

The mana signature sneaking up behind him was familiar—annoyingly familiar.

Without turning, Kyle whispered.

“Forgive me, Grand Duchess. I will make it up to you later.”

In one smooth motion, he reached down and unsheathed the sword at Amanda’s waist, drawing it with swift precision and pointing it behind him.

The edge of the blade hovered just beneath the chin of a wide-eyed girl.

Silvy froze, her breath catching in her throat as the cold edge of Amanda’s sword hovered just beneath her chin, wielded by none other than Kyle himself.

“What are you trying to do?”

Kyle asked, his voice calm but edged with authority. His eyes, sharp and unwavering, pinned her in place more firmly than any weapon ever could.

Silvy swallowed and tried to gather her composure.

“I-I was just going to surprise you. It’s been so long since I last saw you, and I… I missed you.”

She said quickly, her voice softening into something meant to be sweet.

Kyle raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by the explanation. He said nothing, but his grip on the sword remained firm.

Grand Duchess Amanda, who had been quietly observing the exchange, tilted her head slightly, intrigued.

There was something about the way the elf looked at Kyle—her tone, her eyes, her posture.

Amanda didn’t need to see Silvy’s heart to know it was already in someone else’s hands.

“I see. You missed him. That explains why you felt it appropriate to sneak up on my fiancé in a gathering full of nobles and guests.”

Amanda said, her voice cool and measured.

Silvy turned her head toward Amanda, her expression twisting into something between annoyance and defiance.

Amanda stepped forward slightly, not to threaten, but to speak clearly for all to hear.

“Miss Elf, I don’t know what you are to him or what you believe you are, but let me make one thing clear—Kyle Armstrong is my fiancé. If you value your reputation, and his, you should refrain from such thoughtless behavior. People are watching.”

Silvy’s eyes narrowed.

“And if I don’t feel like listening to you?”

A pause stretched between them.

Amanda’s expression didn’t change, but the air around her grew heavier, charged.

Her fingers twitched toward the sword Kyle still held.

For just a moment, the Grand Duchess nearly reached out to reclaim it—not to wound, but to remind everyone who she was.

The mana around her began to hum faintly.

The tension in the air was unmistakable.

Even the nearby nobles and guards, seasoned in court politics and battle, began to shift uncomfortably.

A sheen of sweat appeared on foreheads.

Some pretended not to notice the escalating confrontation, while others watched with barely disguised fascination.

Silvy straightened her back, unwilling to look away.

“I’ll do what I want. You can’t stop me.”

She snapped, glaring at Amanda.

That was almost the final spark.

Amanda’s fingers brushed the hilt.

But before the fire could catch, Kyle’s voice cut through the charged air like a blade.

“Enough.”

He stepped between them and handed the sword back to Amanda calmly, then turned to look at them both.

“This auction is important to me. More than either of you may realize. I will not let anything go wrong—especially not from within. If there is a problem, I will personally remove it.”

He said.

Silvy flinched, her lips parting as if to protest, but Amanda held up a hand before she could speak.

Amanda’s expression had cooled again, but a hint of pride glimmered in her eyes.

Kyle had taken command, not as her fiancé, but as someone truly worthy of his lineage.

Silvy looked down and muttered.

“Fine.”

Amanda gave a small nod, but her voice was still clipped.

“Very well.”

The two turned away from each other at the same time, each wearing an expression that made it clear nothing had been settled—only delayed.

Kyle took a moment to breathe, glancing upward toward the rooftops where Queen stood perched, feathers fluffed, watching everything with unblinking focus.

It shifted slightly, sensing the change in the atmosphere and settling back into stillness, though its claws twitched.

The crowd began to murmur once more, now that the tension had subsided.

Kyle gestured to Bruce, who had kept a wary eye on the confrontation, to begin guiding the arriving guests to their lodgings and into the preliminary halls.

As Amanda followed Kyle into the village proper, she leaned toward him and whispered just loud enough for him to hear.

“You’ll need to deal with her properly at some point. You cannot endanger our alliance over something like that.”

“I know. But Silvy is harmless.”

Kyle replied, tone even.

Behind them, Silvy stood still, her eyes focused on their backs.

She clenched her fists, biting the inside of her cheek. The sting of Amanda’s words lingered, but more than that was the bitter taste of helplessness.

She didn’t like being pushed aside.

Not by anyone. And especially not by a woman who had Kyle’s attention.

Tension might have been broken on the surface, but in truth, it was only buried—like embers smoldering beneath ash.

And Kyle knew they would flare again.

He just hoped it wouldn’t be during the auction.