Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 34: Ch : The Grand Duchess- Part 2

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There were only a few things Grand Duchess Amanada was not allowed to enjoy. And the privilege to not marry was one of them.

As the only one who inherited the 'special elf blood' of the royal family, she was duty-bound to ensure it continued.

'I can either choose my own husband, or have that snake choose one for me. If so, then I will make my own choice.'

If she had to marry, then she would choose someone weak. Someone who wouldn't be able to threaten her authority.

"What do you think of them?"

The secretary asked hesitantly.

Amanda's lip curled in distaste.

"They're all pathetic. But that might be exactly what I need."

She muttered, flipping through the pages.

Her eyes hardened.

She had fought too hard to build her power. She would not let it slip away—not now.

If marriage was the only way to keep the vultures at bay, then so be it.

But whoever she chose...

Would be nothing more than a puppet in her game.

Amanda, the Grand Duchess, frowned as she scanned the list in front of her. The number of names was far lower than she had expected.

"Only four?"

She asked, displeasure evident in her voice.

The secretary stiffened but quickly adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat.

"Your Grace, I had to be thorough. Many nobles pretend to be weak to avoid being sent to war, but that kind of deception wouldn't suit your needs. Whoever becomes your husband must be able to survive—no matter what trials he faces."

Amanda's gaze sharpened.

That made sense. The man she chose needed to be easy to control, but not fragile. A weakling would simply invite more trouble.

Still, only four?

Her fingers tapped the edge of the parchment, irritation flickering in her ice-blue eyes.

Then, she noticed something.

A single extra sheet, slightly tucked away from the rest.

Amanda's eyebrow arched as she reached for it.

"And what is this?"

She asked, holding up the paper.

The secretary stiffened.

"Ah... that report belongs to Kyle Armstrong, the third and youngest son of Duke Armstrong."

Amanda's interest piqued. The Armstrongs were one of the most influential noble families in the kingdom.

"Then why is he not on the list?"

She asked, studying the parchment.

The secretary hesitated, shifting uncomfortably before replying.

"Kyle Armstrong's engagement is almost as good as over, but it's not officially broken yet. Since he still has an unresolved tie to another house, I excluded him."

Amanda's lip curled slightly.

"An engagement on the verge of collapse? That already makes him interesting."

But the secretary wasn't done.

"There are also rumors... that he's totally useless."

Amanda paused.

"Useless?"

She echoed, her voice soft but laced with intrigue.

The secretary nodded.

"Yes, Your Grace. It's said that he is sickly and weak. That he has no talent for the sword or politics, and that his own family has all but discarded him. He rarely makes public appearances, and when he does, he is either overlooked or outright dismissed."

Amanda tapped her chin, deep in thought.

A noble son with no real standing? Cast aside by his own house? And he somehow...survived until now?

How very convenient....and suspicious as well.

"I want to meet him."

She declared.

The secretary paled.

"Y-Your Grace, with all due respect, are you certain? A man like him—"

He stammered, clearly alarmed.

Amanda's eyes gleamed.

"He sounds like exactly the kind of person I need."

The secretary swallowed hard. He had seen that expression before.

It was the same look she had when she found an opponent worth breaking.

"Be careful, Your Grace..."

He murmured, though he already knew—

The Grand Duchess was far too intrigued to turn back now.

The secretary sighed as he observed the determined glint in the Grand Duchess's eyes.

"Your Grace, are you certain about this?"

He asked, though he already knew the answer.

Amanda smirked.

"You doubt my judgment?"

The secretary immediately lowered his head.

"Of course not."

There was no point in arguing further. The Grand Duchess had made up her mind.

"Kyle Armstrong has fallen out of favor with his father. Rumors suggest that he will soon be pushed to the battlefield. The duke likely intends to let the war deal with him."

The secretary continued, trying to be as neutral as possible.

Amanda's eyes gleamed.

"Perfect. Then I'll test him when the time comes."

She murmured.

The secretary shuddered inwardly.

He had no particular attachment to Kyle Armstrong, but even he felt sorry for the man.

Amanda was like a storm—once she set her sights on something, it was impossible to escape.

______

Kyle, riding his horse, suddenly felt a strange twitch in his ears. It wasn't pain—just an odd sensation, like someone was talking about him from afar.

He scratched his ear absentmindedly before turning to his companions.

"Let's stop here for now. Set up camp and eat something."

Melissa let out a sigh of relief, while Bruce looked like he was about to collapse.

Kyle glanced at them and made a mental note: Their stamina is still too weak. We'll have to fix that.

After a simple meal, the group packed up and continued their journey.

By the time they reached the first town, the sun was starting to dip below the horizon. The streets were lively with travelers and merchants, the scent of roasted meat and freshly baked bread drifting through the air.

Kyle pulled on the reins of his horse.

"Bruce, go book us an inn."

Bruce's eyes lit up as if he had been granted a divine blessing.

"On it!"

He said quickly, practically running off in the direction of the nearest inn.

Kyle watched him go, then turned to Melissa.

"Stay vigilant."

Melissa nodded seriously, her eyes scanning the crowd.

Just then, someone brushed against Kyle's shoulder.

His body tensed.

His hand shot out, fingers wrapping tightly around a thin wrist.

A small gasp escaped from the would-be thief.

Kyle slowly turned his gaze downward, his eyes meeting those of a dirty-faced street urchin who had been trying to steal his coin pouch.

The boy froze in terror.

Kyle smirked.

"Nice try."