Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 114: Ch : Take Responsibility - Part 2

After breakfast, Kyle stepped out of the old inn where he'd been resting.

The early morning chill was already fading as the sun rose higher, but the village air still felt strangely heavy. Not with danger—just fatigue.

The villagers were finally out and about, but their movements were slow and uncertain.

Some sat outside their homes, staring into space. Others carried out their chores with half-hearted effort.

Kyle watched silently from the edge of the road, arms crossed.

It was clear what had happened to them. Their mana had been forcefully extracted during the ritual.

They were alive. That was the best part.

But they looked half-dead in spirit.

Queen landed quietly on the post beside him. It tilted its head and let out a low click.

Kyle nodded, understanding.

"No casualties. But it'll take time for them to recover."

He said softly.

By noon, a large group of riders approached from the south.

Duke Armstrong's crest shone on their armor and cloaks.

Kyle stepped back into the shadows, letting them pass without drawing attention.

He had no intention of meeting them.

They dismounted and began their investigation.

Some questioned villagers. Others examined the broken ritual grounds.

Kyle watched from a rooftop across the street, hidden in plain sight. The soldiers worked fast and clean. Professionals.

Good.

He didn't want to explain anything to them.

By late afternoon, Kyle had already packed up his things and made preparations to leave.

Queen rested on the windowsill, watching silently. Kyle adjusted the strap on his travel bag and opened the door.

But even before he stepped outside, he felt it.

A presence. Subtle at first, then clumsy.

He didn't react immediately, letting the footsteps follow from a distance. Through the village. Past the last house. Into the forest trail.

He sighed.

"You know, if you're going to follow me, at least try to be subtle about it."

he said over his shoulder.

There was a long silence. Then, from behind a tree, Silvy stepped out, biting her lip. She looked determined and awkward at the same time.

"I wasn't trying to hide."

She muttered.

Kyle gave her a flat look.

"You weren't trying to be seen either."

"I said I'd follow you until you take responsibility."

She replied, arms crossed.

Kyle turned around fully and rubbed his forehead.

"Silvy, I told you already. I'm engaged. This——can't happen."

He gestured vaguely between them.

Silvy's expression tightened.

"If you were engaged, why did you share a bed with me?"

"We were both unconscious. I was half-dead. You were worse. Nothing happened."

Kyle said, exasperated.

"That doesn't change what did happen. You slept beside me. We were alone. That's enough for my people."

Silvy argued, her ears flushed red.

Kyle closed his eyes and sighed.

"Your people aren't here."

"That doesn't mean I should lie to myself."

He didn't say anything at first. Then he looked back at her seriously.

"You don't have to lie. Just don't tell anyone. No one needs to know, and no one gets hurt."

"That's still dishonest. Even if no one knows, I'll know."

Silvy said after a pause.

Kyle stared at her. Her voice was soft but steady. Honest.

He looked away and ran a hand through his hair.

"I can take a vow if that makes you feel better. Swear to the spirits that I didn't touch you. That you're still… pure."

He said.

Silvy looked surprised, then conflicted. For a moment, Kyle thought she might accept the offer. But she shook her head slowly.

"No. That's not the problem. If I just walked away like that, I'd be no better than the cowards who betray what they believe. I… I don't want to become that kind of person."

She whispered.

Kyle looked at her again. Really looked.

Her stubbornness, her pride, her honor—all wrapped up in her words.

He sighed again.

"You're making this harder than it needs to be."

She didn't respond, just looked up at him with determined eyes.

Queen watched from a tree branch above. It tilted its head, clearly not understanding the complexity of mortal relationships, but amused all the same.

Kyle muttered something under his breath and turned back toward the road.

"Fine. Just don't slow me down."

Silvy smiled faintly and followed, her steps light.

Queen launched into the air and flew above them, circling slowly like a watchful guardian—or a very amused witness to Kyle's ongoing headaches.

As they walked through the thinning woods, the afternoon sun filtered through the trees in quiet patches of gold.

Queen flew ahead of them, gliding silently above the trail like a shadow with wings.

Silvy glanced at Kyle, who had been unusually quiet.

"Can I ask you something personal?" she said.

Kyle didn't look at her but gave a nod.

"You can ask. No promises on an answer, though."

Silvy hesitated for a beat, then asked,

"Do you consider your fiancée… special?"

That made Kyle pause mid-step.

He looked ahead, thoughtful.

"She's someone I like and respect. She's smart, reliable, and we understand each other. But we're not… in love, if that's what you're asking."

He said after a moment.

Silvy frowned.

"So you're using each other?"

"It's a political match. She has her goals. I have mine. We benefit from the arrangement."

Kyle said with a shrug.

Silvy looked away and muttered.

"Sounds like a sorry connection."

Kyle chuckled under his breath.

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"It is what it is."

Silvy then asked, more seriously.

"What kind of person would you want as a partner? Not for politics. But for you."

Kyle was quiet for a while, walking slowly.

"Someone who makes my heart race. Not necessarily in a romantic way. But someone who makes me feel alive. Someone who brings chaos and clarity in equal measure. Who pushes me and understands me."

He finally said.

He paused, then added.

"But one thing's certain—I would never get romantically involved with my partner."

Silvy blinked, confused.

"What? Why not?"

Kyle looked up at Queen flying above them. Kyle's mind flashed back to his previous life and to the figure that had been like a sibling to him.

That person had been a god, and the only god Kyle was willing to tolerate. But as war had raged, the only person who understood Kyle had sacrificed themselves.

And that day, Kyle had not only lost someone whom he considered a brother— it had raged Kyle fire for vengeance.

"Because my partner is… different. That bond is deeper than romance. It's about trust. Survival. Soul-deep understanding. Romantic feelings would ruin that."

Silvy looked like she was trying to work that out in her head.

To her, it seemed almost as if Kyle was speaking from experience. It was as if he met someone he clicked with before, but he was also avoiding answering anything related to it.

"You're confusing. But I've decided something."

She mumbled.

Kyle glanced sideways.

"Yeah?"

Silvy looked at him with firm resolve.

"I'll steal your heart. I don't know when or how, but I will."

Kyle raised an eyebrow, half amused.

"You can try. Just don't stir up unnecessary conflict. I've got enough trouble as it is."

He said.

Silvy grinned.

"Fine. But I'm still trying."

Queen let out a soft cry from above, as if to say

"Here we go again."