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

Racheal's eyes still burned with fury, the need to do more clawing at her like an itch under her skin.

The memory of the laughter, the streets full of cowards who had celebrated her pain, made her fists clench. She wanted to burn it all, to leave behind nothing but ashes.

But then she looked at her brother lying unconscious, bandaged and barely breathing—and she forced herself to breathe.

There was nothing more she could do here.

"I'll… I'll sleep beside Rin tonight. Thank you, Kyle. For everything you've done for us.

She murmured, her voice tired.

Kyle simply walked over and placed a hand gently on her head.

"You're strong, Racheal. Holding on to your sanity after something like this… most would have already fallen apart."

The warmth of his palm shocked her more than the words did. Her eyes widened slightly and her cheeks flushed red.

"I-I'm not strong. Anyone in my place would've done the same."

She stammered, lowering her gaze.

Kyle didn't say anything in response, just let his hand fall away and moved to his corner of the room.

But from the slight curl at the edge of his mouth, Racheal had the sneaking suspicion that he didn't agree with her.

She sat down beside her brother and whispered quietly to him as she held his hand. Her anger didn't fade, but in Kyle's presence, the storm felt a little less overwhelming.

The next morning, the sky was painted with soft hues of pink and gold. The town stirred lazily as Kyle and Racheal prepared for departure.

Kyle secured Rin carefully in the back of the carriage, placing extra blankets and cushions around him to keep him stable and warm.

Racheal stood nearby, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeves.

"Thank you again… really. For taking us with you. For helping Rin."

She said quietly, her face still flushed with a permanent shade of pink.

Kyle glanced over his shoulder as he adjusted the final strap on the cot.

"You already said that."

"I know. But I just wanted to—"

Racheal mumbled, flustered.

Before she could say more, a voice cut through the morning air.

"Oh? What's this? Did I interrupt something sweet?"

Racheal jumped slightly, turning to see her master, Sasha Brande, approaching with her usual half-smile and a sparkle of amusement in her sharp eyes.

Kyle stepped forward with a nod of acknowledgment.

"You made it in time. Good. We were just about to leave."

Sasha grinned and placed her hands on her hips.

"Of course I made it. I'm not the kind of person who breaks her promises. Besides, it looks like things were just starting to get interesting."

She added, casting a sidelong glance at Racheal's beet-red face.

Racheal immediately looked away, her ears burning now, but Sasha didn't press it. She seemed far too amused by her student's embarrassment to ruin the moment.

Kyle, ever composed, gestured toward the carriage.

"Hop in. We've got ground to cover, and I don't like wasting daylight."

"Understood, boss man."

Sasha gave a dramatic salute before stepping into the carriage without another word.

As Kyle turned to climb in after her, he cast one last look at Racheal—who was still rooted to the spot, trying her best to calm her racing heart. He raised an eyebrow.

"You coming, or are you going to daydream out here?"

Racheal stiffened.

"I-I'm coming!"

She scrambled after him, flustered beyond belief. She didn't know what this journey ahead would hold, or what kind of future waited for her and Rin under Kyle's protection—but she knew one thing for certain.

It was going to be unlike anything she'd ever known.

______

They reached the village in record time, the carriage rolling to a stop just past the main gates.

The cool breeze carried the scent of early morning dew, mingled with faint traces of earth and woodsmoke.

Kyle stepped down first, his gaze already scanning the surroundings with a sharpness that never dulled.

He turned to the women and spoke in a calm tone.

"I'll go ahead and help Rin get settled in. You two can follow whenever you're ready."

Racheal instinctively stepped forward to follow him, but before she could take more than a few steps, a firm hand gripped her arm.

She glanced back, startled, to find her master Sasha holding her in place.

Sasha offered no explanation at first, only nodding toward a nearby bench.

"Sit."

Racheal stiffened. She knew that tone—there was no room for argument.

Reluctantly, she obeyed, her eyes still lingering on Kyle's retreating figure as he carried her unconscious brother with practiced ease.

Once Kyle disappeared into one of the village buildings, Sasha crossed her arms and fixed Racheal with a stare that made her feel like a student caught cheating on a test.

"Alright. Have you fallen for him?"

Sasha began bluntly.

Racheal blinked.

"W-What?"

Sasha's stare didn't soften.

"You heard me."

"I don't… I don't know what you're talking about."

Racheal said quickly, her face flushing crimson.

Sasha sighed, dragging a hand down her face.

"If you haven't fallen for Kyle yet, then there's still hope for you."

"H-Hope?"

Racheal echoed, flustered.

"Hope that you'll come to your senses before it's too late. You're playing with fire, Racheal. That man is a noble. And not just any noble. He's powerful, dangerous, and likely someone high-ranking enough to have his future arranged for him. He probably already has a fiancée. You think you'll just walk in and change that?"

Sasha said, her voice a touch more serious now.

Racheal's fingers dug into her skirt, her heart racing. She took a deep breath, held it, and then let out a small, almost bitter laugh.

"Don't worry, Master. I'm fine. There's no way I'd fall for someone like him."

But even as she said the words, she could hear how hollow they sounded. Sasha did too.

The two sat in silence for a moment. Racheal looked down at her hands, trying to will the warmth from her cheeks to fade.

But the moment Kyle had placed a hand on her head the night before… the comfort, the warmth… it had cracked something inside her.

"Too late, huh."

Sasha muttered.

Racheal winced.

Sasha sighed again, this time deeper, and rubbed her temples.

"You poor fool."

"…I didn't mean for this to happen."

Racheal said quietly.

"No one ever does. But if your heart's already in it, then there's only one thing left to do."

Sasha shook her head.

Racheal blinked.

"W-What?"

"You seduce him."

Sasha said flatly.

Racheal nearly fell off the bench.

"WHAT?!"

Sasha shrugged.

"You're already halfway there. Just finish the job."

"M-Master, you can't be serious!"

"I'm dead serious. Look. If Kyle's already engaged, then the only way you're going to change that is by showing him something—someone—better. Steal him."

Sasha raised an eyebrow.

"I-I can't just… steal someone!"

"Sure you can. You're young, cute, loyal, and you've got more brains than you give yourself credit for. Don't waste time moping over it. If you want him, go get him. And if you don't… well, then stop blushing every time he breathes in your direction. It's getting distracting and shameful."

Sasha said nonchalantly.

It was a clear message to Racheal.