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

The dining hall of Lady Rose's estate felt unusually quiet that evening.

Instead of the extravagant spread Kyle had seen before, the long table held only a few modest dishes—some bread, a thin vegetable stew, and a small roasted bird that would barely feed them all.

The servants moved with subdued expressions, as though trying to hide the reality from their guests.

Lady Rose sat at the head of the table, back straight, chin raised. Her eyes, however, betrayed a restless glint. She greeted them all with a smile that looked rehearsed.

"Forgive the simplicity. The markets have been… unreliable lately."

She said lightly.

The Grand Duchess Amana studied her for a moment before responding.

"Unreliable markets, you say? I imagine that can be troublesome for someone in your position."

Lady Rose gave a dismissive wave.

"It's nothing I cannot handle."

But Kyle noticed the subtle tension in her shoulders.

Her movements were sharper, and there was an uncharacteristic weariness to her face, as though the makeup she wore was barely holding together an exhausted frame.

As the meal went on, the silence between bites grew heavier. The Grand Duchess leaned back in her chair and said.

"Lady Rose, are you sure everything is well in your domain?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

Rose replied instantly, voice almost defensive.

Amana smiled faintly, but her gaze sharpened.

"Because you look more troubled than you wish to admit."

Kyle watched Rose's hand tighten on her cup, but she forced another smile.

"You need not worry about me, Your Grace. I can assure you, I have matters fully under control."

Amana's tone softened, but it carried the weight of authority.

"Even the strongest lords need rest. Allow me to help you with the finances. It would ease your burden."

Rose's lips parted as if to refuse—her pride almost leaping to reject the offer—but the Duchess's rank was beyond reproach. Slowly, she exhaled and inclined her head.

"…Very well. I would not wish to offend Your Grace by denying your generosity."

After dinner, Amana gestured toward Rose's study.

"Shall we go over your records now?"

Rose hesitated, then agreed, leading them to a richly furnished room lined with shelves of ledgers and scrolls.

The desk was stacked with neatly arranged papers, ink still fresh on some of them.

Amana began leafing through the records with practiced ease, her eyes scanning for patterns. Her brows furrowed.

"This document here… and this one… these are not original."

Rose blinked in surprise.

"Not original? What do you mean?"

The Grand Duchess tapped a page.

"The handwriting is similar, but the flow is too even. Official ledgers always bear slight inconsistencies from the scribe's natural fatigue. These have none. Furthermore, the ink here is of a different grade—likely prepared outside your estate. And this seal…"

She held the paper closer to the lamp.

"It's been impressed twice to hide the uneven edges."

Rose frowned deeply.

"That's impossible. I oversee the important records myself."

"Perhaps. But someone is slipping forged documents among the originals. Someone with access—and skill enough to make it seem authentic at first glance.

Amana said evenly,

Rose's pride bristled.

"No. I refuse to believe my own people would betray me like this."

Kyle stayed silent, his gaze fixed on the papers. The quiet weight in the room made even the ticking clock sound louder.

Amana's voice was calm but firm.

"Pride will not change facts, Lady Rose. Whoever did this has been careful, but not perfect. Look here—notice the slight deviation in the revenue figures? They're too precise, rounded off in a way no real collection ever is. And here—shipments recorded for goods that are not in your inventory."

Rose stared, her denial beginning to crack. The more she compared the pages Amana pointed out, the more glaring the differences became.

Her voice came out quieter.

"…If what you're saying is true, then someone close to me has been feeding me lies."

Amana nodded once.

"And draining your resources while you remain distracted. This lack of food, these shortages… they may not be solely from the market's troubles."

Kyle finally spoke, his tone level.

"If this is the case, then your enemies aren't outside your gates—they're already inside your home."

The words settled like lead in the air. Rose looked down at the papers again, her jaw tight.

"Find them. Find whoever dares to make a fool of me… and I will see to it they regret it."

She said finally, her voice laced with cold resolve.

Amana exchanged a glance with Kyle, a silent agreement passing between them. The night had grown darker, but so had the list of people they could trust.

Under the flickering light of the study's lanterns, the air was thick with tension. Lady Rose sat stiffly behind her desk, her gaze fixed on the pile of documents Amana had singled out.

The faint traces of forgery were subtle, but they were there—obvious to any trained eye. Kyle stood quietly to the side, his hands folded behind his back, watching the exchange without interfering.

"I appreciate your… concern, Grand Duchess. But this is my household. I will handle the matter myself."

Rose said finally, her voice tight.

Amana's eyes narrowed slightly, but her tone remained calm.

"And if the people committing these forgeries are your own household guards? If your trusted men are already compromised, your 'handling' will lead straight into their hands."

Rose's lips pressed into a thin line.

"My men are loyal."

The Grand Duchess leaned forward, her gaze sharp.

"So you thought—before these forged reports appeared under your nose."

The silence stretched. Kyle stepped forward then, his voice even.

"If you allow me, I can uncover the truth without causing alarm in your ranks. I've dealt with worse betrayals."

Rose shot him a look—half defiance, half hesitation.

"I will not have outsiders combing through my affairs."

"And yet, outsiders are the only ones you can trust at the moment."

Amana interjected smoothly.

The proud noble's composure faltered. For a moment, she seemed to wrestle with herself, fingers tapping against the desk. Finally, she exhaled sharply.

"Fine. But only because I have no other choice. You'll have access, Armstrong—but I expect discretion."

Kyle inclined his head.

"Naturally. My goal is not to humiliate you, Lady Rose. It's to find the rot before it spreads."

Her gaze locked with his, searching for any hint of mockery or judgment. Finding none, she gave a curt nod.

"Very well. I'll brief you on the structure of my household in the morning. For now, I want this contained. Not a word leaves these walls."

"I understand."

Kyle said, already making mental notes about how to begin his investigation without alerting potential culprits.

As he left the study with Amana, Rose remained seated, her back rigid, her eyes still on the pile of incriminating papers.

Her pride stung at having to ask for help—but the seed of doubt planted by the Grand Duchess's words gnawed at her.

If her own people were behind this… then she was sitting in the middle of a nest of snakes.

Kyle, meanwhile, allowed none of his thoughts to show, but in his mind, he was already mapping out the steps.

This wasn't just about Lady Rose anymore. Whoever was orchestrating these shortages and falsified reports might be the same one causing unrest in the region.

And Kyle intended to drag them out into the open—no matter who they were.