Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent-Chapter 182: Ch : The Purpose- Part 1

Chapter 182: Ch 182: The Purpose- Part 1

The path Bruce led her down was rough and packed with the trampling of many feet.

Lady Rose wrinkled her nose at the dust in the air and snapped.

“Where exactly are you taking me, brute? This hardly looks like the direction to a decent reception hall.”

Bruce didn’t even glance back. He did not complain about the butchering of his name done by Lady Rose.

“To the training grounds. Lord Armstrong is there.”

“Training grounds? You mean to tell me Kyle—Lord Kyle—is playing soldier while I, a noble lady, trudge through this mess just to see him?”

She repeated in disbelief.

“If it displeases you so much, you’re free to return.”

Bruce replied dryly.

The suggestion made her eyes narrow with rage, but she didn’t say anything. Her fingers curled around the fabric of her dress as she stomped after him.

She wanted to yell, to throw her dignity around, to demand a better path—but none of that mattered right now.

‘I didn’t come here to turn around. I came here to make him understand that he needs me.’

She was so caught up in her indignation that she didn’t even notice the sharp twang of a bowstring in the distance—until an arrow whistled through the air, headed straight for her face.

She screamed.

In the same second, Bruce’s arm whipped out and caught the arrow mid-flight just inches from her cheek. Her heart hammered in her chest as she stumbled backward, eyes wide in horror.

“I—I could have died! Is this how you welcome guests in this wretched village?!”

She shrieked.

Bruce dropped the arrow and gave a shallow bow.

“Apologies. That should not have happened.”

“That should not—? That should not have happened?! “You think a half-hearted apology is enough after someone almost shot me?!”

Rose’s voice rose hysterically.

Bruce’s tone remained cool.

“I will see to it that the one responsible is punished.”

But the words held no weight. His expression was calm, composed—indifferent. It was that indifference that cut deeper than the arrow would have.

“You don’t care, do you? You don’t care what happens to me.”

She hissed, eyes narrowing.

“Lady Rose, perhaps it would be best to let it go—”

Bruce said with forced politeness.

“Forget it? After nearly being murdered?!”

Her raised voice echoed across the field, drawing the attention of several onlookers.

People paused their drills and turned to see what the fuss was about. Rose didn’t care.

Let them stare. Let them see how poorly their so-called lord treated guests.

“Don’t think I’ll let this go. I should have you flogged—!”

She snapped and stepped forward, grabbing Bruce’s collar with both hands.

But before she could even finish the threat, a hand gripped her wrist.

Firm. Calm. Unyielding.

She looked up, and there he was—Kyle Armstrong.

“Let him go.”

He said flatly.

Rose froze. Her grip loosened, and Bruce took a step back. The world seemed to fall quiet for a moment as Kyle looked between the two of them, his golden eyes unreadable.

“What’s going on here?”

He asked.

“Nothing, my lord. Lady Rose was startled by a misfired arrow. That’s all.”

Bruce said, brushing off his tunic.

Kyle’s gaze shifted to her, and something in it made her heart skip—though she couldn’t tell if it was anger, disappointment, or indifference.

“I could’ve died. And he treated it like a trivial inconvenience.”

She said, trying to reel her voice back to something softer, more wounded.

Kyle’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Are you hurt?”

Rose blinked.

“What?”

“I asked if you’re hurt.”

“N-No.”

She admitted, flustered.

“Then that’s all that matters. Find out who fired the arrow and make sure they’re retrained. No punishments. Mistakes happen.”

He turned to Bruce.

“Yes, my lord.”

Rose stared at Kyle in disbelief.

“You’re taking his side?”

“I’m taking no side. But if you came here to shout and blame people, you can take that back to Baron Adam. This isn’t a noble’s drawing room—it’s a working village.”

Kyle replied, voice steady.

She opened her mouth to argue but found herself unable to speak. He was calm, collected, but something in his tone made it clear—he would not be swayed.

Kyle turned without another word and walked away, leaving Lady Rose fuming in the middle of the field with Bruce standing quietly by her side.

She glared after Kyle’s retreating back, her pride wounded and her hands trembling with humiliation.

‘This isn’t over. You’ll see, Kyle Armstrong. I didn’t come all this way to be treated like dirt.’

She thought, jaw clenched.

Kyle didn’t speak again until they were far enough from the curious eyes and whispers.

He stopped near the edge of the training field, turned to her with calm eyes, and asked.

“Why are you here, Lady Rose?”

The words struck her harder than she expected. Her pride flinched. She straightened her spine and forced her chin high.

“I’m here because you never responded. About leading my father’s army.”

She said, voice clipped.

Kyle blinked.

“Ah. That.”

Her fists clenched at his casual tone.

“The expedition is next week. Do you know how much chaos you’ve caused by not answering? I waited for your reply. I gave you time, and yet you didn’t even have the courtesy—”

She pressed.

“I forgot.”

Kyle interrupted, tone flat.

She blinked, stunned.

“You… forgot?”

“Yes. I’ve been busy.”

He replied, with no trace of guilt.

“With what? “This village? Training peasants and teaching letters? And you expect me to believe that’s more important than a noble’s call to arms?”

She demanded.

Kyle tilted his head, studying her for a moment before speaking again, quiet but firm.

“I didn’t think your matter was as important as you were making it out to be.”

Rose stared at him, her breath catching in her throat.

It wasn’t just the words—it was the way he said them. Without hesitation. Without apology. As though her purpose, her pride, meant nothing.

“You…”

She whispered, voice trembling with disbelief.

Kyle didn’t respond. His silence said more than words ever could.

And that silence echoed louder than any insult.

Lady Rose finally snapped.

“You arrogant bastard! Just because you’re engaged to the Duchess, you think you’re untouchable now? That you can toss aside people like me who’ve done nothing but help you?”

She shouted, her voice rising above the quiet hum of the training grounds.

Her words rang sharp in the air. A few nearby villagers stopped what they were doing, their eyes darting toward the commotion.

“You weren’t like this before. Now look at you—playing lord in some backwater village, acting like you’re above everyone else.”

She hissed, trembling with fury.

Kyle’s expression didn’t change. He simply watched her with that same, calm stare. And that infuriated her even more.

“I came here to help you. And all I got in return was humiliation. From your servants, your guards, even your peasants!”

She continued, voice cracking.

She realized she was digging herself into a deeper hole—this was his territory, and every word she spat was making her more enemies by the second. But she couldn’t stop. Not anymore.

“I should’ve never wasted my time on you. You’ll regret looking down on me, Kyle Armstrong.”

She growled, fists clenched.