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

'This fool is so easy. If only he had more power and money, I would have long manupulated him to marry me. But I guess I will have to be satisfied with this attention for now.'

Ruby had to admit, this was almost too easy.

Kyle's office was lavish but not overly cluttered, its minimalist arrangement making it simple to scan and assess.

Her sharp eyes darted over the bookshelves, the locked cabinet near the window, the set of documents neatly arranged on the desk.

She memorized every corner in seconds.

'This is going to be a breeze!'

She thought smugly.

When she turned back toward Kyle, she froze for half a second.

He was watching her—not the casual glance of a man enjoying the view, but something deeper, more calculated.

His gaze made the hairs on her neck rise.

Still, she shook the feeling off.

He's just bewitched by me. All men are, sooner or later.

Smiling sweetly, she crossed the room and wrapped her arms around Kyle's broad shoulders.

"So tense, young master. Would you like to have a little fun to loosen up? I can show you a good time."

She whispered, her voice sultry.

Kyle's arms snaked around her waist, warm and steady. One hand rested lightly on the small of her back, and he leaned closer to her ear.

"I do want to have some fun."

He murmured, his tone velvety.

On the outside, Ruby smiled, giving a small laugh like a flirtatious schoolgirl. On the inside, however, she scoffed.

Pathetic.

This is the man Young Master Christan was worried about? So easy, so weak. It's almost disappointing.

"Well then, go take a shower first. I'll wait here and… prepare myself."

She said coyly, brushing a finger down his chest.

Kyle chuckled and gave her a gentle squeeze before stepping away.

"Don't take too long getting ready."

He walked out, leaving the door slightly ajar behind him.

The moment he disappeared from view, Ruby's sweet smile vanished.

Her hands moved like a thief's, efficient and practiced.

She pulled open drawers, flipped through stacks of documents, rifled through the books on the shelf.

Then her hand brushed something cold and metallic.

An amulet.

It was unlike anything else in the room—glowing faintly, pulsing with power, and nestled deep within a silk-lined box at the bottom of a drawer.

Ruby lifted it with curiosity, but the moment her skin made full contact, her knees buckled.

Her body convulsed violently as if struck by lightning.

A searing pain tore through her limbs, and her breath hitched in her throat.

She tried to drop the amulet—tried to scream—but her fingers refused to obey. It was as if the amulet had fused to her flesh.

She staggered backward, but her feet felt like lead. Her heart pounded as panic set in.

She finally stumbled toward the mirror near the side of the room. What she saw made her blood freeze.

The reflection staring back at her was barely recognizable.

Wrinkled skin, sagging cheeks, silver-streaked hair.

Her youthful beauty had been drained from her body like water from a cracked vase.

She looked like she had aged fourty years.

Her mouth opened in horror, but when she tried to scream, her voice came out weak and hoarse. Her lips didn't move the way she wanted them to, and her jaw trembled uncontrollably.

She clawed at her face in disbelief, tears stinging her now-dull eyes.

'What is this? What did he do to me?!'

______

Meanwhile, just outside the study, Kyle stood calmly by the hallway wall. He had been gone no more than five minutes, but that was enough time for a greedy rat to spring the trap.

His hands were folded behind his back, and his face carried a faint, amused smile.

"She couldn't help herself. Just as expected."

He murmured.

Bruce, who had been standing nearby, raised an eyebrow.

"Is this the trap you were talking about? Looks like Miss Ruby fell for it."

Kyle glanced sideways at him.

"She's a shallow pawn sent by someone even more shallow. Of course she couldn't resist snooping around. That's why I left her a little gift."

Bruce didn't have to ask what gift Kyle meant. He could feel the change in mana from the hallway, a unique and faintly sinister resonance.

"Did something happen? Should I be concerned about it?"

Kyle's smirk widened slightly.

"Oh, she touched the amulet. Should should be feeling the effects."

Bruce nodded slowly, both impressed and slightly disturbed.

"What did you do exactly?"

"Nothing for you to know about. The moment she thought she could take something valuable without consequence, it drained her beauty—her life force. The more she resists, the worse it gets."

Kyle replied casually.

Bruce let out a low whistle.

"Master, you can be rather curel at times. I must always stay on your side from here on."

Kyle chuckled.

"Good advice."

______

Kyle stepped into his room and was immediately met with a strange, pitiful sight—an aged-up version of Ruby.

Her once-radiant beauty now reduced to frail limbs, sagging skin, and white-streaked hair.

She was hunched over near the desk, trembling, still clutching the amulet as if it had fused with her hand.

The moment she spotted him, her dull, teary eyes widened in desperation.

"Kyle! Help me! I—I can't let go!"

Kyle didn't respond at first. He walked over slowly, his eyes cold and unreadable.

Without a word, he reached down, took her frail wrist in his hand, and channeled mana to pry the cursed amulet from her grip.

The object fell to the ground with a dull clink, and Ruby slumped back with a gasp of relief.

"Oh thank the heavens…"

She whispered, catching her breath. But the moment she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror across the room, her relief evaporated.

She staggered toward it, her reflection a cruel confirmation of what she feared.

"Why… why haven't I gone back to normal?!"

Kyle folded his arms and leaned against the edge of the desk.

"Because that wasn't just a trap—it was a curse. One you triggered by snooping around in my room."

Ruby spun around, eyes filled with horror and fury.

"You cursed me?! You useless bastard! Do you even know what you're doing?! I was trying to help you—"

"No. You were trying to steal something. Possibly the letter about my engagement, maybe something more. Either way, you deserved what happened."

Kyle cut in coolly.

Her face twisted in rage and disbelief.

"How can you say that?! You were head-over-heels for me not even a month ago! Following me around like a lost puppy—"

"I might've given you attention, But I've grown since then. And I've learned my lesson. I have no intention of seeing you again."

Kyle admitted, voice emotionless.

Ruby let out a scream of frustration and lunged at him.

Her hands barely reached forward when the door burst open—Bruce stood there, eyes scanning the scene, followed by a couple of servants and guards who had heard the shouting.

Seeing Ruby about to strike, Bruce didn't hesitate.

"She attacked our young master. Detain her."

He ordered.

Ruby tried to bolt toward the window, but she was slower in her aged body. The guards tackled her down easily.

She screamed, cursed, and clawed at them, but it was no use.

Kyle merely watched, calm as ever.

"Take her away. She's not welcome here again."