They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 218: Creeping Fear Chapter 218: Creeping Fear And that was all he needed.

His own lips curved into a smile, warmth spreading through him.

Unlike his siblings, who stood with tension in their shoulders, indifference, displeasure on their faces, or confusion in their eyes…

Abuchi was content.

On the other side, Ebere’s heart clenched as she stole a glance at Carl, the man she had once entertained foolish hopes for.

She had known it was nothing but a dream, a man of his status would never choose her.

But still, a tiny part of her had wished, had imagined.

Now, seeing him stand there unaffected, without a hint of regret or reluctance, made her stomach twist.

She swallowed her emotions quickly, pushing them away.

There was no use holding onto something that was never hers to begin with.

Instead, her eyes flickered toward Ji ho, her actual fiancé.

A surge of satisfaction replaced the sting of rejection, Carl hadn’t chosen Nnenna either.

If he had, their father wouldn’t have dared to arrange a marriage for her.

That alone was enough to lift Ebere’s spirits.

Her gaze settled on Ji ho, her lips curving into a small, victorious smile.

But when she met his eyes, the cold indifference in them sent a shiver down her spine.

His jaw was tight, his expression unreadable, yet something about the way he carried himself made it clear, he was resisting this.

Ebere stiffened slightly.

Why did he look so…

unwilling?

Shouldn’t he be pleased?

He was a crown prince, and she was the eldest princess of Lionara, the only biological daughter of the king.

This was an excellent match.

still thinking about Nnenna’s brilliant

noticed his continuous glances

of her dress as bitterness crept

sister

No.

She wouldn’t allow it.

aside the unsettling thoughts, Ebere lifted her chin,

sealed, whether Ji ho liked it or

on her just

but both

gaze swept over the hall, taking in the smirks, the mocking

was how they saw

fool who had been grasping at something never meant

refusing to let the sharp sting of their words

It was laughable, really.

had Carl ever said he was interested in marrying

ever made any such

Never.

wishful thinking, their own assumptions, that had painted a picture of

they turned their own

Fools.

not a single one of

knew that she, Nnenna, had never once thought of herself as anyone’s bride,

not a

Not now.

from the murmuring guests, her posture straight, her expression unreadable as the ball finally came

began dispersing, making preparations to return to their respective kingdoms the

politics, alliances, and quiet rivalries lingered as everyone exited

one

Her father.

hall, she followed after him,

not let

others reached his study, the doors had barely closed when Abuchi spoke up

Father, for granting me this engagement,” he said, his

Nnenna blinked.

not something she often saw on

had always thought Abuchi was indifferent to people, especially

like the type to actually love someone romantically,

he was, standing before their father, looking