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

Chapter 431: It’s a Small Price to Pay

The same silent pride she had clung to like armor now felt like it was being chipped away.

She looked at Arthur, silently pleading for him to say something, anything. But his expression didn’t change. No flicker of defense. No anger. No warning glares shot at the whispering students.

He simply said, “Quiet down,” when the murmuring finally disrupted his focus.

The class instantly shut their mouths. A wave of silence swept over them like a sudden storm. Of course, how could they forget? They were gossiping about his sister, right in front of him.

Ava’s lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. Finally, she thought. He said something. To her, that was his way of standing up for her. And that was enough, for now.

Chin high, she walked back to her seat with her henchwomen trailing behind her, her steps steady, her pride barely stitched back together.

The class continued. Arthur resumed his teaching, instructing the rest of the students with calm precision, his sharp eyes catching every mistake, his voice never rising.

He moved with quiet authority, offering individual corrections as he moved down the list. Despite his cold demeanor, there was no doubt he was committed to helping each of them improve.

When the final pair stepped off the line and the last arrow thudded into the target board, Arthur let out a silent sigh of relief.

Finally.

His back was straight, his expression unreadable, but inside, he was reminding himself why he was here. Why he, the Crown Prince of Riverum, was teaching a freshman martial class at all.

The person I’m looking for… according to our intelligence, they’ll most likely appear in this academy.

Her parents were both graduates of this academy. Arthur remembered overhearing his own parents once saying, “They always dreamed of their child studying here too.”

had gone the way they were supposed to… then

had calculated her age. She would

to the school elders, and her grandparents were

would have to do was state who she was, and once her identity was verified, the school would welcome her with open

the problem was… he had found out too

if she was anything like the child she used to be, then she could

already

gnawed at him. So he made a

his intention to lecture at the academy. And of course, they couldn’t

this was the best way to keep watch, quietly, from the inside. If she was still here, he would

No matter what.

academy had wanted to assign Arthur to the senior levels, Years 3 through 6. After all, his reputation and skill warranted that

Year

seemed like a waste of his talents. But for Arthur, the reason was simple, Year One students stayed within the

constantly moving, taking field assignments, industry training, and even cross country postings. If he accepted that role, he would be flying in and out every other

that wouldn’t help

present. To watch. To observe. And

the cold genius who rarely let anyone get closer than five feet

for what

ideal.

small

her, he would do it without question. So why complain

was

what