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.”

gone the way they were supposed to… then by

had calculated her age. She would be within the

been close to the school elders, and her grandparents were once among the ruling

she was, and once her identity was verified,

the problem was… he had found out too

girl was a genius. Not just smart, extraordinary. Far beyond her peers. And if she was anything like the

already

him. So he made a bold

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

best way to keep watch, quietly, from

No matter what.

to the senior levels, Years 3 through 6. After all, his reputation and skill warranted that kind of placement. But he

Year

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

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 him

be present. To watch. To observe. And Year One gave him

here he was, the Crown Prince, the cold genius who rarely let anyone get closer than five feet to him, now standing in front

sighed inwardly for what

was far from ideal.

small

he would do it

about this new environment was beginning to stir

didn’t know what