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

Chapter 511: The Alternative Was Just As Painful

No way... Was Arthur worried Somto wouldn’t approve of him?

That’s too petty, Carl thought.

He shifted slightly, trying to ease the growing tension.

Arthur’s one of the best people we know. If he loves Nnenna, really loves her, then isn’t that a good thing?

Shouldn’t Somto be glad? One more person to protect their precious little sister?

Carl decided to speak up, hoping to ease the pressure building in the silence.

"Don’t look so angry, Somto," he said with a small smile. "We all practically grew up together. And honestly... I think Arthur would make a good match for Nnenna."

"Plus," Carl added with a light chuckle, "when you finally win over that heartbeat of yours you mentioned during your coronation, Nnenna will have someone her age to hang out with too."

Arthur’s eyes snapped open.

Surprise shot across his face so fast he couldn’t even hide it.

Carl... doesn’t know?

He quickly glanced at Somto, still silent, still unreadable. His expression hadn’t shifted once. Still dark. Still distant.

But Arthur’s mind was racing now.

So Carl doesn’t know that Somto likes Nnenna?

He pieced it together quickly, Somto must have told Carl about liking someone... but left out who. That much was clear.

But why?

Carl was their closest friend. He would’ve supported Somto, probably even helped. So why hide it?

And then there was Nnenna.

Arthur’s chest tightened slightly.

She likes Somto. That much is obvious. The way she looked at him, listened to him, relaxed around him, it wasn’t subtle. At least, not to Arthur.

Yet... she hadn’t told Carl either.

That’s new.

in him about everything, or so

was

Why all the hiding?

at the ground now, thoughts

forming right under their noses, and they had all been too

his

And when they were ready, they would be the ones

that thought, and everything he had pieced together on his own, Arthur finally turned back to Carl. Somto still hadn’t spoken, and Carl was looking

took a breath

Carl," he said gently. "I didn’t say anything before because... I don’t plan to act

blinked, caught off

was explaining it to himself as much as to

don’t even meet the conditions you just gave.

hands resting on his knees. "So I

just long enough to feel

keep seeing her in Nnenna. In her movements. Her words. Her spirit." He shook his head

voice dipped softer now, full

can’t love her the way she deserves. Not

was thick,

I’ve decided," he said, lifting his gaze. "I’m going to eliminate these feelings. Let them go. And focus on finding the one I’ve carried

exhaled, the tension loosening

the one I

words,

of all, for

with Arthur when he glanced

If anything, it

Why?

I’m not trying to take Nnenna from him. That I’m not acting on my feelings. Doesn’t he

slightly, his chest tightening with a dull

that when I say something... I mean it? I’ve

it

Was Somto jealous?

to do anything, maybe it’s still hard for him to accept that

looked down, shame washing over

shouldn’t have said

to be honest... because he’s my best friend. I didn’t want to hide

But now...