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.

She confided in him about everything, or

what was

Why all the hiding?

stared at the ground now,

tangled web was forming right under their noses, and they

it wasn’t his place to

Nnenna, that truth belonged to them. And when they were ready,

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

a breath and

"I didn’t say anything before because... I don’t

caught

he was explaining it to himself as much as

don’t even meet the conditions you just gave. A

down, hands resting on his knees. "So I

pause, just long enough

I keep seeing her in Nnenna. In her movements. Her words. Her spirit."

softer now, full of quiet

way she deserves. Not

followed was

them go. And focus on finding the one I’ve carried in my

exhaled, the tension loosening just slightly

one I really

he meant those words, for

of

right with Arthur when he glanced

hadn’t changed. If anything,

Why?

him. That I’m

furrowed slightly, his chest tightening

it? I’ve never gone back on my word. Not with him. Not

is it

Was Somto jealous?

still hard for him

shame washing over

I shouldn’t have

wanted to be honest... because he’s my best friend. I didn’t want to hide something that important from

But now...