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

Chapter 530: Arthur ish Way

She could already imagine Ava’s over the top reaction: "Wait, you mean he was the one driving us the whole time?!" Complete with a dramatic gasp and probably a forehead slap.

With that amusing thought easing her nerves just a little, she finally turned to the silent driver still seated in the car.

"Thank you," she said quietly, respectful but cautious.

"It’s nothing," Arthur replied, his voice cold and flat, exactly what she expected from him.

She gave a small nod and reached for the door handle, ready to step out.

But then

"Are you nervous?"

The words were simple, but they stopped her like a slap of cold water.

She turned back to face him slowly, blinking. "...What?"

Not because she had not heard him.

But because, Arthur had just asked if she was nervous.

Arthur. The human iceberg. The training demon. The guy whose emotional range seemed permanently set to "chilly indifference."

He met her stunned gaze with his usual unreadable expression.

His tone had not changed, but his eyes... they held something just slightly softer. "Are you nervous?" he repeated, voice patient this time, as if he did not mind saying it again.

Nnenna just stared for a second.

The first time, she thought maybe her ears had malfunctioned.

The second time, she knew she was not imagining it.

people, being

That was... new.

Again

asked her a personal question. A real

Was she nervous?

stunned, unsure what surprised her more, the question itself, or the fact that it

Something shifted inside her.

care, quietly, awkwardly, like he was

read the expression on his face, but, as always, it was unreadable. Calm.

question lingered in the

out of obligation, not real care. If that was the case, she could give a

if

genuinely wanted to know? What if, in his quiet, Arthur ish

the day altogether. But

He didn’t just wake up one morning and decide

because

could really use someone to talk to, even if that someone was Arthur, the least talkative person

closely one last time and still finding no clear answer in his expression,

a quiet

she said finally, her voice

just an exam, it’s a test of everything. Of whether I

sound short and awkward. "I know everyone thinks I’m brave or

Arthur was silent.

wanted one. Just saying it aloud already helped. She turned to step out again, ready to end the conversation and gather

just walk away, so she stayed,a

Arthur, however, was stuck.

Carl were here, Carl would

Should he call Carl?

dismissed the thought

I don’t