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

Chapter 575: Did I Just Walk into a Trap??

Men and women in uniform moved briskly, voices low, papers exchanged, boots thudding on the floor. Not a single one paused to acknowledge her. No greetings, no bows. It was as if she were invisible.

And Rick, looming behind her, made no effort to correct them.

Nnenna’s lips curved in the faintest smile. Interesting.

After a quick sweep of the room, she turned sharply to face Rick. Her eyes were steady, her tone firm.

“Gather everyone involved in the investigation. Ten minutes. It’s almost nine o’clock. Anyone who misses this meeting can meet me in the dining hall at lunch. And I take, no excuses.”

She let the last two words fall like stones, each syllable carrying weight.

Rick’s brows furrowed. Dissatisfaction flickered across his face, but not alarm. They already had their “functional plan,” and he was banking on it.

“Your Highness,” he began cautiously, “protocol demands that you—”

“No excuses.”

Nnenna cut him off, her voice razor sharp. She took a step closer, tilting her chin up so her gaze met his squarely.

“Either you get them here,” she said slowly, every word deliberate, “or you follow protocol… and accept your punishment for defying a royal. Your princess.”

Her eyes, sharp as glass, locked onto the man who stood three times her size. And in that moment, Rick understood, she was not bluffing.

That’s unusual.

He was taken aback by her boldness. For a moment, his mind scrambled. This is vicious… in subtle ways? Using quiet methods to punish?

of nonsense, Assistant Head Captain Elin’s voice spat in

Elin mentioned that

of worry stabbed through him. But slowly, after a

prince’s inner circle. His rank might not shine next to the others,

had earned this position with blood,

came power. Authority. Respect. Even His Highness

she was… this girl… threatening to punish

hardened. The nerves faded. The more he thought, the clearer it became, if worse came to worse,

him if she

day, His Highness will thank me for this. Once he

will not summon the others,” Rick

to fake obedience, to deflect quietly until she

had chosen to be direct, he decided it

murmurs of agreement rippling through the onlookers in the lobby, his

his chest. His gaze swept across the large room, satisfied, before finally settling

Then his stomach dropped.

Brightly. Too brightly. Almost as if she wanted him to

into a trap? Rick wondered, unease flickering, but there was no time to

replied, stepping closer. Her

the marble floor did he realize

toward him radiated something far beyond what he had heard in whispers or seen

this frightening while

then, unbidden, a single name slammed

Carl.

same terrifying blend of charm and menace, like a storm hidden behind

out around the lobby as

just retreat?” one guard muttered, eyes