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

Chapter 585: Her Prison of Frustration

Nnenna’s heart pounded. No. Something about this confession felt wrong, forced, unnatural. The housekeeper was loyal, yes, but this sounded more like… a man cornered.

Carl’s jaw tightened, but his eyes never left the bowed figure in front of him.

“No… that’s not true.”

Carl shook his head slowly, almost as if trying to shake away the words themselves.

“It’s true,” the housekeeper insisted, his voice breaking. “I don’t want to look you in the eye and lie, Your Highness. I’m sorry.”

He finally lifted his face, and though his eyes were red and downcast, the sorrow in them was unmistakable.

“But why?” Nnenna’s voice came out sharper than she intended. Her chest tightened. What could possibly push him to this? What was his motive?

The question hung in the air, burning through every corner of the room. The servants leaned forward slightly, guards stiffened, even Daniel’s cold expression flickered with curiosity. Everyone wanted the same answer.

The housekeeper drew a shaky breath. “I did it… because someone paid me to do it.”

Carl’s expression darkened, his voice dropping like ice. “Who?”

“I’m not sure,” the housekeeper admitted, his lips trembling. “But… I recognized her face. The Queen of Reshmi. Athena.”

The name landed like a thunderclap.

Nnenna’s stomach lurched. Athena again? The sound of it echoed in her head, heavy and suffocating. That woman’s shadow stretched everywhere, first the kidnapping, then Somto’s death, and now… Carl.

Her fists clenched unconsciously. Why is this aunt of mine always behind the worst things?

Carl’s silence was louder than any outburst. His gaze lingered on the housekeeper, unreadable but sharp, weighing every word, every flicker of guilt.

Finally, his voice cut through. “The trial will be held, as Daniel said.” He straightened, his authority filling the space. “And I expect a better explanation by then.”

Though his words were firm, Nnenna could see it, he wasn’t shutting the door completely. He was still giving the housekeeper a chance, one last thread to hold on to.

“Come on. You need to go back to bed,” Nnenna whispered, her voice gentle yet firm as she tugged at Carl’s hand.

“I’m not fragile, you know,” Carl reminded her, his usual calm smile tugging faintly at his lips.

“I know,” she replied quickly, glancing back at him. “But let’s go back.”

tighter

“Wait,” Carl said suddenly.

pressed on. “You should rest,” she insisted, eyes

Then it happened.

body shaking as a deep cough tore through his chest. Before Nnenna could turn fully to him, hot wetness splattered across

Blood.

blood all over her front, the sound echoing horribly in the wide room. Gasps

Nanny screamed,

heavens—!” one servant dropped the tray she was holding,

instincts took over. He rushed forward, trying to pull Nnenna away. “Move aside! He needs

her

gave way. He collapsed fully,

once, the room erupting into chaos, servants shouting, nanny

push Nnenna aside, but before he could, the

locked on Nnenna. “She knows what

his jaw tight,

other already checking his pulse with practiced precision. Her

“His pulse is weak,” she said quickly,

helplessly, eyes wide with worry. Nanny was trembling so much she had to grip a chair

now!” Daniel barked, snapping the guards

Carl,” she whispered, her

it was just her steady

noise reach her. Her hands moved with quiet precision, steady as if she had

Carl slightly, checking the rise and fall of his chest. Her

his sternum, listening to the rhythm of his breathing. Then she checked his lips and

flicker of fear, no sign of what

silence was unshaken. Even the housekeeper, who always read emotions easily,

and spoke, her voice cutting clean

me take him

blinked, startled. For a heartbeat he hesitated, as if expecting more, some explanation, some reassurance, but none came. Nnenna’s tone had no

he said quickly, dropping to Carl’s other side, not

them. The servants parted at

still, Nnenna’s face never

room, the air was heavy with tension. The servants and guards lingered by the closed door, whispering prayers under their breath

gripping Carl’s hand tightly. His skin was clammy,

I don’t understand, she thought, her voice sharp in desperation. He said he could slow the poison. He said he had

I can’t tell

die if