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

Chapter 633: More and More Uncomfortable

“Secrets,” the singer’s smooth voice rang out instantly. “What secrets are you hiding… don’t you know you’ll never get an answer if you don’t ask—”

“Absolutely not.” Carl jabbed the button so fast his finger slipped.

Another voice came through: “Don’t be afraid to face your fears… or you may lose what’s worthwhile forev—”

“Seriously?!” Carl groaned and slapped it off completely. “Silence. Silence is good. Silence is perfect.”

From the passenger seat, Nnenna’s lips twitched. “Even the radio’s on my side tonight.”

Arthur’s gaze stayed locked on the window, but his jaw flexed once.

Carl glanced at the mirror nervously. “Coincidence. Total coincidence.”

Gosh, I do not want to be here right now, he lamented internally, gripping the wheel like it might save his life.

“Mm.” Nnenna leaned back, smirking at Arthur. “Unless the universe is trying to tell someone something.”

Arthur finally turned, his cold eyes landing on Carl. He didn’t say a word, but the air in the car dropped several degrees.

Carl waved his hand frantically. “Nope. Don’t look at me. I’m just the driver. Like the seatbelt, here for safety, not opinions. If I snap, we’re all doomed.”

The silence that followed wasn’t peaceful. It was sharp, crackling, and Carl had the sinking feeling the radio had been safer.

Not wasting a second once back at Riverum castle, the three boarded a night flight back to Prigrian, cutting the long journey short with a private jet, just as they had when heading to Lionara.

By the next morning, Nnenna was already up and heading for training. No matter what storm circled between her and Arthur, nothing was going to stop her from graduating early.

She arrived just on time, something Arthur always insisted on, though based on her discovery after analysing the times she had spent with Arthur, she realised that he secretly preferred she didn’t push herself too much. He wanted her well rested. Yet, there she was, standing tall.

“Good morning, sensei,” Nnenna greeted, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Feels like forever since I last trained with you. Months, right? And this is the first time I’ll be moving with my legs again. I can’t help but wonder… did I lose some of my moves?” Her voice carried a nervous edge.

studied her carefully, then shook his head. “I doubt that.” His tone was calm, steady, almost reassuring. “The brain remembers, especially movements you’ve drilled into yourself for years. You’re not starting from square

nodding. “Okay then… let’s see what I’ve

hours of drills, then we’ll see if you can still execute the standard moves,” Arthur said, his usual

really not going easy on me,

wears off faster under pressure,” Arthur replied

groaned but went along, starting with the basic stances, punches, and footwork. The first thirty minutes were shaky, her balance wobbled, her kicks lacked height, and her timing faltered. Still, Arthur corrected her with an almost unnerving patience, demonstrating the moves once, then again when

to her hairline, but her rhythm was returning. She straightened, hands on her knees, catching

her closely, his sharp eyes flicking from her steady stance to her breathing. “Not bad,” he admitted

now, sensei? Or are you giving me

test standard moves. If you can’t execute

squared up again. “Fine. Just don’t look so smug

her stance, taking a deep breath. She moved forward with a

she could topple completely. “Too fast,” he corrected calmly. “Your balance

she muttered, biting

her back into position, his hands briefly steadying her shoulders. He tried to act like it was routine correction, but his chest tightened at how close she was, how warm. He pulled back faster than usual,

squinted at him. “You always look like a

second. “Focus,” he ordered, but his ears betrayed

had become more observant now. Picking up on subtle signs she had always

icy face made her chest feel unsteady. She forced a small, shaky laugh, like she was trying to push away the tension. “Arthur… why do I feel like you’re looking at me

Silence.

retreating behind his cold mask, but the slip had already happened.

couldn’t help but

out to be what she suspected, nothing between them would ever be the same again. I

questions hanging between them, they moved back into stance. The training continued. Every time she slipped, missing a block, turning too wide, he corrected

her arm angle, his voice dipped softer than usual. When he nudged her foot into alignment, his hand lingered half a second

the more she noticed, the more she

Arthur crouched in

growing clumsiness. “I don’t need your help.” She added trying