They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System
Chapter 216 - 216 Unwanted Engagements 2

Chapter 216: Unwanted Engagements 2 Chapter 216: Unwanted Engagements 2 Almost instinctively, his gaze flickered to Nnenna.

Why?

He wasn’t sure.

He just needed to see her reaction.

She was impassive, her face giving nothing away.

But why did that bother him?

On the other side of the room, Princess Anya looked as though the ground had shifted beneath her.

The name she wanted to hear was Arthur, not Somto.

But Arthur was gone.

He had left days ago without a word.

She had known this was possible, but she had still hoped, hoped that something, somehow, would change her fate.

“My second son, Prince Obinna of Lionara, will be engaged to Princess Cha of Dixan.” Obinna exhaled through his nose, glancing at Cha.

He had no particular love for her, but she was the eldest princess of Dixan.

That alone made this a politically advantageous match.

Cha, however, stiffened.

A second prince?

Her pride took a blow.

She had spent days humiliating herself over Carl, openly fawning over him only to be ignored.

Now, it seemed that rejection had cost her more than just pride, it had cost her a crown prince.

She would have to settle for this.

Across the hall, King Seungho of Dixan barely reacted.

He knew his daughter’s reputation had suffered, but this engagement salvaged what was left of it.

The engagement between Obinna and Princess Cha of Dixan caused a mix of reactions.

For many, it was unexpected, Cha was the eldest princess of Dixan, and people had assumed she would be engaged to a crown prince, not a second prince.

“A second prince?

Hah,” a noblewoman murmured with a smirk.

“I suppose after embarrassing herself over Prince Carl, this is the best she could get.” Another noble added, “Well, it’s still an important match.

Dixan and Lionara strengthening ties, it makes sense.” Cha, standing tall, maintained her pride, but anyone who knew her well could tell she was not pleased.

“My third son, Prince Abuchi of Lionara, will be engaged to Princess Ruth of Purlit.” The tension shifted, this time into something lighter.

For the first time during the announcements, there was a genuine, positive reaction.

Abuchi and Ruth’s engagement was the only one that had been arranged by the prince’s own request, and it showed in his expression.

Abuchi, unlike his brothers, smiled when his name was called alongside Princess Ruth’s.

Across the hall, Ruth lowered her gaze shyly, but the faint blush on her cheeks was unmistakable.

“At least someone is happy with their engagement,” a noble remarked with amusement.

“It’s rare to see genuine happiness in a political marriage,” another noted.

Even the most cynical guests had to admit, it was refreshing.

“My first daughter, Princess Ebere of Lionara, will be engaged to Crown Prince Ji ho of Dixan.” The crowd’s response was neutral.

It was expected that a princess of Lionara would be matched with a crown prince, and Ebere herself looked pleased.

Ebere’s lips curved into a small, pleased smile.

A crown prince.

This was the kind of match that elevated her status even further.

Ji ho, however, remained composed, his sharp gaze flickering toward Nnenna for just a moment before he turned back.

It should have been her, he thought.

She would have been the more advantageous match.

But Nnenna was given to someone else.

Ebere was still a princess of Lionara, a biological one, which gave him an advantage.

He reminded himself that this was still a win.

And then came the shock.

King Ikechukwu’s voice rang through the hall.

“My second daughter, Princess Nnenna of Lionara, will be engaged to Crown Prince Alexei of Haran.” For a moment, there was silence.

Then, whispers exploded across the room.

“Nnenna?

Engaged to Alexei?

Then… what about prince Carl?” “Wait, did prince Carl not come all this way for her?” The confusion was instantaneous.

Up until this moment, everyone had assumed Carl had come to Lionara for Nnenna.

They had watched them together, seen how close they were.

Some even believed he was just waiting for the right time to formally propose.

But now, with her name linked to someone else, the truth became clear.

Carl had never intended to marry her.

The murmurs turned to mockery.

“She really thought she was special.” “The way she clung to him, so shameless.” “She must have thought if she stayed close to him, he’d make her his princess.” And then came the most vicious rumors.

“They spent so much time together.

Are we sure nothing happened between them?” “She probably threw herself at him, hoping he’d propose.” “And yet he let the ball end without a word about marrying her.

What a disgrace.” Soft laughter rippled through certain groups, but it wasn’t friendly, it was cruel.

Across the hall, Crown Prince Alexei’s expression darkened.

He hadn’t been pleased about this engagement in the first place, but hearing the way people spoke about his fiancée irritated him further.

Was this how people saw the woman he was now tied to?

As a foolish girl discarded by another man?

His jaw tightened.

Alexei’s expression was unreadable, but there was no joy in it.

However, when his eyes drifted toward Somto, his irritation dulled.

Somto would be part of their family now.

A powerful future king.

That alone made this match tolerable.

King Vladimir sat back in satisfaction.

Lionara and Haran would be bound even tighter now.

Nnenna did not react outwardly, but inside, something twisted.

She did not want this.

She had never dreamed of marriage, never longed for romance.

She wasn’t ready.

The united kingdoms were very pleased with the engagements .

However, not everyone was pleased.

King Gigangum of Roxurun and King Roxurun of Gigangum exchanged looks, both realizing they had been outmaneuvered.

They had hoped to secure at least one of Lionara’s princes or princesses for their own children.

With tight smiles, they quickly announced engagements of their own, pairing their children with noble houses and second tier kingdoms.

It was not as grand as what Lionara had just done, but at least it saved face.

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS JedidiahBeaufoy Your gift is the motivation for my creation.

Give me more motivation!