They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System
Chapter 218 - 218 Creeping Fear

Chapter 218: Creeping Fear Chapter 218: Creeping Fear And that was all he needed.

His own lips curved into a smile, warmth spreading through him.

Unlike his siblings, who stood with tension in their shoulders, indifference, displeasure on their faces, or confusion in their eyes…

Abuchi was content.

On the other side, Ebere’s heart clenched as she stole a glance at Carl, the man she had once entertained foolish hopes for.

She had known it was nothing but a dream, a man of his status would never choose her.

But still, a tiny part of her had wished, had imagined.

Now, seeing him stand there unaffected, without a hint of regret or reluctance, made her stomach twist.

She swallowed her emotions quickly, pushing them away.

There was no use holding onto something that was never hers to begin with.

Instead, her eyes flickered toward Ji ho, her actual fiancé.

A surge of satisfaction replaced the sting of rejection, Carl hadn’t chosen Nnenna either.

If he had, their father wouldn’t have dared to arrange a marriage for her.

That alone was enough to lift Ebere’s spirits.

Her gaze settled on Ji ho, her lips curving into a small, victorious smile.

But when she met his eyes, the cold indifference in them sent a shiver down her spine.

His jaw was tight, his expression unreadable, yet something about the way he carried himself made it clear, he was resisting this.

Ebere stiffened slightly.

Why did he look so…

unwilling?

Shouldn’t he be pleased?

He was a crown prince, and she was the eldest princess of Lionara, the only biological daughter of the king.

This was an excellent match.

Or was he still thinking about Nnenna’s brilliant performance?

Ebere guessed as she noticed his continuous glances at Nnenna.

Her fingers clenched around the fabric of her dress as bitterness crept into her chest.

Even after everything, was her adopted sister still the one in his mind?

No.

She wouldn’t allow it.

Shoving aside the unsettling thoughts, Ebere lifted her chin, regaining her composure.

This engagement was sealed, whether Ji ho liked it or not.

And if he thought he could look down on her just because of his cold, indifferent attitude, he had another thing coming.

The murmurs about Nnenna’s relationship with Carl failing increased but both Nnenna and Carl saw no need in explaining themselves.

Nnenna’s gaze swept over the hall, taking in the smirks, the mocking whispers, the barely concealed looks of amusement aimed her way.

So this was how they saw her?

As a fool who had been grasping at something never meant for her?

She exhaled slowly, refusing to let the sharp sting of their words reach her.

It was laughable, really.

When had Carl ever said he was interested in marrying her?

When had he ever made any such promise?

Never.

It had been their own wishful thinking, their own assumptions, that had painted a picture of something that never existed.

And now, they turned their own delusions into her disgrace?

Fools.

If only they knew that no one here, not a single one of them, could match the kind of person Carl would actually consider for marriage.

And if only they knew that she, Nnenna, had never once thought of herself as anyone’s bride, especially at this age.

Marriage was not a priority.

Not now.

She turned away from the murmuring guests, her posture straight, her expression unreadable as the ball finally came to an end.

People began dispersing, making preparations to return to their respective kingdoms the next morning.

The heavy air of politics, alliances, and quiet rivalries lingered as everyone exited the hall.

But Nnenna had only one thing on her mind.

Her father.

The moment King Ikechukwu left the hall, she followed after him, her steps quick and determined.

She would not let this engagement stand.

By the time she and the others reached his study, the doors had barely closed when Abuchi spoke up first, his voice filled with something that caught her off guard, genuine gratitude.

“Thank you, Father, for granting me this engagement,” he said, his expression sincere.

Nnenna blinked.

That was not something she often saw on her brother’s face.

Nnenna had always thought Abuchi was indifferent to people, especially when it came to matters of the heart.

He had never seemed like the type to actually love someone romantically, let alone openly express gratitude for an engagement.

Yet here he was, standing before their father, looking almost…genuine.

It was unsettling.

Even more shocking was the fact that the woman he had chosen wasn’t from one of the most powerful kingdoms.

He was a prince of Lionara, he could have had anyone.

And yet, he had chosen a princess from a second tier kingdom.

She had never seen this side of him before.

A flicker of sadness crossed her eyes.

How little she truly knew her own brother.

They had never been close.

None of them were.

The thought lingered only for a moment before she pushed it aside, her expression smoothing into neutrality.

As Abuchi finished speaking, the rest of the siblings followed suit, thanking their father for the arrangements, except for one.

Somto.

The crown prince stood there, arms crossed, his expression unreadable but the tension in his posture unmistakable.

He was not pleased.

Once the others had left, he finally spoke, his voice sharp and unwavering.

“Father, I don’t remember asking for an engagement.” King Ikechukwu exhaled, as if expecting this reaction.

“Yes, I know.” His voice was calm, measured.

But there was something else, something almost cautious.

Somto’s presence filled the room with a quiet authority, an aura so commanding that for a brief moment, the King felt as though he were not speaking to his own son, but to an equal.

Or perhaps someone even more powerful.

It was a side of Somto that was rarely seen by his family.

And one that even his father could not completely ignore.

King Ikechukwu didn’t know when it had started, this quiet, creeping fear of his own son.

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

Give me more motivation!