They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System
Chapter 346: Full Panick Mode

Chapter 346: Full Panick Mode

Abuchi’s grin deepened, the kind of grin that only someone who had been wronged could wear. “I’m not lying, Eglon. And the only thing you’ve done is offend people you shouldn’t have offended. Now you’re about to find out exactly what that means.”

The moment hung heavy in the air. King Eglon stood frozen as realization settled into his bones like ice.

The Crown Prince of Lionara.

His face twitched, then shifted into a forced smile as he stepped forward, trying to salvage whatever dignity he could grasp.

“Your Highness,” Eglon said with a bow that didn’t quite reach the ground. His voice shook, the words coming out too quickly. “Forgive this chaos. We had no idea you were involved. If there’s anything I can do to—”

Somto said nothing. His boots hit the stone ground with calm, controlled power as he dismounted. His uniform was pristine, sharp with authority, the dark coat lined with silver trim that caught the sunlight. He didn’t even spare Eglon a glance.

He walked straight past the trembling king, each step echoing across the silent execution ground.

His eyes locked onto one person, Nnenna.

Everyone watched in confusion as he stopped in front of her.

Nnenna’s breath caught. She tried to speak, but no sound came out.

Without a word, Somto gently reached for her hands.

She flinched slightly, unsure.

But he took her hands anyway. Slowly. Carefully. Reverently.

And he didn’t let go.

His fingers wrapped around hers like she was the only thing holding him to the world.

Then, his eyes narrowed.

He raised her arm slightly and turned it, revealing a faint bruise just under the sleeve. A fresh scrape across her knuckles. Dried blood. Nothing life threatening, but enough to send a visible wave of fury through Somto’s entire body.

He exhaled through his nose, like a dragon holding back fire.

“Who touched you?” he asked, his voice calm, but the coldness beneath it made even the guards shiver.

Nnenna blinked. “I-It’s not—”

“Who touched you?” he repeated, softer now, but somehow more dangerous.

Eglon took a nervous step forward. “She wasn’t hurt by us, I swear. She got those injuries during the fighting. I gave orders that no harm should come to your siblings.”

But Somto still didn’t look at him. His entire presence ignored the king, like Eglon wasn’t even there.

The air thickened.

Even the wind felt like it held its breath.

Abuchi, standing a few steps away, frowned.

He had known Somto all his life.

He knew Somto cared deeply for his siblings.

But this, this was different.

Somto hadn’t once glanced at him.

Hadn’t asked if he was okay.

His entire focus had been Nnenna from the moment he arrived.

And now, holding her hands, refusing to let go, staring at her injuries like they were his own wounds

Abuchi’s stomach twisted.

He knew that look.

That wasn’t brotherly concern.

That was something else.

Love.

And not the quiet, safe kind.

It was the dangerous kind, the kind that burns down cities.

The kind that starts wars.

The execution ground stayed deathly silent.

And Somto still hadn’t let go.

Eglon swallowed, sweat starting to bead on his forehead.

This was not going to plan.

He thought he had cornered a few rebels.

But now, now, he was standing on a battlefield with a prince who looked ready to dismantle kingdoms with just his stare.

And Somto’s stare had never left Nnenna.

Not once.

Not yet.

Not until he got answers.

And not until justice was served.

For a long time, Nnenna just stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. The pain in her body was nothing compared to the storm behind her eyes. What exactly was up with Somto?

Somto hadn’t let go of her hand. Not once. His grip had softened, but his presence was still firm, protective, unmoving.

And then, finally, she found her voice, shaky but clear.

“…How?” she asked. “How did you know? How did you get here so fast?”

Somto’s fierce expression eased at the sound of her voice. The cold fury in his eyes retreated just a little. He looked at her like she was the only person in the world worth hearing.

“I found out yesterday evening,” he said quietly, like it was a confession. “The moment I did, I moved.”

Just like that. No dramatics. No explanation of the chaos he must have caused to gather men and reach here before dawn. No boasting. Just: I moved.

From behind one of the massive stone pillars near the edge of the execution ground, a young girl stiffened.

Little Sweetie.

She could barely breathe as she listened to the Crown Prince’s voice echo across the yard.

He had said it out loud.

He had found out yesterday.

Which meant… he was talking about her call.

Her heartbeat quickened. What if he exposed her now? What if, in front of Nnenna, he pointed her out and her cover shattered?

Her breath hitched. She hadn’t done everything perfectly. She hadn’t stopped the torture. She hadn’t stopped the plan from collapsing. She hadn’t protected the general’s siblings well.

She felt the sting of failure crawl under her skin like fire ants.

From the very first day the crew of five discussed about the mission, Little Sweetie had already reported everything to Somto. He didn’t stop them probably because he trusted her to handle it. And she did, but then they were captured when the plan almost succeeded because of Karen’s betrayal.

Even Little Sweetie was caught off guard by that betrayal. When the chase started in Marka, she had obviously followed Nnenna who was with Ekene and so she didn’t know when that mysterious man stopped Karen.

Once the plan failed the previous day, she was in full panick. She could go in and save at least Nnenna but what about the others? There was no way Nnenna would agree to leave without her crew, also Ruth and her family.