They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System
Chapter 351: Family is Important

Chapter 351: Family is Important

Before today, many had spoken out harshly against the kingdom of Lionara, accusing them of being heartless, cold, and distant. Rumors had swirled like wildfire, some even speculated betrayal.

But now, those same critics were quiet… or apologizing.

People who had once criticized Lionara for being heartless or distant began to take back their words. Their crown prince had shown up. He had saved the day. That had to count for something.

What they didn’t know, what no one knew, was the truth.

They didn’t know what had really been happening behind the closed castle gates of Lionara. They didn’t know that the king was dead. That the crown prince had vanished from public life not out of apathy… but because something far more dangerous was at play.

They didn’t know the weight Somto had been carrying for years.

They didn’t know the war he had been fighting in silence.

One of the men beside Somto, as part of security protocol, quietly stepped back from the platform and immediately worked to shut down the live feed. Everyone in their army knew one thing: The First Prince hated cameras.

There were barely any photos of him online. A few blurry shots from years ago, and even those had vanished from the net soon after. His face was still a mystery.

But even without seeing him, everyone knew.

The commanding voice. The icy calm. The sheer weight of authority that rolled off him in waves. That wasn’t a general. That wasn’t a commander. That was someone born to rule.

And as people watched Eglon fumble, panic, and tremble… the tide of loyalty shifted fast.

Even his former supporters began deleting their posts. Some openly turned against him.

@ChangeofMonarchy: “I supported Eglon because I thought he was protecting Purlit. I was wrong.”

@WhatYouWantAPieceofMe: “That man just crumbled the second real power entered the stage.”

@IChangedMyMind: “Shameful.”

A final message popped up before the stream was cut:

@ILoveMysteries: “Whoever he is… the First Prince of Lionara just became one of the world’s mystery obsession. And I have a feeling this is just the beginning.”

They were finally heading back into the castle, wounded, dirty, exhausted. The scent of ash and blood still clung to their clothes. But they were alive. And for now, that was enough.

Somto held Nnenna’s hand again once he got the chance. She didn’t resist this time so as to not create an awkward scene.

Abuchi, walking just a few steps behind, suddenly quickened his pace.

“There’s something I need to talk to you about, brother,” he said, his voice low but urgent.

Somto glanced sideways, his grip on Nnenna’s wrist still firm, like he was afraid she would disappear if he let go. Sensing the seriousness in Abuchi’s tone, he gave a small nod.

“You can speak.”

Abuchi hesitated. He looked at Nnenna, unsure if it was something she would want to hear. He didn’t want to bring up bad memories for her. But Somto didn’t dismiss her. Instead, he kept walking forward still holding her hand so Nnenna couldn’t leave.

She followed, heart still pounding from everything that had happened and was happening, eyes flicking between her two brothers.

Abuchi drew a deep breath. “Our father… he’s dead.”

The words echoed like thunder in the hallway. The air seemed to freeze.

Somto didn’t pause. He didn’t flinch. He didn’t even blink.

Abuchi stared at him in disbelief. “Did you hear me? I said—”

“I know,” Somto said quietly.

That single sentence hit harder than any scream.

Nnenna’s steps faltered. Abuchi stopped walking altogether.

“You… You knew?” Abuchi whispered, shocked.

Somto finally turned to face him. His expression was unreadable. Too calm. Too quiet.

“I’ve known for a while.”

Silence fell like a hammer. Even Nnenna couldn’t breathe for a moment.

“How?” Abuchi asked, stunned. “Why didn’t you…. come back?”

Somto looked ahead again, quiet.

So Somto knew. He had known for months. Abuchi thought in disbelief.

Yet he didn’t show up.

He didn’t come home for the burial, even though it was rushed and quiet, barely worthy of a king. He didn’t send a message. He didn’t inherit the throne. He left everything to fall apart.

And worst of all, the second born son had to step up in front of everyone like the heir, while the rightful first prince vanished into thin air.

What kind of behavior was that?

“You knew?” Abuchi’s voice cracked, but his eyes were burning with restrained fury now. “You knew and didn’t show up for us? For him? Don’t you think we needed you?”

The usual reverence in his tone when addressing Somto was gone. He wasn’t speaking to a Crown Prince. He was speaking to an absent brother. The pain had stripped away the layers of fear and formality.

Somto didn’t flinch.

“I had some things to handle,” he said coolly, as if those “things” weren’t the reason his entire kingdom had crumbled into speculation, fear and silence.

Nnenna watched the exchange with wide eyes. Her chest felt tight, her mind spinning. She had always known Somto was distant… but this? I thought he would do anything for family?

“You couldn’t come home?” Abuchi pushed, voice rising. “You couldn’t even send a message?”

“I could not leave,” Somto said, a little firmer this time. “If I had, something worse would’ve happened. I had to finish what I started.”

“What could possibly be more important than your own family?!” Abuchi snapped, the weight of the last few months finally breaking loose in his voice.

Somto met his eyes now, steady and unreadable.

“Family is important,” he said slowly, “And over the years, haven’t I always shown that in my actions?”

“Then why?” Abuchi asked, his voice quieter now, but sharper. “Why, when we needed you the most, did you vanish?”

Somto was quiet at first, but decided to say more of his cherished words when he saw that Abuchi was really unhappy.

“Because while you were trying to figure out what happened, I was already hunting the ones who did it.”