They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System
Chapter 367: That Gaze

Chapter 367: That Gaze

The first man’s face darkened. That word “ferocious” was supposed to make him sound strong, not like a wild beast. But now everyone was laughing. And that little thread of self control he had left? It snapped.

He charged forward with a shout, fists clenched, ready to start a fight.

In less than two seconds, a punch flew through the air and landed squarely on the second man’s head.

Gasps erupted around them.

The taller man staggered back, stunned by the blow, but only for a moment. He quickly recovered and launched a counterattack, fists swinging.

The crowd that had gathered was a mix of reactions. The younger, more immature ones cheered excitedly, hoping for a full on street brawl.

But the older, more responsible ones frowned in disappointment. A few even stepped forward, trying to pull the men apart.

“What on earth are you two doing?!” someone shouted.

Just then, a loud, authoritative voice cut through the tension.

“If you’ve got that much energy to waste fighting, go finish the mountain of tasks we have before the coronation!”

It was their boss, one of the supervisors in charge of preparations. His tone was sharp and commanding.

He glared at the two men. “Have you finished the deliveries you were supposed to make to the castle?”

The two fighters, still breathing hard and clearly not satisfied, shook their heads silently like scolded children.

“Then what are you still doing here?” Iron Man asked, voice dangerously low.

Without another word, the two men turned and slunk away like dogs with their tails tucked.

The entire situation felt off to Nnenna. Very off.

These were men who were usually too busy with assigned tasks to even joke around, much less fight like schoolboys in the street. How had they gone from calm to chaos in seconds?

Still shaken, she turned and made her way back to the castle, her thoughts racing.

As Nnenna passed through the gates of the castle, her steps slowed.

The courtyard was packed.

Luxury cars from all corners of the continent lined the grounds, sleek, shining, powerful. The air felt different, heavy with tension and grandeur. Her eyes widened in disbelief. They’re already here?

It was true. Representatives from the other kingdoms had arrived.

And not just any kingdoms, these were the major powers, the four most influential realms on the continent other than Lionara.

The fact that their emissaries had arrived within two days of the announcement was nothing short of astonishing. Other kingdoms were also present.

Even Nnenna couldn’t help but marvel at their speed and efficiency.

But then again, this was Lionara.

Despite the recent turmoil, the kingdom was still respected… feared even. And now, with the sudden death of the former king, the world had taken notice.

Every allied kingdom wanted to be seen, wanted to maintain their ties, or perhaps… reassess them.

The mystery of it all still lingered. No one had heard of any sickness. No whispers of frailty or decline. The former King had been strong. Sharp. Powerful.

So how did he die so suddenly?

The swiftness of the coronation only fueled suspicion. Two days. That’s all it took for a new ruler to rise.

Some wondered: Was Lionara hiding something? Had the kingdom grown weak? Vulnerable?

Others thought of opportunity.

But most of them, especially those with real power, chose to come and observe. They would watch closely at the coronation, weigh the kingdom’s new ruler, and decide whether to keep their alliances… or quietly start shifting the balance.

If Lionara was no longer as strong as it used to be, especially now, with the sudden shift in power, then the wolves would come.

No one said it aloud, of course. Outwardly, everyone wore smiles and exchanged pleasantries.

But behind the polished words and diplomatic bows, there was calculation. Every kingdom here knew the truth: weakness, even the faintest scent of it, was a chance to strike.

They weren’t just here to celebrate. They were here to observe. To weigh. To judge.

Nnenna walked through the gates, silent among the murmurs and formal greetings echoing around the castle grounds.

She spotted familiar faces, some allies, some not. People she had met at the grand ball. People who remembered her… and the drama that followed.

Her eyes scanned the crowd with calm detachment.

And then she felt it, that gaze.

Prince Alexei.

His eyes locked on her, his expression unreadable. His gaze swept over her masked face and then down to the cap she wore. She was still wearing her mask, but since she had now re entered the castle grounds, she slowly removed it with practiced ease.

Alexei’s eyes flickered with recognition and surprise.

But Nnenna didn’t look his way again.

She shifted her focus and moved forward, offering polite bows and greetings to the senior nobles who approached her with smiles and respect.

Alexei stood there, ignored and momentarily frozen.

The last time they saw each other, their engagement had just been broken off, shattered by her older brother’s intervention, which had infuriated his father, King Vladimir. The fallout had been swift and messy, and Alexei had kept his distance since.

But now… things had changed.

The same elder brother who tore the engagement apart was about to be crowned King. Suddenly, Nnenna, adopted or not, was someone worth noticing again.

Still, she didn’t spare him even a second glance.

And that, more than anything, unsettled Alexei.

Nnenna carefully observed the situation before stepping forward. There were many unfamiliar faces, but she knew where to begin.

Family ties first.

It made the most sense to greet those who were soon to become part of their extended royal family.

Her second brother was engaged to the first princess of Dixan, and her sister to their crown prince. Starting with King Seungho of Dixan was both diplomatic and logical.

She adjusted her posture, smoothed her gown, and walked gracefully toward their group. With a soft smile and perfect courtesy, she offered a respectful curtsy.

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This month, on the 18th, TOMORROW based on NovelFire’s time, we’re participating on NovelFire’s 515 birthday program 🥳 Who’s excited??

In a few hours, we’ll be having a massive mass release of up to 10 chapters! I know I know, I’m awesome 😎

Listen, don’t make the mistake of missing it. Every chapter will be worth it!