They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System
Chapter 374: Just Got The Gift He Didn’t Know He Needed

Chapter 374: Just Got The Gift He Didn’t Know He Needed

And why did it bother her?

It was just a dance, she reminded herself. A symbolic gesture. Nothing more. The prince wasn’t married, nor formally engaged. With the entire world watching, he had to choose someone, and, well, she was available, noble, and already dressed for the occasion.

That had to be why.

Right?

She bit her lower lip and glanced down at her hand, the one he had held just moments ago. She remembered the warmth of his fingers, the way he looked at her as if she was the only one in the room.

A weird guilt started to creep up on her. He hadn’t demanded anything. He hadn’t pressured her. And when she refused… he had respected it.

She sighed.

Maybe I overreacted.

Maybe it really was just a dance. He could have gone to their mother. Or even Ebere, who was just as beloved and refined. But he didn’t. He came to her.

And she turned away.

The moment the musicians quietly packed up the instruments for the first dance, a wave of confused disappointment washed over the crowd like an unspoken question.

Guests glanced around, waiting, unsure if there had been a change in the program. A few noblewomen whispered behind their fans. Courtiers muttered into their wine glasses.

The cancellation of the first dance, the symbolic act that marked the prince’s rise, was like pulling the spark from a firework show just before launch.

Even the livestream exploded with reactions:

@RoyalTeaSpiller: Wait, did they just CANCEL the first dance?? No way. My popcorn is unfinished. Refund please.

@GlitzNGlory2025: Why would he cancel? WHO was supposed to dance with him? But then he could have danced with his mother or one of his sisters right?

@ChaChaChariot: Maybe his dance partner bailed? Oop, tea’s hot tonight.

@NnennaNation: Wait y’all… you don’t think—?

@ConfusedAndCaffeinated: Is his chosen Princess late? Or did he get abandoned?! On LIVESTREAM??

@StrictlyMonarchy: That was tradition, tho. It’s never been canceled. Something’s UP.

And though Nnenna couldn’t see the comments, she felt the atmosphere.

She looked around the grand hall, noting the subtle disappointment written on the faces of the dignitaries. King Altan of Roxurun’s brow was furrowed.

Princess Chimeg whispered something with raised brows to Prince Ankhbayar. Even King Vladimir of Haran blinked slowly, murmuring something to Alexei and Anya.

And the citizens. She could imagine their confusion, their excitement fizzling into uncertainty.

This was his big day.

Her brother. The same brother who had quietly supported her from when she was in the hospital. Who didn’t force her to explain why she said no. He had asked gently and let go just as gently.

And she…

She couldn’t even grant him this one moment.

No.

Nnenna inhaled deeply, squared her shoulders, and began walking through the crowd, weaving past nobles and heads of state, past guards and servants. Her pace was steady, her heart hammering faster with every step.

Somto stood with his back turned, speaking in low tones with one of his advisors, his posture calm, but somehow… distant.

She reached him. Then gently, boldly, tapped his shoulder.

He turned, mid sentence.

His brows lifted slightly as he laid eyes on her. His surprise wasn’t masked, not even a little. He looked like he didn’t expect to see her again for the rest of the evening.

She gave a soft smile, just enough to be sincere without giving too much away.

“May I have this dance, Eldest Brother?” she said clearly, stretching out her hand to him.

Her voice was calm, but her heart pounded louder than the music.

Somto stared at her for a breath longer than necessary. His expression unreadable…

All across the grand hall, heads turned in near perfect unison.

Gasps rippled like a wave on a pond.

Wasn’t the first dance just cancelled?

And now, the Second Princess, who had earlier been the center of a scandalous commotion, was walking up to Crown Prince Somto and… asking for the dance herself?

That wasn’t how these things were done. The prince was the one to offer the hand. Not the other way around. And certainly not after he had made the cancellation official.

Whispers bloomed like wildfire through the hall:

“She’s overstepping—”

“Did she not hear him cancel it?”

“Even if she’s his sister, that was bold, no, reckless—”

“Somto’s not the type to let this slide…”

“She’s making it worse for herself…”

All eyes locked on Somto, waiting for the sharp rejection that would surely follow. For the air to freeze over. For the Second Princess to be gently, or not so gently, shown back to her place.

Somto’s mind whirled for a brief moment.

She rejected him just minutes ago.

Now here she was, offering her hand in front of everyone, asking for the same dance she had just refused.

What changed her mind?

He wanted to ask, to look her in the eye and demand an explanation. But not now. Not here. Not in front of the entire court and the eyes of the continent glued to their screens.

Besides… he was too delighted to question it.

“Sure,” he said simply, his deep voice carrying across the marble floored hall like a spell breaking.

The crowd “…”

The livestreamers “…”

A stunned hush fell once again. For a single breath, time stood still.

Then, the room stirred, nobles whispered behind their fans, guests shifted excitedly.

Queen Chioma frowned from her position but said nothing. At least Somto was willing to dance.

The comment section of the livestream erupted

@RoyalRewind: “Wait… SHE asked HIM?? And he said YES? This princess just flipped the script.”

@CrownMeNnenna: “I don’t care what anyone says, she just saved the entire coronation vibe. Let’s gooo, Second Princess!!”

@ProtocoldiesInside: “Okay but isn’t the First Dance like… sacred tradition? And she just brought it back from the dead??!”

@PlotTwistParrot: “Y’all, this is giving main character energy. Nnenna said, ‘I cancel your cancellation.'”

@SomNnaShippersUnite: “Somto said ‘sure’ like a man who just got the gift he didn’t know he needed.”

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This is the seventh of the promised ten chapters 🥳

Read up!