They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System
Chapter 483: Don’t Know How To Deal With It

Chapter 483: Don’t Know How To Deal With It

"I already do," she replied softly.

His eyes flicked toward her, startled again.

There was something in her voice. Not pity. Not pressure. Just honest concern.

Then, finally, he spoke.

"I’m dealing with something."

Nnenna nodded slowly, a quiet sense of victory blooming in her chest. He admitted it. He actually admitted it.

"Anything I can do to help?" she asked, her voice hopeful, even a little eager.

I’m pretty smart, she told herself. Whatever it is, I can handle it. I can help.

But instead of a reply, Arthur gave her a look. A strange one, half surprised, half unreadable.

She blinked. "Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?" she asked, reaching up to touch her cheek.

Arthur quickly looked away. "No... but thank you."

And with that, he stood up, thanked his parents and walked out of the dining hall without another word.

Nnenna sat frozen for a moment, stunned. The air around her felt a little heavier now. She hadn’t expected him to spill his heart out, but still... that had stung.

Across the table, Ava gave the door a long look, then turned back to Nnenna. Her eyes softened, her brows subtly furrowed.

Arthur walking away like that, especially when Nnenna had been trying so hard, didn’t sit well with her.

Honestly, what’s his deal? she thought, biting back the urge to call him out right then and there.

She glanced again at Nnenna’s downcast face, and that did it. In her mind, Arthur had officially earned himself a silent sibling scolding.

Why is he holding back? Ava sighed inwardly, eyes still lingering on the door Arthur had just walked through. Is he waiting for an official invitation or what?

She shook her head slightly. He’s going to miss his chance if he keeps dragging his feet like this.

It frustrated her more than she expected. Arthur’s hesitation wasn’t just annoying, it was starting to interfere with her plans.

Because, truth be told, Ava still hadn’t given up on Somto.

She didn’t want to.

She hadn’t confirmed anything yet, but there was something about the way Somto and Nnenna looked at each other... Something subtle but unmistakable. And it wasn’t the "you’re my sibling" type of vibe either. Not to mention, they didn’t even look alike.

Ava didn’t need a wizard to tell her Nnenna and Somto weren’t biologically related.

Which means there’s a chance. A real one.

And until Somto openly chose Nnenna, Ava refused to surrender the love of her life without a fight.

So when she realized Arthur, Arthur, of all people, was showing signs of catching feelings for Nnenna, she had honestly been relieved. Thrilled, even.

Finally, she had thought. If Nnenna ends up with Arthur, I won’t have to deal with her as competition anymore.

Maybe then... just maybe... Somto would finally look her way.

Ava had already thought it all through. In her mind, it wasn’t manipulation, not if Arthur genuinely loved Nnenna and could get her to love him back too. It would be a win win for everyone. Nnenna would be loved, Arthur wouldn’t end up alone, and Somto...

Well, Somto might finally see her.

But now Arthur was messing everything up by holding back, for whatever reason.

Her patience snapped.

Frustrated, she pushed back her chair a little too abruptly, drawing glances from the others. With a polite smile, she thanked her parents quickly, then turned and strode out, determination pulsing through her steps.

She caught up with Arthur in the parking lot, and the moment she saw him there, her suspicions were confirmed.

Something’s definitely wrong with him.

Usually, Arthur’s car would be brought to the front steps. He never had to walk more than a few feet to get in and drive off. That was just how things were for royalty.

But not today.

He had walked, actually walked, all the way to the lot, ignoring the mini shuttles stationed around the castle for convenience. No guards, no driver trailing after him. Just him, his car, and a heavy cloud of thought that clung to him like a shadow.

This wasn’t normal.

This was the walk of a man trying to outrun something in his head.

Ava didn’t just walk up to him, she stomped over, her heels echoing sharply in the quiet lot. Arthur raised an eyebrow at her entrance but said nothing. He could already tell she wasn’t here for small talk.

"You like Nnenna," she said bluntly, arms crossed and tone flat, like it was already settled fact.

Arthur’s frown deepened, not at the accusation itself, but at how certain she sounded. He didn’t even try to deny it. There was no point, clearly, Ava had seen through him.

But now he was worried. Is it that obvious?

Ava saw his expression shift and took a step closer, her voice softening, but only just. "Then why are you holding back?"

Arthur looked at her, long and hard. Then looked away, jaw tight. The weight in his chest pressed harder.

He had planned to go see Carl. Carl understood him. Carl didn’t poke where he wasn’t ready to bleed. But now, here was Ava, suddenly in front of him, her presence steady and open, like an empty jar waiting to be filled.

And maybe... maybe he needed that.

The silence stretched for a beat before he finally let out a breath, quiet and slow.

"I don’t know how to deal with it," he said at last. "I feel like I’m betraying someone."

"I—I..." Arthur stammered.

Ava blinked, stunned. Did Arthur just stammer? She hadn’t even known it was possible. But he didn’t stop there.

"Yes... I like Nnenna," he finally admitted, voice low. "But I love... you know who."

He paused, struggling with the weight of his confession. "I think these new feelings I have for Nnenna... they must be temporary. Maybe it’s because I’ve searched for over a decade and I’m starting to lose faith."