They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 461: The Manipulative Carl

Carl did not even look at him now, like the matter was settled.

Arthur clenched his jaw. This manipulative bastard.

"Good one, Carl. A real good one." Arthur said, his voice low and dark, eyes narrowed in quiet fury.

Carl tilted his head, all innocence on the surface. "I don’t understand what you’re talking about," he replied mildly, though a satisfied glint flickered in his gaze. "But I appreciate your suggestion. Somto will do just fi—"

"Shut up."

Arthur’s voice dropped so low it was almost a growl. The air itself seemed to grow colder, the leaves around them shivering as if the trees felt the sudden tension too.

Carl paused, then smiled to himself. Finally, he thought. This is the reaction I was aiming for. Now that Arthur had shown his real intentions, there was no need to keep pushing.

He lifted a hand in a small surrender, as though he were only now giving in.

"Well... since you insist," Carl said with a deliberately reluctant sigh, though his eyes danced with amusement. "I guess you can teach her, since you are indeed the best martial artist I know."

He turned to Nnenna, looking completely serious again. "Nnenna, quickly, say hello to your new martial arts teacher."

Nnenna blinked, caught off guard by how fast this had escalated, but she reacted quickly. She turned to Arthur, her voice soft but clear. "Hello, Sensei Arthur."

Arthur snorted, trying to look annoyed, though his ears turned a little red. He was still furious at how Carl had baited him, but inside, a strange rush of happiness welled up.

He had wanted this, and now he had it... But he wouldn’t let any one know that.

The rest of the journey back to the castle was steeped in quiet. Everyone sank into their own thoughts, the mood shifting like a slow tide.

Ava stared out the window, her mind replaying every word. Arthur leaned back, arms crossed, refusing to look at anyone, his expression locked in a permanent scowl.

But Carl was different. He hummed happily, tapping the steering wheel with his fingers as if he were driving to a festival instead of heading home. His good mood was so obvious it felt out of place in the thick silence.

That night, after dinner and a long shower, Nnenna settled onto her reading table with her textbooks, determined to study for a few more hours. But her phone buzzed, breaking her concentration.

It was a message from Somto.

[Carl told me everything. I know you can do it. Once you choose your two talent courses, one of us will teach you. If it’s not in our specialties, I’ll find you the best teacher.]

Nnenna’s heart warmed. She hurried to reply, her thumbs moving quickly.

[Okay, thank you.]

She added a little sun emoji, unable to keep the smile off her face. It felt strangely good, satisfying in a way she couldn’t fully explain, that he believed in her so easily.

She finished up her reading, changed into her pajamas, and climbed into bed. Just as she was drifting toward sleep, her phone buzzed again.

It was Somto.

He had reacted to her message with a bright red heart.

Nnenna felt her cheeks heat up. But before she could put her phone away, another message appeared.

[I miss you.]

Her breath caught in her throat.

For a moment, all she could do was stare at the screen, her heartbeat loud in the darkness.

Her heart skipped so fast she thought it might fly right out of her chest. A hot flush crawled up her neck, turning her ears bright red. She suddenly felt too warm under her blanket, her palms growing damp with nervous sweat.

Her hands trembled as she typed a reply.

[Okay, come back soon.]

She paused, staring at the words. She wanted to tell him that she actually missed him too. That she had been thinking about him ever since he left.

But she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

With her face still burning, she set the phone aside and pulled the blanket over her head. It took a long time for her heartbeat to calm enough to fall asleep.

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Far away, in a tall glass building in another kingdom on the same continent, Somto stood by the window. The city lights glittered beneath him, but his attention was fixed on the phone in his hand.

Seconds passed like decades as he waited for her reply.

His eyes flicked to the time. Midnight. He should have been resting, tomorrow’s negotiations would be brutal, but he couldn’t make himself put the phone down.

Then it lit up.

[Okay, come back soon.]

He read the message slowly. His gaze locked on the second part.

[... Come back soon.]

His lips curled into a slow, thoughtful smile.

Did that mean she missed him too?

He closed his eyes and let himself imagine that maybe, just maybe, she did.

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The next morning, before the sky even thought about brightening, Nnenna’s alarm chimed softly at 4 a.m. She opened her eyes, her mind already ticking through the list of goals she needed to finish before school.

She prayed quietly, thanking God for another day, asked for strength and clarity. Just as she whispered Amen, her phone vibrated on the nightstand.

[Come to the training ground.]

Her eyes widened. Arthur. noveldrama

He’s starting my training today?

She hadn’t expected it to be this soon. Why hadn’t he said anything the day before?

A sudden thought made her glance around her room, her heart thumping. How did he know I’m awake? Is he spying on me?

Her gaze swept across the walls and corners. No cameras. Nothing out of place.

With a small sigh, she shook off the uneasy feeling.

Moving quickly, she changed to her training clothes which still had the smell of her vanilla essence perfume on it. There was no time to bathe, she would do that after whatever torturous drills he had planned.