They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System-Chapter 430: She’s Not Good Enough

Arthur noticed the smoothness of her movement, the subtle grace in her stance, even in something as rigid as archery.

He remembered her that night at the Grand Ball, elegant, light on her feet, dancing like moonlight.

That same girl had learned all of that in just two weeks. Two. And now here she was again, absorbing every correction with lightning speed.

There was something about her. Unassuming. Quiet. But sharp.

He didn’t understand why he felt a strange calm, even a pull toward her presence. But he didn’t fight it either.

Nnenna, on the other hand, was beginning to panic inside. Why was he hovering? Why was he speaking so softly? And why did it feel like his voice had gone from ice to... misty rain?

She quickly realigned herself, desperate to finish the shot and end the awkward moment.

"Release."

Thwip!

Her arrow landed with a firm thud, near perfect.

Arthur’s lips twitched... into something almost like a smile.

"Excellent," he said quietly.

Nnenna stepped away from the bow, her heart pounding, not from excitement, but from sheer discomfort.

She had no idea why she was so unsettled. Arthur was just being a good teacher... right?

Besides, her mind had already started to drift toward someone else. Somto had been out of sight, but not out of mind. Every now and then, she would catch herself wondering when she’d see him again.

Arthur, meanwhile, watched Nnenna return to the line, a strange feeling tightening in his chest. Admiration? Curiosity? He couldn’t name it.

But for the first time in a very long time...

He wanted to.

Nnenna quietly slipped back into the crowd, her breath finally steadying as she escaped Arthur’s magnetic presence.

She didn’t know what was more disturbing, his uncharacteristic warmth, or the fluttery confusion it left in her chest.

That wasn’t normal. Not at all.

She clenched her fists. Just focus. This is training, not a fairytale.

Arthur, meanwhile, straightened his shoulders and masked the tiny flicker of embarrassment he felt.

What just happened?

He couldn’t afford distractions, not from her, or any other girl. His best friend, the love of his life was still out there.

With this reminder, Arthur’s face returned to its usual stoic calm as he scanned the next names on his list.

"Ava. Miss Serena. You’re next."

Ava strutted forward with confidence, flipping her newly dried hair over her shoulder like a banner of war. Though the earlier prank had soaked her pride, she wasn’t about to let anyone, especially that girl, outshine her again.

Arthur watched her form with a more measured gaze now. Not as gentle, not as close, but patient nonetheless. He adjusted her stance with a few words, and though his tone held less warmth than before, it still carried the authority of an older brother.

"Relax your shoulders. Don’t lean so much on your back foot. Good. Try again."

Ava followed his corrections closely. Her first six shots were off, but by the seventh, she hit her mark, and by the tenth, her precision had drawn the attention of the entire class.

"Whoa..."

"Did you see that? She got it already!"

"She’s fast. Like, really fast."

"No wonder she’s the princess of Prigrian."

"Looks like she’s not just all talk."

Ava smirked, loving the praise, but her eyes quickly slid sideways to where Nnenna stood. The smile faltered.

She got it faster than me...

A sting of something sharp twisted in her chest. That girl... again.

Ava had always been among the top in everything. She was born into it, raised for it. But today, someone who came from nowhere, literally, had outpaced her in front of her big brother. In front of the whole class.

Does that mean I’m not as good? No.

She tightened her grip on the bow.

It just means I need to try harder.

Arthur nodded approvingly. "Good. That’s the right posture. You’ve improved."

She turned to him quickly, searching his face, hoping to see something more than professionalism.

But all she got was his usual neutral gaze and a curt nod before he turned to the next names.

Ava’s heart dropped slightly.

Too bad for her.

If she had seen his face when he turned around, she would have noticed something else, a flicker of pride.

Arthur might have been cold to the world, but his silence didn’t mean absence of feeling. He was proud of her. Always had been. He just didn’t know how to show it.

And Ava, always seeking validation, couldn’t read between the lines. She was left feeling vaguely unsatisfied.

Why didn’t he praise me like he did for Nnenna? Why is it so hard for him to say anything nice, not just professional but nice, just once?

But she didn’t ask. She never did.

She glanced again at Nnenna, her jaw tightening slightly.

She still got it faster than me. That girl...

To make matters worse, some students, as if reading Ava’s mind, began whispering. Their voices weren’t loud, but they were loud enough.

"Did you see how fast Nnenna got the technique? She nailed it right after Prince Arthur corrected her once."

"Yeah, and her posture when she shot... it was like something out of a martial arts painting. So graceful."

"Ava was fast too, but... it wasn’t as natural. Nnenna made it look effortless."

"I thought Ava was the star of our class, but maybe there’s a new one now."

"Isn’t she Prince Arthur’s sister though? Maybe she’s just under pressure..."

Ava’s hands curled into fists at her sides. She heard every word. Her chest burned.

Were they really comparing her to that girl? Had they forgotten who she was? I am Princess Ava of the Prigrian royal family, she hissed inwardly. My elder brother is standing right here. The Crown Prince is right in front of you, and you dare call me inferior?

She forced a smile and stood straighter, acting as if none of it affected her, but inside, Ava was raging.

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