They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System-Chapter 435: Like She was Everything

She wasn’t a child. But right now, she felt like one. And her brother, her cold, distant brother, was here. Holding her. Reassuring her.

For the first time in a long while, Ava felt seen, his comfort wasn’t distant or hidden behind silence. It was real, open, and meant just for her.

Seeing the warmth between the siblings, Nnenna suddenly felt a tug in her heart. She missed Abuchi’s steady presence, Somto’s quiet support, and even Carl’s unshakable confidence.

She had tried to stay calm, but the truth was, she was still a bit shaken. A brush with death wasn’t something even she could just shrug off. And right now... she wouldn’t mind a comforting shoulder.

As if sensing her unspoken need, Arthur glanced at her again. A soft glint passed through his eyes, and then, without a word, he gently pulled Nnenna into the hug too. One arm around Ava, the other around her.

"You’re both safe now," he said, his voice unusually tender. "I’m here."

Nnenna froze, surprised by the sudden closeness, but instead of pulling away, she let herself relax. His words, so steady and calm, wrapped around her like a shield. The leftover fear she hadn’t even realized she was still holding onto quietly melted away.

By now, the rest of the students had finally connected the dots.

Assassins.

Inside Omniora Academy.

Panic rippled through the class like wildfire. This had never happened in the history of the school. The one place in the entire continent said to be untouchable... had been breached?

Whispers broke out, some gasped, others stared at the shattered arrow on the ground, horror dawning in their eyes.

But strangely, none of them questioned the sight of Prince Arthur hugging Nnenna along with his sister.

Right now, it just looked like an older brother fiercely protecting his little sisters from a threat.

By now, word of the incident had reached the school management. A few students who had seen the chaos unfold firsthand had sprinted off to alert the higher ups.

But shockingly, Prince Carl was the first to arrive at the training grounds.

Even though he had only overheard fragments of a conversation between two panicked students while parking at the academy’s lot, located far from the main campus, he had somehow beaten every school authority to the scene.

He looked nothing like his usual composed, easygoing self. His shirt was slightly wrinkled, his cloak half buttoned, and his hair, normally neat, was wind swept and untamed.

There was worry in his eyes and something wild in his expression as he scanned the training field desperately.

"Nnenna... where’s Nnenna?"

Students parted on instinct as he strode through them with urgency pulsing from his steps. Whispers broke out like wildfire.

"Is that Prince Carl?"

"He looks... shaken."

"I’ve never seen him like this before."

"There must really have been an assassination attempt!"

Finally, his eyes locked on her figure, still standing close to Prince Arthur and Ava. Without waiting another second, Carl rushed over, his heart pounding so loudly it drowned out the world around him.

All that mattered was that she was safe.

He must be here for Jana, everyone thought as they watched Prince Carl practically fly across the field.

Jealous and envious glances immediately darted toward Jana, who stood tall, shoulders straight, chest proud, as one of the most handsome men in the continent, ranked every single year without fail, rushed in their direction.

Jana’s heart pounded like a drum, loud and unrelenting. He’s coming... he’s really coming to me!

Finally

She quickly adjusted her uniform, brushed invisible dust off her sleeves, and tucked her hair behind one ear with shaking fingers. Her breath caught in anticipation. What do I say? Should I smile? Or act calm?

But then

Right before he reached her, Carl shifted direction.

Jana’s smile froze. freēnovelkiss.com

Everyone watched, jaws slack, as Prince Carl completely bypassed her and made a straight line to the trio, Arthur, Ava, and... Nnenna.

Without hesitation, he grabbed Nnenna gently but urgently by the shoulders, his breath short and sharp.

"Are you okay?" he asked, voice raw with panic and something else, something deeper.

He scanned her for injuries, his hands hovering like he didn’t know where to touch without causing more harm.

The training ground fell utterly silent. Even the wind seemed to still.

No one could believe what they were seeing.

The panic over assassins vanished, replaced by stunned disbelief.

Prince Carl... is worried about Nnenna?

And as for Jana?

Her expression was beyond words, somewhere between a frozen smile and complete devastation. Her hands, now awkwardly hanging by her sides, clenched tightly. Her breath hitched. Her eyes trembled. She looked as if someone had yanked the ground out from beneath her.

The look on her face?

Absolutely priceless.

Jana stood frozen.

Her feet wouldn’t move. Her heart had stopped. Her mind screamed, Look away! but her eyes refused to listen.

She watched, hollow and helpless, as Carl hovered around Nnenna like a man who had nearly lost his most precious treasure.

"Are you sure you’re okay?"

"Did it graze you? Let me see."

"Your heartbeat... is it still fast?"

His questions poured endlessly. His hands shook slightly as he gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Nnenna’s ear. His panic didn’t fade, no matter how many times Nnenna answered, "I’m fine."

And that hurt the most.

Because Jana was still standing there.

Watching.

Invisible.

The school higher ups finally arrived, their expressions tense. They addressed the shaken students, trying to ease their fears with a few brief words and promises of tightened security. Then, without delay, they left, taking Arthur, Ava, Nnenna, and Carl with them.

But the silence left behind was heavy. Too heavy.

The students remained rooted in place, minds racing, whispering

"Wait... was Carl actually here for Nnenna?"

"He didn’t even look at Jana!"

"I thought Jana was the one he always stared at?"

"Yeah, same! But... he looked terrified for Nnenna. He held her like she was everything."

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