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

Chapter 465: No More Distractions

She nodded, swallowing hard.

He demonstrated the first stretch, lowering himself into a deep lunge that looked almost too graceful for a man his size. He held the pose effortlessly, as if his body were made of steel cables instead of muscle and bone.

Nnenna tried to mirror him but wobbled unsteadily. Her hip protested with a sharp pull. She bit back a hiss.

Arthur’s gaze flicked over, assessing her alignment with the same detached scrutiny he might use on a broken weapon.

"Lower your back knee," he ordered calmly.

She adjusted, her face tightening with effort.

"Straighten your spine. You’re collapsing your chest."

She sucked in a shaky breath and obeyed.

He moved behind her, close enough that she could feel the heat of his presence. He placed one hand lightly on her shoulder blade and pressed, guiding her posture without a word. The touch was impersonal, almost, but it sent a strange shiver through her all the same.

Nnenna kept her eyes fixed on the floor, determined not to look up.

He corrected her stance again, this time his fingers brushing the back of her hip to tilt it slightly.

"Better," Arthur murmured. His voice was low, almost distracted, as though he was thinking about something else.

Or trying not to.

After a moment, he stepped away, putting distance between them.

They moved through the rest of the stretches in silence, her body aching with exhaustion. When the timer finally beeped on his watch, Arthur stood straight and regarded her with his usual cold, steady stare.

"That’s enough for today."

Nnenna exhaled, relief and frustration tangling in her chest. She pressed a hand over her racing heart, trying to will it calm.

Arthur studied her for a long moment, as though deciding whether to say more. His jaw tensed slightly.

"You did poorly at the push ups," he said bluntly. "But your endurance running was acceptable, and your flexibility is average. You will improve faster if you focus instead of...thinking about other things."

Her head snapped up, startled. "Other things?"

His expression didn’t change. "Distractions. Doubt. Or...whatever else it is that takes your mind off your form."

She flushed hot all the way to her ears. Did he somehow know she had been wishing Somto were there?

Arthur seemed to realize he had said too much. He looked away, voice cooler when he spoke again.

"Tomorrow, you’ll be here at the same time. Four a.m. sharp. Don’t be late."

"Yes...Sensei," she managed, though her throat felt tight.

Arthur stood still as Nnenna bowed low, her now loose hair falling forward like a curtain. Her voice was soft but steady.

"Thank you, Sensei," she said.

He only gave a curt nod. "Mm."

Then she turned and walked away, her steps slow at first, then faster as she passed the edge of the training ground. He didn’t look away.

He watched the way her tired shoulders squared with determination, how she wiped sweat from her cheek, how she glanced back, just once, to check if he was still there.

He clenched his jaw.

Why am I even paying attention to things like that?

Arthur’s heartbeat hadn’t settled since the moment she had collapsed on her mat after push ups, breathless, her face flushed with stubborn effort. He hadn’t meant to feel anything at all. She was a student. Just his student.

But every time she looked up at him with those bright, searching eyes, something shifted in his chest. It was infuriating.

He turned sharply to face the empty field, crossing his arms over his chest, willing the feeling to disappear.

This is nothing. Just training. Discipline.

His thoughts betrayed him.

But she tries so hard. She doesn’t complain. Even Somto would noveldrama

His lips pressed into a thin line. He felt annoyed with Somto’s name in his thoughts. Hated that he could tell she admired Somto. The way her eyes softened whenever Somto was mentioned was different from how she looked at him.

And why does that matter?

It shouldn’t.

It doesn’t.

Arthur exhaled, his breath frosty in the cold morning air. His jaw tightened as a dull ache crawled behind his ribs.

I already gave my heart away. To someone who might never came back.

A memory flashed, her laughter, the warmth of her hand in his, and his expression darkened.

So why...why am I even noticing someone else?

His hand curled into a fist by his side.

This is betrayal.

He felt something hot and angry burn behind his sternum. Betrayal to a memory he refused to let go. Guilt crawled up his spine, sharp as needles.

Arthur drew a deep breath and forced his face blank again.

Fine. If that’s how it is, I’ll correct it.

He replayed every moment of the morning training in his head, dissecting his own reactions with surgical precision.

Too close. Too aware of her. Too soft in the way he adjusted her shoulders.

Unacceptable.

Next time, I won’t allow any familiarity. No unnecessary contact. No watching her leave.

He turned and walked back into the castle, his steps rigid, cold determination icing over every thought.

There would be no more mistakes.

No more weakness.

And definitely no more distractions.

------------------

Nnenna hurried through her morning routine, her body still aching from Arthur’s brutal training. She showered as fast as she could, changed into fresh clothes, and rushed downstairs to meet Ava.

They climbed into the sleek black car together, and for the first time, Nnenna didn’t bother pretending she didn’t know Ava. That pretense had been shattered anyway.

When they arrived at the academy gates, the driver opened the door, and both girls stepped out side by side.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Ava, the cold and elegant princess of Prigrian, walking shoulder to shoulder with that scholarship student from who knows where?

Nnenna didn’t flinch. She held her head high, her expression calm as she walked across the parking lot, ignoring the shocked whispers.

Ava couldn’t help but admire her calmness.