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

Chapter 394: Just righteousness... right?

King Vladimir of Haran stood, his towering frcasting a shadow that stretched far beyond the table. His

expression was unreadable, stone cold, but brimming with suppressed fire.

Somto’s eyes narrowed.

Here it comes.

“King Somto,” Vladimir said, voice smooth but laced with venom, “we appreciate your... emotional explanation of

your father’s death.” He stepped forward, his thick cloak dragging slightly behind him. “Tragic, truly. Heroic,

even.”

He paused, letting the sarcasm simmer in the air.

“But surely you don’t expect the entire continent to believe that a king in peak health, one of the most powerful

men in the realm, just so happened to die in a spontaneous assassination attempt... all to save a single girl?”

Gasps echoed.

Nnenna froze.

Somto kept his sharp gaze on him, but said nothing yet.

“E-Especially” King Vladimir stammered a little under Somto’s intimidating gaze then he steadied himself and

smiled slightly. “Especially a girl who, according to public knowledge, wasn’t even blood.”

Tension snapped tight again. It felt like the walls themselves were listening now.

Online, the sparks ignited:

@RoyalExposeHQ: “OH he’s calling Nnenna a liability???”

@CrownDebatel01: “King Vladimir's had beef since the engagement was called off.”

@WolvesOfHaran: “Finally someone’s speaking TRUTH.”

@TeamNnenna: “He's just bitter his son and daughter got dumped. Sit DOWN, Vlad.”

Back in the hall, nobles glanced around nervously. Swere shocked. Others smirked, secretly pleased

someone had the guts to say it out loud.

Even Queen Chioma'’s lips curled in amusement. But because this would ruin Nnenna’s reputation. As for

Vladimir trying to smear dirt on her son, she was furious about that and already was making plans to get back at

him.

Vladimir continued, “All | ask is that we use logic, Your Majesty. Emotions cloud judgment. And your story, while

heart wrenching, conveniently clears the two people who benefited the most.”

He let the implication linger.

Somto and Nnenna.

A perfect target.

But Somto finally smiled, a slow, cold smile that sent a chill through the room.

The tension in the room snapped taut like a pulled bowstring.

King Vladimir took a step forward feeling the support of the crowd. “Who in this entire continent would dare send

assassins into the palace of Lionara?” His voice rose. “You must be joking!”

A wave of murmurs swept through the hall like a crashing tide.

Offline whispers stirred:

“Is he calling the new king a liar?”

“He has a point, though... assassins inside Lionara’s palace? That's unheard of.”

“Unless someone inside helped them...”

“Maybe this king Somto is just covering for his little sister.”

“He's trying to tie a pretty bow around a bloody mess.”

Online, the comments were flooding fast:

@FromTheThrone: “Vladimir's NOT pulling punches today.”

@RoyalTeaTime: “He's saying what people are afraid to say.”

@NnennaloverForever: “Ugh, he’s just mad his daughter and son got rejected. Sit down, war king.”

@SwordAndSlander: “Maybe Vladimir knows something. Haran is always watching.”

@Peacekeeper07: “If true, this means even the royal palace isn’t safe. Terrifying.”

Somto didn’t blink.

His golden eyes remained on King Vladimir with such piercing sharpness, it was as if the very air turned to ice.

The hall went silent again.

Vladimir felt it.

That gaze, it wasn’t just royal. It was dangerous. Predatory.

A strange chill crept down his spine. How could this boy, this boy barely older than his own son, make him feel

this... small?

What is this presence? he thought, swallowing.

Vladimir tried to meet Somto’s eyes again, tried to hold his ground like the war king he was.

But he couldn't.

He blinked, faltered, and looked away.

And the entire room noticed.

He shifted uncomfortably, stammering now, “W-what | mean is... perhaps... we should, ah, further investigate

before clearing anyone so quickly.”

King Vladimir knew, this was the point of no return. There was no turning back. His voice hardened as he stepped

forward, the weight of the moment pressing down like a storm.

“You'll need to provide something more than words,” he said, eyes narrowing. “Verbal claims aren’t enough.

Even if everyone present that day stood by your story, they could still be in league with you. You need evidence,

real proof.”

Somto finally smiled, calm and composed, his eyes glinting with something cold and sharp.

“So, you're Mr. Justice now?” he said, almost amused. “I didn’t know you were so close to my father... Close

enough to be this determined to uphold justice for him. Strange, he barely ever mentioned you except in normal

politics and trades. Not among his friends, not even his political allies.”

Vladimir went silent.

For a moment, the room was thick with tension. Everyone could feel it. Somto’s words hit their mark. He was

right, and Vladimir knew it. But he wasn’t about to admit that, not here, not now.

“I've spent twith King Ikechukwu,” Vladmir continued, more solemnly now. “Lionara is connected to Haran

through trade and diplomacy. In those meetings, I've cto admire his courage... his wisdom. | won't stand by

and let a man like that die without fighting for justice.”

A murmur spread through the onlookers. The balance was shifting.

Was Vladimir hiding something?

Why hadn't the late king ever mentioned him a lot?

Could Somto be exposing cracks in the truth?

Even sof the guards exchanged glances. Suspicion, once just a whisper in the shadows, was beginning to

take shape.

But Vladimir stood tall, his expression unreadable.

Inside, however, he could feel the pressure building, slow, creeping, dangerous.

“Oh, so that’s it,” Somto said, his smile still faint but no longer playful. His voice didn’t waver, it cut like a blade

through the charged silence. “That's noble of you, truly.”

He took a step forward, eyes never leaving Vladimir's face.

“I just assumed... after the cancellation of the engagement betweenand Anya, your daughter, and my

second sister and Alexei, your son, you might've been looking for a chance to get revenge on Lionara.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

“This has nothing to do with revenge, right?” Somto asked, tilting his head slightly. “Just righteousness... right?”