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

tabloids.”

“Carl... | will have your house burned.”

“So romantic.” Carl commented obviously not threatened by Somto’s words.

Somto leaned back, finally allowing a small laugh to escape.

“I don’t know what to do, Carl.”

Carl went quiet for a few seconds after Somto’s answer.

“So you really are falling in love with someone?” he asked, carefully, still sounding like he couldn't believe the

words.

Somto inhaled deeply.

“Yes.”

Carl made a choking sound.

“Bro... what is happening?? You? You? Falling in love? | feel like I'm in a telea.”

“Carl—"

“Okay, okay, fine. | could pretend to be wise and give you a heartfelt speech, but since this is clearly a medical

emergency... letGoogle this real quick.”

Somto rubbed his temple.

“I'm going to regret this, aren't 12”

“Too late. You called me, remember? Now hold on while | becDr. Carl, Love Specialist.”

There was the sound of frantic typing, a tic “hmph,” and then silence.

“Okay. It says here, wait, I'm reading from the most reliable source on the internet: "12 signs you're falling in

love, according to experts.'”

“Oh God.”

“Shh. Let the professionals work.”

Carl cleared his throat, then began reading theatrically.

“Number one: You feel a deep concern for their wellbeing. Even when they’re not around, you find yourself

worrying.”

He paused.

“So, King of Stone, do you?”

Somto was quiet.

He thought back to Purlit, when Nnenna was nearly killed though Eglon wouldn't dare after he found out her

indentity. He saw her from the crowd when he stepped into the execution ground.

He could still feel the fire in his chest when he realized they were going to kill her just a few hours ago, before

they knew she was a princess of Lionara.

“Yes,” he said quietly.

Carl whistled.

“Alright, that’s one. Let's keep going. Number two: Your mood shifts based on theirs. When they're happy, you're

lighter. When they’re hurt... it breaks something in you.”

Another pause.

“Does your royal mood depend on hers?”

Somto didn’t respond immediately. But his thoughts raced to the moment she smiled in the coronation hall, the

way her laugh made him feel oddly victorious.

And then to the dinning hall, when she teared up watching the former king's death, and his entire world shifted

because of it.

EES

“Okay, wow. This is getting juicy. Number three: You want to share your victories with them first. Like, when

something good happens, you think of telling them.”

Somto blinked.

He remembered the exact moment he was officially declared King. His first thought wasn’t about his mother. Or

his friends. It was... wondering if Nnenna had watched.

“Yes.”

Carl let out a tic gasp.

“This is better than any on RoyalTV. Okay, number four: You find their flaws... kind of adorable? Like, she

gets on your nerves but you also kind of live for it?

Somto’s memory conjured Nnenna arguing with him about the letting go of her hand, rolling her eyes, calling

him a “weird person,” and stomping off like he was the idiot once she got a chance to escape.

And yet... he remembered smiling and feeling empty at the stime.

“Yeah. That too.”

Carl's voice dropped to a fake romantic tone.

“Oh noooo. He's doomed.”

Somto groaned.

“Carl, | called for help. Not a diagnosis.”

“Exactly! I'm diagnosing you with an extrcase of romantic delusion. Okay, two more questions. Let's wrap

this up before you start writing her non your royal documents.”

“Please don’t.”

“Number five: You'd protect them with your life, even if it means losing everything you built. Would you?”

Silence fell.

Somto’s jaw clenched.

The image of him showing the video played in his mind. Revealing that moment, his own father’s last breath. just

to clear her name, despite all political advice saying not to.

“Yes,” he said softly.

“Last one,” Carl said, his voice now... quieter. Almost respectful.

“When you look at her... does she feel like home?”

Somto’s throat tightened.

That moment in the banquet hall, when he had spinned her softly while they danced. The quiet between them

when no one else was watching. That brief instant he almost leaned in before forcing himself to stop.

EES

Carl didn’t respond immediately.

Then, after a long pause

“You're screwed.”

Somto let out a breath and dropped his head into his hand.

“I know.”

Carl snorted.

“So what's the plan, Mr. King? Gonna confess in front of the council? Stage a musical? Summon a phoenix and

write her nin fire?”

“You're an idiot.”

“And you're in love. Which one of us is worse?”

Somto let out a dry laugh.

“I have no idea what to do.”

Carl went completely silent.

Not even the sound of his breathing cthrough the phone. For the first tsince Somto had known him, Carl

didn’t have a joke or sarcastic jab ready. That helpless tone Somto had spoken with... It was a first in history.

“...Bro,” Carl finally muttered, sounding like he was trying to wrap his head around the moment. “If your answers

are real... then you're actually in love.”

He paused again, as if just saying it made the sky fall. “Wait, hold up. When did this happen? How do I not know

about this? You don't just fall in love like it’s safternoon rain!”

Somto said nothing.

Carl groaned and rolled his eyes so hard Somto could practically hear it. “Okay. You like her. Big deal. Then just

marry her, King Somto. You do realize you're literally one of the most eligible bachelors on the entire continent,

right? Across the seas too! None woman who would tell you no. Just one!”