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

Chapter 404: Don’t you Dare

Somto frowned slightly but nodded. He followed her away from the others, toward the edge of the garage where

only the moonlight from the glass ceiling pooled down in silver beams.

“Mother,” he asked, his tone calm but cautious, “What's wrong?”

Queen Chioma didn’t waste time.

“I have only one question for you,” she said firmly, her dark eyes staring straight into his like she was reading

the contents of his soul. “Do you love Nnenna?”

The words were low, but they thundered in the air between them.

Somto froze, but only for a second.

“What are you talking about, Mom?” he asked carefully, though his voice carried a note of defense.

Queen Chioma didn’t blink. “Don’t play that gwith me, Somto. You know exactly what I'm talking about. The

way you looked at her tonight... at your coronation, of all places. Tellhonestly.”

Her gaze sharpened, narrowing in on him like a hawk. “Do you love that girl?”

Somto’s breath caught in his throat. He wasn’t sure how to respond, not because he didn’t know the answer, but

because he didn’t know how it would land.

His mother had never liked Nnenna. This wasn’t the kind of conversation she would like at all.

But then he remembered, Nnenna was leaving with him tonight. Once they were off this continent, Queen

Chioma wouldn't know where she was.

No one would. So whatever he said now... couldn't be used to hurt her. Or make her life miserable. That thought

gave him clarity.

He took a breath.

“Yes, Mom. | love her.”

The words dropped like a stone in water.

Queen Chioma blinked. Her hand shot up to her chest as if trying to catch her breath.

“You what?” she gasped.

Her knees bent slightly like she might actually fall, and Somto instinctively reached forward to steady her, but

she swatted his hand away.

“Since when?” she demanded, still stunned. “When did this even start? You've barely been around!”

Somto looked down, trying to place a timeline. “I don’t know exactly when it began,” he said quietly. “But after

everything that’s happened... after what | saw, what | felt... I'm sure of it now. I've never been more certain.”

Queen Chioma stared at him like he was speaking a foreign language.

“Have you told her?” she asked in a hushed voice, searching his eyes.

Somto shook his head. “No. Not yet. She's still too young. I'm going to wait.”

Queen Chioma narrowed her eyes, but her voice softened, just barely. “Wait?”

Somto nodded, standing straighter now, anchored by the clarity of his decision.

“I'll give her space. Time. I'll be her friend, nothing more. Until she’s ready. And if she never feels the same,

then... I'll live with it. But | won't force anything. | know what I'm doing.” Somto concluded with certainty. It was

based on his conversation with Carl.

“Don’t you dare,” Queen Chioma said, her voice sharp enough to cut steel. “You're not going to tell her anything.

Thank God you haven't done something that foolish already.”

Somto’s jaw tensed.

“Take these few years and get rid of those feelings immediately. Do you hear me?” she snapped again, stepping

closer. “I said, do you hear me?”

Somto remained silent for a moment. He wasn’t shocked, he had expected resistance. This was his mother, after

all. But something inside him still clenched. Slowly, he lifted his eyes to meet hers.

“I won't do that, Mom,” he said quietly, his voice steady but resolute.

Queen Chioma recoiled like she'd been slapped. “Are you trying to kill me?!” she burst out. “Because you will, if

you ever bring that girl back here as my daughter in law.”

She was shaking now, whether from anger or disbelief, even she didn’t know.

“I hate her, Somto!” she spat, breathing fast. “I hate her! She’s a slut! She’s the reason your father is dead, and

that’s the girl you want? Out of all the girls in the world, out of all the noble, brilliant, proper daughters of kings

and queens, that’s the one you choose?”

Somto’s face darkened in an instant. A storm swirled in his eyes, rage quiet but powerful. It took everything in

him not to raise his voice, but his tone cut even deeper for how cold it had become.

“Don’t you ever call her that again,” he said sharply.

Queen Chioma blinked.

“You may be my mother, but | won't stand by while you insult her. Never again. Do you hearnow?”

His voice didn’t waver. It wasn’t a shout, it didn’t need to be. It was calm, firm, final. The kind of tone a king uses

when he draws the line.

“I loved Father too,” Somto added, his voice gentler now, but his eyes still blazing. “And if you think Nnenna was

the reason he died, while still knowing the full story, then you are obviously biased. And maybe you never

wanted to tell yourself the truth.”

Queen Chioma took a step back, stunned silent for once. Her mouth opened slightly, but no words came.

“Mom,” Somto turned back, his voice calm but unwavering. “If she agrees to be with me... and | bring her back...

and you still refuse to accept her, then you'll lose a son.”

Queen Chioma’s eyes widened, stunned. “What...?” she gasped. “You want to disown me? For that girl?”

“That girl,” Somto said, the edge in his tone returning, “means more tothan you are willing to understand.”

“That will never happen,” Queen Chioma snapped, her voice rising. “I am the Empress Dowager! As long as |

live, she will never wear the empress crown. Never!”

Somto gave a cold smile. “That's not your choice to make, Mother. The emperor outranks even the Empress

Dowager.”

Queen Chioma stepped forward, trembling in disbelief. “Are you seriously talking to me, your mother, like this?

Over sgirl?!”

Somto didn’t reply.

“I'm highly disappointed in you,” she continued, her voice breaking just a little.