Chapter 383
Nina stared at the towering mountain of durians, utterly speechless.
She had to admit… their sincerity was beyond question.
Turning toward Setan, the corners of her lips twitched with a sudden, irresistible amusement. “So she asked, her voice rich with a barely suppressed smile. “Are you still going to kneel p>
Setan clenched his jaw. His expression hardened into that of a warrior marching open-eyed toward certain death.
“Yes.” His answer didn’t waver. “No matter how many there are, I’ll kneel p>
If this absurd, thorny penance was the price of Nina’s forgiveness, he would press his weight into them until his knees gave out entirely.
Beside him, Yian proudly nudged his son with a sharp elbow.
“So?” He puffed out his chest, radiating a smug, fatherly satisfaction. “See? Your old man gets things done p>
He swept a grand arm toward the spiky green fortress. “Are you satisfied with my preparations p>
Setan forced a smile that looked more like a grimace of pain than a display of gratitude. “Father He looked at him, a desperate flicker of hope in his eyes. “Why don’t you kneel with me p>
Yian instantly took three large steps backward. “I’ll pass.” He eyed the vicious, armor-like spikes with sudden, intense caution. “Those things look entirely too hostile p>
Defeated, Setan slowly turned his gaze toward Rin.
The old lion immediately retreated as well, coughing lightly into his fist to mask his retreat.
“I’m your grandfather,” he declared smoothly. “As an elder, it is my duty to set an example… from a safe distance p>
Even the old patriarch couldn’t help but wonder if his grandson would have functioning joints after this. Those jagged fruits looked far more terrifying than a bed of gravel or thorny vines. A brief, uncharacteristic flicker of guilt crossed his weathered face.
“Ahem He patted Setan’s shoulder with heavy sympathy. “I wish you all the best p>
Setan stared at the two of them in dead silence. Was it legally possible to sever family ties at this point?
Nearby, the cubs had already broken formation, swarming the mountain of fruit. Their little eyes sparkled with pure, unadulterated excitement.
“So many p>
They could eat durian for days. No—for weeks! This was paradise.
Sunny glanced back at Setan, a quiet, knowing satisfaction settling in his small chest. He hadn’t expected his scumbag father to end up pulling the longest, most painful shift.
The other mates desperately bit their lips, shoulders shaking as they fought back laughter. Uncle Yian had done an outstanding job. Ming and the others exchanged deeply amused looks—Yian really was ruthless when it came to his own flesh and blood.
Ridan, Viann, and the rest of the crew were equally delighted. With a stash this massive, they could finally gorge themselves until they were completely full.
Meanwhile, the city’s elite lion warriors quietly covered their faces. Their City Lord… was far too pitiful. Earlier, they’d been sweating and cheering while gathering the harvest. Now, looking at the sharp reality of the pile, all they felt was profound sympathy.
Yuna tilted her head, her curiosity piqued.
“Nina She pointed a cautious finger at one of the massive, weaponized fruits. “What exactly is that p>
She had never seen anything like it in her life. It certainly looked perfectly engineered for torture, yet she noticed the cubs bouncing around the pile like it was a festival. It threw her completely off. Why were they so happy?
Nina softened, a genuine smile breaking across her face. “It’s called a durian. It’s a fruit p>
Yuna arched her brows. You can actually eat that p>
“Of course.” Nina nodded, the warmth returning to her voice. “The flesh inside is incredibly rich. You can eat it fresh or use it to make all kinds of dishes.” She smiled warmly. “I’ll let you try some later p>
Yuna’s eyes immediately brightened. “Really?” She looked eagerly at the mountain, her fear replaced by appetite. “Then I definitely have to taste it p>
Amidst the chatter, Setan let out a long, resigned sigh. He picked up a particularly jagged durian, carefully placed it on the dirt, and slowly lowered his full weight onto his knees.
The instant his skin met the sharp, unyielding shell, his brow twitched. A sharp, hot jolt of pain shot up his legs….It hurt. A lot.
Yuna glanced from the grimacing Setan toward Yian. Without warning, she marched over, grabbed the older lion firmly by the ear, and dragged him toward the pile.
“You.” She pointed mercilessly at a matching fruit. “Go kneel beside your son p>
Yian’s face immediately fell into misery. “But p>
“No excuses.” Yuna gave his ear another firm tug, her voice leaving no room for argument. “You made mistakes back then, too.” She snorted softly. “Making you sleep out in the cold courtyard wasn’t nearly enough p>
She had been searching for a punishment that would actually stick. Now, the universe had handed her the perfect tool.
Yian let out a dramatic, theatrical sigh. “Yes, my mate p>
With the heavy demeanor of a condemned prisoner, he selected a durian and dropped to his knees beside Setan. The moment he landed, his entire face twisted into a mask of pure agony, wrinkling like a bitter melon.
“Ow!” he hissed under his breath. That hurts!
Setan shot a sideways glance at him, a dark flash of satisfaction cutting through his own pain. Serves you right.
Not far away, Rin instinctively shivered, a cold sweat breaking out on his neck.
Fortunately… his own mate wasn’t here today. Otherwise, he’d likely be joining the row.
He looked at Nina, then at Sunny, making a silent executive decision. Perhaps he would wait a few more weeks before bringing his mate over to meet them. For the sake of his knees.
With the peak of the excitement fading, the crowd began to disperse, returning to their daily duties. Only Setan and Yian remained, anchored to their painful green pedestals in the center of the courtyard.
The cubs, however, absolutely refused to leave.
They formed a tight, expectant circle around the two kneeling lions, staring up at the mountain of durians with wide, watering eyes.
It had been far too long since their last taste. They were just waiting for someone to finally crack the first one open.