Chapter 348
For Nina, he was willing to do anything.
“Are you determined to drive your father to an early grave p>
A deep sense of helplessness weighed on Yian’s heart.
“That female may be beautiful, but beyond that, what is so extraordinary about her? Aside from appearance, Maya surpasses her in every way. Why must it be her p>
He knew his son was avoiding the issue because he didn’t want anyone interfering.
Yes, the young female was stunning. Yian would not deny that.
But beauty was hardly rare in the Beast World.
There were countless attractive females. What made this one irreplaceable?
The thought that Nina already had several mates only deepened his disapproval.
“She already has so many males around her. Wouldn’t it be better to find a female who would belong only to you? Why insist on sharing her with others p>
With their status and influence, they could easily secure an exclusive bond.
Why lower themselves and compete for affection alongside other males?
After a moment’s pause, Yian tried another approach.
“If you truly don’t like Maya and simply prefer beautiful females, then I’ll find someone else for you. I’ll find a female even more beautiful than her. Would that satisfy you p>
Setan shook his head without hesitation.
“There is no female in this world who compares to Nina p>
His tone left no room for argument.
“Father, whatever happens between Nina and me is my own affair. Please stop interfering p>
Perhaps Nina did not love him now.
Perhaps she never would.
Even so, he would continue trying.
If fate allowed him another chance in the future, he would seize it.
He understood the consequences of stealing the sacred relic if no peaceful solution could be found.
He was not afraid of those consequences.
The only thing he feared was losing the opportunity to remain by Nina’s side.
“What exactly is so special about her p>
Yian clenched his fists.
It was obvious his son had completely made up his mind.
No matter what anyone said, he would not turn back.
The more Yian thought about it, the more convinced he became that he needed to arrange a mating bond between Setan and Maya as soon as possible.
That female was dangerous for him.
She was making him abandon reason.
“If that’s all, I’ll be leaving p>
Without waiting for a response, Setan turned and headed back toward the City Lord Manor.
Yian watched him go and released a long sigh.
Then he returned home.
As it happened, Maya arrived shortly afterward.
Seeing her, Yian asked directly, “After everything Setan said, do you still want to take him as your mate p>
Maya nodded. “I do p>
A determined look settled in her eyes.
“I came here today because of him p>
She lowered her gaze briefly before continuing.
“I don’t want to give up. Besides, he and that female are only friends p>
After returning home, she had thought about the situation carefully. No matter how angry she had been, her feelings for Setan remained unchanged. As long as he and that female were not officially bonded, she still had a chance. She could still win him back.
Yian nodded approvingly.
“Good. I support you, and I’ll do everything I can to help p>
Relief instantly brightened Maya’s expression.
“Thank you, Uncle Yian p>
“As for today, head home first. I need to discuss something with your Aunt Yuna p>
Maya readily agreed.
As long as they remained on her side, she still had hope.
After she left, Yuna turned toward her mate.
“What is it that you wanted to discuss p>
Yian then revealed his suspicions about Setan and the sacred relic.
Yuna stared at him in disbelief.
“You’re saying Setan might actually p>
She struggled to finish the sentence.
Yian nodded grimly.
“It’s only a suspicion. But based on everything I know about him, I’m almost certain p>
A troubled frown appeared on Yuna’s face.
“If that’s true, then he’s being incredibly foolish p>
“Female Master p>
Yian’s voice softened.
“Setan has always listened to you more than anyone else. I hope you’ll try to talk sense into him before he does something he’ll regret for the rest of his life p>
Yuna hesitated.
“I’ll try p>
The old Setan would have listened.
The current Setan was another story.
That female’s influence over him had become far greater than she liked.
Yian continued.
“And if he still refuses to listen p>
A dangerous glint entered his eyes.
“Then perhaps we’ll have to start with the female instead p>
He shook his head.
“I still believe Maya is the better choice p>
Yuna nodded. “So do I p>
She could not bear the thought of her responsible, duty-driven son sacrificing his city’s interests for the sake of a female.
The two spent the rest of the evening discussing possible solutions.
The following morning, Yuna and Yian brought Maya with them and headed for the City Lord Manor.
This time, Yuna insisted on entering.
Reluctantly, Setan escorted them into the council hall.
“Mother.” His expression remained calm. “If you’ve come to talk about Nina, you’re wasting your breath p>
Yuna immediately felt annoyed.
She had not even opened her mouth yet, and he had already shut down the conversation.
Pouting slightly, she glared at him.
“You really like that female so much that you won’t even let your mother speak p>
Setan remained unmoved.
“Mother, I’ve already explained everything p>
Seeing there was no opening from him, Yuna quickly changed tactics.
If she could not persuade her son, perhaps she could speak directly to the female herself.
Without another word, she turned and headed toward Setan’s residence.
Maya had previously mentioned that the female was staying there.
Yian and Maya immediately followed.
The moment Setan realized where they were going, alarm flashed across his face.
“Mother, where are you going p>
Yian stepped directly into his path.
“She’s your mother. She can go wherever she pleases p>
“Move.” Setan’s voice sharpened. A sense of urgency rose within him.
He was certain his mother was heading straight for Nina.
Yian remained where he was.
Without another warning, Setan forced his way forward.
Father and son immediately exchanged blows.
Only after Yuna had gained a considerable lead did Yian disengage and rush after her.
Setan followed at once.
The moment Yuna stepped into the courtyard outside Setan’s residence, something suddenly flew toward her.
Instinctively, she reached out and caught it.
A ball!
Then she saw a tiny lion cub racing toward her.
Her eyes widened.
How adorable!
For some inexplicable reason, she felt an immediate sense of familiarity with the little cub.
And the resemblance was astonishing. The cub looked exactly like Setan when he had been young.
Curious, she looked more closely at the top of the cub’s head. The instant she saw it, her beautiful eyes widened in shock.
There, hidden among the golden fur, was a tiny golden marking.
The exact same golden mark Setan had been born with.
A birthmark unique to him.
For a long moment, Yuna simply stood frozen in place.