Chapter 368
After returning to the City Lord’s Manor, Nina went directly to the room Setan had been using and resumed treating his injuries.
Setan had originally wanted her to rest first.
She had rushed all the way back to Blazing Flame City to save him and had barely stopped moving since.
But Nina had examined his condition herself. His injuries were still serious, and she wasn’t comfortable leaving them unattended.
Setan knew better than to argue.
In the end, he could only let her have her way.
The treatment continued for quite some time.
As the afternoon slowly faded and dusk approached, Setan glanced toward the darkening sky outside the window.
A pang of guilt tugged at his chest.
Nina had traveled tirelessly to rescue him. Since arriving, she had devoted all her energy to healing him without taking even a proper break.
He couldn’t bear it anymore.
Reaching out, he gently covered her hand with his own.
“Nina.” His voice was soft. “I’m feeling much better now p>
He squeezed her hand lightly. “You should get some rest. We can continue tomorrow p>
Nina paused and carefully checked his condition again.
The worst of the damage had already been stabilized, and night was approaching.
After a moment of consideration, she finally nodded.
“Alright.” She withdrew her healing energy. “Get some proper rest tonight. We’ll continue tomorrow p>
As she spoke, her eyes landed on his exposed forearm.
Several strange scars covered the skin.
Some resembled severe burns. Others looked like marks left by a whip. The injuries were ugly and deep.
Without hesitation, she purchased medicine from Little Mantou’s system shop.
After taking out several containers, she handed them to him.
“Apply these to the wounds.” Her voice softened. “They should ease the pain p>
“Twice a day is enough under normal circumstances, but if the injuries bother you, you can use them more often. It won’t cause any problems p>
Setan accepted the medicine carefully.
“Thank you, Nina p>
A trace of heartache flickered through her eyes.
“That must have hurt p>
Her gaze lingered on the scars.
They were so deep. She couldn’t imagine how much suffering he had endured.
And those visible wounds were likely only a fraction of what covered his body.
Seeing the concern in her eyes, warmth spread through Setan’s chest.
A faint smile touched his lips.
“It wasn’t that bad.” His voice was gentle. “I’m fine, Nina. You don’t need to worry p>
Then he added quietly,
“Your room has been cleaned regularly this whole time. You can go back and rest whenever you want p>
The truth was very different.
At the height of the punishment, the agony had nearly killed him.
Yet the moment he saw Nina again, every bit of suffering seemed worthwhile.
If enduring that pain could earn even a single glance from her, he would willingly suffer through it all over again.
Nina blinked in surprise.
“You never moved back into your old room p>
Suddenly, it made sense why he had brought her directly here after returning.
Setan’s ears turned slightly red.
“No.” He looked away awkwardly. “I’m just used to sleeping here now p>
The answer was far from honest.
On the day Nina left, he had spent one night in his former room.
At the time, traces of her scent still lingered there.
Afterward, he ordered the servants to remove every remaining trace.
Once her scent disappeared, he never returned.
Deep down, he had always carried a foolish hope.
Maybe one day she would come back.
Because of that impossible dream, he continued having the room cleaned and maintained.
Every piece of furniture remained exactly as she had left it.
He had convinced himself it was nothing more than wishful thinking.
Yet somehow, against all odds, Nina really had returned.
Not only had she returned, but she had also come back for him.
No one would ever understand how happy he had been when she appeared before him again.
Nina laughed softly.
“Oh p>
The amusement in her eyes was unmistakable.
He had lived in his old room for years.
This room had only been his for a few days before she left.
There was no way he had truly become more accustomed to sleeping here.
The room had never been preserved for himself.
It had been preserved for her.
This fool.
She had been gone for so long, yet he had continued keeping the room ready.
So he had been hoping all this time.
Hoping she would return.
The realization stirred something strange in her heart.
After a moment, Nina rose to her feet.
“Get some rest p>
She headed toward the door.
“When dinner is ready, I’ll have Ridan and the others come get you p>
Setan immediately stood as well.
“Then you should rest too p>
Without another word, he escorted her all the way back to her room.
Outside, Ling had been waiting quietly.
Only after Setan finished seeing Nina off did he approach.
“My Lord p>
He lowered his voice.
“Yian and the others would like to meet Lady Nina p>
Unlike before, they hadn’t barged in or caused trouble.
Instead, they were waiting politely in the main reception hall.
Setan frowned slightly.
Nina had been exhausted before arriving, and after everything that happened, she still hadn’t properly rested.
The last thing he wanted was for anyone to disturb her.
After a brief pause, he shook his head.
“Tell them Nina needs to rest p>
“They can come back tomorrow p>
Earlier, he had noticed that his father and mother seemed to have completely changed their attitude toward Nina.
At the very least, they no longer appeared hostile.
For that reason, he wasn’t worried about conflict.
Still, he preferred not to take chances.
After all, he had only just managed to make the slightest bit of progress with Nina.
The last thing he wanted was for someone to ruin it.
Ling immediately bowed.
“Yes, my Lord p>
Without delay, he turned and headed toward the reception hall to deliver the message.
After hearing Ling’s message, Yuna and Yian chose not to press the matter.
They glanced once toward the direction of Setan’s residence before quietly leaving the City Lord’s Manor.
The moment they stepped outside, Yuna grabbed Yian and dragged him toward the marketplace.
She needed to buy gifts. Lots and lots of gifts.
If she wanted Nina to forgive her, she would have to offer a proper apology.
Maya left reluctantly as well.
After a moment’s thought, she decided there was no need to rush.
Tomorrow would be fine.
She could spend the evening preparing an apology gift worthy of presenting to Nina.
The next morning, Yuna and the others returned to the City Lord’s Manor carrying an astonishing number of presents.
Large boxes filled with valuable items were piled high behind them.
Coincidentally, Rin arrived around the same time.
He had come to check on Setan’s recovery and personally thank Nina for saving his grandson.
When Setan learned that everyone had arrived, he headed to the reception hall first.
The sight that greeted him left him speechless.
Several enormous crates occupied nearly half the hall.
His brows drew together.
“Mother p>
He stared at the mountain of gifts.
“Are you moving house p>
“Why did you bring so much stuff p>
For a terrifying moment, he wondered whether Yuna intended to move into the City Lord’s Manor.
Yuna immediately rolled her eyes.
“Of course not p>
She pointed proudly at the boxes.
“These are gifts for Ni… for Nina p>
Setan blinked.
“Seriously p>
The disbelief in his voice was impossible to hide.
The change in his mother’s attitude was so dramatic that it almost seemed suspicious.
Not long ago, she had opposed him at every turn.
Now she was preparing gifts?
Had Nina saving his life really changed her opinion that much?
If so, it was wonderful news.
Without his parents standing in the way, his future path toward winning Nina’s heart would become much smoother.
Otherwise, they would constantly be caught in the middle.
And under those circumstances, Nina would likely find it even harder to accept him.
A warm feeling spread through his chest.
His mother truly cared about him.
“Of course I’m serious p>
Yuna barely listened to his questions.
Instead, she craned her neck, looking toward the inner courtyard.
“Has Nina finished resting p>
“Is she awake p>
“Can I see her now p>
Setan nodded.
“She got up a while ago p>
“She’s in the courtyard playing with the children p>
The moment he finished speaking, Yuna’s eyes lit up.
“Then take me there immediately p>
Her eagerness was almost impossible to contain.
Maya quickly stepped forward as well.
“Me too. I want to see Lady Nina p>
Setan’s expression immediately turned wary.
When he saw Maya, old instincts resurfaced.
“What are you doing here p>
His brow furrowed.
“You’re not planning to cause trouble for Nina again, are you p>
“Maya, I’ve told you countless times already p>
His tone became firm.
“I will only marry Nina p>
“You need to stop chasing after me p>
Maya nearly choked.
“I didn’t come here for you p>
She looked utterly offended.
“And I’m definitely not here to cause trouble for Lady Nina p>
“I’m here to apologize for my previous behavior p>
She crossed her arms.
“Stop flattering yourself. This has nothing to do with you p>
Setan stared at her suspiciously.
“You’re not lying p>
Frankly, he found that difficult to believe.
He couldn’t help wondering whether this was some elaborate scheme.
Maya immediately raised her hand.
“I swear I’m telling the truth p>
“I really came to apologize p>
“None of this has anything to do with you p>
“You’re imagining things p>
After learning Nina’s true identity, any thoughts she once had about Setan had vanished completely.
Setan was one of Lady Nina’s males.
Naturally, she no longer viewed him that way.
“Then why do you suddenly want to apologize to Nina p>
Before Maya could answer, Yuna interrupted impatiently.
“Setan.” She waved him aside. “Just take us there p>
“I believe Maya p>
As a fellow admirer of the Revered Beast, Yuna understood exactly how Maya felt.
And she had no doubt the younger female was telling the truth.
Setan hesitated.
Eventually, he nodded.
“Fine p>
For now, he would trust them.
Still, he fully intended to keep a close eye on the situation.
If anyone dared trouble Nina again, he would personally throw them out of the City Lord’s Manor and forbid them from ever seeing her again.
With that decision made, Setan led the group toward the courtyard.
Rin followed behind them.
As they approached the entrance, a lively scene came into view.
Children’s laughter drifted through the air.
Then Rin’s gaze landed on a small Lion cub playing happily in the courtyard.
His footsteps stopped.
For a moment, the world seemed to go completely silent.
He stared at the little lion cub in disbelief.
The expression on his face froze.