pjbooks Chapter 343: Clan rules
Chapter 343: Clan rules
"But staying here really isn’t appropriate," Nina said softly. "It could damage your reputation."
Setan was still an unattached male. Living in his private quarters like this felt improper no matter how she looked at it. What would other females think of him?
"It doesn’t matter." Setan took a small step closer. His gaze remained fixed on her face. "My reputation won’t be affected, and even if it were, I wouldn’t care."
His voice lowered slightly.
"The only thing I care about is you."
He truly did not care what anyone else thought of him.
The only opinion that mattered was Nina’s.
The intensity in his eyes made warmth creep into her cheeks.
"But you’re still an unmarried male," she insisted. "This could affect your chances of finding a future female."
A flash of hurt crossed Setan’s eyes.
"Nina, everything I said earlier was sincere."
His expression grew serious.
"Other than you, there will never be another female for me."
He stepped closer again.
"What those females think of me means nothing."
His gaze softened.
"You understand how I feel."
Nina lowered her eyes. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand. She understood all too well. That was precisely why she didn’t know how to respond.
A shadow passed through Setan’s eyes.
"Nina, I’ve told you before that I’m a very traditional male. The Blazing Lion clan is the same."
His voice grew quieter.
"We devote our lives to a single female."
He paused before continuing.
"If a male serves two females, he’s looked down upon by everyone."
His expression turned solemn.
"In severe cases, he could even be cast into the river as punishment."
Nina blinked in surprise.
"It’s that serious?"
The mates nearly rolled their eyes.
This lion was obviously making things up and pretending to be pitiful because he knew Nina had a soft heart.
Several lion males standing nearby froze.
"Do we have that rule?"
"I don’t think so."
"Maybe we do starting today."
Inside, they were practically wailing.
City Lord, you can’t drag the entire clan into your schemes.
What if one day they got tricked by a terrible female and needed a backup plan?
Nina’s thoughts became even more tangled.
"Setan, I..."
Were the customs of his clan really that strict?
Setan looked at her pleadingly.
"If you truly think it’s inappropriate, then I’ll move out."
His voice was gentle.
"You stay here and don’t worry about anything."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"We’re friends, aren’t we?"
Seeing him like this made it difficult for Nina to remain firm.
"But you..."
What kind of host moved out of his own home for a guest?
"I’m fine."
His eyes were earnest.
"But if you insist on moving, then let me move with you."
Nina stared at him helplessly before finally sighing.
"You don’t need to move."
She shook her head.
"I’ll stay."
In her eyes, he was the one suffering the disadvantage here.
How had she encountered another fool willing to give away everything for her?
Joy immediately lit up Setan’s face.
He quickly handed the food to her again.
"Then try some of Blaze City’s specialties."
Nina accepted the package.
"Thank you."
"There’s no need to thank me." He smiled.
Then Nina asked, "Have you eaten yet? Would you like to join us for breakfast?"
Setan’s eyes brightened instantly.
"Of course."
How could he possibly refuse the chance to share breakfast with her?
Together, Nina led everyone toward the dining hall.
Meanwhile, outside the City Lord Manor, Maya grew angrier the more she thought about what had happened.
"Atao, tell me honestly." She clenched her fists. "What exactly does that female have that I don’t? Why would Lord Setan choose her over me?"
Atao immediately tried to comfort her.
"I think the City Lord has simply been temporarily bewitched by her beauty."
She nodded confidently.
"Once he comes to his senses, he’ll realize how wonderful you are."
After a pause, she added, "Besides, Lord Yian supports you. With his backing, you’ll definitely be able to marry the City Lord."
Maya’s eyes lit up.
"You’re right."
Her confidence slowly returned.
"Lord Setan must have been deceived."
She turned sharply.
"Come on. We’re going to find Uncle Yian and Aunt Yuna right now."
Without waiting another moment, she strode off with determination blazing in her eyes.
They were determined to drive that shameless outsider out of the manor.
Filled with righteous indignation, Maya and Atao hurried to the residence of Yian.
"Uncle Yian, Aunt Yuna, you have to help me!" Maya cried the moment she entered, rushing toward the pair.
Yuna looked up in surprise.
"Maya, what happened?"
"You haven’t heard?" Maya exclaimed. "Lord Setan returned yesterday, but he brought some unknown female back with him. Not only that, he let her stay in his personal chambers."
"What?"
Yian’s expression darkened instantly.
"He brought a female into the manor and let her stay in his room?"
Anger flared across his face.
"Has that boy completely forgotten propriety? An unmarried male allowing a female into his private quarters? Does he have no sense of decorum left?"
"I saw it myself this morning," Maya said emphatically.
Yuna frowned in disapproval.
"Setan has gone too far this time. How could he do something so reckless? Doesn’t he care about his reputation at all?"
Maya immediately added fuel to the fire.
"He even said he would marry no one but her. That female already has several mates."
The words struck like a spark in dry grass.
"Outrageous!"
Yian slammed his palm onto the table, making it tremble.
"He actually wants to marry some female of unknown origin?"
His face reddened with fury.
"My son should marry an outstanding noble female like you. How can he throw himself at some wandering outsider? And with his status, how could he possibly share a female with multiple males?"
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
Maya was beautiful, gifted, and a Holy Female. She had even promised she would keep only him as her mate if they married. In Yian’s eyes, she was the ideal choice.
He could not understand why his son would reject such a match in favor of a female who already had mates.
Worse still, Setan had recently traveled to the Barbarian City. If he had truly brought that female back from there, Yian found it even harder to accept.
What kind of remarkable female could possibly come from the wilderness?
Surely she could not compare to Maya.
"Exactly," Yuna agreed, shaking her head. "What is that boy thinking? How could he say such things?"
Yian turned to Maya and softened his tone.
"Don’t worry, Maya. I gave you my word. If I said Setan would marry you, then I will make it happen."
His expression hardened once more.
"There is no chance I will allow him to marry some unknown female."
Yuna stood immediately.
"Let’s go find him right now."
She was curious herself.
Just what kind of female had captivated Setan so completely?
"Let’s go together."
Maya eagerly slipped her arm through Yuna’s and headed for the door.
Yian followed close behind.
The three of them set off toward the City Lord Manor.
As they traveled through the city streets, Yuna suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, Maya, has your father returned yet?"
Maya shook her head.
"Not yet."
Yuna sighed.
"I was hoping he might have news about the female City Lord of Barbarian City."
Ever since rumors began spreading about a female ruling the city, her curiosity had only grown stronger.
A female who had defeated countless powerful males and claimed the position of City Lord was extraordinary enough.
What fascinated Yuna even more were the stories that followed.
She had heard that the females of Barbarian City now lived far better lives than before.
The new City Lord had even taught females how to participate in governing the city.
Yuna had always admired strength, and every story she heard made her respect this mysterious female leader even more.
She longed to learn everything she could about her.
Maya nodded enthusiastically.
"There still isn’t any news yet, but Father should return in a few days."
Her eyes sparkled.
"Aunt Yuna, don’t worry. He’ll definitely bring back information about our idol."
She herself greatly admired the female City Lord.
To many females, that woman represented a dream made real.
One day, Maya hoped she could become someone equally powerful.
Yuna smiled. "I hope so."
A trace of anticipation entered her voice.
"Maybe this time we’ll even learn her name."
Very little information had ever escaped Barbarian City.
Most of what they knew came from scattered rumors and travelers’ tales.
"We definitely will."
Maya nodded confidently.
"The moment Father returns, I’ll ask him everything."
"Good."
The two females continued chatting excitedly as they walked.
Neither of them noticed the irony unfolding around them.
Together with Yian, they soon arrived at the gates of Setan’s City Lord Manor.
The confrontation they had come seeking was only moments away.