The next few weeks were very hectic as I had many people migrating to set up shop or start a new life for themselves in the territory. I had already moved into my residence in Treehome after the banquet fiasco and now I had to deal with the mass influx of people.

‘Well, that's life for you.’ I thought as I was sitting in my office in the main administration building of my territory.

“Sir, you have a visitor here for you.” I looked up from my work to look at the person in front of me. Brown hair and eyes with an average build. A commoner with little talent for magic but with a mind like a steel trap. John Beno, my executive assistant.

“Who is it john?”

“It’s your grandfather, sir.” I raised my brows at that.

‘Huh, haven’t seen the old man in quite some time, why not.’

“I’ll be there in a few minutes, offer him some refreshments” I began tidying my desk a little before going to meet him. A few minutes later, I entered the room that occupied him and sat across from him. He just looked at me for a few seconds before smiling.

“You’ve done well for yourself, Solis. You should be proud.”

“Thank you, grandfather.” I nodded at him while also asking the question with my eyes.

‘Why are you here?’ His expression became serious before he leaned forward with hands clasped and elbows on knees.

“I’ve come to talk to you about your grandmother.”

‘Grandmother? I’ve never spoken to her, so what does she have to do with me?’

I knew she came from a noble house that upheld the strictest of beliefs, so she absolutely hated it when father married another woman, a commoner at that and even brought in a concubine on the side. You can imagine that this vitriol extends to the children.

“I’ve never spoken to her and from what I know, she…..let’s say dislikes the children not of the first wife. I have absolutely nothing to do with her.” I looked him in the eye.

‘I hope you get the hint that I don't want to talk to her.’ But instead, he became reminiscent and looked off to the side.

“Before I married her, I went looking for a noble house that I felt I could buy off. They were destitute, I was wealthy and they had a daughter of age. We made a deal and that was that.” He looked at me with a serious expression.

‘Well, look who’s cold.’ I was actually quite surprised.

“I didn’t need in-laws that would irritate me, so the Rockwell marquess family was perfect. She gave birth to a son and that was all I needed. I didn’t want to be a family man so I wasn’t really present in your father’s life and as a consequence, he was mostly raised by that woman so I can’t really say anything about how he turned out.” I looked at him in inquiry.

“Aren’t you shifting the blame a little? Looks like you only wanted a relationship with him after he became established. I can tell because you did the same to me.” He was silent for a few seconds before he laughed loudly.

“Hahahahaha, sure enough that's true. I don't like children and I dislike incompetent adults even more. For me to take an interest in you, you have to be something.” He smiled at me.

“I will admit it’s vulture-like, but hey, that’s just how I am.” I looked at him with an incredulous expression.

‘This family, really just special all around aren't they?’

“Okay and? What does that have to do with my grandmother?” His smile widened.

“Your grandmother is even more of a vulture than me because her ultimate loyalty lies with her original house. Mind you, I gave them a substantial amount to marry her and they squandered it. The Rockwells were an old noble house that used to be able to compete with the Medici in terms of wealth. They used to have an abundant amount of precious metals and they squandered all their wealth, thinking their mines unlimited. Now, they are a shell that will try to leech off others.” His face got serious.

“Your father found that out the hard way when he caught her stealing from him to fund one of her brother’s, that is the Rockwell family head’s, many failed businesses.” I sighed.

‘Is this family really serious?’

“To spite her, your father decided he’ll bring in multiple women and have multiple children with them while raising them all under the same roof because he knows that while the Rockwell are vocal about their principles, the last family head had a mistress and bastards that your grandmother hated.” I was surprised that he was telling me all these things about her.

“Aren’t you guys still married?”

‘Should you really be telling me all this?’

“Oh yes, a contract is a contract, especially when it's a magically binding one. But we have been separated since the birth of your father.”

“So what are you trying to say, that she’ll get in touch with me? After all these years of barely contained hate?” I was somewhat doubtful that anyone could be that shameless.

“Ohh, she won’t want to, but her brother will force her. They may not have the money, but they still have the connections to make things a little annoying for you.”

“Okay, thank you for the heads up.” I waited to see if he had anything else to say. After a few awkward seconds, he started speaking again.

“You’ve grown stronger, far stronger than the last time we spared.”

“Yes, I’ve been taking my training very seriously.”

‘Where is this going?’ I wondered. He stood up and started leaving, but not before turning to me one more time.

“I want to spar with you again, make some time will you?” Then he left and I sighed.

“Sure, later.” I waved him off. After he left the vicinity, I sagged and exhaled deeply.

“John”

“Yes, sir?” I looked at him at the door.

“If someone ever comes here saying they are my grandmother, turn them away. As a matter of fact, anyone from the Rockwell family cannot meet me, is that understood?”

“Understood, sir.”

‘Well, that nips that in the bud.’