Fabien came with Anthony to see the children. I had sent them a letter because I was a bit too anxious to leave the house. If Grissell had this reaction to the 4, Anthony's elitist mindset was not likely to have a better one. Still, it was a matter of obligation. When they came to the house, they were confused when I took them to the guest house. "Are we not here to see your wife? I would think such a miracle would be the first thing you would like to show us?" Fabien said. "I was just as skeptical. We were told that he womb was taken out of her." Anthony added. I simply shook my head at that. "You both are well aware of the tragedy that befell our family that day. She is unable to have more children and the very thought of training even one of her precious daughters drove her into a rage, I had not seen before." I said. Anthony smirked at me. "We told you what would happen. That heinous barbarism can stay in your old world." he gloated. He was right. "In order to produce a male heir, Grissell very kindly allowed me to take a mistress. She now lives in my guesthouse. I built it for them all."
It apparently was shocking. "You, the most doting on your wife, openly took a mistress?" Fabien said, seeking confirmation. I nodded my head. "I am very invested in my house lasting for more than one generation. I cherish and support my wife to the fullest. She is not some womb to be used and thrown away. She is kind, supportive and artistic. That does not mean that things go the way we want. I offered the choice to train Johna and she nearly killed herself in her desperation to protect her daughters. I respect that deeply." I said, turning to face them. "So, why did you take a mistress!? You could have accepted that the gods did not want your line to continue. You were not even born in this world." Anthony pressed. My mouth was a thin line. It cut deeply. "There is a consequence for every action we take. The consequence of not letting my daughter rise to the occasion and become a knight was a mistress being taken to produce a male heir that she could not. In no way would she ever choose to put her children in harm's way, so it is not something she that could avoid now." I explained.
Going upstairs, I took them to the master bedroom. "Unfortunately, she will not be living here. I have the children in my custody though. That's all I really need." I said before opening the door. Neither Swiftheart had any words for the first 3 minutes of meeting them. It was actually a bit concerning. They just stood there with faces frozen in pure horror. I looked at the triplets. They were paying us no mind. They had been fed and changed recently. It was way too late now to change what happened. Turning back to Anthony and Fabien, I nervously gestured at them. "... Well, there you have it. My children. Their names are Leonardo, Lenard and Lennox. Just like with all my daughters, I implore you to take care of my children if something should ever happen to me and assent to them following me in serving the noble Swiftheart Family." I said, a bit of a blush on my cheeks. "Our father will hear of this!" Fabien spat at me darkly. Anthony said nothing at all. They left together. It honestly did not sound all that good or encouraging. I could only hope that I would be able to raise all my sons here.
