A husband wife squabble

After checking every possible information about Rankings and finding different ways to grow through rankings, Claude finally decided on the most anticipated part of the book - Tiers.

But before reading the book Claude decided to eat his lunch as this part of the book will require at least 3 - 4 hours just to read it. Though he doesn't need to eat and can simply stay like this for another 2 days before he starts feeling hunger. Layla never allows him to skip a single meal, so instead of getting disturbed while reading he would rather prefer having lunch before his important task.

Usually around this time Layla would bring the food for him but sometimes due to other work in the house she forgets to follow time. Claude decided to go look for her today as usually Claude would avoid going out of his room to avoid his father, stepbrother and step mother and most specifically his mother but now that Ares knows that Claude knows he is his step father, Claude thought that there is nothing much to fear now.

His room was on the third story of the manor as the first floor was kitchen, hall, washroom and Ares's office the second floor was of Ares and his wife, his son and Claude's mother. As such there were three rooms on the second floor. As the second wife, his mother was given a separate room near the main room of the husband so that he can access it whenever he wants. Claude's room was on the third floor as the two women of the house didn't want him in their sight and the servant quarters was on the third floor so that Layla could look after him even during the night when he was a baby.

After reaching the ground floor or the first floor of the manor Claude decided to look for Layla but he heard a low voice like someone was arguing from Ares's office.

He would have ignored it but the topic of argument piqued his interest and he decided to hear it.

" Dear, did you give that child the same 5th birthday present as our son ?" A female voice asked with a hint of anger.

" Yes and so what ?" A manly voice which Claude clearly recognised is of Ares. It seemed like he was doing some paperwork as he heard his first wifes nagging.

" And can I ask you why ?" She asked, feeling offended as what she considered a very important matter was being handled by her husband as a multi task.

" What do you mean why ?" He finally decided to give his wife his undivided attention as he knows offending his wife has never ended well. He might be a sword saint to the world but for his wife he is her husband and she had every right to talk and argue with him.

" WHY !? How can you give that child whose own mother is not willing to accept him as her blood the same importance as my son !?" She said in an aggrieved tone.

Understanding the reason behind his wife's anger, Ares decided to explain to her the reason clearly.

" See there are many reasons why I decided to give him the same present and importance as our son and I am not obliged to give you answers." She was going to retort to him but he continued.

" But not to complicate things, I will explain. First, the things you called present are basic things required in the path of swordsmanship and magic. Second, I have accepted him as my own and with his current age he will be sure to go outside and meet other people. With his looks, personality and the charisma he carries he will surely become the centre of attention of all the childrens in the village. Heck, I won't be surprised if he also becomes a well respected child in the whole village. Think about it, how your son has bragged about his present to all his friends and when the villagers come to know that I have not given Claude anything for his 5th birthday. At least we can hide the fact that we are not even going to celebrate his birthday."

" And besides, it is already tested that even though our son has enough mana to be called a talented knight, he comes no were near even a weak mage. Do you even know the reason you can enjoy this riches is because your husband knows his limits and doesn't try to make an enemy out of someone dangerous."

When he concluded his speech his wife still had many questions but she at least understood his reasoning and decided to ask her questions calmly.

" I don't understand why you always care about your image in front of those peasants ? And what does our son's talent have to do with anything related to this topic ?"

To her questions he replied :-

" Though I am the head knight of the village I can't just do as I please. Merchants always come into the village's to trade and if the villagers tell them even a single bad thing about me then a well escalated rumour reaching the ears of the viscount is just a matter of time. My Liege values this village more than the silver mines of his viscounty. He appointed me as the head knight because my personality and behaviour is excellent towards anyone and everyone including peasants."

" And as for your second question. I am not trying to compare our son with Claude but Claude is excellent in everything. He has keen observation and understanding which is quite rare for children of his age. Though I won't say our son is ugly. Claude is also a good looking and charismatic person. Compared to our son who literally disrespected a baron by going at his physical body."

" My son only called him a Humpty Dumpty and he looked like one." She retorted.

" But he was a baron!!" Ares looked at his wife with a worried expression as if fearing that she might have forgotten the hierarchy of the empire.

" And besides I think Claude is going to be a high ranking tier. I can sense an incredible power from him strong enough to rival his own mother. Even though she is currently fallen you can already guess how much respect she got for just being a tier 4 healer. Think about it if the same amount of power I can feel from that child who is just 5 year old, I don't expect you to be dumb enough to not recognise his future standings. He might even become an imperial mage or even become a duke if decides to be."

After hearing her husband's entire explanation the woman's face became gloomy. Even she, who was a pampered daughter of a rich merchant, clearly recognised the gap between her son and Claude.

Seeing his wife's gloomy expression Ares sighed. Even though he decided to take a second wife his current wife never opposed the decision so long as she will be the main wife and Amber will never bother her. The only weak spot this woman had was when it comes to her son. She loved her son very much to the point that she spoiled him silly. When she thought that her son's position in this house is being threatened she wanted to remove the bud before even letting him bloom.

" Haah, I can understand what you think honey but you don't have to worry about anything. I have already told Claude that I am not his real father and for me he is just a responsibility and I have clearly stated that if I have to choose between him and our son, I will definitely choose our son. So please don't think about such stupid things, anger makes your face ugly." Ares consoled his wife by taking her in his arms in a warm loving embrace.

When she heard Ares's explanation she finally let out a sigh of relief, after all his husband might have many shortcomings but going back on his word was not one of them. You can even say it was his perk.

When she heard his flattery she chuckled slightly and returned his embrace saying :-

" Says the man who brought another woman with someone else's child in her womb while his own wife was pregnant."

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