For a while everything was well within the Arkatal family. Kaden was born a fat baby and only continued to grow bigger and taller. There was nothing better than a healthy child.
But the peace was short lived. It was found out that the First Miss, Elena Voight, had gotten pregnant. She'd been three months along when it was found out she was pregnant with a boy. Six months passed and she gave birth.
The First Miss was from a prestigious family, an even more prominent one than the Arkatal family.
The two families had a strong relationship. Lynwood's grandfather and Elena's grandfather had wanted to join the families and become in-laws. The grandfathers had arranged meetings between their two grandchildren. The two got along well and a marriage was quickly arranged.
Originally, out of respect to the Voight family, Elena was supposed to be his only wife. But after trying to get pregnant for eight years with no results, Lynwood took a second wife.
The Voight family understood the need for a descendant so they turned a blind eye. Two more years passed and neither of Lynwood's wives had born him a child, much less a boy. Out of desperation he started searching for yet another woman.
Avery was only a commoner with no background. They'd met on another planet where he'd taken an eye to her beauty. He brought her back and took her as his third wife.
The issue was that now Elena had carried a child after all. The child's potential was a lot worse, merely having C-Tier Genetic Potential and B-Tier Aether Essence.
Still, his background was non-trivial. In the entire Federation, no one had more power and stronger cultivators than the Voight family. In comparison, the Arkatal family was merely at the bottom of the top five.
When Lynwood took other wives they'd been willing to let it slide. If she couldn't have children it would be the downfall of the other family. But now it turned out that she could.
If Lynwood now chose to go against them and picked a boy from a lower social standing to be the inheritor, it would be spitting in their face.
On the day following Zander's birth, Elvin Voight the current head of the family, came to see the child.
In the same room Avery had given birth two years ago, Elena was lying on the bed. A newly born baby was sleeping in her arms, swabbed in a blanket.
By her side sat Lynwood, a thinking expression on his face. He was in the middle of considering something when there was a knock on the door.
Led into the room by Lynwood's father Merlin, was Elvin.
The man gave a quick nod to Lynwood before turning his attention to the woman on the bed. "It's good to see you again sister. How is my nephew doing?"
Elena flashed a bright smile at her brother, "He's sleeping. Do you want to try and hold him?"
"Of course I would." He accepted the child that was handed over to him, "What have you named him?"
"Zander. Lynwood chose it." Elena squeezed her husband's hand.
"A fine name." Elvin gave Lynwood a meaningful glance, "C and B, his potential is not great. Nonetheless, the Voight blood runs through him, he will certainly grow up to do great things."
Elvin's words put Lynwood in a bit of an awkward spot. He knew what he was referring to and it was the matter he had been worried about. It should be an easy decision. If Zander became the next patriarch it would tighten their bond with the Voight family.
In history, one person with the potential to grow strong was nothing much. People became crippled or died all the time before they could reach their destiny. Besides Kaden was a demon, there was no way he could stay in the family forever. Placing his bets on Zander seemed like a much better option.
Unconsciously, Lynwood began fidgeting with his hands.
"Don't you agree Lynwood?"
Lynwood looked up to see Elvin staring back at him. He wasn't giving Lynwood any time to consider it and expected an answer already.
Clenching his teeth, Lynwood made up his mind.
"Of course. Many great things." Lynwood nodded as the two men looked into each others eyes.
Seeing Lynwood's understanding, Elvin also nodded, "It's good you agree." It was clear that both of them were aware of what they were discussing. "Well, I'm just happy to see that my nephew and sister are doing alright. I don't want to impose on you and I also have some business to attend to. I'll take my leave now." In stark difference to his attitude before, Elvin gave Zander a kiss on the cheek and handed him back to his sister.
"I'll escort you out." Merlin lead Elvin out the door.
Back in the room Lynwood wiped his brow. The amount of pressure the man exuded on him was unreal. Elvin was only a few years older but was at the top of the Domain realm. That was a full realm above Lynwood who had been stuck at the 5th level of the Xenon realm for what felt like an eternity.
Still, Lynwood was satisfied with his own decision. He didn't feel like he had been forced into it. Yes, this was how it was supposed to be. There was no way the demon child could ever become the head of the family. It would only bring disaster.