A little while later within the main hall of the family, many elders had gathered around to express their own thoughts.
Rufus had sat in front of them silently for a while before letting out a tone of annoyance. "What is it?"
He was well aware of their own thoughts and schemes that were about to be put forward during the meeting.
He had already predicted such a thing early as he had witnessed the transformations of the children and their rate of progress.
He knew that many would feel dissatisfaction towards Pixel as she had shown up the heirs but there was also another cause for concern that they would bring up.
"Although we do agree that the child's talents are praiseworthy.. we feel that."
"Yes, we all feel that there is something weird about that child."
"She is too unusual and different from our Mink tribe."
"Could she be a mutant or variation?"
"Is the previous family head really her father?"
"We had our concerns before about this when she was born but now we have even more reason to suspect this is the case. We should investigate the mother!"
"We should punish her for shaming the family!"
Their intentions were bare to all within the room as they had either truthfully voiced their worries or some had tried to manipulate the present situation to knock Pixel back down from her present situation where the family head would be favouring her greatly.
Her talents were shining too brightly and others saw it as a direct threat to their own plans to support one of the heirs.
Although it had never happened before, there was always the chance that Pixel's talents could help her to completely control the family in the future so they quickly moved to suppress her while she was still young.
The absence of the previous heir was still a lingering concern but it could also be used for their benefit at this time because he was not there to back up Ash's claims that they had been faithful to each other.
Before long rumours would spread even if it was not true and the maids and others within the family would begin to treat those around Pixel poorly.
So long as they could use it to their advantage and prevent any leaks then the families reputation would still be in tact but they would be able to deal with Pixel and Ash.
Rufus looked down on them all coldly and said firmly. "Not another word of this nonsense. I do not wish to hear anymore. Although Ash was brought in by the family for marriage with my son, she has never met with anyone else or left the family between the time that she arrived and became pregnant. Her only visitor was my son and some female servants so there is no room for doubt."
"But even you cannot deny that there is still room for such a thing to happen."
"She could have sneaked out!"
"She could have had someone sneak inside!"
"Even the family head cannot just deny this so firmly, there is still enough reason for many to think so."
Rufus shook his head. "This is a warning to you all. Do not create trouble for the young children and give them room to grow. I have already spoken and stated that I have vouched for Ash so does my word mean so little now?"
"No…"
"We are sorry family head."
"We did not mean it like that!"
Rufus shook his head in disappointment. 'I have been too soft on them all in the past and focussed too much on the family business and tasks… it is much too easy to lose sight if the ongoings of the family. Even back then it was the same but I had my reasons for the distance I kept."
The elders had stormed out in a hurried manner as they had been upset about their failure.
Rufus had sat in silence for a while before getting up and heading out of the family grounds.
——
In a large dining area that had several meals placed there luxuriously, Rufus had sat opposite a large sheep Mink that wore a crown on their head.
They ate silently and they seemed to be very familiar with each other for a long period of time.
Genghis Baan spoke up first. "What are you worrying about this time? It has been years since ai have seen you look so troubled."
Rufus sighed. "It is about one of the heirs of the family."