Every generation, an Azuarli Duke is blessed with triplet sons who, identical to their ancestors, grow up to become three of the pillars of this empire.
This custom started, they say, back when the First Duke Azuarli, a man of incomparable prowess, incurred the wrath of the savage monarch of Ruisaq who launched a war to make him one of his men.
War raged on. Borders were breached and taken back. With our vassal state Mereis shielding our southern border, Duke Azuarli held up the other three, riding madly from one border to the other day and night.
At last, their armies turned back; on that day, a thunderous oath resounded across the battlefield... that "the Ruisaaqi Monarch WILL have the Duke Azuarli, whether it be in this life, or the next fourteen."
The Duke's heart pounded wildly as realization set in, that every monarch of Ruisaq from now on will attack the Incasire empire, by coronation custom if naught else, for Ruisaaqis meant what they said and savages know no tongue but of victory through raw strength.
Terrified for his wife and daughters' lives and worried the empire will fall once he passes away, the Duke turned to magic. No one knows exactly what he did, but one day, his wife passed away giving birth to triplets... three strong sons who would grow up to be exactly like their father.
Trained by the duke, they elevated themselves to be powerful pillars to the empire; so long House Azuarli lives, the empire will not fall. Incasireans cheered, they had three unbeatable Duke Azuarlis now, their borders would be safe, their lives will be safe. The young dukes were revered as guardians sent by the gods.
But gods don't send something so good without a lurking twist now, do they?
It is only after the First Duke felled his last breath, that a cruel pattern was noted. Only one Young Duke would be blessed with triplet sons... but the other two young lords... NOT. Rather they would not be blessed with any children at all. Furthermore, when their nephews grow up to a certain age, the heirless dukes will lose their lives, both at the same time.. will die young.. every generation... a tragic fate set on repeat.
..
And seeing as how there's no way to tell which of them can bear children until they reach adulthood, ALL three of them have to take mandatory training since childhood under their Lord father for the position of the Duke... afterall they are still Azuarlis, and Ruisaaqis come haunt by every once in a while.
..
It is unclear how much of this curse/blessing the First Duke himself was aware of. Would he really choose this, a kind man like him, this cruel fate for his future descendants?
The hell those boys must go through since such a young age, knowing two of them are fated for a life of misery, not knowing which two. The hell the surviving brother goes through, losing the two he came into this world with. And above all, the hell their mother must go through.!.. the hell I woke into this world in...
An Azuarli Duchess is elected with more consideration than a Crown Princess, as she must be strong enough to bear healthy triplets and deliver them preferably without losing her life, and also to cope with the grief when the time comes for two of her sons to lose their lives.
If you ask me, it's a shitty role. Why should anyone have to shoulder this painful cycle? An Azuarli will answer: "For the Empire." Sigh.
In the recent years, Azuarlis have opted to stay detached, having learned from their uncles' deaths just how painful attachment can be. Dukes undergo arranged marriages. Uncles gone off to war. Brothers rarely talk. Never has there been a daughter born. And mothers, however strong, usually pass away sooner or later.
Lislen did too. But the moment her soul left her body, mine entered. That's where I come in. I revived as Lislen Silverais.
And gave birth to a son.
.. .
... .. ONE son.. .
My head rings with a dull ache as murmurs flood my ears...
'Omen.' 'Its an omen.' 'Ssh.' 'So ominous.' 'What will happen now?' 'Never before have Azuarli twins died in womb.' 'Even if the mother dies, they lived.' 'Even if the mothers died.'
'Is this the right Azuarli, can this one bear heirs or will this be the end of the Azuarli line?' 'Is this a premonition?' 'Hush, do not jinx it more.' 'Could this be the year Ruisaaqis conquer Incasire?' 'Dont bring up those savages.' 'They'll slaughter us all.' 'Oh, our poor duke.' 'His brothers will lose their lives any day now.' 'They might live this time, they might live.' 'What if they don't?'
'The Duke has to try for another wife.' 'That's right, with another wife.' 'Will it even work? No duke before has had any more children after the triplets, however much they tried.' 'But he has to try, he has to.'
'Will the Emperor allow? His dear sister is our duchess. To let her just be swept aside like a used rug?' 'Oh please, she is the one that arrogantly came onto our duke, forced him to marry her and back up her brother so he could become the emperor.' 'That's right, don't think for a moment the young emperor has power more our than young Duke.' 'Our Duke's backing is what got him that crown.'
'But he's still the Emperor! Everyone knows he cherishes his sister more than anything. Won't he hold a grudge?' 'He knows well that Incasire needs Azuarli.' 'Oh he'll be furious, sure, but won't retaliate. He can't retaliate. To begin with, its her fault for losing the twins!' 'Yes! She claimed so haughtily she'd be strong but look at the consequences now.' 'Hasn't said a thing since the birth. Cat got her tongue?' 'A shame, if only she had delivered without fail, her sons would be Ducal princes with Imperial AND Azuarli blood!'
I've.had.enough.
Enough of this bullshit.
Why is it the woman's fault if the delivery goes wrong? Lislen died for this, for God's sake! What MORE do you want from her?
To start with, why doesn't the empire have other nobles houses like Azuarli? Why not recruit men of power and prowess, grant them nobility, train them in warfare? Why must Azuarlis endure this vicious cycle for generations, carry the whole burden?
Why not attempt diplomacy with Ruisaq, give them something they want other than our best nobleman, mess up their court affairs then help them settle that mess? Why should the people depend so heavily on their guardian angels? Give them a break! And give ME A BREAK, I went from an unmarried young woman to surviving a most excruciating pregnancy!
That was the worst possible way to reincarnate that I have ever known. Phew. I'm still alive somehow.
And I damn well intend to stay alive.