The birth of the first grandson of General Edosa soon became the talk of the household.
"How can it be a boy?" murmured the second wife of General Edosa as she sat in her courtyard. The news had been delivered by her trusted maid, who stood before her, head bowed.
"I'm certain, madam. I even asked the midwife myself as she was leaving," the maid replied cautiously, knowing her mistress's temper.
"Are you sure that woman hasn't played some trick?" the second wife asked, her skepticism evident.
"Madam, what could she do? On the seventh day, the boy will be presented naked before the ancestors. Any lie would be exposed then," the maid reminded her.
The second wife's face darkened at this reminder. If even her maid knew the futility of lying about the child's gender, it meant the boy's identity was true.
"Then the priestess of Sheva deceived me," she muttered bitterly, slamming her fist against the armrest of her chair. Months earlier, when rumors of a great general being born into the Edosa family spread, she had visited the Oracle of Sheva. Hoping to secure her son's place as heir, she had paid a hefty price to ensure her co-wife's daughter-in-law would give birth to a girl. The priestess had assured her it was done. Yet here she was, defeated.
"Madam, I heard the woman gave birth to twins—a boy first and then a girl," the maid added hesitantly.
The second wife's bitterness deepened. She hadn't known the woman was carrying twins. She had only asked for one child to be changed to a girl. Twins were rare in the kingdom, and usually, they were of the same gender. Still, she consoled herself that her own daughter-in-law was due to give birth in a few weeks. If her child was a boy, there was still hope to claim the position of heir—after all, her son was the general's firstborn.
Turning to her daughter-in-law, she scowled, "This is all your fault. If you had conceived earlier, I wouldn't have had to go through so much trouble."
The woman who was been scowled could only lower her head. How could she get pregnant early if her husband neglected her and refused to visit her room? Although it was not her fault, she knew it was best not to argue with her mother inlaw.
She could only touch her stomach lightly and pray with all her heart that what she carried was a boy. Her husband did not like her much, only by giving birth to a boy, would she live peacefully in the house.
---
Weeks passed, and soon the wife of the first son gave birth to a boy. The news ignited an internal struggle within the Edosa household.
"My son is the rightful heir. He is the first grandson," the second son, Osaze, declared firmly during a family meeting.
"Osaze, watch your words!" Osaro, the first son, retorted. "You know very well that my son, as my child, has the rightful claim to the title of heir."
"Your son? The title of heir no longer has anything to do with you or your family" Osaza shot back.
"You dare twist tradition? I am the first son of this family. The lineage and inheritance should come through me," Osaro argued, his voice rising.
Osaza sneered, "Inheritance? When Father is alive and well? Are you planning to take his place already?"
"Don't twist my words! Tradition is clear. The responsibility of carrying on our family's legacy falls to me as the firstborn," Osaro countered.
"Your military accomplishments are pitiful. Father is worried about entrusting the family to you. You might lose everything to another family!" Osaza spat.
The argument raged on until General Edosa raised his hand, silencing them.
"Enough!" he commanded. His sons quieted, their eyes turning to their father.
"The two boys are my grandsons," General Edosa began. "Osaro, you agreed to my decision years ago to pass the title of heir to my first grandson. This decision does not violate tradition."
Osaro opened his mouth to argue but thought better of it, clenching his fists instead. If not because of the big mistake he made at that time he would never have agreed to such conditions. Moreover, his second wife was pregnant and he thought she would definitely give birth to a boy, he did not expect her to have a miscarriage.
General Edosa continued, "Our family's status is not just about inheritance. We are the first military family, second only to the emperor. Our position was built on the blood of our ancestors. I will not allow this legacy to fall due to petty squabbles.
"To honor my promise and give Osaro another chance, I will not choose an heir now. The boys will train and learn for the next few years. Then, our family will host a duel between them. The victor will become my heir."
Both sons reluctantly agreed, and the women of the household, listening outside, felt a surge of hope. As long as there was a chance, they would fight for it.
---
Five Years Later
In a quiet corner of the estate, a little girl crouched, peeking through a window to watch the teacher instruct her brothers. She listened intently, then squatted down to trace the words she had heard onto the dirt with her finger.
Suddenly, she felt a sharp pinch on her ear.
"Mother!" she cried, tears welling in her eyes as her mother dragged her away.
Back at their courtyard, her mother released her and ordered, "Kneel."
The girl obeyed without protest, knowing resistance would only worsen her punishment.
"Iyare, how many times have I warned you not to disturb your brothers during their lessons?" her mother scolded.
"I'm sorry, Mother," Iyare replied softly. She had tried explaining before that she only wanted to learn like her brothers, but her mother had beaten her even harder.
Her mother glared at her, seething. To her, Iyare was a curse—a daughter stronger and more curious than her brother.
Picking up a cane, she began to strike the girl, venting her frustration. "You evil child! You weakened your brother by being in my womb with him. You almost ruined my reputation!"
She struck her again, yelling, "Your difficult birth left me barren. It's all your fault!"
Tears streamed down Iyare's face, but she stayed silent, afraid her cries would provoke more anger. In her heart, she wished for a better life—a life where she could learn and be valued, not scorned for being born a girl.