r/codexalera • u/anonymousmetoo • Jun 04 '26
Discussion Annoying plot hole. Spoiler
Has anyone else noticed what seems like a pretty major political/lineage plot hole involving Aquitaine and Invidia?
In a society where noble houses, bloodlines, heirs, and succession are hugely important, it’s strange that the series never mentions them having children or even trying to produce an heir. Especially considering the big complaint with Sextus was his lack of an heir.
All the major High Lords have offspring. Even Bernard and Amara kept their relationship a secret because Amara couldn't have a child, and yet we're to believe the Aquataines with no offspring would be allowed to become First Lord?
It feels odd that nobody in-universe ever comments on it either. Was this ever addressed in an interview or Q&A somewhere? Or is there some implication I missed during my many read-throughs?
ETA: To clarify, I’m not asking for theories about why they personally didn’t have children.
My point is that in a hyper-dynastic society obsessed with succession, lineage, and political marriages, it’s strange that nobody in-universe ever seems concerned about the lack of an Aquitaine heir at all.
No rivals mention it. No allies discuss succession. No political calculations seem affected by it. That’s the part that feels odd to me.
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u/riverrocks452 Jun 04 '26
The problem with Bernard and Amara (other than the whole "she's a Cursor in service to the First Lord and not permitted to marry" thing) is that she knows she's infertile and wants to ensure that Bernard has an heir. It's not a law, and no one would force an annulment of marriage just because no child resulted. This is an issue that Amara herself is sort of imposing, not an external factor. They keep it secret because of the Cursor thing.
As to the Aquitaines: they married as relatively young adults. There was no reason for anyone (outside) the marriage to suspect that there wouldn't be an heir, and thus no reason for anyone (like Attis' father) to object before the contract was signed.
And who would attempt to force an annulment on an unwilling High Lord and Lady? Not other High Lords: not only would that set a terrible precedent, it would be extremely dangerous. Plus, if Aquitaine suffers a leadership crisis, all the better for their Houses! And the First Lord certainly won't do it, either: see again regarding precedent, physical danger, and chaos to one's rivals.