After a quick re reading of the last few chapters(without the side stories) I can say for certain that the twins weren't necessary for the plot. Having Lena not even be part of the side stories but just be focused on the twins is a low blow when we got to meet her and see her slowly grow.
Also it removed the stakes. Having Chloe infertile it would've been a good plot line to make everything have more weight, but instead she got pregnant with twins and it removed all the pain she suffered before even meeting the Duke. Like this her position was no longer about her bloodline(because she wasn't recognised that easily as legitimate royal despite being the only one left with the bloodline) but it was more about "oh, she had his kids, so it's ok". Instead of having a matriarch/empress, she basically solidified her position because of the kids and not because of her knowledge, her will to see everyone equal and so on... Not saying that being a mother removes agency, but it's just another "so by miracle they had kids" plot which is a little bit cliché.
Then, Lena being sent away. It's a shame that we saw this baby barely for a few panels being all grown and taking after her mother, just for her to be studying away and never be seen again. If instead of the twins, they had Lena became the protagonist for the side stories, I think it would've worked so well. Because at that point, I believe, it would've been about having the challenged of Lena to be recognised as the next in line because she isn't a biological daughter of neither Chloe and the Duke. It would've been more interesting that the engagement of six years old kids, especially because they could've aged Lena to be like of age.
After a quick re reading of the last few chapters(without the side stories) I can say for certain that the twins weren't necessary for the plot. Having Lena not even be part of the side stories but just be focused on the twins is a low blow when we got to meet her and see her slowly grow.
Also it removed the stakes. Having Chloe infertile it would've been a good plot line to make everything have more weight, but instead she got pregnant with twins and it removed all the pain she suffered before even meeting the Duke. Like this her position was no longer about her bloodline(because she wasn't recognised that easily as legitimate royal despite being the only one left with the bloodline) but it was more about "oh, she had his kids, so it's ok". Instead of having a matriarch/empress, she basically solidified her position because of the kids and not because of her knowledge, her will to see everyone equal and so on... Not saying that being a mother removes agency, but it's just another "so by miracle they had kids" plot which is a little bit cliché.
Then, Lena being sent away. It's a shame that we saw this baby barely for a few panels being all grown and taking after her mother, just for her to be studying away and never be seen again. If instead of the twins, they had Lena became the protagonist for the side stories, I think it would've worked so well. Because at that point, I believe, it would've been about having the challenged of Lena to be recognised as the next in line because she isn't a biological daughter of neither Chloe and the Duke. It would've been more interesting that the engagement of six years old kids, especially because they could've aged Lena to be like of age.