"Hmm, it's a girl."
As for Gawain being a girl, Merlin was already on the verge of becoming numb to it.
Exhausted.
Just let the world end already.
Even for someone as emotionless as him, such a thought flickered through his mind for a brief moment. Now, he was starting to doubt his own abilities.
"Sigh, feeling down today. Guess I'll skip the brothel for now," Merlin muttered to himself.
"I'll go tomorrow."
Meanwhile, Lot handed Gawain over to Morgan.
Looking at the child, Morgan's face twisted into an expression that was almost tearful.
"What's wrong?" Seeing Morgan like this, Lot was startled and immediately asked her.
"She's so ugly! How is this child so… long? She doesn't look like either of us!" Morgan complained to Lot.
Her own beauty was peerless, and as for Lot well, his looks were more than passable too. Definitely better than Galahad, Lancelot, or even Merlin.
But…
How did their child turn out like this?!
The moment she saw Gawain, Morgan nearly threw her out in disgust. Thankfully, she remembered she was a mother, so she managed to restrain herself.
Phew. Close call.
Otherwise, Gawain might've ended up like that fool A'dou dropped on her head by her own mother.
"Ah, well, newborns all look like this. They need time to grow into their features…"
Fortunately, though this was Lot's first time being a father, he had absorbed all sorts of random knowledge during his past life's internet escapades including the fact that newborns tend to look a bit odd at first. After explaining to Morgan (who was also a first-time mother) that the child would eventually become more presentable, Morgan finally stopped looking so disgusted.
"Oh. I see."
With great reluctance, she finally cradled the baby in her arms.
"But… she's still so ugly!" Morgan grumbled.
"Morgan, Morgan… since when did you become the type of mother to despise her own child?" Lot teased, though internally, he couldn't help but agree.
[Though… I kinda feel the same way.]
Hearing that last mental remark, Morgan nearly threw out her back from sheer exasperation.
You damn pervert! You're thinking the exact same thing as me!
She shot him a glare.
Lot, however, didn't catch the reason behind her glare he just assumed she was scoffing at his words.
"Alright, I'll take care of her for now. You rest up and recover properly from the postpartum period first," Lot said.
"Recover first? And then what? I feel like you're plotting something indecent…"
Morgan wrinkled her cute little nose at him.
Faced with her accusation, even someone as shameless as Lot flushed slightly.
Ten months.
Do you have any idea how I've suffered these past ten months?!
For the sake of Morgan's health, certain activities had been completely off the table. Oral relief had only happened a handful of times, mostly because Morgan always complained her mouth got too sore.
And her teeth… well, let's just say they made things difficult for Lot.
Hitting on the maids? Lot wasn't that kind of man. Taking matters into his own hands? Too pathetic.
A married man shouldn't stoop so low.
So, suffice to say, he had been suffering.
But now?
Now, he felt like the people of China in 1949
The good days have finally arrived.
"Hmph. Anyway, handle the administrative affairs properly during this time. Otherwise, don't expect me to indulge you."
Morgan's warning was firm, though in truth, even if Lot did slack off, she wouldn't actually refuse him.
Why would she?
It wasn't like only the man enjoyed it.
Morgan wasn't some naive Gal anymore she was a mature young woman now.
And after ten months of abstinence…
She was just as pent-up as Lot.
"Still, knowing him, if I show even a hint of softness, he'll take a mile when given an inch."
Morgan smirked to herself.
Better to keep him on a leash for now.
Men…
There's a saying Dangle a carrot in front of a donkey, and it'll walk to the ends of the earth.
And that was exactly the state Lot was in.
His enthusiasm for handling political affairs had skyrocketed.
He even took it upon himself to personally care for Morgan not that the maids were inadequate, but a husband's attention was simply different.
As for Gawain?
Well… he glanced at her occasionally.
[It's not like she'll remember anyway. I'll pay more attention when she's older.]
At least she was a girl.
If Gawain had been a boy…
Lot would've considered himself lucky if he remembered the child existed once a month.
The postpartum recovery period was roughly the same as the traditional "sitting month."
After about a month, Morgan had mostly recuperated.
Truly, the characters in the Type-Moon universe are built different.
Despite having given birth, Morgan's appearance hadn't changed at all she still looked like a youthful maiden. No one would ever guess she was a mother.
And during that month, Gawain had started to grow into her features.
The awkward, scrunched-up newborn look had faded, replaced by the delicate beauty befitting the child of two stunning parents.
Morgan's initial disappointment was long gone.
Now, she happily cradled Gawain, her earlier complaints forgotten.
Seeing this, Lot couldn't resist joining in, playfully teasing the baby alongside her.
Morgan, amused, joined in with her own gentle prodding.
The scene was…
Heartwarmingly domestic.
Of course, the one being endlessly teased Gawain couldn't voice any objections.
Not that she had the ability to.
The next morning, Artoria arrived with official documents in hand.
Only to find
"Huh? Where are King Lot and Queen Morgan?"
She blinked at the empty royal office.
Just as empty as her stomach right now.
She had come early in the morning, hungry, to deliver documents
And the people she needed to see were nowhere in sight?!
Perplexed, Artoria stepped outside to question the palace maids.
"…You're asking where Their Majesties Lot and Morgan are?"
The maid's face flushed instantly.
Last night, Morgan's… enthusiastic vocalizations had echoed throughout the entire palace.
All night long.
Not only was Morgan incapable of getting out of bed right now, but none of the maids had gotten proper sleep either.
Sigh. Our lives are hard.
There was only one man in the palace a man utterly devoted to his wife.
And the worst part?
His stamina was inhuman.
How are we supposed to survive this?!
Artoria, oblivious to the maid's internal screaming, tilted her head.
Wait, why did she blush when I mentioned Their Majesties?
"Could it be… that the two of them…?"
Artoria's expression turned speculative.
The maids panicked.
We can't let this man figure out Their Majesties' private life!
"Are they in the kitchen sneaking food?" Artoria guessed.
"..."
The maids were speechless.
Then, they burst into silent laughter.
Of course.
Anyone else might've guessed the truth, but not Sir Artoria.
Over the past few months in Camelot, the most infamous topic had been King Leodegrance's only daughter, Guinevere, relentlessly pursuing Sir Artoria.
By all logic, a knight should've long since yielded to the advances of such a beautiful, high-born maiden.
But months had passed, and Artoria remained completely unmoved.
Is this guy even a man?!
The maids screamed internally.
As they stewed in their thoughts, Artoria patted her stomach and sighed.
"Alright, I'll leave these documents here. Please pass them to Their Majesties when they return. I'll take my leave now."
The maids nodded, and Artoria hurried off to eat.
Not long after her departure, Lot leaning heavily against the wall, massaging his aching back limped into the office.
Morgan was bedridden, and he felt like his legs were made of jelly.
So weak…
"Did anyone come by earlier?" he asked the maids.
"Sir Artoria was here."
They relayed the earlier events.
Hearing this, Lot's lips twitched.
[Good grief, thank god it was her. Well, since my adorable sister-in-law is so clueless, I'll treat her to a better meal at noon.]
Right now, Lot had absolute trust in Artoria.
If the day ever came when all the Knights of the Round Table betrayed Camelot, Artoria would be the last one standing.
Unless one specific thing happened
The chefs of Camelot betrayed them too.
[Note to self Gotta protect the chefs in the future.]
Chuckling to himself, Lot picked up the documents and got to work.
Once finished, he informed the maids he was going to nap and that no one should disturb the castle unless necessary. Then, he dragged his exhausted body back to the bedroom.
Rest. Rest.
Deep down, he knew this wasn't sustainable.
[Lot, you can't keep doing this. Handling official business while half-dead can't become a habit.]
He vowed to do better.
The next day, Lot didn't drag his tired body to work.
Because
He couldn't even get out of bed.
"This is all your fault."
Burrowed under the blankets, Morgan lightly punched Lot's chest, her face flushed.
Lot, thoroughly satisfied, just grinned.
"No more tonight," Morgan declared.
"Starting tomorrow, I'm focusing on politics."
"What?! Two nights? After ten months of abstinence?!"
Lot looked utterly betrayed.
Sure, his legs were weak, but other parts of him were still very energetic.
"We can't spend every day in bed!" Morgan hissed.
Two straight days without leaving the bedroom.
What woman could endure this?!
"Ahem…"
Lot coughed awkwardly.
"So, I've decided starting tomorrow, I'll handle the documents. And I'll find another woman to keep you company."
Morgan's smile turned dangerous.
"W-WHAT?!"
Lot was horrified.
[I've heard of wives being unable to keep up and letting their husbands visit brothels, but I'm not that kind of man! I only want Morgan!]
Hearing his inner monologue, Morgan smacked his chest with her tiny fist.
"What are you thinking, pervert?! You belong to me I'd never let another woman touch you! No, the woman I'm finding for you is someone I trust someone who can wear you out."
Her grin widened.
"...?????"
Lot's face was a sea of confusion.
What the hell was she planning?!
"Morgan…"
Clutching the wailing Gawain, Lot cursed the child's mother in his heart.
The "woman" Morgan had found for him
Shared his last name.
It was her own daughter Gawain.
If Lot has so much energy to spare…
Then let him put it to use.
The maids and wet nurses could take a break.
It was time for him to step up.
"His is definitely cursing me right now."
Morgan smirked as she picked up a document.
But as she read its contents, her smile vanished.
She slammed the papers onto the desk.
"Those damn nobles !"
During her and Lot's absence, the nobility had grown bold.
They seized commoners' property, annexed land, and even stole from the fishing boats she and Lot had commissioned.
"Looks like it's time for a purge."
Her eyes gleamed with murderous intent.