Lott, feeling a bit uncertain, handed the baby to Morgan. "This is not a son, but a daughter," he said, unsure of how to react.
It was a surprising revelation. Historically, many had expected the firstborn to be male, but in this case, the gender was different. Lott pondered that perhaps in this world, the rules were not as fixed. He comforted himself with the thought that having a daughter was still a blessing. In the grand scheme, gender didn't matter as much as the health of the child and mother.
Morgan relieved that Lott wasn't disappointed by having a daughter, responded teasingly, "Hehe, it seems your expectations have failed."
"Failed? No," Lott shook his head slightly. "Regardless, she is still Gawain."
Morgan had previously mentioned that they needed more knights for the Round Table, so having a daughter instead of a son was not a major concern for her. "Well, at least we still need more knights," she said with a sigh.
Merlin, upon learning that the child was a girl, was momentarily taken aback. His frustration with the situation even led him to have fleeting dark thoughts about the world. Despite his lack of emotional attachment, he questioned his abilities and decided to take a break from his usual activities.
"I'll take a break from my usual pursuits today," Merlin muttered to himself. "I'll deal with it tomorrow."
Back in the delivery room, Lott handed the baby to Morgan. As she gazed at their daughter, her initial reaction was one of dismay.
"What's wrong?" Lott asked, noticing her troubled expression.
"She doesn't look like what I expected!" Morgan exclaimed. "She doesn't resemble us at all."
Morgan was known for her beauty, and the baby's appearance was a stark contrast. The newborn's looks were disappointing to her, and she almost wished to dismiss the baby. Thankfully, her maternal instincts prevailed, and she restrained herself.
Lott, who had learned from his previous life about newborns' appearances, reassured Morgan. "Babies often look different at birth. She will look better with time."
Morgan, though still troubled, accepted Lott's explanation. "Alright, if you say so," she said, reluctantly holding the baby. "But she's still quite unattractive."
"Do you dislike her that much?" Lott teased, observing Morgan's reactions.
Morgan rolled her eyes, feeling slightly embarrassed by the teasing. Despite her complaints, she understood that her initial reaction was partly due to her exhaustion and the overwhelming nature of new motherhood.
"Okay, I'll handle the baby for now," Lott said, trying to ease the situation. "You should rest and recover from childbirth."
Morgan, though still frowning slightly, acknowledged Lott's point. "You seem upset. What's on your mind?"
Lott's thoughts about the past ten months and the adjustments he had made for Morgan were fresh in his mind. The challenges of managing both the household and supporting Morgan had taken a toll on him.
"You'll handle the government affairs while I recover," Morgan instructed, though she knew if Lott faltered, she wouldn't hold it against him. After all, both were adjusting to their new roles.
Lott, though overwhelmed, was determined to manage his responsibilities. The focus on caring for Morgan and their child had become his priority.
During the postpartum period, Lott took on the task of caring for their daughter, Gawain. The maids provided general care, but Lott made sure to handle the specific needs that came with being a new father. He occasionally checked on Gawain but mostly let her grow in peace.
"It's fine. She'll grow up and look better," Lott thought, comforted by the idea that appearance was not everything.
After a month, Morgan had nearly fully recovered. Despite the rigorous demands of childbirth, her appearance remained youthful and vibrant, leaving no visible signs of her recent ordeal.
Gawain, too, had started to show signs of improvement. The initial unattractiveness had faded, and the baby began to resemble her parents' beauty. Morgan, seeing her daughter's improved appearance, was now genuinely pleased.
Lott, seeing Morgan's happiness, joined her in admiring their daughter. The family found joy in their new addition, and the initial worries about Gawain's appearance were replaced with pride and affection.
Morgan and Lott enjoyed this new phase of their lives, their bond strengthened by the shared experience of parenthood. The playful teasing and loving interactions provided a warm, nurturing environment for their daughter.