Chapter 12: Morning Reflections and Royal Conversations (rewrite)

Morning After the Wedding

Lott's thoughts were a jumble of worry and confusion as he reflected on the previous night.

[Did I hurt Morgan? Was I too dismissive of her feelings, considering it was our first time?]

Morgan, hearing his internal distress, was both amused and slightly annoyed.

"Nonsense! Try being a bit more considerate next time. At least you were aware of my feelings and didn't just ignore them entirely."

She chastised him silently but also felt a strange curiosity about his surprising skillfulness despite his lack of experience.

[How could someone with no prior experience be so adept? Where did this skill come from? Was he just naturally talented or did he somehow learn on his own?]

Morgan watched Lott closely, trying to gauge his sincerity and understanding.

"Good morning," she said with a sleepy smile.

"Good morning," Lott responded, gently pinching her nose.

Despite the intensity of their previous night, the connection between them seemed to deepen, making their relationship more intimate.

Morgan, still feeling a bit shy and self-conscious, suggested they get up. "Let's get ready. Didn't my father say he wanted to discuss something with us?"

The urgency in her voice hinted at her desire to avoid any more awkwardness and to focus on business.

[I can't deal with any more embarrassing situations right now.] Morgan thought.

After dressing and using magic to heal herself, they went to meet King Uther.

An Unexpected Encounter

Upon arriving at King Uther's quarters, Lott and Morgan were greeted by Merlin, who was unexpectedly early.

"Oh, it's surprising to see you two up so early," Merlin remarked with a smile, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

The comment made Morgan blush with embarrassment, confirming her suspicion that Merlin was quite the troublemaker.

[I knew it. Merlin is a rascal.]

She glanced at Lott, anxious about his reaction to Merlin's teasing. If Lott responded poorly, she was prepared to step in to smooth things over.

Lott, however, maintained his composure. "King Uther has asked to see us. Master Merlin, is His Majesty available?"

Morgan admired his calm demeanour, noting that his ability to mask his emotions was impressive.

[Merlin's skill at controlling his expressions is remarkable. If I didn't know better, I'd think he was truly emotionless. His ability to feign emotional depth is unsettling.]

[Could Merlin's lack of visible emotion make him more dangerous than expected?] Morgan pondered, considering the implications for her and her sister.

Merlin simply nodded, "King Uther has been waiting for you."

With a welcoming gesture, Merlin led Lott and Morgan to King Uther's chamber.

A Royal Discussion

King Uther, pleased to see the newlyweds, welcomed them with a warm, fatherly gaze. He was visibly content that his daughter had married a person of such high calibre.

[I'm happy Morgan has married someone so worthy. He's handsome, noble, and seems to genuinely care for her. I'm relieved that she seems happy, even if this marriage was politically motivated.]

However, Uther's thoughts were also troubled by the question of who should succeed him as the ruler of Camelot.

[Neither Morgan nor Altria inherited my extraordinary power, but they both excel in leadership. Deciding who should lead Camelot is a difficult choice.]

Uther's contemplation was interrupted as he addressed Morgan directly. "Morgan, I understand you've been discussing agricultural reforms with Merlin. Do you have any additional ideas to propose?"

Morgan was initially confused, but she saw Lott's reaction and realized he was surprised.

[What's going on? How did Morgan know about these reforms? Who gave her this idea?]

Morgan responded with a triumphant smile, clearly enjoying Lott's confusion.

[These are your ideas, Lott! I'm just presenting them.]

The Role of Influence

As they continued their discussion with King Uther, the topic of agricultural reforms came into sharper focus. The reforms aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and incentivizing farmers, a critical issue given the political landscape.

[Lott's ideas about appointing official positions to motivate farmers will undoubtedly stir up some discontent among the nobles. This could lead to major shifts in the power dynamics of the region.]

Morgan knew that such reforms could have significant political repercussions, making her job as a mediator even more crucial.

[I need to navigate this carefully to ensure that the changes benefit the people without causing unnecessary conflict among the nobles.]

Her strategic approach would play a key role in how these reforms were received and implemented.

As they prepared to leave, Lott couldn't help but reflect on the situation.

[I didn't expect my ideas to be so impactful. I need to be more cautious about the political fallout.]

Morgan and Lott's continued partnership would be essential in managing these challenges and ensuring that their actions led to positive outcomes for all involved.