I just realized that Gilear is the only competent parent in that household. Aside from Cathilda, who for sure raised Fabian more than his own mother did. But in terms of "default" parental figures, Gilear is the only one who is going to fully show up and be ready.
Telemaine has an entire world to learn about; you put that baby in granpapa's arms and tell him you just need an hour, you're getting a call from the cops telling you they found your baby with a strange man buying lotto tickets at a 7/11.
Hallariel is in no shape or form fit to raise another child. And I can see a world where we get some long overdue development in her character and relationship with Fabian, where she comes to understand what a shit mother she's been, but she's gonna fumble the bag a lot until then.
And you know Cathilda is gonna be doing a lot of the pushing in that department. It'll worry her to let go of the reigns on such a young child, but the satisfaction at seeing Hallariel's face when she goes to pawn off the baby and Cathilda refuses will be more than enough to reassure her that this has to happen.
So that just leaves... Gilear. A fully capable parent who already raised one kid, and who is still a prominent figure in that child's life. It's Gilear in the midst of caring for a newborn whilst Telemaine has Alston declaring his own nemesis, Hallariel panics on the sudden lack of Cathilda, and Fabian furthers his elaborate scheme to kill this baby as he stubbornly fights the slow creepings of affection.
Godspeed, Gilear o7.
