Jasiri nodded, arranging the standard gently around the precious babe.
“Princess Nairobi Carisse Regina, daughter of Queen Regina, issue of the great King Aléxandros, standard bearer of the Obsidian royal line of succession, heir apparent, and crown princess of the Obsidian throne.”
He slowly swiped a reverent thumb across the child’s head before he spoke again.
“May you possess the wisdom of all your ancestors so that you will rule with forethought and foresight.”
He flattened his hand on the babe’s chest, and Aléx’s shoulders sat a bit straighter and his chest a bit broader as he watched Jasiri continue with the ceremony.
“May your heart be filled with compassion and kindness, so that you will rule with grace and benevolence.”
Jasiri lifted the open hand the princess had strewn across half her face.
“May your hands be as open and strong as your heart so that you may carry and comfort your people and your nation through the sorrows life will inevitably bring.”
Nairobi gave a long stretch before she settled against Jasiri’s chest again. Jasiri gently clasped her foot between his forefinger and thumb, and the princess was rewarded with an enamored smile on the neighbor king’s face.
“May your feet be strong and sturdy, so that you may stand as a beacon to your people in times of light and darkness.”
Aléx watched Jasiri make eye contact with him, and he could’ve sworn he saw a hint of glass in the Nyeusian king’s eyes.Could the big strong king be fighting back tears? He wouldn’t have been the first man in the room today. Aléx had cried multiple times since the doctor had laid the new baby in his arms. And he didn’t feel the least bit bad about it.
“To Princess Nairobi of the Obsidian royal line of succession, may your reign be long and may your legacy live on forever.”
This time it was Aléx who motioned to the sisters, and they each joined Aléx in repeating after Jasiri in unison.
“May your reign be long, and may your legacy live on forever.”
Aléx leaned down to his wife, placing a wisp of a kiss across her puffy lips. Joy filled him as he sat down on the edge of the bed and whispered in her ear, “May our love reign long, and may its legacy live on forever.”
She returned his peck, her eyes slightly exhausted, no doubt from all the work she’d put in today. The strength of this woman never ceased to amaze him.
As she’d said, she’d had enough love to carry them to this place where elation washed away the darkness in his heart and left it full of light and possibility. She shouldn’t have had to bear that alone, and he would make certain her reward would be a husband who would love her through joy and tribulation. He would love her to life and through life until he breathed his last breath, and then from the grave, he would continue to love her into eternity.
She placed a hand over Aléx’s heart, and it beat stronger for her. She looked up into his eyes before she repeated, “May our love reign long, and may its legacy live on forever.”
