The boy gave his stepfather a bright smile that he quickly turned away from. "Oh, I just wanted to greet you properly since we had to cut out the introductions on the field."
David took a proper look at Nasiah once the light died down. He had no idea what exact Magick the boy used, but it seemed to be automatic.
"Well, hello there. My name is Davi Yuseff. Prince of House Yuseff. Husband of Myrym of Joab. How about you?" He tried to study the boy. He looked to see any ticks, any emotional cues that would tell him how he felt.
But the only thing he found was joy and compassion. It was almost unsettling to him. Everyone had an ulterior motive; he learned that so long ago, and he could read them well, but this one was different.
"Hello! I'm Nasiah, the son of Myrym of Joab. The future King of the World. It's nice to meet you." He raised his hand for a shake, which David took.
He narrowed his eyes. Now, this was a topic he wanted to understand. All this talk of being king of the world and virgin birth was quite fascinating.
David had not had the time to study it before due to having other duties, but it appeared that now was the moment.
"King of the world? What an interesting declaration. Where did you get that desire from?" He looked to Myrym but knew it could not be from her.
She wasn't exactly the type to desire to rule. She wanted comfort and security, and her current position already had plenty of those.
Nasiah pointed up in the sky. "The stars, of course. They told me to come and save the world the day I was born."
"And when were you born exactly?" At that question, he looked to Myrym.
"It was when I was nearly kidnapped, well, I think it was. It could be just the day after, as it was already nearly midnight when I arrived at the island."
David realized that it was the same day as when the Promised Prince was born. That was something of significant concern he would need to report and study.
Nasiah gave a happy little nod. "Yup, then I saved my mother from Forenus's men and himself. The rest is history."
The prince continued to note this down in his mind. He was making sure to recall it later when needed. "How very interesting, since you gave me your introduction. Do you have any questions for me?"
It was pretty awkward to learn from Myrym that the child in front of him was technically his stepson. Born of a virgin birth, which made the interaction… actually, it made it less awkward but more strange.
The boy made an adorable thinking noise before looking up to David. "Why did you pick Mom to be your wife?"
Myrym awkwardly chuckled and looked out into the distance. Of course that was one of the first things he would ask. It would be silly to think otherwise.
"Well, first and foremost, of course, it's because her family is of nobility. She comes from a household with a rich history and background."
Myrym scoffed. "Yeah, and that's why you're my only consort."
She sighed and continued to look out at sea. In Balthalem, it is the women who usually choose the men they desire, and many noble women create a harem of men at their behest.
This was very much not the case for Myrym. Her general nature to try not to get involved in the world, as well as her family's fall in wealth and glory, has caused her not to be looked upon.
David knew that their marriage was essentially a way to get both of them in better standing. He would have a wife, or rather be seen as someone desirable, and she would get backing to help her family.
It was a win-win scenario for the both of them.
David just smiled. "And I am forever grateful for it. The second reason is because your mother has quite the sharp mind. That impressed me immensely when I met her."
He remembered his first date with her. It was in the middle of a well-lit and quite expensive restaurant. Both of them were simply going through the motions of life, not expecting anything at all.
That was until Myrym spotted a meeting between a few people and instantly knew that they were rich from the marks on their fingers, wrists, and necks where jewelry once was.
Then she deduced they were nobles from how they ate their food and placed their utensils and their napkins. She shared this with David, who requested that they move to a table near the nobles.
They discovered that the men were discussing how the war would affect their trade and so they decided to figure out how to manipulate their products to get better revenue.
Myrym and David spent the rest of the night reading and trying to figure out the plans of these nobles, and that was when they knew they could be of use to each other.
Nasiah smiled. "That's wonderful; I always knew my mother was so smart! You seem so wonderful as well! I know we will all get together amazingly, too."
The prince looked out into the horizon, studying it for a moment to make sure nothing seemed wrong before turning back to the boy. "I hope so as well. You have a lot to live up to, Nasiah."
The young boy nodded along with great intensity. "And I will not only live up to them but surpass them as well."
David just smiled. He was going to have to put this boy up to the test. If this child would be as great as he claimed he was, then he would be extremely useful to the Queen.
"I look forward to it."
It took quite a while to cross the vast ocean. Actually, it took about a week even; over that period, David spent most of his time handling politics while Myrym, along with her servants, spent some much-needed relaxation with Nasiah.
Musa was trying to meditate to see the future in his own free time.
Then it finally came. The ship reached its new destination. A large land with several mountains surrounded by lush green forests and plains. Cities and villages together and not separated by vast deserts.
It was not a military base full of soldiers and guards, but actual civilians, people of all ages and sizes, and more roaming around, going on with their daily lives as if they were not preparing for war.
It was finally time to set down their anchors on the shores of Balthalem.