crown [C. TARTAGLIA]

23

when you got back to childe's office with the documents in your hand, you sat back down the catch as a sigh escaped from your lips.

"did something happen?" asked childe who noticed your troubled expression.

"no." you lied. "just... tired. can i borrow a book? i'd like to read something while you work."

"of course."

childe watched as you picked a book from your shelf with your finger placed on your chin, thinking of what you could read. he found this habbit of yours adorable and laughed softly.

"what's so funny?" you tilt your head as you looked at him who sat on his desk.

"nothing." he replies. "by the way, are you free the day after tomorrow?"

you froze to your spot, knowing what that day was. "uhm... i don't know, why?"

"i wanted to go somewhere with you, just the two of us."

"i might... be free at the evening."

"good." the prince rests his chin on top of his palm while watching you go back to your seat. "make sure you're prepared, [Y/N]."

you felt your skin crawl just feeling his stare from behind, you didn't even know what was going on in his mind at that moment.

just before you parted ways with kaeya earlier, he suggested throwing a surprise party for the prince together with his close associates. that being his siblings and their royal guards.

you didn't know if childe liked surprises so you were hesitant. before you could talk to kaeya, he cuts you off by telling you he'd inform the siblings about it and have servants prepare for the party.

so now, you were stuck with keeping it a secret from the prince as much as you could.

°

the next day, you had been in his office as usual. what's unusual this time however was that you were quieter than ever.

childe taps his fingers on his desk as he looks at you reading the same book you took yesterday from his shelves, the only noise in the room came from the pages being flipped from the book you were holding.

"hey." he calls out.

"hm?"

"is everything okay?"

"yeah, why wouldn't it be?"

"you're acting strange." he says. "is there something you're not telling me?"

"no." you were trying to avoid his gaze all day and kept the conversation limited to a few words to avoid spilling anything to him. "if there was, i would've already told you."

you then felt the space beside you at the sofa sink in, followed by an arm resting behind your head. "is that so?" childe said as he leans forward to you.

you gulped, trying your best to act calm. you flipped yet another page even though you felt him getting closer and closer.

"[Y/N]."

"yes?"

"look at me."

you sighed and turned your head towards him but as you did, he was already so close that your noses brushed against each other. your eyes widened, not expecting the close proximity.