Eins x Ernst | The Prince's Chambers Continuation

Continuation Part XI

*twelfth day*

Eins woke up, feeling odd.

Of course, that was a given when one knew what the date and occasion was.

It was Ernst’s birthday.

And Eins was completely unprepared.

Of course, he had planned to get his High Steward a gift, but as of the last few days he was swamped with an incoming flood of paperwork. It was quite unexpected, and Eins hadn’t had time to think about what to give Ernst as a present - in fact, he hadn’t had time to even realize Ernst’s birthday was right around the corner until it was practically upon him.

Ill-prepared as he was, Eins was determined to give Ernst a birthday gift.

Or at least tell him happy birthday.

Eins hadn’t realized how long he was staring out the window, lost in thought, until a knock sounded on his door. He opened his mouth to reply when his door opened and Ernst stuck his head inside, a grin upon his face. “Eins!” He sang happily. “Princess, you’ve been here forever~”

“I have not, countess.” Eins’s tone was sharp. He wondered for a moment when he had fallen into a comfortable routine of Ernst calling him princess and him calling Ernst countess. “Now, if you wouldn’t mind, leave while I dress.”

It seemed Ernst did mind, because he merely smiled and sat down in Eins’s chair.

Eins did mind, however, that Ernst was staying. He did not want his High Steward watching him dress.

Eins shook his head and looked through his wardrobe for something suitable to wear. After a few moments, he quickly pulled off his nightclothes and pulled on the clothes he had chosen to wear. He was acutely aware was Ernst’s watchful looks.

Eins slung his overcoat over his arm gracefully for later, putting his nightclothes away and making his way out of his room. He heard Ernst scoot out of his chair and hurry to catch up.

Eins started when Ernst dropped a kiss on his cheek and took his coat. He froze for a moment, then swiftly regained his composure. He turned to stare at Ernst. “What was that for.”

Ernst pouted from where he had already gone around Eins’s door. “What, don’t I get a good morning kiss too?”

Eins sighed. Leaning forward, he pecked Ernst’s nose and passed him. While Ernst was stunned temporarily, Eins stole his hat in a rare moment of mischief.

“Hey!” Ernst complained, snapping out of his surprise and going after Eins. “Give me back my hat!”

Eins merely waved the hat as he turned the corner. After a few more corners and a corridor, Eins walked outside and into the garden.

Ernst follows him, complaining as he tries to snatch his hat back. “Eins! Give me my hat back!”

Despite being well past the age of such childish mischief - he is twenty-three, after all - Eins holds the hat high above his head, repressing his laughter as Ernst pouts and jumps up and down to reach his hat.

Of course, their height difference does not allow that.

Ernst eventually gives up, pouting, and instead pulls Eins down by the collar. Eins is surprised by the kiss, which Ernst uses to reclaim his hat. He smiles angelically at Eins, as if it just happens by coincidence that he reclaimed his hat while kissing Eins.

Eins shakes his head, following the paths that lead deeper into the garden. Ernst walks by his side, turning his hat this way and that until he eventually reaches a position that he’s satisfied with.

Eins enjoys the silence until inevitably - but predictably, he supposes - Ernst breaks it.

“Hey Eins, do you know what today is?”

“The day I am free because I was just drowned in paperwork.”

Ernst pouts and shakes his head at him. “Nope! Guess again~”

“The day I am bothered constantly by my High Steward.”

“No- Hey!” Ernst protests loudly. “I am not bothering you, princess!”

Eins raises an eyebrow as he turns so he’s in front of Ernst. “Countess, I give you a chance to retract your words.”

Ernst stubbornly crosses his arms and stays silent, cheeks puffed.

Eins sighs, making the rare gesture of taking Ernst’s hand into his own. His other hand finds its way and rests on Ernst’s waist, and Ernst’s free hand settles itself on his shoulder, despite him never having been in the following position.

At least, Eins doesn’t think Ernst has ever followed before.

Eins leans down to Ernst’s ear as he takes the first step. “I haven’t forgotten what day today is, countess.”

“Mmm.” Ernst muses as Eins leads them in an impromptu dance - Ernst impromptu birthday gift - in their small space in the garden. “So what is today, then, princess?”

Just this once, he will drop the “countess”.

Eins leans down to kiss Ernst.

“Happy birthday, Ernst.”

(A/N): Happy birthday to Ernst~☆!