Collection • TwoSetViolin

VIII. Leningrad

Summary: When a new servant is assigned to Prince Eddy of Mirean, he begins to grow closer to him. He doesn't recognize any of the feelings he's having until a fateful conversation far from home. [AU] (6616 words, ~30-35 minute read)

Warnings: Mention of death.

Notes: I've never really written romance before so uh... enjoy any awkward depictions and feel free to leave any critiques down below! Attached above is Leningrad, or Shostakovich's Seventh Symphony.

The idea came after reading It's You by IamYourPeeve, an amazing Breddy fanfic that you should check out if you haven't! This is going to be a two-parter (Leningrad and Stalingrad), and this chapter is mainly dedicated to exposition before everything hits, meaning that this will be a very, very long chapter. (bolded and underlined, for your convenience! The read-o-meter estimates that this will be around a 30-35 minute read, so be aware!)

With that said, enjoy!

• • •

Eddy nodded at the cup of coffee that was set beside him.

In front of him were sets and sets of reports, all from different regions of Mirean, collected by the governors of each for him and the rest of the royal family to read. They covered everything, and Eddy had until tomorrow to read all of the information, summarize it, and be able to present it to the rest of the royal court. His head hurt at the thought of the court, watching the young prince stand in the middle of the room while critiquing everything he was doing.

He sighed, picking up the porcelain cup. He wasn't even sure if he would get any sleep tonight. Only three of the eighteen reports were read so far, and he still had to plan possible improvements for the kingdom. The smell of the coffee wafted into his nose, and Eddy closed his eyes as he took a big sip.

It was oddly sweeter than expected. 

He frowned, setting down the cup and staring at the servant that stood in the corner. It was easy to tell that he was the new one, with how his shoulders were slouched even in Eddy's presence and how he stared at the papers, his eyes wide and amazed. His glasses reflected the flame of the candle that flickered on Eddy's table. Eddy cleared his throat and waved him over.

"Yes?"

"How much sugar did you add to this?"

"Three. Just as you asked."

Eddy shook his head. "I asked for two."

"Oh."

He narrowed his eyes. Typically, his previous servants would at least apologize, if not offer to make a new cup of coffee for him. He relaxed in his seat and smiled back at the servant, taking note of his determined stare and indifference to this situation. Maybe he should give the new kid a grace period before being harsh. "I believe you're the new servant here?"

"I am."

"That makes sense. In that case, I wouldn't worry too much about anything yet. You will eventually get used to how the castle works."

"I see. I'll figure it out soon, then." He stood there awkwardly, fidgeting with the buttons on his sleeves. He stared down at Eddy, looking him directly in the eyes.

Eddy shrugged, taking another sip of the sugary coffee. "Good. What is your name?"

"Brett. My name is Brett."

• • •

He kept on missing the shift.

Eddy sighed, looking at the parchment on the table. He set his instrument on his lap, trying to figure out the best way to reach the Bb while making the shift smooth. The Sibelius Violin Concerto was a project of his that both his parents and the court approved of, and he gritted his teeth in determination. He would have this piece prepared before the neighboring kingdom of Rocheti visited.