Eins x Ernst | The Prince's Chambers Continuation

Continuation Part XIII

*fourteenth day*

Eins sighed, observing the party before him. Of course his father would have thrown a party - like every year - in celebration of his birthday and the new year. Frankly, Eins finds these parties a little boring, but the guests all seem to find it fun and amusing.

Of course the first thing Eins did when he arrived - quite early, in fact - was check up upon his brothers and sister. As usual, they were all squabbling and talking amongst themselves, Adele playing with Shadow and the royal tutor. Eins had to admit that he had a grudging respect for the royal tutor, knowing how much effort he put into teaching his younger siblings. Once their eyes connected, and the royal tutor tilted his head imperceptibly. Eins nodded just as imperceptibly back.

The next thing he did was go and find his father. Once all the formalities had passed, Eins let his father sob on and on about how he missed him and how he should visit more often. He’d said he’d think about it, and how he had - and still has - a lot of work.

Now here he was, watching the guests mingle and chat animatedly as he nursed a thin glass of champagne that he most certainly wasn’t touching. Here and there he saw Ernst pop up, the slightest flush on his cheeks the only indication of how drunk he was - tipsy, at the very least, but still in his right mind. Eins shook his head, setting his glass down and going off to retrieve his High Steward. He couldn’t let Ernst get too inebriated, after all.

He finds Ernst chatting with a few noble ladies, and he resists the urge to - if a bit fondly - roll his eyes. Ernst has always found more things to talk about with women than he has men, Eins muses.

“Ernst-” Before Eins can get another word out besides Ernst’s name, the atmosphere changes. Eins realizes that suddenly, there’s music, and everyone is looking for a dance partner. Ernst smiles mischievously at him.

“May I have this dance, princess?” Ernst bows at the waist and takes Eins’s hand to his lips, eyes glimmering teasingly. Eins huffs, slightly flustered.

“I suppose, countess.” Ernst smiles at him, and suddenly Eins is whisked onto the dance floor. He’s never followed before in a dance, and - by the looks of it - Ernst is delighting in leading him. The childish joy on Ernst’s face is enough to put a small smile on Eins’s face, and he realizes that this is the exact same gift he gave Ernst for his birthday.

Briefly Eins sees the royal tutor over Ernst’s shoulder. His face is just as expressionless as ever, but Eins gets the feeling that he isn’t surprised - and perhaps even expected - to see him with Ernst. And then Ernst twirls him away again, laughing.

Sometime in the process Eins realizes that Ernst’s hat is precariously tipped on his head, and rights it as they spin. Ernst looks at him, eyes sparkling mischievously. “Isn’t this fun, princess?” His tone is teasing, but quiet enough that only they can hear it. Eins rolls his eyes, ducking his head so their foreheads touch. Ernst looks happily surprised at such a gesture.

For a moment Eins feels as if all is still, and then Ernst laughs quietly, his breath carrying a hint of wine. “Eins.”

“Yes?” His whisper is so quiet, so soft, he isn’t sure that Ernst even heard it. Ernst looks at him with a lopsided smirk.

“How much have you drank?” Eins blinks at the unexpected question, but he smiles. It’s just like Ernst to ask such a trivial question to break a moment like that.

“Nothing.” Ernst laughs when he admits it, and Eins grumpily - but fruitlessly - glares at him. “What?”

“My princess-” Ernst paused, eyes sparkling as he whispers the rest. “-having such restraint. You would’ve looked so pretty drunk.”

Eins looks away, trying to stop the flush from creeping into his cheeks. He barely finds the composure left to mumble. “That’s for next time, countess.” Ernst laughs.

“My Eins, drunk!” Ernst sounds delighted and amazed and awed, and it makes Eins smile. Distantly he hears the music stop - how many songs did they go through without hearing them? - and the chattering from before resumes, dance partners spitting up or chatting as Eins remembers that they aren’t exactly alone. “My princess, drunk!” Ernst repeats again.

Ernst looks so much like a sweet, delighted child, still in the leading position and holding him close, and Eins feels the overwhelming urge to kiss him. He doesn’t though, and instead leads Ernst over to a corner of the room. He tugs him behind a pillar, and Ernst looks like he’s stifling laughter as he smirks.

“So forward, princess.” Ernst’s tone is teasing, and the shadow of the pillar makes Ernst’s wine-red eyes glow. Eins huffs, drawing Ernst closer to him by the waist.

“You’re the one who’s so pretty when you’re drunk, countess.” That’s all Eins manages to murmur before he ducks down and kisses Ernst. He feels Ernst half-smile half-smirk against his lips, one of his hands cupping his cheek.

Eins hears the soft thump! of Ernst’s hat hitting the floor, but, just this once, he doesn’t mind.

(A/N): Hi! I meant to update earlier but my Internet was down TwT anyways Happy New Year and happy birthday to Eins!