Work Text:
Birthdays were a blessing in the Royal Family. Another year bit the dust because the successors for the throne or lineage survived another harrowing year. By the by, the Majesty King of Granzreich slowly eased away from the drama and tearfulness of such a celebrated occasion. His sons were no longer boys, but young men ready to leave their mark on History. With horses at their beck and call, with sabres proudly hoisted at the hip, the Majesty Viktor von Granzreich could no longer shed a tear for his intrepid sons. However, that didn’t stop the King from crying buckets every time he came home. Nearly putting his health in jeopardy when his four present sons greeted him with such formality while under the Royal Tutor’s tutelage.
But on this special occasion and on this heartfelt birthday, the Majesty could afford to risk his life again with tears. His little angel, his sweet and radiant Adele, was turning four. A joyous sight to behold. Adele was no longer a fragile baby bird, but a bird ready to flap its wings. On the morning of Adele’s fourth birthday, the young highness was greeted by her father and brothers. One knee dropped, one hand placed over the beating hearts of the Granzreich family, and vibrant smiles from everyone. Except from her Father. The Majesty was trying not to cry. Blowing his nose sloppily into a handkerchief before he embraced his little girl.
When the Majesty stood up, Adele was finally able to see the Royal Tutor. Herr Wittgenstein bowed with full gratitude. Head low because he was not part of the Royal Family, but a hint of a smile radiated off of his face. No hand was over his chest, but he substituted such a familiar gesture with a bouquet of white, golden, and violet Croci. The petals floating throughout the room like angelic feathers when the Majesty King opened the bedroom window with a flourish. And perhaps the icing on this beautiful slice of cake? Shadow dashed into the bedroom, climbed over the princes in a mad hurry, and rolled around in Adele’s bed. The young princess hugged the family dog, shouting that this was the best day ever.
Indeed it was for the youngest Granzreich.
Royal parties were no joke. Birthdays were even larger. Down in the main ballroom of the Royal Castle-- there were several ballrooms but Adele deserved the biggest one-- the maids and butlers were hard at work. Decorating the ballroom for tonight’s birthday party. Flowers imported from different kingdoms, mixtures of gold and pink spruced the white from the walls, and presents were gently stacked to sculpt the image of the Royal Castle. The main ballroom was under renovation, a large sign in front of the entrance doors to keep intruders out. By intruders, it was actually “intruder”. Adele was to be distracted all day with fun and games before the party.
That was the plan.
Today’s lessons were held off. Licht and Leonhard were overcome with joy, rubbing Professor Heine’s head teasingly. Spouting off nonsense of how there was a warmth deep down in the professor’s cold, black heart. Snap of the fingers, Licht and Leonhard were given double-homework. The princes begged for forgiveness and just this once, Professor Heine humored them with feigned ignorance. Question marks bubbling from his little cap, driving the two princes insane.
“How is this humoring us?!” Leonhard shouted, pointing an accusing finger. Kai dragged him away from the Professor when shoes got involved. No shoes were actually thrown, but that didn’t stop Leonhard from trying. “This is barbaric!”
“Wow, Leo. A savage like you deserves to be restrained from Heine-darling,” Licht cooed, earning himself a smack from Bruno as the third prince dragged his brother away from his Mas-- no, Professor.
“Be good boys,” Kai warned. “Today is Adele’s birthday. No fighting.” Even so, he gave Leonhard a soft look. Placing an Autumn bloom into Leonhard’s hands to quell his rage. Leonhard sniffed the flower curiously, eyes sparkling when a rich, honey-scent tickled his nose. Reminding the dear prince of his favorite chocolate treat, Leonhard kept sniffing the flower until Kai had to take it away. Leonhard frowned. Kai gave the flower back. Leonhard smiled. Kai took it away. Leonhard frowned. Kai brought the flower closer. Leonhard perked up.
“Look at him, Bruni. He’s like a pet begging for a treat.” Licht rolled his eyes, yanking himself out of Bruno’s grasp.
“Though I agree,” Bruno began, pushing up his glasses with his pinkie. “I’m more worried about you.”
Licht cocked his head so innocently to the side. “What are you talking about, Bruni?” Light accent on the nickname.
On a sunny morning like this, the residents in the Kingdom of Granzreich heard thunder crack in the distance. An ominous cloud erupted over Bruno, lightning streaking from it. Promptly following a jumpy Licht as he tap-danced, dodging the electric whips frantically. There was definitely something murderous in that glare he sent to Licht. A cold, unforgiving stare that suited a seasoned criminal than a scholarly prince. A stare that conveyed no mercy, a kind of look that strangers often noticed on Kai. Not from the other brothers. Bruno didn’t need to say anything because this single look relayed everything that Licht was too stubborn to hear.
It wasn’t sunny again until Kai stuck a honey-scented flower under Bruno’s nose. Distracting the third prince for a moment. The dark clouds disappeared, the lightning vanished, and Licht collapsed on his knees. Panting and muttering that he was too young to die.
“You’re not young enough to hide behind that sorry excuse.” Bruno’s eyes flickered towards Licht. Sending a chill down the brother’s spine. Kai got in between them, staying there until Licht and Bruno eased away from their petty argument. The work of an older brother was never finished, but Kai held his ground when he distributed more honey-scented flowers. Making his brothers wonder where all of them were coming from.
“Your Highnesses, instead of quarreling amongst each other, perhaps you should all prepare your birthday gifts,” Professor Heine suggested. Looking up from his little black book, quill scratching in notes for his eyes only. Or perhaps, Heine was brushing up on his doodling skills. Warming-up before drawing something that didn’t look like so abstract. That was Heine’s only weakness, and the princes knew better than to exploit it.
“I’m already done, Heine-darling.” Licht slapped his chest with more force than needed. “I got dear Adele a wonderful dress, crafted by the best tailor in the kingdom.”
Kai nodded. Everyone understood the gesture as: I, too, have a gift for Adele. No words were needed to describe the gift because Kai knew the young princess best.
“A book here and there. Something to educate our dear Adele,” Bruno mentioned, revealing a thin book from his sleeve. Flipping through the creamy pages, there was no writing inside. A hardy, leather journal for Adele to process her thoughts as she grew older. A very thoughtful gift, indeed.
Leonhard took a deep breath and sniffed his honey-scented flower. Smiling like it was a lazy afternoon on a normal day. “Adele likes flowers, right?”
Silence. Everyone stared at Leonhard. Disbelief choked the situation, and Leonhard hurriedly tried to explain himself. Anything he said could’ve turned into an excuse, but that didn’t deter the fourth prince. He fought tooth and nail for his case and lost. Even Licht, probably the most worrisome prince because of his fickle schedule, didn’t seem so worrisome anymore. This was a joke, right? Leonhard had a present. He was just faking all of this. Right? A hardened ball of saliva lodged itself in Leonhard’s throat, preventing the prince to speak when Professor Heine sighed,
“Be it as it may with the incoming rain clouds, the sun will break through to reveal a rainbow.”
Licht raised an eyebrow while Kai nodded. A soft smile on the older brother’s lips. Bruno’s eyes watered, soul fed and cleansed from Professor Heine’s metaphorical wisdom. It was as if Professor Heine was a prophet, and Bruno was blessed to have the wise teacher standing before him. Prepared to travel to the ends of the earth with his Master. Professor Heine wasn’t blind, carefully stepping away when Bruno shuffled closer. A speech curled up in the third prince’s chest, ready to fly like a songbird because the young man was a poet.
Leonhard lifted a portion of his hand up, grabbing the Royal Tutor’s attention. “Professor, what do rain clouds and rainbows have to do with this situation? There aren’t any clouds in the sky.”
“Just because a situation may seem bad now, it doesn’t mean you cannot change it for the better.” A slight twinkle in Professor Heine’s eyes. The sort of look that told you that everything was going to be okay. “Your Highnesses, while bearing presents on one’s birth has become a tradition, do not forget that the most cherished gift is the company of others. Not long from now, all four of you will be going on separate paths. Possibly leaving the kingdom, depending on what the future has in mind. Until we arrive to that crossroad, spending time together as a family is the greatest treasure that anyone could ever ask for.”
Something about those words stung. All the words were gentle, like the previous lessons Professor Heine had mentioned before. Perhaps, there was something nostalgic about those words. Perhaps, there was something heartbreaking about those words. It wasn’t long ago when Professor Heine resigned as the Royal Tutor. It wasn’t long ago when the four brothers discovered their tutor’s past. It wasn’t long ago when Professor Heine came back. The tutor wasn’t skittish, but his interactions with the princes have changed somewhat. In more ways than one, the princes have come to accept Professor Heine as part of the family. Heine, in turn, accepted the princes as the family he never had.
It was a touchy subject, and Professor Heine rarely brought up the sentimental aspects of his past life. After all these years, he was still trying to come to terms with these conflicted feelings. Heine Wittgenstein wasn’t a book for someone to read leisurely, but every soft story or passage opened up a new chapter that Heine had long tucked away from the public’s eye. Every day, he felt one step closer to being part of the Royal Family. Not biologically, but emotionally. Maybe all of this sprung up because Heine, himself, had never experienced a birthday. Especially, his own. To see so much preparation before a fantastic party was enough to tempt the Royal Tutor out from his shell.
After a rare face of emotion, Heine closed himself off. Reminding the princes to keep Adele occupied while the main ballroom is under preparation. Not long after, Heine disappeared down the hall. Most likely taking his shift in keeping Adele busy with games while her brothers sort themselves out. Especially Leonhard.
The fourth prince didn’t tell anybody, but he was going out to town. By himself. No need to worry. Leonhard made sure that he played with Adele and braided her flowing locks before skipping to town in commoner’s clothing-- the same kind he wore on his first visit to town . Sneaking out through the front entrance of the Royal Castle, Leonhard passed by the guards-- Ludwig and Maximilian-- and asked if they recognized him.
“Not to speak ill, Your Highness, but that disguise isn’t going to fool anybody,” said Ludwig. The guard slouched in his post. “Couldn’t even fool me.”
“From a distance, he looks like a noble,” Maximilian chirped. He twirled his finger, and Leonhard spun around in place. “See? Your Highness, you have nothing to fear.”
“Look, Max. Who’s going to misjudge those looks and say that the prince here is some pesky noble. No, Prince Leonhard is royalty. There is nothing that can disguise that! He has the Majesty’s nose and his eyes.”
“Wingy, no one will pay attention. Calm down.” Maximilian slapped his partner’s back, successfully knocking Ludwig over. “If anything, people will comment that Prince Leonhard looks dashing. Your Highness, you are fine.”
“No, he isn’t!”
“Why are you raising your voice?!”
“Then don’t raise yours!” Ludwig snarled.
Leonhard shied away from the palace guards, clearing his throat so that they both would shut up. “I’ll go to town and come back within an hour. Happy?”
The suggestion flew over like a wad of trash. Ludwig suggested that he should accompany the prince. He was downright willing to sacrifice his own life for Leonhard’s sake, and the fourth prince shook his head frantically. Having blood spilled on Adele’s birthday was not what he had in mind! Maximilian suggested that Leonhard should at least hold a weapon, in case someone wanted to rob him. From his uniform, Maximilian pulled out a firearm and gave the prince a two minute lecture of how to properly aim, fire, and stow. Ludwig whacked his partner, shouting where on earth Maximilian got the gun. Leonhard tried to shush them, and he managed to settle them down.
“Ludwig, you will accompany me to town by carriage and you will wait for me while I find a gift for dearest Adele. Maximilian, I will accept your gun as a... safety-precaution. I will only use it under a dire situation. You have my word.” Leonhard bowed his head.
“You heard Prince Leonhard,” Ludwig said, punching Maximilian's shoulder. “If anything happens and you can’t overcome it, protect the Royal Family at any cost.”
“What kind of palace guard do you take me as?” Maximilian tilted his head to the side, sweetly. “I have firearms in places where you wouldn’t expect.” A cheerful smile over the guard’s face as he crossed his arms, revealing the barrel of a gun. Poking out from his sleeve. Somewhere in the modern century, an expert was cringing at Maximilian but they were nearly three hundred years too late.
When Ludwig came around with the horse carriage and when Leonhard stepped foot into town, he wandered around. Aimlessly. Looking through quiet stores, looking through the toy selection on display. What kind of toy did Adele like? Did she like dolls? There was some cute ones, but they looked cute to Leonhard. Would Adele find them cute? He didn’t know, and the prince couldn’t stay out for long. Tipping his hat down when strangers came into the store that he was in. Moving quietly around the strangers, gasping when he saw a locket on display behind a glass case.
A silver, little locket with a crescent moon carved and hooked onto a winking, metal chain. Hovering under the upper tip of the crescent moon was a wonderful little gem that glowed a baby blue. Encased behind a thin wired cage to hold the gem in place. For a trinket in a quiet store, the locket caught Leonhard’s eye, and the store manager saw that. Learning from experience, Leonhard counted out his money carefully and gave the store manager the right amount. In exchange, he got the locket. Leonhard requested for the locket to be gift-wrapped.
“Special occasion?” asked the store manager. Quill in hand to write a lovely message over a satin ribbon.
“Birthday present to my little sister,” Leonhard replied back. “I have a message. Is it okay if I write it myself?”
The store manager nodded. Passing the quill to Leonhard, the brotherly prince only had to think a second before jotting down a lovely note for his dearest Adele. Leonhard watched as the ribbon was tied around a white box, holding the locket inside. Leonhard thanked the store manager and was on his merry way. Or, he would’ve been.
Back at the carriage, Ludwig kept note of the time on his pocketwatch. Tapping his foot, wondering where Prince Leonhard was. He couldn’t fret yet. Leonhard still had fifteen minutes left to go. However, the palace guard knew that time wasn’t on their side. Looking around, he tried to spot Leonhard’s top hat. Nothing. Where was he?
By the by, Leonhard was trapped in an alleyway. The curious strangers that he encountered at the shop were thieves, thinking that Leonhard was a rich noble to steal from. Well, he was royalty, but they didn’t need to know that. Keeping Adele’s present hidden over his heart, Leonhard reached for Maximilian’s gun when the thieves came close. Stuttering, Leonhard told them to stand back. He was armed. He wasn’t afraid to shoot. Out of all the times where he needed to sound serious, Leonhard’s voice failed him yet again. The thieves only came closer, and Leonhard couldn’t reach for the gun. His hand froze, unable to go across the last few centimeters to graze the handle of the gun.
He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t shoot to save his life. Leonhard couldn’t do it, and the thieves took advantage of that. He thought they were going to rob him, but making him a hostage seemed more promising. Leonhard squeaked. He had to do something. He had to go back, bring his present to Adele. Make his little sister feel special. Oh God, he didn’t want to make Adele cry. He didn’t want Adele to only have four brothers. She had five, and Leonhard was one of them! Leonhard grabbed the gun and shot.
Frightened birds leapt from the tree branches nearby. People came into the alleyway, peering down it to see what on earth happened. Leonhard was on the ground, trembling from head to toe. Gun in his hand, smoking at the barrel. All the thieves were on the ground without a bullet mark on them. H-How? Leonhard was sure very sure that he shot his gun. It had to hit somebody, but no was hurt. All the thieves simply passed out and someone leant a hand for Leonhard to hold onto as he got up. A kind gentleman with dark hair, red eyes hidden behind thin spectacles. A vampire! No, a guardian angel.
Leonhard was sure about it, too. The gentleman had such a nice smile, and he was very worried if Leonhard was hurt in any way. The prince shook his head and dashed out of the alleyway before he could say, “Thank you.” Rushing back to carriage where Ludwig stood guard, Leonhard jumped inside and Ludwig wondered what got the royal so excited. Nonetheless, it was time to go back home so Ludwig didn’t question it. As the carriage rode back to the royal castle, Leonhard wondered about the stranger that helped him back in the alleyway. Did he stop the thieves? How did he do it? There weren’t any weapons on the man.
If Leonhard remembered clearly, the man was in a formal attire with a destination in his eyes. Not much of a description, but Leonhard was convinced that the stranger was his guardian angel. Why else would the mysterious stranger show up when Leonhard needed help the most? Not to mention, the thieves were down for the count, so Leonhard was saved. But then...Leonhard didn’t expect guardian angels to be corporal. He thought they were like spirits or something, but his guardian angel was able to hold onto his hand. How was that possible? Did guardian angels even exist? Maybe the stress of the situation got to him, but how could someone take down a group of thieves in a single moment? It had to be supernatural.
And thus, that began the unsolved mystery.
Unfortunately, Leonhard couldn’t explain the details to Bruno, because then his brother will lecture him for venturing into town alone. With a gun, for crying out loud! No, Leonhard had to keep this secret to the grave. It was too risky if people knew that he went to town to buy a present. People would think he was a bad brother, and that was an image Leonhard refused to accept. He wanted Adele to remember him as a brave, kind, and thoughtful older brother. Sometimes brash and unforgiving towards certain people, but unfailingly kind to those that he held so dear.
For now, Leonhard shoved these foreign thoughts out of his mind.
When the birthday party started, it was like stepping into a fairytale ballroom scene. Guests from around the kingdom and from foreign ones arrived with style. Grand horses and stunning carriages sweeped into the palace as guests in frilly dresses and tight suits came with their dancing partners to celebrate Adele’s fourth birthday. An orchestra tuned itself, playing a lovely waltz called: A History Is, to the Maker. The ¾ time signature made it perfect to dance to. The royal brothers came together to dance and to speak gingerly to the guests, entertaining them lightly before Adele made her debut. Wearing a frilly, pink dress with her golden locks held back in Leonhard’s afternoon braids. Young Adele walked with her Father, like a pink creampuff next to a doting King. Lifting Adele into his arms, the two had the first official dance of the night.
It was an adorable sight to behold. Kai rocked back and forth, holding onto Professor Heine’s hand and squeezing it softly. Heine didn’t mind since he had an Italian dish to keep him company while he kept Prince Kai occupied. Licht kept telling people that he picked out the dress that Adele wore, and the youngest brother raked in the compliments. More than happy to share his charm with the guests, making them feel special, too, on his joyous celebration. Bruno held a sincere smile, eyes following Leonhard when the brother placed his birthday present on the bottom of the gift stack. Leonhard slipped away from the scene and reappeared next to Bruno, asking him if he wanted to try this tasty Italian dish.
Melted cheese over a thin, crunch crust. Tomato sauce smeared between the cheese and baked flour, giving a poppy flavor to the dish. It was almost poetic. Tomatoes grown on the side of an active volcano, smoothed and smeared as a tangy sauce to balance the burntness of the mighty crust. Full circle and Bruno managed his first laugh of the day when he heard Leonhard’s explanation. Making the fourth prince glow red before applause erupted after Princess Adele and King Viktor’s dance. Leonhard thought he was going to eat more of this Italian tomato-bread dish, but he choked on his crust when he saw his guardian angel tuning a violin for the next performance. Wait. What?
“Bruno.” Leonhard tugged his brother’s sleeve. “Who is that?” He pointed to his guardian angel.
“Guest from England, from a very wealthy family in London. The Earl of the family couldn’t come, so he sent one of his butlers to provide entertainment.”
“B-Butler? England?” Leonhard shook his head. The English butler couldn’t possibly be the same person from earlier today? One glance at the dark hair and spectacles flipped Leonhard’s mind upside down. So...his guardian angel was an English butler? Like, what? Not only that, but the man was an outstanding musician. Leonhard had grown up, listening to Bruno play on the violin four hours at time as a child. And those memories and many more flooded Leonhard’s mind when his guardian angel serenaded the birthday party with a heavenly solo.
Wait, wasn’t the English butler dancing and conversing with a few noble guests earlier? Making the uptight ones laugh, and making the children giddy with excitement? Wasn’t the English butler dancing with a few guest, pulling off some moves that Leonhard had never seen before. Maybe it was an English thing, but some of those moves looked like they came from the future! Damn, that was one hell of a guardian angel. Who knew that they had time to do stuff like this and also protect people. It was crazy, and Leonhard began to wonder if he was the unsolved mystery and not the guardian angel.
Everyone looked so happy at Adele’s party and here Leonhard was, sticking out like a sore thumb in the celebration. So instead, Leonhard placed everything aside and tried to have fun. And he did. Watching Kai and Licht dance with each other, taking turns dancing with Adele and twirling her around before dancing altogether. Adele holding onto Licht and Kai’s hand while having fun. Leonhard dragged a stubborn Bruno into the circle and before long, Bruno’s stubbornness melted away as a dance circle formed. Adele in the middle, clapping to some sort of rhythm while her brothers tried improv-dancing. If Eins was here, things would’ve been more lively but the eldest brother did send a birthday card. Which Adele hasn’t read yet, but she will eventually.
But enough about material gifts, it just felt great to be close to family. Viktor joined in on his children’s dancing and not long afterwards, the birthday party didn’t seem so formal anymore. Everyone got a chance to be who they wanted to be. Being together brought out the best in everyone, and Leonhard saw that. Even Professor Heine was smiling more than usual, managing a very awkward but cute dance with Princess Adele. The four year old clung to Heine’s arm, and the Royal Tutor very slowly led Adele two steps forward and back before she was whisked away by her brother, Bruno.
Maria von Granzreich, the Majesty’s mother, enjoyed an eventful evening of dancing with the Majesty King. Mother and son waltzing quietly in an open space, eyes watering because they’ve realized how much time has passed by. Maria’s sixth grandchild was four, and Viktor’s sixth child was no longer a baby bird but a developing fledgling, ready to explore the little world around the nest. It was a heartwarming experience for both adults, and Maria hugged and kissed her granddaughter before hugging and kissing the rest of her grandchildren. So sad that they were growing up too fast, but very happy that they were alive, healthy, and well.
You would’ve thought that Maria von Granzreich was dying because of her tearful hugs and kisses, but her elderly heart was simply too big and she wanted to share her love. The Majesty nudged his faithful friend, and Heine raised an eyebrow before Maria embraced him wholeheartedly. Thanking the Royal Tutor for being such a good influence to her son and grandchildren. It was all so much that Heine didn’t know how to respond. But slowly and surely, he hugged Maria back. A crack in his voice when he thanked Maria for all she had done. A touching moment for everybody, and it opened Leonhard’s eyes.
If he had stayed distracted with his thoughts about unsolvable mysteries and of the English butler, he wouldn’t have noticed such a beautiful thing that blossomed between his family and Professor Heine. Scratch that. The guardian angel wasn’t the unsolvable mystery, neither was Leonhard, himself. The true mystery was the birthday. It brought together old stirrings and feelings that rarely flourished in the family. And only birthdays, did everyone feel connected like a loving family. Where was the--
“May I have this dance?”
Leonhard snapped out of his thoughts, eyebrow raised when he saw it was Bruno that asked.
“I thought you’d be dancing with some guests by now,” Leonhard said, shoulders sagging. “You sure about this?”
“You’re the only family member I haven’t danced with.” The message rolled off of Bruno’s tongue like sweet candy. “Let me hope that you aren’t as clumsy as I think you are.”
“Heine is pretty awkward. Did you see how he danced with Adele?”
“He actually dances quite nicely. He was off-guard and couldn’t believe that Adele wanted to dance with him,” Bruno said, softly. A gentle waltz played in the background, and Bruno took Leonhard by the hand. Just two brothers, circling around each other in a ballroom. Bruno was quick to interrogate Leonhard when they found a quiet place for themselves, and Leonhard rolled his eyes. Knowing that this was Bruno’s ultimate plan. All along.
“I wasn’t distracted. I was just thinking about unsolvable mysteries,” Leonhard answered, cheeks puffed out at the first question.
Bruno raised an eyebrow. “Really, now? What mystery were you lost with?”
“Birthdays. They bring so much emotion out of people, and it takes you back. You’ve never noticed that someone could smile until you’ve seen them happy.”
“You’re talking about Mas--I mean, Professor. Am I correct?”
Leonhard nodded. “All day, I’ve been trying to be the good brother that Adele can look up to. Be the role model that you and Kai were to me.” Growing up, Leonhard didn’t seen Eins very much. The eldest was always busy, but Kai and Bruno always found enough time to play with little Leonhard when he was really young. Through Kai, Leonhard fell in love with sports. Through Bruno, Leonhard found enjoyment in books and he loved borrowing Bruno’s books when he was younger. Sometimes asking Bruno to read him chapters at a time before bed.
Bruno reminded Leonhard about it, and the younger prince flushed red. Embarrassed that such a cringe-worthy memory had to come up now. Bruno ruined the moment, and he knew it. That didn’t stop Bruno as he relayed so many embarrassing memories about little-Leonhard that the current one told Bruno to shut it or else.
“Or else you won’t ask me to read you stories anymore?”
“G-Gosh, you’re embarrassing.” Leonhard pouted. “I like you better when you’re reading a book. Not spouting off nonsense then!” A cheesy smile played over Leonhard’s lips.
“While you do worry me with your imagination, I like it when you smile like that.”
Leonhard slapped Bruno’s arm. “Don’t say stuff like that and expect me to not react!”
The birthday party ended within three hours. Cake was served and Adele got to see her presents. When the guest left for the night, Adele opened the presents that her family gave her. She wanted those gifts to be seen by her and her family only. A private moment, if you will.
From her grandmother, Adele received a charming set of ribbons and bows to style her hair with. As a maturing young girl, learning how to keep one’s hair neat and tidy was the first step on a long road to royalty. From her father, Adele got a pocket watch with the family’s seal on the back. From Eins, Adele received a birthday card with a few words of encouragement. Some lessons to from a dear, older brother. From Kai, Adele got a fluffy, pet chicken. How Kai managed to keep the chicken all day without it making a fuss was a mystery of its own, but Adele embraced the hen and named if “Blinky” because it blinked when Adele first saw it. From Bruno, Adele received a journal to preserve memories that she wanted to revisit. From Leonhard, Adele opened up the white box and found the locket that her brother had bought earlier that day. The blue gem near the top of the crescent moon glowed, catching Adele’s eye. Adele’s eyes skimmed over the cursive message over the stain ribbon when Leonhard began to speak.
“Sometimes in the line of royalty, it’s hard to come together as a family. So whenever this locket glows, you’ll always know that we’re here with you. No matter how far apart we may be.”
“Thank you, Leo!” Sniffling, Adele hugged her brother, and Leonhard bent down to hug Adele back. Adele was already wearing Licht’s birthday gift, but Licht-- not wanting to be left out-- joined in on the hug and soon, everyone in the family was in the hug. Arms wrapped around others. Leonhard in the middle and everyone hugging around him. It was awkward, cute, and endearing all at the same time. Even Heine joined the hug, and he merely patted the Majesty’s back before clearing his throat. All eyes were on him.
“Princess Adele, here is my gift to you.” Heine pulled out his black book and cleared his throat. So it wasn’t a drawing after all, but a poem.
Life and Love flows dearly like a bird’s song,
Sometimes here and never there.
We never truly realize that here it belongs
But it speaks to us in all the ways of which are fair.
How shall this bird part from this wayward nest?
Trials are coming from within the dark.
I know our fairest is ready for the test
Because on her wings is the song from the lark.
Dearest child, Life and Love coincide.
Two pieces of a puzzle with family in the mix.
Our hearts beat as one, living on inside.
Never to be forgotten, not even with a kiss.
Life and Love marks a family,
And thus we are here, for you and we.