The Problematic Prince

✧Absurdity✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

This was absurd, unthinkable, in fact there were no words Bjorn could conjure up that accurately described this pregnancy. He stared into the fireplace, trying to make sense of the doctors words. Of course, there was the possibility of it, just look at him and his brother, but what are the chances of it happening again, in the very next generation of Dniesters?

 “It is a happy occasion, the royal family will have a new generation of twins, the people of Lechen will be most pleased,” the doctor said,  wiping out the cold sweat on his forehead. 

   Twins.

   Bjorn repeated the word over and over again, but still it had not struck home yet. It felt like he was speaking in another language. He looked at his wife with a puzzled look upon his face.

   She looked so absurd, looking at him with a bright smile. “We have two babies, one boy and one girl, I can feel it.” Erna’s cheeks were flushed with joy and her eyes were as bright as ever.

   Bjorn started pacing around in front of the fireplace. Why did he get this feeling of foreboding? Was it because he knew how problematic twins can be? After all, he had already lived through it and thinking back on all the trouble he got into with brother. This was his punishment, dealt out after all this time.

   He looked at Erna, who was a contrast to what he was feeling. Even if Erna was to wear a generous winter dress, the size of her belly would still show, there was no denying it, it was twins. He let out a sigh and approached his wife on the bed.

“We have twins baby, are they twin brothers like you and the Crown Prince? or maybe twin sisters? Or both?”

“Erna.”

“Which one do you like?”

“Erna…..”

   “Why are you looking at me like that? Are you not happy that we are going to be having two babies?”

   “Erna, are you not worried in the slightest?”

   “I have two babies in my belly, what good will worrying do about it now? Don’t worry, Bjorn. Your mother gave birth to twins, I will too.”

   “My mother was not as small as you.”

   “Could you please stop insulting me.”

   “Erna.”

   “I’m fine,” Erna smiled, “I am healthy, the twins are healthy, we will be fine.”

   It was only then, when Erna sounded like she was soothing a weeping child that Bjorn realised how pitiful he was behaving. When that realisation collapsed his doubt, he laughed. Her young, tender face considered him with a bright smile.

   “I think we should call them Bibi and Nana, after our nicknames, what do you think? I think we can’t just keep calling them Baby Dniester, its too indistinguishable.” Bjorn couldn’t believe Erna was thinking of such trivial things at a time like this. “Do you think the babies would hate the names? I think they’re cute.”

   “You’re their mother, you can do as you wish,” Bjorn said with a sigh and looked at his watch. He only had an hour until the meeting he had been putting off. Just in time, a knock came at the door, it would be the attendant to tell him the carriage is ready.

   “Well, I need to be off, my little loony.”

   “Bye-bye.” Erna reluctantly let go of Bjorn’s hand as he got up. “Please go and earn a lot of money for Bibi and Nana.” The mother deer’s greed seems to have doubled now that she is having twins.

   He entrusted Erna to Lisa, the gatekeeper of hell. After stepping out of the bedroom, Bjorn quickened his pace for the entrance. He did not want to be late, so he left in a hurry and climbed into the waiting carriage.

   Suddenly he burst into laughter, Twins? He sat back and watched the wintery scenes pass him by. Even though he was a twin, he never gave any thought to raising twins. Bibi and Nana. They were terrible nicknames, but Erna loved them. Sure, they may be alright if the twins were girls, but what if they were boys?

   Bjorn smiled as he opened up his itinerary for the day. He hoped they would be girls, to save them the embarrassment. Well, in order to earn money for Bibi and Nana, he better get to work.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Everything started doubling up. Two babies, two cots, two toys, two clothes. Erna inspected the nursery now fitted out to accept another baby Dniester. If needs be, she would have two nurseries, Bjorn had said, just encase the babies don’t like each other. Erna only wanted one, she didn’t want the children separated. They will grow up together.

   “Oh, your Highness, look out the window,” Lisa suddenly said, rushing over to the nearest window.

   Erna went over and gasped as she saw snow fluttering through the air. “It’s snow! The first snow falls very quickly this winter.” Even in front of her eyes, the flurry quickly grew and before she could say anything, the garden already looked like a winter wonderland. Erna checked her watch.

   “What’s the matter, your Highness?” Lisa said, noticing Erna’s frown.

   “No,” Erna laughed, “its nothing.” She found it embarrassing to admit that she was missing her husband, whom she had seen not two hours ago.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Once showered, Bjorn went into the bedroom. Erna put down the book she was reading and smiled at Bjorn. When their eyes met, Bjorn smiled too. It was a smile that still made Erna feel embarrassed.

   “Don’t close it,” Erna called out when she realised Bjorn was moving to close the curtains to the balcony. “I left them open because I wanted to see.”

   “But you can feel the cold air.”

   “Its fine, the room is too warm anyway.” Erna pointed to the roaring flames in the fireplace, several braziers scattered throughout the room and the two hot water bottles in the bed. Bjorn retired to the bed, leaving the curtains open.

   The conversation they had as Bjorn got ready for bed was the same old routine, physical condition, daily routine and finally, the birth of the twins. There was also an anecdote of seeing the first snow to turn Schuber completely white. Then it was time to sleep.

   Bjorn leaned over and turned the lamp off. It was still only late evening, but he wanted to sleep with Erna these days. As soon as he rolled back over, Erna came to lay naturally next to Bjorn, wrapped up in one of his arms. He belly puffed out and felt supported against his warm body and he held her slender form as he soft sighs flowed out.

   “Bjorn,” Erna’s voice came from the darkness. As Bjorn looked down to her, he was greeted by a surprise kiss and a cold hand slipping down his front.

   Although he was caught up in the tickling feeling for awhile, feeling her hand slowly warm up on him as it massaged, desire was still within his control. Erna had gotten a lot friskier since her pregnancy and it was a familiar thing now.

   Erna hugged into him closer, kissing him as she played and Bjorn tuned into his own desires. He never thought Erna would become so forward without provocation. She clung to him and the desire in him grew.

   “Erna.”

   “You don’t want?” Erna looked at him, her eyes wide like she was frightened, the dancing firelight played on her face, deepening her embarrassment. “Why, is it because my body has changed, do you think I’m ugly?”

   Bjorn gently pushed her away so that he could look into her reddening eyes. He rolled over to rest his head on his hand and placed the free hand on her belly.

   “Its a sin if you ignorant, Erna,” Bjorn wiped the tears from Erna’s puffy cheeks, “but if its intentional…”

   “Bjorn.”

   “No matter how horny I get, I don’t think its appropriate while you are with child.” He struggled to control his emotions and spoke as softly as he could.

   Bjorn hadn’t so much as try to hug her since he found out she was pregnant. Even after when the doctor said everything was fine. Bjorn felt that it was better to go mad with desire, than risk another miscarriage, once was more than enough.

   “But, I’m fine, even the doctor said…”

   “Rest, Erna.” Bjorn cut Erna off, not willing to get dragged into another argument. It seemed that he should be using his own bedroom more.

   “If you’re really so uncomfortable with it, then I won’t force it any more. Just, stay here with me, please,” Erna said, hugging Bjorn’s arm. “I forgave you, so can’t you forgive yourself now?” 

The deer’s eyes, staring straight and clear, captivated him.

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