The Problematic Prince

✧ Efficiency and Probability✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Bibi and Nana came into the world when the spring arrived and the white flowers spread out there petals to greet the warming sun.

   Bjorn had been at the Schuber Palace, having dinner with his entire family to discuss plans for the Crown princes wedding. Erna was the only one left out because she had become too large and found carriages far too uncomfortable.

   When news of Erna going into labour reached Bjorn, he couldn’t believe his ears. “Already? The doctor said we had another week or two,” Bjorn said in a daze, clutching hard his napkin.

   “A baby is born when a baby wants to be born,” Isabelle said, “and it looks like the twins have a share of their fathers impatience,” she chuckled to herself.

   Bjorn’s father hurried him out of the room. “You best be off, my lad, there is nothing more important than the birth of ones first born.”

   As Philip ushered his son from the table, Bjorn quickly grabbed a glass of water and near poured it down himself as he tried to drink from it, his father slapping him on the back as he went.

   “Oh, wait for me,” the Duchess Arsene said, “today is Wednesday after all,” though none of the other family members knew what that meant.

   “I think we should accompany you, Grandma,” Leonid said, also getting up from the table with his fiancee, Rosette.

   “But we are supposed to be discussing your wedding plans,” Isabelle protested, but it was already too late, the entire family had decided to follow Bjorn to the hospital.

   “Isabelle, my dear sweet, there is no point fighting against it, we might as well go too,” said Philip.

   Isabelle let out a dejected sigh, “fine, if it be your will, your Majesty, but if Leonid’s wedding turns into a disaster, it will be your fault.”

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The Royal Family invaded the Royal Hospital, that was the only way Lisa could describe it. A procession of fancy carriages, all bearing the royal crest on their doors, pulled up to the hospital one after the other.

   The servants of the Grand Duchess were confused, as once Prince Bjorn appeared, the only member of the royal family that was actually expected, another royal pulled up, then another and another. The suddenness of it all left all but Mrs. Fitz unprepared.

   Prince Bjorn arrived as if participating in one of his many royal visits. He strode into the hospital as calmly as ever. He did not have to ask anyone for where Erna was, they expected his arrival and nurse was ready and waiting to show him to Erna’s suite.

   As for the rest of the royal family, no one was quite sure what to do about them, as there were not enough servants and attendants to see to everyone, as their sudden appearance was not expected. It was deemed too impolite to make them wait in the waiting room with the rest of the common folk, so one of the larger staff rooms was given over for their use.

   Bjorn moved through the hospital so calmly and set the panic around him to order where ever he went. At first glance, it was hard to believe that he was expecting the birth of his first child at any moment.

   “You’re definitely a Dniester,” the Duchess Arsene said, the only one of the to follow after Bjorn. “It’s about time.”

   Not long after he had been in to make sure Erna was comfortable, he was ushered from the room and left to pace about the waiting area. One by one, the other family members had come to check on him, asking if he needed anything and to each one he politely told them he was fine.

   “Take a good look, Leo,” the Duchess had said to Leonid when he came. “This is your future.” The Duchess gave a rueful smile. “If he shows tears at the last, Bjorn would be the perfect mirror of Philip.”

Philip Dniester chose to remain silent and stoic. He shed tears only on the occasion of his first child’s birth, the twin princes. As he turned to gaze upon his son, Bjorn, his restless pacing resembled that of a commanding wolf patrolling his territory, although in reality, he was just a sorrowful wolf worried about his wife.

   Half the day had passed before Mrs. Fitz came running out of the labour room. Everyone’s eyes turned to her as she hurried out.

   “Her Highness has given birth to a beautiful baby girl and a bouncing baby boy,” she said, barely able to hold back her tears. “Congratulations, your Highness.”

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“Hello, Bjorn,” Erna said weakly as he entered into the suite. She looked so tired and drained, it was strange to see her in such a weakened state, she looked like she was going to collapse at any moment, but her smile was strong and bright.

   Bjorn was finding it hard to maintain his composure as he loosened his tie and came to stand beside his wife. He had been master of his emotions, but seeing his wife in the bed made a lump form in his throat. He sat down on the side of the bed and took his wife into his arms.

   “I’m fine…” Erna said, stroking his back.

   Bjorn let out a long sigh of relief and looked into Erna’s eyes. She looked back at him with her pale face, which made her eyes illuminate brightly from the light of the setting sun. Just as they smiled at each other, Lisa appeared with two tightly wrapped bundles. Lisa put the first baby, Master Bibi into Bjorn’s arms and put Mistress Nana into Erna’s.

   Bjorn looked down at the tiny bundle that weighed nothing and saw the smallest little face peer out from the swaddle of cloth. His eyes were closed tight and a tuft of platinum hair poked out from under the wrapping. He looked over at Nana, she had a fine wisp of mousey brown hair, just like her mothers.

   They embraced awkwardly, trying not to squash their first born children on their first day as parents. There eyes looked deeply at each other and their smiles were wide and bright. What was most amusing of all, to Bjorn, was that his wife still smelled of wild flowers.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Erna had given birth to Bjorn and Erna, at least, that was the opinion’s of those who saw Frederick and Ariel Dniester. It was especially the thoughts of Isabelle and Philip, who thought they were looking into the faces of Bjorn and Leonid when they were babies. 

When the twins opened their eyes, the evaluation was a little different. Frederick had platinum hair, just like his father, but silvery blue eyes just like his mother. Ariel had the brown hair of her mother and grey eyes of her father. When was clear was that each child had adopted the prettiest traits from each parent.

   What was most remarkable was the demonstration of the efficiency of the Dniesters. As anyone would tell you, the odds of having twins, even for one who is a twin, are quite slim, but to also have those twins be a boy and a girl? The more one looked at it, the greater the miracle was.

“They are the prettiest babies I have ever seen in my life!”

To this day, the reactions of the old ladies who laid eyes on Frederick and Ariel, the grand duke’s twin siblings, remain enthusiastic.

   The Grand Duchess listened to and accepted all the showers of praise that were poured upon her with grace and dignity. She tried her best to maintain a calm demeanour, but in reality, there was a hurricane of emotions going on inside her right that minute.

   The worst were all the old ladies of the family, cooing around Erna like a flock of hens, poking and prodding. As they , Erna shifted her attention to the next relative, scooping up her twins and making her way towards them, basking in the shower of praise. Her secret delight in being the center of attention prompted her to proudly showcase her beautiful babies.

Duchess Arsene still in the room, calmly putting down her cup of tea. She gave Erna a warm smile. Bjorn, seated opposite her, soon turned to his wife.

 “Your wife is very excited.” Duchess Arsene said softly.

“My children deserves it.” Bjorn replied. He hated parents who boast about their beautiful children everywhere, but his twins were exceptional, that they were pretty babies.

   The Duchess nodded her head, not taking her eyes from the twins dan Erna.

 “She must be exhausted, even after giving birth, to have all these people flocking around her.”

  . I can’t imagine it will ease off any time soon and you’ve made this time of year even busier.”

   The twins had been born in May, of all months, a time that will become known as festival month, no doubt. The marriage of Leonid, the founding festival, even now it was the Balcony Greeting festival. By now, news of the births would be all over the country, giving people even more reason to celebrate.

   “Come to think of it, isn’t this your first year as a married couple?”

   “Yes,” Bjorn answered calmly.

   They had visited Buford for the first time last year, as a married couple and after that, were off on tour Lorca, so they had completely missed the Balcony Greeting.

   “Come, grab up the twins and lets give you all your first taste of the festival.” 

Bjorn got up from his seat, approaching his wife and the twins. Now it was time to go  out onto the balcony where Lechenian was eagerly waiting.

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