I say analysis. It’s more like in-depth and long-winded fangirling haha

Even though we only saw Ernst for a couple of pages last chapter, they spoke volumes about his relationship with Eins. While the nature of their relationship and their views on one another have been largely ambiguous up until now, Ernst’s actions of coming to Eins’ door and quietly promising him that he will make him king makes it abundantly clear that Ernst’s regard for Eins is genuine. You just don’t go brooding at your boss’s door unless you actually care. The previous chapter also hinted that Eins makes a habit of holing himself up and sulking, which is swiftly confirmed by the first page of chapter 60. (With habits like that, how long was he abroad and just how did he survive without Ernst?!)

From the first page alone, we see an entirely new side to Eins, to add onto the sincerity of the new face we saw from Ernst in the previous chapter. Up until now, Eins has been the stern and stoic, mysterious eldest prince, with a commanding presence. Now, in just one panel, we see him looking vulnerable.

Why has Eins isolated himself? What are his feelings? Are they frustration at the feeling that his direct path to the throne is obstructed? Or is it despair at a feeling of inadequacy? Is the man who has practically boasted about being the best heir to the throne at every appearance actually insecure about his own worthiness?

Personal note: I was reluctant to form an opinion on Ernst and Eins at first. Although I found their relationship extremely interesting, there was very little to know, and I was hesitant to say whether or not I liked them, or if my instinct to ship them was anything more than an automatic reaction to two good-looking men working close together. It is safe to say that the last page of chapter 59, however, turned me around completely. The confirmation of Ernst’s sincere esteem for Eins was everything I needed. I love them.



There’s nothing strange about Ernst having the keys to Eins’ door, as he is the high steward of Eins’ household. And now that we know Ernst and Eins are actual friends, not just master and servant, it was only to be expected that Ernst would consider himself having the freedom to barge in on Eins as he pleased. It’s just that, on a personal note, I wasn’t expecting it. I wanted them to speak to each other in private so badly that I didn’t think Akai Higasa would ever give it to me. And now that it’s here, it’s just … so … beautiful … *sobs*



Let us also take a brief moment to note (or in my case, cherish) Ernst calling Eins by his name. When I first saw Eins referring to Ernst by his first name, I was surprised and amazed. Both in Japan now and amongst nobility, particularly around the period which The Royal Tutor is set in, gentlemen who are friends seldom enough use each other’s first names, let alone a man of higher status calling his servant by his name. True enough that we know they are old friends by now, but certainly the aristocracy do not normally refer to people of inferior status in such a familiar way. I was extremely interested in Eins and Ernst from this detail alone, but now, to see Ernst speaking so familiarly with Eins too! Their relationship is deeper than even I dared hope!



Moving on, I was deeply disturbed by Ernst’s chagrined expression in the previous chapter, so it’s a relief to see him smiling, even if it’s only briefly and somewhat sardonically. But we are greeted by another new sight: Eins looking bedraggled. And what is he doing? Is he at least trying to mope beautifully, perhaps sitting by the window with chin in one hand and pipe in the other? Nope, he’s just sitting at his polished, empty desk, looking like somebody kicked his dead puppy in front of his very eyes.

What’s even more astonishing is that, in the last panel, we see more emotion from Eins than we have ever seen up to this point. He instantly reacts in defence of himself, not even in the chilly, intimidating way he did with Leonhard back in chapter 53, not in the cool, quiet way he occasionally rebukes Ernst’s familiarity in other instances, but in a rash and decidedly aggrieved way.

Not to mention the fact that the perfect heir apparent is being rebuked for escaping his own duties. This is the first time that we are actually reminded (discounting jokes about his appearance) of how young Eins is to have so much on his shoulders. He looks almost as young as his brothers in this last panel.

Now Ernst speaks to Eins calmly, pacifying Eins’ temper. He even appears quite patient here, coming to Eins to write his schedule in his presence instead of simply coming up to him and setting it down in front of his face, which, as anyone who has been in a state of despair, would know can be highly soothing - to have someone sit with you and composedly encouraging you on.



Ernst then strongly implies that Eins knows that Viktor does not consider him a suitable candidate for the throne. Has he always known this? Or did Ernst tell him after Heine told him? If so, good job on spreading that ‘secret’ piece of information around, Heine. Best friend of the year award. Either way, Eins seems to realise that he’s not quite the heir apparent, and his despondent attitude points to that fact being depressing to him. As he has declared himself the best candidate for the throne every chapter he has appeared in, his unhappiness now says that he doesn’t believe his own words as strongly as he seems. It may be that he is simply prone to wallowing in unhappy moods, but …



OH MY GOD THEY’RE TOUCHING OH MY GOD I NEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAPPEN GOOD GOD SOMEBODY HOLD ME

*cough, clears throat*

We know by now that Ernst is not above shows of intense emotion, but he grabs Eins so suddenly and unexpectedly! This is familiarity indeed! And not just that - what he is saying to Eins is, 'You’re causing me trouble by behaving this way.’ Is he saying, as @thefinalcinderella suggested in this post, that Eins is being a hindrance on the path Ernst has chosen for him? Or does he simply mean that he, Ernst, is doing everything for Eins, but cannot proceed if Eins himself cannot keep his composed front? Is he referring to some specific plan that they have decided on, as implied by the previous page? Or does he mean on the whole, on their joined resolutions to make Eins king?

This moment furthermore implies that this is not unusual for Eins, that Eins often has difficulty being the aloof, dignified eldest prince we have always known him to be so far. Perhaps this is not only the tantrum of a child who feels himself robbed of what is rightfully his, but the insecurity of a man who fears he is not good enough for his own ambitions?

And what is even more extraordinary is the way that Eins’ eyelids lower at the rebuke …

… and places his hand over Ernst’s. Ernst’s words have not made him angry, nor does he reject Ernst’s words. He accepts them, telling Ernst that he knows Ernst is working so hard for his sake. It is difficult for him, Eins, to bear it, but he knows, and touching Ernst’s hand is an act of conciliation. Whatever way they have reached their decision to act, their resolution is equal at this point in time, and this conversation is an exchange of feelings.

Extraordinarily … Eins’ incentive to pull himself together is not the throne. In this instance, he submits to Ernst’s words, and his reason to compose himself is for Ernst’s sake.

When Ernst says 'It is problematic for me’, is he speaking of his own goals? Or is he actually … saying to Eins … 'Think about me, the person by your side who just wants to help you’?

This is not the first time that Eins has referred to Ernst by a shortening of his (already quite concise) name. The first time it happened in chapter 54, I thought it was a strange typo or something of the sort, but now it’s clear it’s not, and it appears quite touching. It speaks of a relationship we have only yet seen the surface of. There is much yet to know - they would have met naturally enough, but how did they become friends? What was it about the other that drew them together? Is there a reason that they have such a bond? (Knowing Akai Higasa, the answer to this is ‘hell, yeah!’) Just how far do they trust each other and believe in each other?

These two have made me weak, right enough. There is so much emotion, so many things unsaid, in only these few pages. Anyone who follows my blog I know nobody does, it’s just a turn of phrase knows I greatly admire Akai Higasa’s ability to write deeply compelling relationships, sometimes in only a few dozen pages. Knowing this, I greatly anticipate this being far from the last time that Eins and Ernst destroy me emotionally.

PS I realise I’m skipping over the pretty major issue of this 'plan’ that Eins and Ernst have, that have to do with him succeeding the throne. I will simply write briefly that Ernst says 'it’s meaningless unless Viktor approves of you’, implying that they have a reason, a reason deeper than the words Heine imparted to Ernst in chapter 54, for believing that Viktor doesn’t. This may be what is causing Eins turmoil - perhaps he suspects what it is that Viktor dislikes but does not understand why he disapproves of it? Or perhaps he has realised that Viktor does not approve of his methods, but cannot begin to guess the cause? Or maybe it is even a flaw that Eins is aware of, but does not know how to change it. However, the reason I have not addressed this more fully is because this is central to the plot, whereas I only wished to draw attention to the backdrop of Eins and Ernst’s relationship that drives much of the story.

Either way, would love to hear your guys’ thoughts! If you have anything to say at all, please don’t be shy! I love these two so much (now) and would love to discuss them with others. And finally, thanks for reading all of this, haha.