I returned to my chambers, still reeling from the fact that I had slept through the rain. It wasn't fatigue; I’d been exhausted before and never slept through a storm.
It had to be a coincidence. I desperately hoped it was.
“Ford,” Enzo called out as soon as I stepped inside.
“Yes?”
“Where have you been so late?” Enzo’s worry was palpable. “I couldn't go to the shop, fearing Prince Nicole would be there. It rained again today.”
“I know.”
“Knowing isn’t enough,” he snapped. “Do you understand the seriousness of this? You dismiss everyone on rainy nights because you shiver all night long.”
“Enzo, I know what I'm doing,” I replied.
“No, you don’t. You’re completely lost,” he shouted.
I stared at him, shocked.
“You say you don't like him, yet you show everything in front of him,” Enzo continued.
“When did I do that?” I demanded.
“I was there.”
I looked at him, puzzled.
“When the first rain came, I was terrified you’d have a panic attack. I rushed over, only to find Prince Nicole taking care of you,” he said angrily.
I was speechless.
“How does that matter? He was just there and helped me. Don’t overthink it,” I said, trying to brush it off.
“Don’t overthink it?” Enzo mocked. “The problem is you lied. You said you were at the shop instead of admitting he nursed you.”
“I didn’t want to talk about it that day,” I excused.
“No, you lied because you knew I’d see through you. That you like him. You’re crazy about him but too scared to admit it.”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” I said.
“I’m not. The most observant man in the world suddenly doesn’t notice anything when his name comes up,” Enzo retorted.
“I don’t do that.”
“I haven’t even started,” Enzo went on. “First, you said you’d break his spirit. Then, you go on to give him a pleasant evening to avoid suspicion. Then, you avoided him when you realised you wanted that nice date.”
“That’s absurd,” I protested, knowing it was true.
“And then you kept visiting Eclipse. The court thinks you’re dying with how many sick leaves you’ve taken. And—”
“Stop it now!” I shouted. “I get it, but what am I supposed to do?”
“Confess.”
“No,” I whispered. “Never. I will ruin him.”
“But what if he’s willing to be ruined?” Enzo asked.
“He would never,” I insisted.
“He likes you too.”
“No, he doesn’t. He’s doing this for his nation. If that wasn’t a factor, he wouldn’t have come. I’m not worth it,” I explained.
“Maybe he doesn’t like Prince Rushford, but he’s definitely head over heels for Ruki Shields.”
“What?” I gasped. “Are you insane? Why would he take lessons from me as Ruki to flirt with me as Rushford if he likes me as Ruki? You’ve lost your goddamn mind.”
“You both admire and like each other but dismiss it as friendship,” Enzo said.
“You noticed my feelings, but how are you so sure about his?” I asked.
“Ford, don’t ask me that. Ask yourself. Is Nicole different with Ruki than with Rushford? Is it because his relationship with Rushford isn’t developed, or does he genuinely love Ruki?” Enzo said.
I thought about all our dates. Had I mistaken his awkwardness for shyness? Did he really like me as Ruki?
Every one of his actions supported Enzo’s observation, but it still seemed unbelievable.
“I can’t do this,” I confessed. “I can’t tie him to me.”
“I won’t tell you what to do. It’s your life,” Enzo said. He continued, “You like him, he likes you. But there will be complications either way. You have to decide which path to take.”
He walked to the door.
“Ford, I’ve known you since we were kids. It’s okay to forgive and forget. You’ve suffered long enough. You deserve Nicole too. You deserve happiness. Don’t punish yourself by ignoring your feelings. It will hurt Nicole too.”
He left, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
“Do I deserve a soul as pure as Nicole?”
YOU ARE READING
"Eclipse"
Romance"𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐯𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐧." In a kingdom where 𝐚𝐥...
