"Eclipse"

CHAPTER 48:RUSHFORD KINSTON POV

"Enzo!" I called out to him.

He turned around, and I jumped on him. Due to the sudden leap, we both fell to the ground.

"Are you stupid, Ford?" Enzo shouted. "You're so huge! Do you think anyone could actually carry you?"

I continued hugging him tightly.

"Did something happen?" His voice softened.

"Yes, a lot."

He pulled away and looked at me.

"He likes me too!" I exclaimed.

"What??" Enzo shouted, hugging me back. "Why didn’t you say so? How did he react when he found out you're Rushford?"

"About that..." I then told him everything that had happened.

"Tell him as soon as you can. Don’t let him find out on his own," Enzo advised. "If he does, you don’t even want to imagine what could happen."

"I know," I replied. "By the way, it’s time you found someone for yourself. It's truly the best feeling ever."

He looked at me, confused, before breaking into laughter.

"What?" I asked.

"Remember I told you that, thanks to Nicole, the most observant man in the world had lost his mind?" Enzo said.

"Yes."

"Well, I just found another example of it." He continued laughing.

"Have you lost your mind?"

"No, Your Royal Highness. It's just that my ship sailed long before yours."

"Huh?"

"I'm in love with Estelle," he said.

"What?" I shouted. "Estelle, Nicole's confidante? Why didn’t you tell me?"

"You’re the only person who doesn’t know."

But how was that possible? Now that I think about it, their closeness should have caught my attention, but I was so wrapped up in everything happening with me.

"I’m sorry," I said, feeling guilty. "I was so wrapped up in my own issues that I didn’t even think to ask what was going on with you."

"Oh my," Enzo exclaimed. "Stay with Nicole a bit more. Being around him really makes your emotions flow."

"You don’t have to feel guilty. I’m just glad to see you’ve worked through your issues and are coming back as a better version of yourself – or rather, the old version of you that was long lost because of the past."

"You understand me so well," I said.

"Besides, my love life isn’t half as complicated as yours," Enzo joked.

"So, when are you going to officially introduce her to me as your partner?" I asked.

"Um, about that…" Enzo hesitated. "I still haven’t asked her out."

"You bastard!" I shouted. "You told me to act on my feelings and confess, even with all my issues, and you haven’t even confessed yet? Are you a fool?"

"Come on, I’m nervous," he said. "Besides, you had me to guide you; who do I have?"

He had a point.

"No, this isn’t going to work," I said, grabbing his hand. "Come with me to my chambers, and let’s figure out a plan for you to confess."

"Yeah, let’s go. Besides, it’s dangerous for you to be wandering around the palace when you’re supposed to be 'recovering.' It’s good that you heal quickly, or else your disguise would have been blown by now."

"Also, Enzo," I said, stopping mid-step, "I need you to fetch me the best bottle of wine in all of Oreland."

"For what?"

"Nicole and I are going on a picnic tomorrow," I said. "And you’ll need to manage things at the palace for a few more days, as I won’t be back for two."

"When were you planning to tell me that? Do you even know how hard it is to handle everything on my own?"

"Come on now, don’t you want to plan your confession?"

"Yeah, let’s go." He instantly stopped complaining and followed me, making me regret not knowing about this earlier so I could tease him more.