Eclipse

Chapter 10

Eclipse's POV
"Um. Da-"

"ECLIPSE YOU SCARED US TO DEATH ARE YOU OKAY WHY DID YOU GO WITHOUT TELLING EITHER OF US WE WERE WORRIED SICK AND WHY DID YOU GO INTO THE CASTLE DON'T YOU-"

"Dad I promise I'm okay!!" I said as Shoyo grabbed me while sobbing. Tobio walked over, trying to look angry but gave in and squished Shoyo between him and me by wrapping his arms around us both.

"Eclipse. Please never scare us like that again. Come on. Let's all go to bed. And then go home in the morning." Tobio said as he pulled away. I bit my lip before taking in a breath.

"No."

"What?"

"Well. Dad. I want to talk to you, both of you about something..."

Time Skip at an Inn
"So... what do you think??"

"I think it's dangerous, Eclipse."

"Yeah dad, but-"

"Look. Shoyo and I both want the same thing. My parents don't deserve to be in power any longer. And that Akihiko kid doesn't deserve to be trapped there either."

"Exactly. And I know it's dumb but I-"

"I think you should do it."

"And I- what??"

"I think you should do it. I think you should be smart about it, but it is what would be right for the people."

"You guys really think so?" I asked, both of my parents nodding. I smiled and gave them both big hugs.

"You said you know Akihiko and he lets you in the gates?"

"Mhm."

"Before we doing anything further. You may want to see what you can learn first."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know what my parents are planning to do now that my brother is, gone.. but I do know that they have no intention of just handing the throne over to Akihiko."

"So. What're you saying, dad?"

"I wouldn't put it past them to cause that boy to 'go missing' soon. It wouldn't hurt for you, or perhaps even the servants who Shoyo and I knew to investigate."

"Right. I'll talk to them all about it tomorrow."

Next Day: Grant's POV
"So. Am I able to actually join you today?"

"Grant, why don't you stay with your dad???"

"Oh come on. Besides. I want to meet Akihiko too."

"Well, as long as he lets you in. I'm sure it'll be okay." Eclipse said with a small smile. I nodded and walked up to the gates with her. Akihiko seeming to be waiting for her. He smiled and told the guards to let her in.

"Wait, can Grant come too???" Eclipse asked while grabbing my hand. Akihiko looked at me with furrowed brows. Eclipse giving him a "pleaseeeeee".

"Okay. Fine. Let them both in." He said, Eclipse smiling and walking in with me. She excused herself when she saw that guy, Yamaguchi, walking past and she chased after him. I stood there awkwardly with Akihiko before looking down at him. He was taller than Eclipse. But still shorter than me.

"So. You're the prince. Huh?"

"Um... yes, I am."

"Hm. So. What have you been doing with Eclipse these past few days she's been visiting you?"

"Just talking and getting to know each other and stuff..." He said, seeming a bit intimidated by me. I narrowed my eyes, leaning down so I was face to face with him.

"I see. Well. Get no funny ideas. Got it?"

"Y-yes..." he said submissively. He was a lot more submissive than I thought he'd be. Especially for a prince. I leaned back up before standing in silence patiently and waiting for Eclipse to return. But, Akihiko decided to break the silence.

"So. Are you like. Seeing Eclipse?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you guys like, together?"

"No, we're not."

"So-"

"Stop."

"But-" I turned, grabbing the prince by the collar of his pristine white shirt. His eyes went wide as I glared.

"Please. Stop." I said, the prince nodding as I let go of him. He stood still until Eclipse finally showed up.  She smiled at both of us, asking what happened to Akihiko's shirt while she went over and helped fix it. Akihiko just said he must've messed it up while giving me a glance.

I nodded in agreement and we all went about our day. The palace was a lot bigger and fancier than anything I had back home. By the end of the day, Akihiko walked us towards the gates when Eclipse asked us to wait again. She the dashed off again. Probably to go find Yamaguchi or someone else or something.

"So... uh. Did you like the palace..?"

"Yeah."

"Good.  Um. Eclipse had the same look on her face when I showed her the gardens. I'm guessing you like nature too?"

"Yes. I've never seen any of those flowers you have out there."

"Really? Well... you aren't so bad, so I'll be sure to tell the guards that you both are okay to visit." He said with a small smile. I raised my brow but nodded.

"Thanks. You aren't bad yourself. For a prince." I said with a small grin. Akihiko laughed slightly as Eclipse returned and grabbed my hand. I smiled at her as she hummed.

"Okay. Ready to go??"