The Shadows Within

A knock interrupted the groom’s and bride’s sweet moment, much to my relief.

A heavy sigh came from Finn. “What now?” he grumbled, shifting his gaze noise.

Oi! You don’t need to look so disappointed! Perverted demon! I guess some things don’t change!

Knowing how he felt, I couldn’t help but pout at his tone.

Lillia pushed on his arm. “I-I don’t know, but you should answer it.”

Rolling his eyes, he pulled away from her before heading towards the door. My gaze shifted between him and her as he went for the door.

Damn it! There isn’t any reason to be hesitant, Sylvia; you asked for it; deal with it! Even if it destroys you in the end. See it through to the end, no matter what! You promised to accept everything about him!

Everyone had different ways to express themselves, and surprisingly, this was fitting for someone like Finn, who hid nothing.

Though, I could do without the smooches to another girl!

Opening the door, the girl from the crystal quickly greeted him, though this version was alive and sparkling with energy. She also lacked the gaping hole in her chest and probably had a beating heart.

“You’re late!” she huffed, crossing her arms.

Her eyes twitched at her brother, who winced, gazing at her forced smile.

“Serah, I’m sorry. I had to check on—” he began, only to be stopped by her placing her hands over her mouth as she gazed inside the room.

“Oh, you buffoon! Don’t you know the groom isn’t supposed to see his bride on the wedding day?! It’s bad luck!” the girl huffed, grabbing his arms.

Finn rolled his eyes. “So superstitious.”

“I’m not!” She glared at him before shifting her eyes away and onto the bride. “Sorry, Lillia! I’ll take him away now!” she declared, dragging the prince out of the room, leaving me with little choice but to follow them.

“Oi! Wait… what?!” Finn struggled to keep up, only for her to stop in another hall.

Turning to him, Serah crossed her arms again, tapping on her arms with her fingers.

“You stupid brother, you’re doing everything possible to ruin your day! Just because you’re an hour older, you always act like you know everything!” she huffed, pouting soon after.

Twins?! You two are twins?! I mean, she does look like a female Finn, but still! When you called her your little sister, I thought months or years separated you two! Wait… That means… you lost… Oh…

I couldn’t help but clasp onto my chest, feeling a different ache.

I need to be more sensitive. Crap…

“Oi, that means I’m older, even if it’s because of an hour.” He sighed, shaking his head.

Though there wasn’t an ounce of annoyance from him, he thought she was adorable every time she worked herself up for his sake.

Is that a sister complex I smell? Though she is cute, I’ll give you that.

“Right…” she mumbled, rolling her orbs at him.

Finn picked up on her strange behavior, which she had been displaying since the previous day when she hadn’t left him out of sight—until he snuck off to spend time with his bride—something he kindly spared me of witnessing firsthand.

“What’s wrong? You’ve been odd for a couple of days now.” the prince asked, prompting a sigh to leave her lips.

She shrugged. “I don’t know why I— Arg, I just have a bad feeling. Are you sure about all of this? What if she isn’t the one? She doesn’t feel like the one, you know.”

Finn tilted his head, reaching to touch her cheek. “I think you’re just nervous about stuff changing, but I’ll always be there for you.”

Rolling her eyes at him again, she huffed. “Right… Just me being superstitious.”

“You know that’s not what I mean.” He shook his head, only for her to grab his arm again.

“How about we get you ready? Your marriage is finally going to help bring world peace.” Her voice cracked again, forcing another smile on her lips.

Shifting my eyes towards Finn, I didn’t need to know his thoughts to understand his process. As young as he was, he probably thought he was on top of the world and that she was worrying over nothing.

Change is hard for everyone to accept, and your twin marrying is a big deal, but from how you look, it’s not just that, is it, Serah?

I should’ve listened to you. Finn’s icy voice echoed within me, triggering me to search for him, but it was his younger self there.

Ah… Are you reliving this with me?

“I’m just happy it’s with someone I love.” He beamed, and I turned my sight back to him as my heart stung.

Damn… I wish you’d smile at me like that.

Even though this was in the past, hearing him say that still felt terrible. Though, it was bliss to see him so excited and happy.

I wish… you’d say those words to me one day, but no one will ever say that.

“Lucky you! Now let’s get ready!” she dragged him around like a small rag doll.

Not that he minded with that smile planted on his lips.

“Hey, at least with this, you’ll also be able to marry for love. I know how you’ve been eyeing down Gael.” Finn teased, triggering Serah to turn to him.

“Stupid brother! That’s totally different!” she growled, crashing into someone she hadn’t seen.

Books and papers flew everywhere when they crashed into an older man with white hair and piercing green eyes. He wore a grey scholar robe similar to one I had seen on someone else in the castle.

Wait… is that… No, it can’t be.

“Woah there!” the man yelped, surprised by the two.

Serah squealed, startled, while Finn laughed at the entire thing.

“Oh, Professor Rizak.” The princess sighed, grabbing onto her chest.

The revelation surprised me, but it wasn’t like they hid it. However, it still was a bit off-putting, especially since I never knew how they looked before the curse.

That owl is you?! You don’t look anything like…

Everything they said was real. They all used humans or elves before the curse turned them into beasts.

“Ah, you two are as energetic as ever.” The man chuckled, leaning down to pick up the papers.

Serah, flustered, “Hehe, let me—” She couldn’t finish before someone else came from behind Rizak—a woman who had beautiful brown hair and eyes wearing a maid’s dress.

“No need, I’ll help him. It would be best if you went off to the dresser. The guests are already arriving!” She smiled at the two.

Both siblings smiled. “Nyla, thank you!”

All the things that little goblin told me rang in my mind.

Oh god… that’s you?! Nyla, I…

I clasped my hand on my shirt, wanting to hug her.

It’ll be the first thing I ever do when I come back.

“Any time, dearie.” She bowed, allowing them to go on their way.

After they were in another hall, Finn burst out laughing again as his sister dragged him away. It was so lovely to hear. Unlike me, everyone that surrounded them cared about them. Yet the ones I had come to know were far from these cheery versions before me.

Why… did… this happen to you, of all people?

“See, all this rushing is just making more work for others.” He cackled at his sister.

It triggered her to turn to him, eyes twitching.

“Shut it! If I’m not after your ass, you’d never get anything done!” She huffed, dragging him again.

He continued to chuckle, allowing her to handle him however she wished. Their interaction reminded me of the wolf that constantly interrupted us to get him on track.

Yes… Some things don’t change, and that’s good.

Their joy was contagious, prompting a smile on my lips as well.

“Well, that’s true. We were born together and…” he trailed off, wanting her to finish.

She stopped again before gazing back at him.

“Forever together! Don’t forget that when you marry Princess Lillia!” she huffed, cheeks puffed.

A sharp grin rose on his lips. Despite all the rough handling, it was clear he loved his sister.

So, this is what a normal sibling relationship is. It’s nice.

“Never.” He assured her.

Her cheeks turned rosy before she huffed up again.

“Now! Get to it!” Serah declared, shoving him into a room.

Their entire interaction left me giggling, and I found each step lighter because of them. However, I couldn’t help but wish Evelyn were that for me.

If anyone had cared... Would I have gone up to that rooftop? No… I probably would’ve never met you. That would’ve been a shame, wouldn’t it?

After tossing him into the room, she helped the other maids dress up the prince. Seeing Finn as a dressed doll was adorable, something I didn’t see coming. All the hairstyles they tried on him annoyed him in the end.

Like many maids, I couldn’t take my eyes off him whenever they adjusted his clothes, leaving him in boxer briefs. His eyes twitched every time they retreated, focusing on the clothes while the stylist messed with his hair. Getting close to the annoyed boy, I noticed the scar on his abdomen was gone.

Instinctively, I reached for it, only stopping upon touching his skin before I went through it.

This is before…

Shivering ran down my spine before I shifted my eyes toward his face to notice him gazing at me as I retreated from him, feeling my cheeks burn.

Ah… what am I doing?

However, he wasn’t looking at me but his sister, who was the only one not gawking at him and keeping everything on track.

Right, you can see me, that’s good!

A few curse words left him when they wouldn’t leave him alone, prodding and poking him. By the end, he wore a fancy blue shirt, black pants, and leathered boots. Weddings were nothing like the ones in my world. Black tuxes weren’t a thing in this world, and neither were elegant dresses.

No, everyone would dress flamboyantly for this party to celebrate the occasion. This wasn’t only about the bride and groom but a union between nations. I hadn’t seen Finn with his hair in a ponytail before. It was decorated with a pin on top that appeared like a blue flame, with gems hanging and twirling down his hair.

You’re pretty with anything on you, aren’t you?

It was nice to sit through it all; watching them interact was probably one of the most enjoyable things I had experienced.

“Oh, wow! See! I knew you had it in you to be handsome! Hah! Lillia’s such a lucky girl.” Serah gushed over him by the end.

Maybe a brother complex, too.

Finn chuckled, gazing at her.

Just like I’m lucky you gave me a home.

A soft smile rose on my lips as I gripped my right arm.

No, you’re my home. Finn… I… if what you felt for Lillia is what I’m feeling, then… I…

“No, I’m the lucky one,” he reassured, pulling away from the stylist who made the final adjustments to his shirt.

“Oi, you’re too smitten by her. I would be wary, big bro.” She huffed, crossing her arms.

There was no malice in her words, and she didn’t appear jealous, at least nowhere near as much as I was.

If my eyes weren’t grey, they were undoubtedly green by now.

A soft sigh left her when all he did was smile at her.

“Hey… Are you sure about this? Isn’t this too much of a rush?” Serah walked over to her brother.

“Of course, I’m sure. Why are you skittish? Don’t want to give your brother away?” Finn teased, nudging her.

However, before his sister could argue back, someone opened the door, revealing a beauty that made my jaw drop. A woman with long, soft golden locks and shimmering blue eyes walked in. I had seen no one so pretty before beating any model from my world right out of the water.

“I never thought I’d see the day. The greatest warlock to grace us, finally marrying.” The beautiful woman announced, leaning close to me.

Serah frowned upon being interrupted, yet Finn beamed with affection.

“Mom.” He smiled.

Wait, that goddess is your mom?! God, no wonder you’re such a fucking looker! It’s all in the genes!

A soft growl left my lips, gazing at the happy groom, having the time of his life.

I never had a chance, did I?

I couldn’t help but feel jealous of it. The queen quickly closed the gap between them, inspecting Finn, whose cheeks turned rosy.

“Oh, gosh! You are adorable!” She cooed, grabbing his shirt before leaving a red rose in his pocket. “I can’t wait to see your grandkids!” she gushed over her little boy.

For a queen, she appeared like an airhead. It was nice finally to meet her. After all, I had been staying in her castle, and her kid had saved me, too. The maids who followed her called her Queen Astrid.

God, Finn, she’s beautiful and loves you. I wish…

My heart stung in so many ways. These people had the perfect lives.

Perfect family, perfect living… How did it all…

“Oi, aren’t we moving too fast?!” Serah yelped, stepping in between the two.

“Now, now! A mother can dream!” Astrid smiled, waving her hand to dismiss her worries.

Finn sighed, feeling like it was too soon for kids too. At least, that was one thing he agreed on with his sister. He wanted to enjoy his time with his fiancée. There, I felt another sting in my heart.

Your thoughts are full of a future with her. I’m… a pass time if anything at all. You’ll never feel the same way about me, but I guess that’s the point.

His earlier words rang in my head before being snapped out by Finn.

“Where’s Dad?” he asked.

“Shinra’s greeting King Ageth.” She informed, inspecting her son.

“Oh, I see,” Finn mumbled, sitting on the chair.

Astrid grabbed onto Serah, pulling the unsuspected girl towards her.

“Well, we’ll excuse ourselves. We ladies need to get pretty, too.” She announced.

Serah frowned. “Yes, mother.”

Gazing back at Finn, she waved before leaving with her mother.

“We’ll see you later, sweetheart.” Astrid bid farewell, walking right out.

“Right, Ma.” He voiced, watching the door close.

The maids also left to let the groom have a moment to himself. In an hour, his entire life was about to change, and in his mind, he was about to marry the woman of his dreams. Feeling the jitters, he got up from his hair before gazing outside the window.

Below, guests arrived for the wedding, to which everyone in the kingdom had an invitation. Even though he was a projection, I couldn’t help walking over to him. His expression was so peaceful that I reached for his hand, stopping before I touched it.

What am I doing?

An ache rose in my heart.

I can’t reach you here or anywhere. This is all to show me that I’m nothing important. I can leave my past as there isn’t a nice thing about it, but you had everything before someone took it from you. I’m a tool for you to get what you want.

I know that, yet I…

Standing behind him, I rested my head on his back, wishing for more than I could have.