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Title: Stormy Feelings and Cloudy Eyes
Inspired by: Chapter 20 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime
Characters: Izana Wistalia, Zen Wistalia
Wordcount: 330
Rating: General
"Brother!"
I let out a sigh of resignation, but continued walking, not stopping to wait for my younger brother.
Of course I underestimated him. In mere seconds, he had already caught up with me, out of breath when he hastened to catch up with my pace.
"Brother, I thought you weren't coming."
"I came to see your dejected expression." I answered straightaway. "But I was disappointed," I added.
He let out a snort. "You wish."
"What was the one thing I told you to remember about that girl?" I asked him before turning to my right. Sunshine streaming through the curtained windows punctuated my path.
"Thing to remember?"
I paused, Shirayuki's beautiful green eyes flashing in my mind. Green eyes, heavily lashed. Green eyes, drooping to a close as I moved nearer to kiss her goodnight.
I turned sideways and met my brother's puzzled expression. I extended my arm, finger resting gently beneath Zen's right eye.
"The color of her eyes," I emphasized.
Yes, those green eyes.
He frowned, not really understanding what I wanted to tell him.
I gave him a cynical smile, despite the twisting hurt I felt in my chest. "It would be good if it's cloudy when she returns to this castle."
Zen's mouth opened slightly in shock. I resumed my pace and left him to his thoughts.
Clearly, Zen was taking it for granted that he had invested enough with Shirayuki's feelings to become confident about her own feelings for him. But as far as I knew, Shirayuki had yet to reciprocate Zen's intention.
And despite my cautioning, I found myself dreading the future ahead, too.
What if Shirayuki really did come back with cloudy eyes? What then?
You just wanted to save yourself instead of confronting your own burgeoning feelings to her head-on. The voice inside my head persisted.
I do not have feelings for her! I denied vehemently.
The voice inside my head stayed quiet during the rest of the day, mocking me silently.