Eliza could let out a squeal if she weren't trying to hold her composure. Her dearest groom looks perfect, dressed in her father's old wedding suit. A wave of nostalgia hit her, of that familiar sight of her parent's wedding painting that was hung on the hallway wall. She would often look up to that, wondering when she would be able to wear that pretty dress. Jiiya and Baaya did such a good job fitting the tiny young man in that suit. If Eliza could imagine hard enough, she could see someone else in the suit. Someone with a bright smile that shines through the night...

"You gotta be kidding me." Eliza let out a sigh as she turned to the fake suitors, specifically to the lion. "Him?!"

"Yes, him." She smirked. "I've known from the beginning that none of you have a sincere motive."

"But you kidnapped them!" The one with crocodile teeth shouted. "You don't know if they sincerely want this or not."

"But knowing Jonah, he would try to help Eliza," the greenette with the glasses muttered, "even if he had to marry a ghost."

"I can vouch for that," Idia muttered. Jonah just weakly chuckled in response.

"That's why he's the one true prince!" Eliza swooned again. "And there is no way I'm letting him go again!'

"Let me ask you something." The pretty one with the blond hair said, voice rather calculative. "Why are you so on and on about a wedding? You look like you're a twelve years old child."

Eliza pouted. "First of all, I'm on my thirteen years old body, so technically a teenager. And second of all, my biggest regret was not having that happy wedding when I was that age."

"You were thirteen?!" The crocodile boy explained. "And you were married."

"A political marriage, I assumed," one of the twins, the calmer one said. "Royals often send their princes and princesses off to wed another." He glanced at the lionman. "Isn't that right, Mister Leona?"

The lionman let out a sigh. "It's a normal thing. Once you're deemed to be able to bear a child, it's a one-way ticket to a royal wedding." He then smirked. "Which makes me wonder why Malleus is still bitchless. Even I have some bachelorettes back then."

The crocodile boy looked like he wanted to strangle him. "Master Malleus has more important things to do than a wedding with mortals!"

"It still didn't make any sense," said the pretty blond again, sometime his eyes would shift back and forth between the ceiling and Eliza. "You're married and yet your regret was also related to marriage? What's the connection?"

"I am curious also," said the calmer twin. "Why don't you tell us a story? If the groom doesn't mind."

Eliza turned to Jonah. He looked around for a bit before nodding at her. "Uh... I also want to know. Maybe if you tell me about 'him'. You know, the previous owner of my soul...?"

Eliza hummed. It is true that she hadn't told anyone this. Maybe that was why they were so adamant to separate her and Jonah. If they know her reasoning, then maybe they would stop this. Plus, Jonah did just say he wanted to know as well.

"Very well," she said. "I shall tell you my story."

"Is she seriously telling her tragic backstory now?" said the annoying twin.

"Shush, I'm talking!" She cleared her throat before speaking again. "I'll start with once upon a time..."

-----

Once Upon a time, there lived a princess. Her name is Eliza, the princess of the Kingdom of Henshaw. She was known as a kind princess albeit a rather childish one. She wanted to get everything she asked for and yet was not afraid to share.

In the end, she was just a child. An innocent and naive child in this cruel world.

Thus, it was no surprise that she had her first heartbreak at that age.

Dinner time was usually calm. Father was calm as he stirred his tea. Mother was trying to feed her three-year-old little brother. Being thirteen years old, Eliza was glad that she could eat on her own which means she could scrape the vegetables off her plate so Pucca the dog could eat them. It was so un-princess-like but cut her some slacks. She was still a tall and fit girl for her age. A fewer vegetables wouldn't hurt her.

A maid came in with a tray, but there was no food on it, so it couldn't be dessert. Instead, she approached her father, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty. A letter from King Andreas."

"Oh? What could it possibly be about?" He mused. Opening the envelope, he skimmed through the letter before laughing in his usual booming laugh. "Hah! He accepted!"

"Accepted what, Daddy?" Eliza asked.

"You're gonna get married, my dear!"

Eliza dropped her fork. "What?!"

"Heinrich, please. You can't just go straight forward with her." The queen scolded her husband before turning to young Eliza with a reassuring expression. "Eliza, you remember what you were taught about how our Kingdom of Henshaw and the Kingdom of Ravenswood were once one kingdom before the split?" When Eliza nodded, she continued, "King Andreas and your father agree to unite the two kingdoms again."

"Then why do I have to get married?"

"Marriage is the best way to unite two families or kingdoms."

"Oh." The princess looked back and forth between her parents. "Is it a good thing?"

"You're not going to get married now, Eliza," her father added. "All of us adults agree to let the both of you be pen pals."

"Pen pals?"

"The Kingdom of Ravenswood is really far away so you can't travel all the time," the king said, "sending a letter can be the best way for you to get to know each other before marriage."

Eliza contemplated this. She had never had a pen pal before, so this would be another first for her. In addition, with magic delivery, they could send them faster and more the amount, which meant more interactions. And more interaction is good. Overall, it didn't sound like a bad idea. With that, Eliza nodded to herself and looked at both of her parents. "Okay. I'll try."

In the end, she was a child. She wanted to make her parents happy, like how every child would.

It was three o'clock on the dot when there was a knock on the door. "It's open," she called, not looking up from the letter that was only filled with [Hello there. I am Princess Eliza of the Kingdom of Henshaw.] Even that sentences didn't have the greatest expression. Language and art was Eliza's favorite subject to study, thus she was often being a tad bit perfectionist for it.

Her ears caught the sound of a wheeled cart coming closer. "It's tea time, Your Highness," said someone with a boyish voice that barely reached puberty.

Eliza turned to the voice owner; a chubby boy with a shy smile and soft eyes. "Thank you, Chubby."

Chubby stopped his cart and started to make his usual preparation: tea leaves in the pot for a minute, two sugar cubes, and a splash of milk. The servant looked over the princess' shoulder to look at the writing. "Can I ask what are you doing?"

"Writing a letter to Prince Felipe of Ravenswood," Eliza said, propping her elbow on the table and chin in her palm. "Daddy said it's better to get to know him before marriage."

There was a sound of a clatter but nothing broke. "I'm sorry." Chubby's voice seemed tight. "Did you say 'marriage'?"

"Daddy said that can unite the two kingdoms through it."

"Are you...are you okay with this?"

Eliza contemplated this. "I said I would try first," she hummed, "but uniting the kingdoms has been Daddy's dream." She turned to Chubby with a smile on her face. "I can't be selfish, can I?"

There was a trace of red on the servant's cheek. He shyly smiled again, ducking his head as he put the tea cup on the table beside the ink bottle. "You're so kind, Your Highness."

"Aw, come on, Chubby!" Eliza laughed, patting Chubby's back. "I told you to call me by my name."

"I'm sorry, Your- I mean, Eliza."

"You're so cute." It made Chubby's face even redder. "Hey, you think you can help me with this?"

"Yes. Of course."

One week later, Eliza's heart was starting to skip in a jumpy beat. From each level exchanged, she learned things about the prince. Felipe sounded like a nice young man with words as sweet as honey and praises sprinkled on various occasions.

Eliza: Do you have any pets?
Felipe: I do! I have a dog. A corgi. The cutest creature in the whole world. His barks are high pitch and he loves rolling around in the warm sun.
Eliza: That's so cute! I have a pony. Her name is Josephine.
Felipe: Such a wonderful name for a marvelous companion of the princess.

Felipe: My classmate, Molly, gave me her homemade biscuit. Do you have a close friend, Eliza?
Eliza: I do! Chubby (well, his real name is Christoper) is my best friend since we were little. He's my tea carrier and his love-filled brioche is the best.
Felipe: Your best friend is your servant?
Eliza: Is that wrong?
Felipe: Oh, no! I think you're admirable, dearest Eliza.

Eliza: Sorry I didn't reply to your letter yesterday. I wasn't in the best head.
Felipe: There's no need to worry, dearest Eliza. My ink will not dry waiting for your reply.

Eliza: Hey. You think you can send a painting of yourself? I can send you mine back.
Felipe: Anything for you, dearest Eliza. But there is no need to worry. Keep your beautiful feature a surprise until our fateful day.

"So, that's Prince Felipe?" Chubby mused when Eliza showed him the painting of the prince in his sitting room. Bright red hair like the blood that shines brightly from the cuticles. Slim, long, golden. While not too muscular, he still looks slim, strong, and delicate at the same time. Fair skin that shines under the sunlight and overflowing with freshness. And a charming smile grazed upon that lips that leave one begging for a kiss. And, above all, a mega handsome kind of man.

"Dreamy, isn't he?" Eliza sighed, heart-throbbing and absolutely smitten. "He's perfect. I would've married him sooner had I known he's so charming."

In the end, she was a child. A child was swayed away by sweet words and a pretty face.

Two weeks later, Eliza found herself inside a carriage on the way to the Kingdom of Ravenswood. The wedding was in three days, thus both kingdoms were at the height of their preparation. Felipe's Kingdom was beautiful. The scent of flowers fluttered in the fresh air, such a contrast with Henshaw's ocean scent. To unify both kingdoms means to unify the land and sea.

"Are you nervous?" Chubby asked from beside her, being her entourage for the day.

Eliza sighed, shaking her hands to let go of her anxiety. "I don't want to cry."

"Hey." Chubby grabbed one of her hands gently. He smiled at her. "As your best friend, I'll be there for you."

They were guided to the sitting room, the same one from the painting, and for each step toward the fated meeting, Eliza's heart could stop skipping. This would be the first time both royals would meet. This would be the first time Felipe would see her. She even wore her favorite dress for the surprise. She had to stop herself from squealing every now and then.

The door opened and, lo behold, Prince Felipe was there. He looked even more handsome than in the painting. He was sitting on an armchair and a book in his hand. He looked up, expression confused before squaring up into a charming figure.

"Greetings." He bowed. "I am Prince Felipe of the Kingdom of Ravenswood."

Eliza curtsied in exchange. "I am Princess Eliza of the Kingdom of Henshaw. It's a pleasure to meet you, Prince Felipe."

And like a flying arrow shattering the kaleidoscope window, everything went wrong.

Felipe's face morphed from smiling to shock, to utter disgust. "There is no possible way that you're my beloved Princess Eliza!" He screamed, fist curling at his sides, shocking the newcomers from another kingdom. "You look like a horse!"

Eliza couldn't answer, couldn't react. It was as if she had disconnected from the world, drowning in an abyss. Her heart shattered, unable to be repaired in this lifetime.

"Hey! Don't you dare mock the princess!"

"Princess. PAH ! An ugly face like her only suit as a stable girl."

In the end, she was a child. A child who would take one insult to the heart and wear it like a flaw.

"Eliza." A warm hand held her cold ones. "Please talk to me."

She looked up at a worried Chubby and the dark room where she would be staying until the wedding. "I want to die," she whispered.

"Don't." This time Chubby cupped her cheeks, grounding her from floating away. "Don't die. You can cancel the wedding right?"

Eliza let out a wet chuckle. "Daddy is so excited about this unification. For once, I'm doing it to make my family happy." She broke down again and Chubby held her tight in a hug once more.

The wedding still happened. And when the groom kissed the bride, Eliza was filled with regret for this is not the fairy tale wedding she had dreamed of.

In the end, she was a child. A child whose heart was broken. Thus when she died and returned as a ghost, she reverted to the age of thirteen with only a small lingering innocence left.

-----

"Aw, man. That's so childish." The annoying twin whined. "You were called ugly once and you're filled with regret until you die?"

"If I'm not frozen, I will beat you to a pulp," the lionman growled.

"Someone who never experience something like that should shut their mouth," said the pretty blond. The annoyance in his face chipped down a bit and there was an understanding glint in his eyes.

"And marriage will last forever, especially for royalties," added the greenette, "A royal divorce would stir chaos in the public, especially when the marriage intent to unify two kingdoms."

"Floyd," the calmer twin frowned slightly. "I know you're stating your opinion, but please use filter sometimes." The other one just rolled his eyes.

Eliza nodded, sighing to let out the lingering sorrow. "I haven't met Felipe in limbo so assumed he had no regret or just avoided me. I'm not blaming him."

"Then what happened?" Jonah asked again. "How did you end up with me- I mean, my soul?"

Eliza sighed. "I died eventually and returned as a ghost in limbo. I often walked out around the living would with Chubby but one day, when visiting this school, I got lost. But then..." she swooned again, "...he came!"

-----

"Excuse me."

A gasp escaped her lips as he turned around, raising her hand for a self-defense slap. But the intruder only stood a few feet away from her, standing under the shadow of a tree but the lantern they were holding revealed their face -his face. It was a young man with dark hair and eyes like the color of the night sky and fair skin as the pure sand of the beach. He was dressed in a robe uniform similar to many boys she had seen since he arrived. His surprised expression changed into a gentle one. But that only frightened her.

"I'm sorry," he said, one hand reaching for her to calm her down, "I'm not going to hurt you."

"Who are you?" she asked, floating to prepare herself to run when the situation called.

"I'm Nathan Ferrer," he said, moving his hand to his chest and nodding. "And yours?"

"Eliza de Henshaw-Ravenswood."

"A princess?" He laughed. "To have a pretty princess in an all-boys school is certainly a surprise."

Eliza blushed. "I...I'm not pretty."

"No, you're pretty. Beautiful even." He laughed again. "But I haven't met many princesses, but I have no doubt you'll be on the top of the list."

Eliza's heart leaped again as he watched the boy in front of her with his cherry laugh and gentle feature. Under the bright full moon, her eyes twinkled and a smile grazed her lips.

"But what are you doing here? No offense, but you're not supposed to be here," Nathan asked.

Eliza pouted. "I got lost. I need to go back to the gate but I don't know where is it! This school is huge!"

"Can't agree with that." He laughed again. "I can take you there if you want."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Anything for a princess."

Eliza blushed again. "Thank you."

Eliza and Nathan walked through the school. They talked along the way and Eliza learned more about him. Nathan Ferrer was 18 years old. He was a student of Night Raven College and in his 4th year. He loved milk pudding but was forever traumatized by carrots from a choking accident. He didn't have any pets but would want a cat named Benny. He loved geography and dreamed of exploring every spot of Twisted Wonderland. He may not be a prince, but his warm voice and gentlemanly image made Eliza see him as a prince.

"The gate is ahead," Nathan said, pointing to the stone arch in front of them. She could see her chubby ghost friend floating back and forth worriedly, not realizing she was near.

"Thank you so much," Eliza smiled at him.

He smiled back. "I guess I see you around."

"Wait." She took his hands. "I think...I want to marry you." Nathan blinked in confusion. "My regret was for not having that fairy tale wedding. So maybe if I marry you..."

"...you move on to the afterlife." Nathan brought Eliza's hand close to his face and kissed her fingers. "How can I say no to a princess' proposal?"

Eliza's eyes widened. "You will?"

"I will. But can I have a request?"

"Anything."

"Can we wait until my graduation? I didn't want to leave any regret before that."

"Yes. I'll wait for you. And we'll have the greatest wedding in the century!"

In the end, she was still a child. A child who was quick for heartbreak and quick to fall in love again. A child who is always in the present but never the future.

-----

"But when I went to pick him up after graduation, he wasn't there." Eliza put her hands on her chest, trying to calm herself down from the bubbling sadness. "I searched and searched for eighty-five years, but I couldn't find him." She turned to Jonah. "Until now."

"Nathan Ferrer..." Jonah whispered the name. "He was...me...?"

Eliza nodded and floated close to him. Jonah's featured look was different from Nathan's, but he has the same gentle eyes and kind face. His soul even feels the same warm lantern that Nathan was brought the first time. Different yet the same.

"And that's why I would marry you!" Eliza squealed and returned to her cheery self. "The wedding will be held at midnight!"

Finally... Finally. She would get her happy ending.

BANG!

With a gasp, Eliza turned to the kitchen door that was slammed open.

"Splendid idea, Your Highness!" The newcomer announced, his glasses glinting under the light. While his redhead companion only sighed through his nose. "However, if the princess and her groom are allowed." He took out a book and smiled a toothy salesman smile. "I want to propose a wedding idea!"