So Complicated, a Howl's Moving Castle Fic
Title: So Complicated
Fandom: Howl’s Moving Castle (novel)
Pairing: Howl/Sophie, Michael/Martha, Justin/Sophie
Genre: Romance/Humor/Drama
Rating: K+
Summary: Howl promised Sophie a hair-raising happily ever after. She should have known hair-raising wasn’t entirely pleasant, especially with an impossible man like him.
Notes: Written for iu_fanfiction WC # 32 || Prompt: At the end of forever.
Disclaimer: The characters and elements of Howl’s Moving Castle belong to Diana Wynne Jones. Also, the title of this story was borrowed from a song by SheDAISY entitled So Complicated. I thought it fitting XD
Also, dedicated to neko11lover for the wonderful prompts this month. ILU~ <3
This is my first attempt at writing HMC. Considering the setting isn’t modern-day and my original opinion that the novel was that it was perfect as it is, this tugged at my wits. I hope this seemed realistic enough to have happened after the first book and that I kept them in character. My apologies for inconsistencies and errors-I haven’t had the time to consult my beta reader or anyone else who has read the novel.
So Complicated
By Milky Étoile
It was too much to hope for, Sophie Hatter conceded, that Howl would change all of his bad ways after getting his heart back into his chest quite literally.
“You would think he’d realize there’s no need to dress flamboyantly,” she muttered to Calcifer as she sat by the hearth one day, whilst waiting impatiently for Howl to get out of the bathroom, where he had been for more than an hour already. “He’s already ostentatious as he is. And his suits make my eyes ache.”
The fire demon stared at her with his orange eyes. His purple mouth was quirked upwards in amusement. “I told him before that he wouldn’t impress you with his appearance unlike all those girls he wooed before.”
Somewhat flattered but still more annoyed, Sophie pressed her lips together into a thin line. “I have half a mind to talk his hair into being permanently dark.”
Before Calcifer could reply, Michael came into the castle room from the flower shop looking to be full of nerves. He shot a glance towards the closed door of the bathroom and asked quite uselessly, “Is Howl still in there?”
Sophie gave him a nod. “That man ought to get rid of his vanity. Two hours is too much time to take to prepare for a day.”
“Perhaps you should talk his vanity away,” Calcifer suggested.
Michael, instead of commenting, tugged at his dirtied and wrinkled clothes nervously. He had just come in from bringing flowers from Waste to the shop in Market Chipping. “Martha wants to meet up with me for lunch. I can’t go out looking like this.” He started biting his lower lip.
The red-haired female frowned. Then, she stood up from her seat and walked to the bathroom door.
“Sophie?” Michael called uncertainly. “You’re not going to barge in, are you?”
She answered by suddenly banging her fist on the door loudly.
“Howell Jenkins!” she bellowed with the proper fury on behalf of Michael. “You had better get out of there now! Michael needs to clean up more than you do!”
When no answer was forthcoming, Calcifer commented, “He wouldn’t get out of there even if it were Michael’s funeral.”
Ignoring Michael’s offended remarks, Sophie shouted louder, “If you do not get out this moment, I will tear the door down and make sure you can never change the color of your hair again!”
Her threat elicited a loud crash and splashes from inside the bathroom and snickers from Calcifer. Within less than a minute, the door opened to show Howl in his blue and silver suit, now back to its original appearance, with his hair only partially dyed blonde-the right side of his hair was still black. His features were schooled into a very displeased expression.
This did not affect Sophie in the very least as the mixed up smells of whatever perfumes or creams Howl was using assaulted her senses, much to her consternation.
“I’ll have you know,” Howl told her, obviously miffed, though he seemed to have taken Sophie’s threats to heart for he knew she would probably make them true, “hair shouldn’t be left in a dull shade.”
Sophie didn’t care for his opinion and said as much. “Hair is better left natural.”
Howl shook his head in disbelief. “I really don’t see why you must put much value into these natural things,” he said in a repeat of a sentiment he had let her know after he had asked about her hair. “Now I have to go out with this shameful hair or stay here for the rest of the day.”
Sophie knew about his scheduled meeting with Wizard Suliman for the day. She felt even more aggravated with how he seemed to be planning to use his appearance as an excuse to get out of whatever responsibility the reinstated Royal Wizard wished to share with him. There was another one of his horrible habits, the slither-outing fool.
Then again, the only way he could do something was to convince himself not to do it. So, in reality, he wasn’t really slithering out of his responsibility.
Howl really was impossible to understand. Just thinking of his ways made Sophie’s head ache.
“You will have to go to Kingsbury with that.” Her voice left no room for protest as she pulled him through the doorway to finally allow Michael passage into the bathroom. “Tell Wizard Suliman it’s your new style. Unless you wish me to talk your hair into becoming caterpillar green for the rest of your life.”
Howl looked alarmed and announced, “I shall be going now!” He was out of the door faster than Sophie could blink.
Calcifer laughed from his perch on the grate. “He must be wishing Mrs. Pentstemmon never told about your magic now!”
“Let him wish the impossible! It certainly suits him,” Sophie grumbled and headed off to open the shop.
~**~
Ever since it was revealed that old Aunt Jenkins was actually the eldest of the Hatter siblings under a curse of the Witch of the Waste, numerous people from Market Chipping began to frequent the shop. News and rumors always spread fast in their small town. Half of the custom that turned up came for their fresh flowers. The other half seemed to be there mostly to confirm the gossip.
“That must have been awful!” one woman from the tailoring shop down the street exclaimed as she pretended to examine the basket of tulips. “Weren’t you frightened?”
“My husband told me how old Madam Sorceress helped him,” Jane Farrier, now the wife of the Count of Catterack, simpered after purchasing a bunch of daffodils. She had shared that she was in town to merely visit her family. “He was quite surprised when he found out it was a young Sophie Hatter that gave him his victory. But he was no more surprised than I was for I was even more grateful to you for this hat.” She was referring to the mushroom-pleated bonnet set upon her peculiar hair.
“You poor thing,” Bessie, the last employee of their hat shop who was now happily married to her farmer, said with a comforting embrace. “I had always felt sorry to leave you alone in the shop and all that has happened now. I’m glad Wizard Howl removed that curse for you!”
It was difficult enough for Sophie to deal with all the attention from possibly half the town that made up the gossiping circle of Market Chipping. Unfortunately for her, she also found herself in a situation similar to Martha’s after she had switched places with Lettie. Already, she had received more proposals than she dared to count.
“I’ll buy this whole lot if you keep me company for lunch,” the Mayor’s son offered. He was one of those men turned down by Martha previously.
“Sophie, won’t you have a couple of drinks with me after your shift?” The man who used to sell fancy fabrics to Fanny looked hopefully at her.
“I’ll ensure you wouldn’t have to work a single day again!” She received this promise from the young man who swept the cobbled streets near the park.
How or why she suddenly received so many suitors was beyond her. Perhaps it was because of her intriguing ordeal and participation in the Witch of the Waste’s downfall. Maybe it was because of the new dresses that Fanny purchased for her. Whatever the reason, she already was certain of who she wished to be with so she turned them all down as politely as she could. But some were still persistent. She managed to put up with the eager gentlemen somehow, remembering what happened the last time she had let her ire get ahead of her with a customer. She certainly didn’t wish to be turned into an old crone again.
Sophie sighed as she flipped the store sign to ‘CLOSED’ for her break. All the commotion made her even more tired than she became when she got the curse.
“Botheration! I can’t see how Martha dealt with all this attention,” she murmured as she covered the windows with the curtains. “All of this is so unnecessary.”
The bell that notified her of anyone coming in rang, drawing more of her ire. She turned to kindly inform whoever it was to return after two hours, or as kindly as she could since she was sure their ‘CLOSED’ sign was readable. She stopped short however when she recognized the person who entered the doorway as the younger brother of the King, Prince Justin. Remembering her manners, she made to perform a curtsy before he stopped her.
“Please, Miss Hatter, don’t trouble yourself,” the prince bade with a smile. “If anything, I should be the one bowing to you for saving me.”
Sophie immediately shook her head. “It was Howl’s doing. I merely got caught up in everything.”
Justin mirrored her action. “You shouldn’t belittle your efforts. I do recall what you’ve done. I must say I’m impressed, Miss Hatter, with your magic. Did Wizard Howl teach you all of that?”
Her cheeks heated at the praise. “He didn’t, Your Highness. Though living with him has been an educational experience with regard to magic for me.”
He waved off her form of address. “Just call me Justin, Ms. Sophie-if that’s fine with you.” When he received a tentative nod, he continued with some awe. “You must have great talent then if you learnt that on your own!”
Sophie’s blush deepened. “Mrs. Pentstemmon had called it a gift but I am only a novice witch.”
“And what a wonderful gift it is!” Justin exclaimed. “And, I believe I have yet to repay you for your great deeds and services to our Royal Family.”
“But you needn’t do that!”
“I must,” he insisted. “It’s my obligation. I believe I owe you at least half my life.”
Sophie was feeling overwhelmed. She never expected to get any reward for what she did, nor did she want it. Yet, now, the prince himself was adamant that she received it-she could tell he was possibly as stubborn as his older brother, the King.
“Won’t you at least let me accompany you for lunch?” Justin asked.
For all the backbone she grew whilst living with Howl, Sophie found that she couldn’t deny the prince his request.
~**~
Sophie’s acquiescence to Prince Justin started an odd ritual for the two of them for the rest of the time the prince was in Market Chipping. Of course, they never really left the shop during luncheon (they were both far too known now), but the prince’s servants were always ready to bring them food and drink.
The red-haired female found that Prince Justin was actually a pleasant fellow. She thought, at least, that he was easier to be around with than the King. She chalked it up to the fact that he was younger.
“Will High Norland and Strangia really declare war?” she asked in curiosity on the fifth day of their ritual.
“I highly suspect they will,” the prince answered sagely. “However, I’m trying to convince my royal brother to arrange peace talks with them.”
Before Sophie could tell him what a brilliant idea that was, steps resounded from the back of the shop. When she turned, she saw the once more black-haired Howl coming through the passageway.
“So this is where you’ve been hiding,” he said with a rueful shake of his head. He stopped short when he caught sight of the prince. Nonetheless, he remembered to give a polite bow.
“Your Highness! I hadn’t known you were in our humble abode.” At this, Howl gave Sophie a pointed look that she only ignored. “What brings you here? Have you any need for our services? Perhaps you’ve come to purchase a bundle or two of our flowers?”
The prince shook his head and smiled. “Oh, no, Wizard Pendragon. I was merely dropping by to visit.” He moved towards Sophie and put a hand on her shoulder, starling her. “Miss Sophie here looked quite lonely so I decided to prolong my stay.”
Howl’s green eyes focused on Justin’s hand and narrowed. He miraculously refrained from commenting and instead exclaimed jovially, “Well, I am here now, Your Highness! I’m sure I can keep Sophie entertained on my own.” He went as far as to pull her from the prince’s grasp and to his side. He received an elbow to the stomach for his actions.
“Don’t be rude!” Sophie scolded with a frown. She looked back to the prince with a kind smile. “Feel free to stay for as long as you wish, Prince Justin.”
“But I’m sure he’s got other appointments to keep, my dear!” Howl reasoned as he rubbed his sore stomach discreetly.
“He will go to his appointments whenever he wants to!” she argued, now giving the wizard a glare.
There was a pleased note to his voice as Howl returned, “Schedules should be kept, Mrs. Bossy!” He was content to ignore the prince. Unfortunately for him, Sophie was not.
With another elbowing, she turned to Justin again. “Please forgive his rudeness, Your Highness.”
The prince waved off her apology, as he always did. However, his expression held some unexplained disappointment. “Don’t worry. He is correct anyway. I must head off.” He grabbed his hat and gave the two of them a polite bow that both returned. He left the shop without kissing the back of Sophie’s hand, as he had become wont to do.
When the door closed behind him, Sophie turned back to the unrepentant wizard.
“Look, you’ve gone and offended the prince!” she growled at him. “He was only being a nice fellow!”
Howl put his arms across his chest with a frown at her. “And you have been dense, dear Sophie!”
Properly insulted, she protested, “I have not!”
“Garbage!” he exclaimed with a roll of his eyes. “That man was clearly wooing you-and you didn’t even see it!”
Her scowl deepened. “He wanted to repay me for taking care of him when he was a dog.”
“And shooing away his scarecrow parts,” Howl added with an amicable nod. “Sophie, the prince was courting you. I think I’ve done enough courting to know when someone else is doing it.”
At the remembrance of his previous conquests, Sophie only felt his mood darken more. “And what would be wrong with the prince courting me? A lot have certainly tried it for the past months.”
That caught Howl’s attention. “What?”
She felt somewhat smug now. “And you called me dense. I’m sure Michael or Calcifer can tell you how many people have been trying to get my attention.”
“But surely you’ve told them off!”
“A lot of them are even more stubborn than you are,” she explained with a huff and went about rearranging the flowers in their baskets. She was surprised when Howl suddenly turned her around to face him.
“You won’t let them court you anymore, will you?” the wizard asked her anxiously, keeping his hands on her arms.
Greatly annoyed with how he had yet to make a move with her months after he had promised ‘happily ever after’, she answered, “I’m not rude like you are.”
“But-you promised!” If Sophie hadn’t felt so livid, she would have found his look to be pitiful.
“It was a deal,” she clarified with another scowl. “If you don’t keep your end of it, I can’t keep mine.” She had managed to silence the wizard with her words. With a final heated glare at him, she declared, “I’ll be staying with Fanny for a while. If you don’t want to mind the shop, you can keep it closed.”
Sophie left Howl staring at her retreating form in shock.
“Hell’s teeth.” He sank into the chair she had occupied earlier, not minding Calcifer who had just floated into the shop.
“What did you do to bother Sophie now?” the fire demon queried. “She just stormed out of the castle room, orange-down.”
“I really am a coward,” he mumbled as he buried his face into his hands. Surely, Sophie wouldn’t leave him for good.
Would she?
The end?
Dun dun dun. I’m not sure what made me write this. But, hell, I loved writing it. I might end up writing a sequel (what? I did leave a sort-of cliffie) but probably not this month.
For those who have watched the animated movie and wish to read the novel itself, I can send you a copy if ever you’re interested. Just tell me =)
I browsed through the book before writing this. Is it obvious? XD
Hope you guys liked it =3
Fandom: Howl’s Moving Castle (novel)
Pairing: Howl/Sophie, Michael/Martha, Justin/Sophie
Genre: Romance/Humor/Drama
Rating: K+
Summary: Howl promised Sophie a hair-raising happily ever after. She should have known hair-raising wasn’t entirely pleasant, especially with an impossible man like him.
Notes: Written for iu_fanfiction WC # 32 || Prompt: At the end of forever.
Disclaimer: The characters and elements of Howl’s Moving Castle belong to Diana Wynne Jones. Also, the title of this story was borrowed from a song by SheDAISY entitled So Complicated. I thought it fitting XD
Also, dedicated to neko11lover for the wonderful prompts this month. ILU~ <3
This is my first attempt at writing HMC. Considering the setting isn’t modern-day and my original opinion that the novel was that it was perfect as it is, this tugged at my wits. I hope this seemed realistic enough to have happened after the first book and that I kept them in character. My apologies for inconsistencies and errors-I haven’t had the time to consult my beta reader or anyone else who has read the novel.
So Complicated
By Milky Étoile
It was too much to hope for, Sophie Hatter conceded, that Howl would change all of his bad ways after getting his heart back into his chest quite literally.
“You would think he’d realize there’s no need to dress flamboyantly,” she muttered to Calcifer as she sat by the hearth one day, whilst waiting impatiently for Howl to get out of the bathroom, where he had been for more than an hour already. “He’s already ostentatious as he is. And his suits make my eyes ache.”
The fire demon stared at her with his orange eyes. His purple mouth was quirked upwards in amusement. “I told him before that he wouldn’t impress you with his appearance unlike all those girls he wooed before.”
Somewhat flattered but still more annoyed, Sophie pressed her lips together into a thin line. “I have half a mind to talk his hair into being permanently dark.”
Before Calcifer could reply, Michael came into the castle room from the flower shop looking to be full of nerves. He shot a glance towards the closed door of the bathroom and asked quite uselessly, “Is Howl still in there?”
Sophie gave him a nod. “That man ought to get rid of his vanity. Two hours is too much time to take to prepare for a day.”
“Perhaps you should talk his vanity away,” Calcifer suggested.
Michael, instead of commenting, tugged at his dirtied and wrinkled clothes nervously. He had just come in from bringing flowers from Waste to the shop in Market Chipping. “Martha wants to meet up with me for lunch. I can’t go out looking like this.” He started biting his lower lip.
The red-haired female frowned. Then, she stood up from her seat and walked to the bathroom door.
“Sophie?” Michael called uncertainly. “You’re not going to barge in, are you?”
She answered by suddenly banging her fist on the door loudly.
“Howell Jenkins!” she bellowed with the proper fury on behalf of Michael. “You had better get out of there now! Michael needs to clean up more than you do!”
When no answer was forthcoming, Calcifer commented, “He wouldn’t get out of there even if it were Michael’s funeral.”
Ignoring Michael’s offended remarks, Sophie shouted louder, “If you do not get out this moment, I will tear the door down and make sure you can never change the color of your hair again!”
Her threat elicited a loud crash and splashes from inside the bathroom and snickers from Calcifer. Within less than a minute, the door opened to show Howl in his blue and silver suit, now back to its original appearance, with his hair only partially dyed blonde-the right side of his hair was still black. His features were schooled into a very displeased expression.
This did not affect Sophie in the very least as the mixed up smells of whatever perfumes or creams Howl was using assaulted her senses, much to her consternation.
“I’ll have you know,” Howl told her, obviously miffed, though he seemed to have taken Sophie’s threats to heart for he knew she would probably make them true, “hair shouldn’t be left in a dull shade.”
Sophie didn’t care for his opinion and said as much. “Hair is better left natural.”
Howl shook his head in disbelief. “I really don’t see why you must put much value into these natural things,” he said in a repeat of a sentiment he had let her know after he had asked about her hair. “Now I have to go out with this shameful hair or stay here for the rest of the day.”
Sophie knew about his scheduled meeting with Wizard Suliman for the day. She felt even more aggravated with how he seemed to be planning to use his appearance as an excuse to get out of whatever responsibility the reinstated Royal Wizard wished to share with him. There was another one of his horrible habits, the slither-outing fool.
Then again, the only way he could do something was to convince himself not to do it. So, in reality, he wasn’t really slithering out of his responsibility.
Howl really was impossible to understand. Just thinking of his ways made Sophie’s head ache.
“You will have to go to Kingsbury with that.” Her voice left no room for protest as she pulled him through the doorway to finally allow Michael passage into the bathroom. “Tell Wizard Suliman it’s your new style. Unless you wish me to talk your hair into becoming caterpillar green for the rest of your life.”
Howl looked alarmed and announced, “I shall be going now!” He was out of the door faster than Sophie could blink.
Calcifer laughed from his perch on the grate. “He must be wishing Mrs. Pentstemmon never told about your magic now!”
“Let him wish the impossible! It certainly suits him,” Sophie grumbled and headed off to open the shop.
~**~
Ever since it was revealed that old Aunt Jenkins was actually the eldest of the Hatter siblings under a curse of the Witch of the Waste, numerous people from Market Chipping began to frequent the shop. News and rumors always spread fast in their small town. Half of the custom that turned up came for their fresh flowers. The other half seemed to be there mostly to confirm the gossip.
“That must have been awful!” one woman from the tailoring shop down the street exclaimed as she pretended to examine the basket of tulips. “Weren’t you frightened?”
“My husband told me how old Madam Sorceress helped him,” Jane Farrier, now the wife of the Count of Catterack, simpered after purchasing a bunch of daffodils. She had shared that she was in town to merely visit her family. “He was quite surprised when he found out it was a young Sophie Hatter that gave him his victory. But he was no more surprised than I was for I was even more grateful to you for this hat.” She was referring to the mushroom-pleated bonnet set upon her peculiar hair.
“You poor thing,” Bessie, the last employee of their hat shop who was now happily married to her farmer, said with a comforting embrace. “I had always felt sorry to leave you alone in the shop and all that has happened now. I’m glad Wizard Howl removed that curse for you!”
It was difficult enough for Sophie to deal with all the attention from possibly half the town that made up the gossiping circle of Market Chipping. Unfortunately for her, she also found herself in a situation similar to Martha’s after she had switched places with Lettie. Already, she had received more proposals than she dared to count.
“I’ll buy this whole lot if you keep me company for lunch,” the Mayor’s son offered. He was one of those men turned down by Martha previously.
“Sophie, won’t you have a couple of drinks with me after your shift?” The man who used to sell fancy fabrics to Fanny looked hopefully at her.
“I’ll ensure you wouldn’t have to work a single day again!” She received this promise from the young man who swept the cobbled streets near the park.
How or why she suddenly received so many suitors was beyond her. Perhaps it was because of her intriguing ordeal and participation in the Witch of the Waste’s downfall. Maybe it was because of the new dresses that Fanny purchased for her. Whatever the reason, she already was certain of who she wished to be with so she turned them all down as politely as she could. But some were still persistent. She managed to put up with the eager gentlemen somehow, remembering what happened the last time she had let her ire get ahead of her with a customer. She certainly didn’t wish to be turned into an old crone again.
Sophie sighed as she flipped the store sign to ‘CLOSED’ for her break. All the commotion made her even more tired than she became when she got the curse.
“Botheration! I can’t see how Martha dealt with all this attention,” she murmured as she covered the windows with the curtains. “All of this is so unnecessary.”
The bell that notified her of anyone coming in rang, drawing more of her ire. She turned to kindly inform whoever it was to return after two hours, or as kindly as she could since she was sure their ‘CLOSED’ sign was readable. She stopped short however when she recognized the person who entered the doorway as the younger brother of the King, Prince Justin. Remembering her manners, she made to perform a curtsy before he stopped her.
“Please, Miss Hatter, don’t trouble yourself,” the prince bade with a smile. “If anything, I should be the one bowing to you for saving me.”
Sophie immediately shook her head. “It was Howl’s doing. I merely got caught up in everything.”
Justin mirrored her action. “You shouldn’t belittle your efforts. I do recall what you’ve done. I must say I’m impressed, Miss Hatter, with your magic. Did Wizard Howl teach you all of that?”
Her cheeks heated at the praise. “He didn’t, Your Highness. Though living with him has been an educational experience with regard to magic for me.”
He waved off her form of address. “Just call me Justin, Ms. Sophie-if that’s fine with you.” When he received a tentative nod, he continued with some awe. “You must have great talent then if you learnt that on your own!”
Sophie’s blush deepened. “Mrs. Pentstemmon had called it a gift but I am only a novice witch.”
“And what a wonderful gift it is!” Justin exclaimed. “And, I believe I have yet to repay you for your great deeds and services to our Royal Family.”
“But you needn’t do that!”
“I must,” he insisted. “It’s my obligation. I believe I owe you at least half my life.”
Sophie was feeling overwhelmed. She never expected to get any reward for what she did, nor did she want it. Yet, now, the prince himself was adamant that she received it-she could tell he was possibly as stubborn as his older brother, the King.
“Won’t you at least let me accompany you for lunch?” Justin asked.
For all the backbone she grew whilst living with Howl, Sophie found that she couldn’t deny the prince his request.
~**~
Sophie’s acquiescence to Prince Justin started an odd ritual for the two of them for the rest of the time the prince was in Market Chipping. Of course, they never really left the shop during luncheon (they were both far too known now), but the prince’s servants were always ready to bring them food and drink.
The red-haired female found that Prince Justin was actually a pleasant fellow. She thought, at least, that he was easier to be around with than the King. She chalked it up to the fact that he was younger.
“Will High Norland and Strangia really declare war?” she asked in curiosity on the fifth day of their ritual.
“I highly suspect they will,” the prince answered sagely. “However, I’m trying to convince my royal brother to arrange peace talks with them.”
Before Sophie could tell him what a brilliant idea that was, steps resounded from the back of the shop. When she turned, she saw the once more black-haired Howl coming through the passageway.
“So this is where you’ve been hiding,” he said with a rueful shake of his head. He stopped short when he caught sight of the prince. Nonetheless, he remembered to give a polite bow.
“Your Highness! I hadn’t known you were in our humble abode.” At this, Howl gave Sophie a pointed look that she only ignored. “What brings you here? Have you any need for our services? Perhaps you’ve come to purchase a bundle or two of our flowers?”
The prince shook his head and smiled. “Oh, no, Wizard Pendragon. I was merely dropping by to visit.” He moved towards Sophie and put a hand on her shoulder, starling her. “Miss Sophie here looked quite lonely so I decided to prolong my stay.”
Howl’s green eyes focused on Justin’s hand and narrowed. He miraculously refrained from commenting and instead exclaimed jovially, “Well, I am here now, Your Highness! I’m sure I can keep Sophie entertained on my own.” He went as far as to pull her from the prince’s grasp and to his side. He received an elbow to the stomach for his actions.
“Don’t be rude!” Sophie scolded with a frown. She looked back to the prince with a kind smile. “Feel free to stay for as long as you wish, Prince Justin.”
“But I’m sure he’s got other appointments to keep, my dear!” Howl reasoned as he rubbed his sore stomach discreetly.
“He will go to his appointments whenever he wants to!” she argued, now giving the wizard a glare.
There was a pleased note to his voice as Howl returned, “Schedules should be kept, Mrs. Bossy!” He was content to ignore the prince. Unfortunately for him, Sophie was not.
With another elbowing, she turned to Justin again. “Please forgive his rudeness, Your Highness.”
The prince waved off her apology, as he always did. However, his expression held some unexplained disappointment. “Don’t worry. He is correct anyway. I must head off.” He grabbed his hat and gave the two of them a polite bow that both returned. He left the shop without kissing the back of Sophie’s hand, as he had become wont to do.
When the door closed behind him, Sophie turned back to the unrepentant wizard.
“Look, you’ve gone and offended the prince!” she growled at him. “He was only being a nice fellow!”
Howl put his arms across his chest with a frown at her. “And you have been dense, dear Sophie!”
Properly insulted, she protested, “I have not!”
“Garbage!” he exclaimed with a roll of his eyes. “That man was clearly wooing you-and you didn’t even see it!”
Her scowl deepened. “He wanted to repay me for taking care of him when he was a dog.”
“And shooing away his scarecrow parts,” Howl added with an amicable nod. “Sophie, the prince was courting you. I think I’ve done enough courting to know when someone else is doing it.”
At the remembrance of his previous conquests, Sophie only felt his mood darken more. “And what would be wrong with the prince courting me? A lot have certainly tried it for the past months.”
That caught Howl’s attention. “What?”
She felt somewhat smug now. “And you called me dense. I’m sure Michael or Calcifer can tell you how many people have been trying to get my attention.”
“But surely you’ve told them off!”
“A lot of them are even more stubborn than you are,” she explained with a huff and went about rearranging the flowers in their baskets. She was surprised when Howl suddenly turned her around to face him.
“You won’t let them court you anymore, will you?” the wizard asked her anxiously, keeping his hands on her arms.
Greatly annoyed with how he had yet to make a move with her months after he had promised ‘happily ever after’, she answered, “I’m not rude like you are.”
“But-you promised!” If Sophie hadn’t felt so livid, she would have found his look to be pitiful.
“It was a deal,” she clarified with another scowl. “If you don’t keep your end of it, I can’t keep mine.” She had managed to silence the wizard with her words. With a final heated glare at him, she declared, “I’ll be staying with Fanny for a while. If you don’t want to mind the shop, you can keep it closed.”
Sophie left Howl staring at her retreating form in shock.
“Hell’s teeth.” He sank into the chair she had occupied earlier, not minding Calcifer who had just floated into the shop.
“What did you do to bother Sophie now?” the fire demon queried. “She just stormed out of the castle room, orange-down.”
“I really am a coward,” he mumbled as he buried his face into his hands. Surely, Sophie wouldn’t leave him for good.
Would she?
The end?
Dun dun dun. I’m not sure what made me write this. But, hell, I loved writing it. I might end up writing a sequel (what? I did leave a sort-of cliffie) but probably not this month.
For those who have watched the animated movie and wish to read the novel itself, I can send you a copy if ever you’re interested. Just tell me =)
I browsed through the book before writing this. Is it obvious? XD
Hope you guys liked it =3