Merry-Go-Round of Life (HowlxReader)

In Which (Y/N) Earns Their Keep

(Y/N) awoke to find themselves in a room and a cozy bed. The walls were lined with herbs and jewels, not a bit of the room was left undecorated. (Y/N) stretched and got out of the bed with a yawn. After making the bed as neatly as they could, (Y/N) made their way downstairs.
"I cannot believe Howl brought a strange person into his bed again."
"Who said that?" said (Y/N) darting their head around to find the source of the comment.
"In the fireplace!"
"And who might you be?"
"I'm an extremely powerful fire demon named Calcifer."
"And that's why you're so scary, huh? Come, help me make breakfast."
"Uh-uh, I'm not taking any orders from you."
(Y/N) grabbed some eggs, bacon, and potatoes. "All right, Calcifer. Let's get cooking." said (Y/N), rolling up their sleeves.
"I don't cook! I'm a scary and powerful fire demon!"
"How would you like a bucket of cold water in your face?"
"Alright, Alright!"
And with that, (Y/N) put a skillet on Calcifer and began to fry the bacon and eggs.
"Here's a curse. May all your bacon burn." said Calcifer grumpily.
A pair of footsteps stomped down the stairs.
"I'm hungry!" called a little boy.
"Hang on, breakfast will be done in a little bit." replied (Y/N), "now grate these potatoes."
"Who are you? And how are you getting Calcifer to cook for you?" asked the boy, as he quickly shredded the potatoes.
"I'm (Y/N), and Calcifer is doing what I say because he's a coward." (Y/N) said, putting the eggs and bacon on three plates and adding the grated potatoes to the skillet and frying them.
"Hey! How would you like to be threatened this early in the morning?"
While the three bickered and chattered, Howl slipped in the door and snuck behind (Y/N).
"Boo!" Howl said, placing his hands on both of (Y/N)'s shoulders. (Y/N) jumped slightly and scowled at Howl. "Oh don't be like that, if it weren't for me, you would've slept on the cold, hard floor."
"You put me in the bed?"
"You could've told me you had nowhere to stay, I would've offered. Now that you're here, you're going to have to earn your keep." At his words, (Y/N) immediately began to clean the front room. They were fully prepared to work hard if it meant a place to sleep, food, and a salary. "Say Calcifer, you're being so obedient."
"Not on purpose. She bullied me." said Calcifer, still in a sour mood.
"Not just anybody can do that." Howl tossed the egg shells into Calcifer's hungry mouth and sat down at the table beside Markl who had finished the potatoes, put portions on the plates (giving himself the most), and was heartily wolfing down his breakfast.
"It's good!" said Markl, mouth full of potato.
"Markl, do not talk with your mouth full. And what do we say?" scolded Howl. Markl deeply swallowed.
"Thank you." said Markl, his mood slightly dampened due to his scolding.
"Huh?" said (Y/N), finally joining them at the table after cleaning the room as fast as they could. "Oh! You're welcome! I still need to mop the floors, wash the dishes, and dust, but I've cleared most of the general clutter."
"I'm going out today. I have some business to attend to. Markl, you tend to the shop. (Y/N), you can tidy the rest of the place, it's been too long since it's looked even this nice." Howl explained, gesturing to (Y/N)'s work in the front room.
"Yessir!" (Y/N) said quickly. Howl turned and contorted his face as Calcifer laughed and Markl tried to stifle his own laughter.
"Don't call me that," Howl groaned. "It makes me sound like I'm some old man."
"Then what should I call you?" said (Y/N), genuinely surprised that this would offend Howl. Howl paused in thought for a moment.
"I suppose you could call me 'Master Howl' as Markl does." He said finally.
(Y/N) only nodded in response. Howl finished his breakfast and exited without a word.
Markl finished his breakfast and put on his disguise. (Y/N) finished their breakfast and began to gather and wash the dishes.
"Porthaven door!" Calcifer called
"Must be a customer." Markl mutterd, "Stand by." Markl opened the door to reveal a little girl. "Yes, my dear child?"
"My mom sent me to pick up a spell." she said shyly.
"Yes, do wait just a moment."
"OK."
Markl reached into a cabinet, pulled out a satchel and a bottle, and placed the bottle in the satchel.
"Dust your ship with this powder and the winds will favor it." he says, handing the satchel to the girl.
"Thanks." she called, as she ran home.
"Farewell, child."
"You're wearing a disguise." (Y/N) asked.
"I have to. I'm practicing my magic." Markl replied.
"It's the Kingsbury door!" shouted Calcifer. (Y/N) grabbed a mop and pointed their finger at it. The mop began to clean the floors as (Y/N) moved out of the way.
"Stand by." said Markl.
"Good day. Would this be the residence of the great Wizard Pendragon?" said a soldier at the door.
"It is." said Markl.
"I bear an invitation from His Majesty the King. Please inform Mr. Pendragon that he is required to attend the ball at the palace as guest of honor for his recent heroic efforts for the people of Kingsbury."
"I will inform him right away."
Markl shut the door and began to laugh.
"Oh! A ball!" (Y/N) said dreamily. "I've always wanted to attend one. And Master Howl gets to be a guest of honor to a royal one? How lucky!"
"Maybe if he hadn't already run through all of the nobles he found attractive yet." said Markl, as he finally stopped laughing.
"What do you mean?" asked (Y/N).
"I mean that Master Howl won't have a date for the ball, he's already broken all of the eligible hearts!" said Markl.
Calcifer and Markl began to laugh again.

After all the days work was done, (Y/N) had made the castle spotless, Markl had managed the shops, and Calcifer had kept the castle moving and cooked meals, Markl and (Y/N) sat down.
"Thanks for all the food today! Dinner was especially good!" said Markl.
"You're so welcome!" (Y/N) replied. Howl walked in and silently walked upstairs and to the bathroom.
"So, tell me, where does the black one lead?" (Y/N) said, gesturing to the door.
"Only Master Howl knows that." Markl replied.
Shortly after, a blood curdling shriek was heard from the bathroom.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
i'm really excited with how this story is coming about. i added a plot point that wasn't in the outline to this chapter, i wonder if you can guess what it was? anyway, from now on, expect new chapters every saturday! i have outlined up until chapter four, so hopefully i'll be able to keep up!