Fire, Hearts, and Starlight

royal summons

Howl hadn't seen Turnip Head in months. How will he look him in the eye with the ring on his finger?

Tags: Howl/Sophie, Humor

Howl didn't want to be here. He thought that after the war he'd be done with royal summons.

But Sophie answered the door to an Ingary messenger boy and was able to get to Howl first about the message.

The prince requested Wizard Howl Jenkins Pendragon to come to Kingsbury for a meeting of importance. Sophie insisted that they go, that if Turnip Head needed his help, he should help. And, since Howl was through being a double agent in an idiotic war, he had no reason to not assist Ingary with loyalty. After all, the only reason he was a double agent to begin with was so he could find Sophie.

He had to travel to Kingsbury now, giving up his portal door for Sophie's garden door. Although, when one can turn into a bird, there isn't much to worry about.

Sophie made sure he was well packed and had plenty of food and sent him on his way with a kiss, after endless pestering.

"Why don't you come with me?"

"I have to take care of Markl. He won't eat without someone here."

"What if Turnip asks for you?"

"Send him my best regards."

When she finally pushed him out of the Folding Valley Door, he sighed.

When he arrived at Kingsbury, it looked much the same. It was the atmosphere that was different. With Turnip returned to his throne, the Kingdom seemed to be in much better spirits. He walked through the city with his head held high, his checked cloak bellowing behind him. He looked every part of that wizard that once was rumored to eat the hearts of pretty girls, except for something in his gaze.

He was accompanied to the castle by a footman, and brought to a bedroom near the meeting hall. He could hear the chatter of other wizards in the hall, although what about he couldn't hear. He flopped onto the bed and sighed, twisting his wedding band. He decided to wait here until the meeting.

When the time finally arrived, Howl walked to the meeting room. Other wizards were already seated, and a few were still trickling in. Howl took a seat next to one of his old school friends but didn't move to make any conversation. Nola was her name, he remembered after a moment. She was born in Kingsbury, and granted a place at Suliman's table because of her status, although Howl had to admit she was an alright witch herself.

"Why, is that Wizard Howl?" Nola questioned, feigning shock in her tone. He didn't turn to her but smirked slightly. "No feet on the table? Where are those unmistakable bad manners you passed off as confidence?"

Howl smirked mischievously. "Schooled out of me, I'm afraid."

"How sad," she quipped. "How are you doing, Howl? Still eating the hearts of pretty girls?" She shared a laugh with a woman across the table Howl didn't know. Howl never liked those rumors. He was always afraid they would scare Sophie away if he found her.

"Haven't you heard?" another wizard asked next to Nola. "Wizard Howl is a married man now."

At this, Nola looked truly shocked for a moment, before she tried to hide it. Howl smirked with a twinge of pride.

"Is that so?" Nola drawled. "Are you happily married, or just making the inevitable breakup all the more heartbreaking?"

"Despite what the rumors suggest, I never ate women's hearts. And yes, I truly love this girl. I intend to keep her trust."

Nola huffed a laugh. "I pity the poor woman. Although she did do a good job of cleaning you up a bit."

Howl said nothing more, and a moment later the prince was announced. Prince Justin walked out in a simple outfit, considering his high status. Howl suddenly felt uncomfortable, especially when the prince's gaze sifted to all the wizards, and lingered on Howl just a moment longer.

He'd heard about Turnip's curse, although he was unconscious when his spell was broken. The Witch of the Waste had told him to take care of Sophie, because if he didn't prince Justin would come and take her away.

As far as Howl knew, prince Justin had no other romantic interests.

The meeting went smoothly enough. The prince suggested a magic school, since so many young magic wielders don't have access to an apprenticeship. The wizards were surprisingly all in agreement. And since the war, magic academies already available have been compromised, and were already questionable in their teaching methods.

He ended the meeting with a smile.

"In addition to a job if you so wish it, as a thank you for your contributions, any apprentices you have already undertaken will have automatic enrollment."

Howl smiled at that. Markl will be so excited.

The meetings were to continue for another week to hear ideas for the academy and work out kinks, such as location, classes, and how to appoint teachers and staff. All the wizards seemed to be in good spirits as they left the hall.

Howl tried to sneak away with the crowd, but was stopped before he could get very far.

"Wizard Howl, will you stay a moment?" prince Justin asked, his smile still in place.

Nola smirked as she passed him, and he had to stop himself from rolling his eyes at her.

Howl remained by his seat until the rest of the wizards filed out. Prince Justin stood behind his chair, smiling until the last wizard left the hall.

Then the smile fell into something else. Sadness didn't quite seem to cut it.

"How are you, Wizard Howl?" the prince asked.

"I'm well, your highness."

The prince laughed a little. "What happened to Turnip? Are we not family, as you said?"

That surprised Howl a little, and it must've shown on his face, because he chuckled again.

"I am only joking."

Howl sighed a little. "We still call you Turnip, when we talk about those months."

"You and Sophie?"

There is was. The mention Howl was dreading.

"Yes."

"And I heard you married her." It wasn't a question. It felt like an accusation.

Howl nodded. The prince sighed, but smiled softly. It didn't look entirely forced.

"Is she happy?"

Howl hesitated, then said, "I believe so."

"Take care of her, will you?"

That caught Howl off guard. He looked at the prince, only to notice him staring out the window. Howl was silent for a moment.

"I will."

"And, when we get this academy up and running, let her come and see it, if she'd like. I would love to see her again."

Howl smiled at him, reassuring. "I'm sure she'd love to."

Despite all the worrying, Howl left the castle on good terms with the prince.