❛ 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒆 ❜

18

as soon as y/n stepped outside, she was immediately taken aback by her surroundings. instead of the usual rolling hills or forests, she had come to associate with the moving castle, she found herself standing at the edge of a bustling harbor. the salty scent of the sea filled the air, mingling with the sounds of seagulls squawking overhead and the gentle lapping of waves against the docks. the sight of ships anchored nearby, their sails billowing slightly in the breeze, only added to the surreal nature of the scene.

y/n's steps faltered as she took in the unfamiliar environment, her brow furrowing in confusion. she turned around, expecting to see the familiar sight of the castle's doors, but instead, she was met with the façade of an ordinary-looking building—a quaint, unassuming structure that seemed out of place given where she knew she had just come from. perplexed, y/n looked back at howl, her expression silently asking the question that was on her mind: what is going on?

catching her gaze, howl spoke up, "i'll explain later," he promised, waving off her concerns as if their sudden appearance by the sea was no big deal.

y/n opened her mouth to press further but decided against it. "okay..." she replied, her voice tinged with lingering confusion. she quickly fell into step beside howl, her eyes darting around to take in the sights and sounds of the harbor town. it was so different from anything she had ever experienced—vibrant and lively, with people bustling about their daily routines.

but what truly captivated her was the ocean. y/n had never seen the ocean before in her life; her entire world had been confined to the inland town she grew up in. now, seeing the vast expanse of water stretching out to the horizon, she couldn't help but gape at it in awe. every few steps, she stole glances at the waves, mesmerized by the way the sunlight danced on the surface, creating a glittering tapestry of blues and greens.

howl, noticing her fascination, couldn't help but smile softly to himself. he placed a gentle hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the crowded streets. the touch was light, almost imperceptible, but it sent a shiver up y/n's spine, her face flushing red at the intimate gesture. she bit her lip, trying to maintain her composure, but the warmth of his hand lingered, making it impossible for her to completely suppress the fluttering in her chest. the two of them moved through the town, howl keeping his head down slightly, his eyes hidden beneath strands of his dark hair.

he didn't want to draw any unwanted attention—after all, he was still a wizard with a reputation, and the last thing he needed was to be recognized in the middle of their outing. y/n, on the other hand, was too engrossed in her surroundings to notice his subtle efforts at remaining incognito.

eventually, howl led her to a bustling marketplace, the air filled with the scents of fresh produce, baked goods, and other delicacies. stalls were lined up in rows, each one offering a variety of goods that made y/n's mouth water just at the sight. there were crates of colorful vegetables, baskets overflowing with ripe fruit, loaves of bread fresh out of the oven, and— much to her surprise— tables piled high with freshly caught fish.

y/n hesitated at the sight of the fish, her eyes wide with curiosity. seafood was a rarity in her hometown, considered a delicacy due to how far inland they were. she had never actually tried it before, and the prospect of tasting something so foreign was both exciting and intimidating. but as she stepped closer to inspect the catch of the day, she was suddenly reminded of a rather crucial detail—she didn't have any money. her shoulders slumped slightly as she stepped back from the stall, her gaze lingering on the glistening fish.

"not interested, huh?" the burly seller grumbled, his voice rough like the sea he undoubtedly spent most of his time on.

y/n offered him a small, apologetic smile. "sorry, just looking..." she half-lied, a pang of disappointment settling in her chest. how was she supposed to buy food for howl and herself if she didn't even have a single coin to her name? before she could dwell on the problem for too long, she heard the sound of something being set down in front of the seller. startled, y/n looked up just in time to see howl placing a small basket on the counter.