A Heart in Flames #2 (Howl's Moving Castle fanfiction)

Chapter 14: Know Your Place

There was something about him that she couldn't help but find deeply unappealing. Every time her mother sent her on the carriage to the Kingsbury Palace to spend time with Owen, Sophie felt a queasy feeling in her stomach. She loathed the days that they spent together. It wasn't hard to pinpoint his flaws; in fact, it was much more difficult to find something that she actually liked about him.

"And after lessons with mother, I usually spend time in the library to improve my skills." Owen gestured Sophie into the Grand Library, the number of books surpassing the amount she expected there to be in the world. Shelves lined from the floor to the ceiling on each wall except the one with the windows encasing the whole.

There were tables and desks and couches, where she noticed one of the princes sitting and reading. She hadn't talked to the princes much after the ball they attended - her time in the last four years was spent with Owen, getting to know her future husband.

"Justin, nice to see you again." Owen bowed to the Prince, Sophie following with a curtsy.

Justin nodded, then focused his attention on Sophie. He raised his eyebrows at her, for it had been quite a while since their initial meeting. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance again, Miss Hatter."

Sophie's lips trembled. She remembered her mother's words on how to reply when approached by a royal figure. She forced a smile. "The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness."

Justin smiled and gradually carried his eyes away from her to continue his book. Owen stretched his hand out for Sophie, who hesitated before lightly accepting his gesture. He led her to the large window and motioned for her to sit on the red armchair. She obeyed.

The windows revealed the whole of the capital city. Kingsbury was magnificent; Sophie felt lucky to be able to visit simply because of her endearment for the capital. It was much busier than Market Chipping, people bustling around and active from the moment she arrived at the Palace to the moment when she would leave. It was spectacular.

"Kingsbury is beautiful." Sophie said, her voice so soft she thought he may not have heard.

Owen coughed. "It's all right. I've been to places much greater than here. The mountains of Fiyaj, the rainforests of Monguru... those are the places you want to see. Once you've been there a while, though, they kind of bore you."

Sophie nodded, though she didn't quite understand how anyone could live in a city this grand and become bored of it. She couldn't understand how those faraway places with mountains and rainforests could ever seem dull. Every time she entered the capital city, she felt a certain enchantment and wonder that could not be found in Market Chipping.

And here was Owen, given everything he had asked for since the day he was born, and still never satisfied.

Sophie gulped. "I wonder what it would be like to visit those places."

Owen tilted his head, a sharp smile on his face. "Maybe someday you will."

As Sophie saw his smile, she froze. She imagined her future with him - going to exotic places and watching him increase his skills; bearing his children to become as powerful as him; becoming a palace housewife.

She didn't want this. She didn't want a life dictated by the will of others, a puppet in the hands of those with more power. Her mother. Owen.

Madame Suliman.

As if on cue, the Royal Sorceress stood proudly in the doorway, wearing an exquisite blue gown. Her attire always dressed like she was attending a royal ball or special occasion. She leaned against the door, her eyes fixed on the two sitting by the window.