howl x reader / the curse

3: consequences

. . .

After running away and leaving Howl by himself that night, princess y/n had a bad feeling about that meeting. Maybe Howl recognized her? Maybe she made a fool out of herself?

These thoughts made y/n zone out, when she was supposed to be listening to her lessons. Princess didn't seem like a big overthinker, but she was. Princess grew up in such a small space, such a small world, that even small occurrences made her lose her mind.

Just when y/n was about to forget that night and focus, she was asked to leave the lessons early. For an unknown reason, the king requested her to visit the throne room. Y/n had a guess, what all of this was about, but didn't want to believe it to be true. Too bad, princess had too much of a good intuition.

She stepped into the room and sighed in relief. There was only her father, comfortably sitting on the throne.

Princess politely lowered her head down and up, and greeted her father "Hello dear father, what's with this sudden request?"

"I have some good news! We caught that wizard howl. He was out in the town few nights ago, talking with some girl." King started explaining with a satisfied smile.

Y/n almost choked on her own spit. Good thing they didn't notice who was the mystery lady she thought.

"That girl must have distracted him from hiding. As the town's local guards said, Howl's lady friend left him all alone and ran away. Howl was so shocked, that he sat there, not even blinking."

It was interesting for y/n to hear this whole story from another person's point of view. She was amused and even giggled a little, when she heard how shocked was the wizard. She thought she was acting like a fool, when she ran away after Howl impolitely laughed at her, but look at who's laughing now.

Father noticed y/n smirking and waited for her to get back to listening, so he could continue "That's when he was once again asked to come to the castle, this time more forcefully"

"More forcefully? How could he be asked forcefully"

"You know, i am not a forceful person, but the guards wanted to get this over with. So by 'asked' i meant he was sent here without asking" king then stood up from his throne.

"Wait!" Y/n quickly interrupted, because the last sentence caught her off guard "he's in the palace?"

"He certainly is!"

Y/n's heart skipped a beat. What now. She can't show her face to Howl, not after chatting with him that night. Princess started breathing so heavily, even the king thought she had a stroke.

"Is my dearest alright?" King looked at y/n with a worried look.

Y/n hurried out of the throne room before her father could ask any more questions. She went upstairs and straight to her room, locked her door and plopped into bed. What a day.

Things weren't looking so good. Y/n was trying to think of a plan. She had to make it clear to herself, which was worse, her father finding out about her sneaking out, or Howl finding out she's the infamous princess.

In the end, princess was more worried about making her father sad than being made fun of by some fool.

Y/n took of her school uniform, which was impractical long blue dress with and flat shoes, that were already too small for her feet. Y/n always had wondered why she has to wear a uniform when she's home schooled.  The uniform was so uncomfortable that it took her at least 15 minutes to take off. It made her irritated, especially now, when she has to hurry and get to Howl before their official meeting. Princess has a plan, to make a deal with Howl, so he won't mention her trips to the town to the king. Y/n briskly put on a fancy white blouse with an emerald brooch and picked out a long, flowy black skirt to wear with it then hurried out of the room.

She searched all through the guest rooms, but there was no sign of Howl. Y/n was out of breath and for that reason decided to walk out to the garden. As she was pushing the backdoor of the castle y/n noticed it being heavier than she remembered.

"Excuse me?" The man, that was sent flying from princess's fierce push, expressed his awe.

Y/n saw a familiar blond man, standing, his hands on his head, yapping in pain.
Lady y/n hid behind the door, leaving only a portion of her head peaking.

The blond man, who unsurprisingly was Howl, swiftly moved his head to catch his wrongdoers face. His puzzled face softened quickly after he saw a well-known face "Well, well, w-"

"Yes" y/n rolled her eyes and took a deep breath before revealing herself by stepping away from the door's cover "it's me"

Wizard bowed, which princess took as a sarcastic gesture and greeted y/n "Nice to meet you princess Y/n, I, Wizard Howl Jenkins Pendragon, am very pleased to meet you"

Howl reached out his hand and when y/n hesitantly took it, he lowered his head and was about to give it a light peck. Princess instantly snatched her hand from Howl's grip and proceeded to hide her hands behind the back.

"Enough with the greetings, i was looking for you" Y/n slightly turned her head in other direction to avoid wizard's eyes as he straightened his head from the previous pose.

"Looking for me? How romantic" howl raised his brows for a moment "looking, as if you hadn't abandoned me the last time we met" Wizard showed a smile, that intentionally or unintentionally was teasing.

Y/n felt her cheeks heat up from the embarrassment. She didn't think she'd have to face the wizard ever again, but there she was "Abandon is a big word, 'left' would be more fitting"

Howl sighed and tilted his head up before speaking "I see that madam is not very fond of jokes"

"Unfunny ones - yes" Princess angled her head down, but for a brief moment looked up to check on Howl's expression.

Howl chuckled at y/n's eyes flickering from his face to ground the moment he caught her gaze.

With a flustered face and anxious thoughts, princess y/n opened her mouth to explain the deal to Howl.

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