It was a special day in Kingsbury, and a day that would not be forgotten. Women danced around in their element in a sea of frilly colourful dresses, flirting with their body language at would be beau's, and onlookers. Men accosted women, who held lacy parasols above their heads, shielding the dangerous rays of the sun from their pristine, wrinkle-free faces. Music rang through the streets and alleys as if Kingsbury was a theatre with expert acoustics. Sophie would always joke that maybe the city was created with the frequent festival in mind, of course there was no way to prove this, as Kingsbury was quite old, but the thought humoured her.

Sophie, despite a joyous occasion, was cooped up in a grand structure- though not of the Moving Castle as she had originally intended. She sat crossed legged on a rather high stool, in a rather richly decorated room, and even more so decorated woman sat opposite her.
"Yes well, I'm sure it is a bit sudden, isn't it ?" The woman piped up, taking a sip from her tea, "Anyhow, with the wedding of a royal wizard looming around the corner, I'd be delighted to have you on board , heavens knows what might happen if we are understaffed". And that was how Sophie had gotten a job in Kingsbury's most prestigious high-tea room, by lying about her credentials as a way to stay busy.

...

"Oh Howl, it was simply wonderful" Sophie beamed, hanging her shawl up, "She couldn't refuse my charm". Howl leant down for a kiss, pulling her in by her waist.
"I can't refuse your charm" he growled mid kiss. It was Sophie who broke off their activity, much to the mortified, onlooking Michael.
"You're imitation spell worked so well" She practically glowed, thinking back to her new-found sense of responsibility.
"Yes" Howl agreed, opting for a hug. Her new found responsibility she was referring to was of course the job she had just gotten, much to Howl's disapproval. Although he did prefer her working with Harriet in a tea shop, than scrubbing the floors of another irresistibly attractive wizard.
"I don't know why you're so adamant on working, most women a week before their wedding are unwinding, usually opting for a stress-free lifestyle" He smirked, holding Sophie at a distance to admire her features. Sophie stepped away from his embrace and waltzed over to the fireplace, giving Howl a "if-you-won't-listen-to-me-someone-else-will" look, all the while gushing to Calcifer.

Both Howl and his wife knew that if she didn't have anything to keep her busy in the week leading up to their wedding, then Sophie would get up to all kinds of trouble. Howl figured it was nerves thing, but he also came to the conclusion she would never tell him that. It had worked out much to Fanny's approval. A much as she hated the idea of her unmarried stepdaughter living with an unmarried man, especially if that unmarried man was Howl; she let her stay in the Moving Castle. However when she received the news that there was to be a wedding she practically screamed at the thought of Sophie being around Howl in the weeks leading up to it. When Howl begged at her feet, saying how much he needed Sophie, she reluctantly agreed to allow her stepdaughter to sleep at the castle, as long as she kept herself busy, and Sophie agreed. Her separation with Howl for the days caused her to eagerly anticipate the time they would be reunited, and anything that made that smile spread across her face when she opened the door of the castle made Howl happy too.

It was Howl's idea to use an imitation spell on Sophie; he didn't want rumours spreading about his fiancée job hunting when he could easily provide for her. He figured he could've re-imagined her whole appearance, but he feared that his creation would be too irresistible for men entering the shop, and Sophie might find someone better than him. He toyed with the idea of making her an old woman, but Sophie refused, saying that you're only ninety twice. In the end he went with the most terrifying, and completely resistible woman he knew: His sister. There was the added bonus that no one would recognise her from anywhere, or the original woman would walk into the shop. The downside was when she would come home early and the spell had not yet worn off, insisting a kiss from Howl, and Howl would gag at the thought of making out with his sister. "You know, there are other ways to secure my last name than becoming my sister" he would tease occasionally.

Howl glanced at his soon to be wife, who had pulled a chair close to the hearth, and was carefully leaning on the edge.
"Oh, it was actually quite funny" she giggled, "She asked me if I knew anything about the wedding everyone was fussing about"
"Really!?" a clearly amazed calcifer awed back, "Completely taken back by Sophie. Howl shot Calcifer a "You-better-not-flirt-Sophie-out-of-this-marriage" look, but he was too preoccupied to notice.
"I of course had to lie"
"Of course you did" Howl interrupted, taking a place next to his wife, "You're obviously so ashamed to be marrying me".
"Clearly" His fiancée rolled her eyes, this registered a fiery laugh from their flame friend.
"Well" she announced regaining her height, "I must be off for my beauty sleep, biiiiig day tomorrow..." She imitated her soon to be husband, gliding up the stairs.

Howl glanced at Calcifer, "That sounded nothing like me" He huffed.
"Howl" his friend groaned, causing him to snap out of his state.
"She left the door open" Calcifer continued, "She wants you to follow".
Howl jumped up from his spot, gleefully running to the stairs, "Hey! That's my move" he yelled, "Don't steal that from me".