"Hold the door Granny, these things are heavy!" Michael whines. Sophie turns to see poor Michael struggling to carry what looked like boxes of books into the living room as little old Granny shuffles in behind him.

"Be careful with those books, son. They're even older than me." Granny warns with a face that reminded Sophie of a formidable school teacher. Michael groans as he finally manages to make it to the small coffee table where he drops the boxes in a puff of dust.

"How's that even possible?" Michael grumbles under his breath. This, though nearly inaudible to Sophie's young ears, was still heard by Granny, and she seemed to believe it warranted a smack over the head with her cane. Poor Michael teared up but didn't bother asking why she hit him—everyone knew Granny had Vulcan hearing.

"Cough, what is, cough, all this stuff?" Sophie asks, wandering over to examine the books. They did indeed look quite old. For some, she couldn't even tell the language they were written in.

"These?" Granny shrugs, "Oh, these are nothing, Deary. Don't fret about it." Granny says with a dismissive wave of her hand. Hmm… Sophie purses her lips. She's supposed to believe all of these books are nothing? Shaking her head, Sophie decides to save that fight for another day and walks back to the kitchen.

"Oh, Sophie," Michael huffs as he tries to catch his breath. "Martha gave me a letter for you. She said it might be silly since you both live so close, but since you both are so busy…" He trails off as Sophie had already flown across the room and snatched the letter from him. She began to open it and was walking over to the table to read it when, Knock, Knock, Knock. There was a quick succession of thumps on the front door.

"Kingsbury." Calcifer informs the group. Michael, being the closest, rolls his eyes and makes his way to the door. Sophie vaguely hears him talking to what sounded like a middle aged man, but she was too consumed in her letter to really notice much of anything. Martha was telling her all about her apprentice ship and how she has to ward off suitors because she already has Michael. Sophie was laughing to herself as she read about some mishaps Martha had in the shop when she felt a light tap on her shoulder.

"Sophie this is for you." Michael moves the paper in front of Martha's letter. Sophie frowns, this is somewhat rude behavior from the normally polite Michael.

"Ok, I'll read it in a moment." She says, laying it to one side.

"You may want to read it now, Sophie. It seems to be from the Palace and the footman said it was urgent." Michael explains. He looks worried, but why? Its only from the Palace, its not like I have any association there to worry about…

"Lettie!" Sophie squeals, fumbling to open the letter. How could she forget that since Lettie is an apprentice to the Royal Wizard Suliman that she would be stationed at the Palace? Her hands can't move fast enough, but when she finally manages to open the letter it read:

Dear Miss Sophie,

I hope you are doing well. It has been far too long since i had the blessing of sharing your company, so I would like to formally invite you to the Palace for a visit. I hear your sister is here working under Sir Suliman, and I would be happy to invite her to spend time with us as well. Please come as soon as you are able, tomorrow, even, if you are free. I will surely stop whatever I am doing to see you. I will tell the guards to be awaiting your arrival.

Yours Truly,

Prince Justin of Ingary

"Why would Prince Justin be sending you a personal invitation?" Howl demands in Sophie's ear, startling her. She gasps and pulls the letter to her chest. When did he even get over here?

"Sheesh, Howl. Weren't you ever taught to not read over others' shoulders." She sighs, attempting to distract him.

"Really Howl, did you forget last year already? He is the one who Granny cursed into a scarecrow, remember?" Michael says absentmindedly as he eats a cake he must have gotten from Martha. Howl looks at him blankly for a moment and then at Sophie.

"But that still doesn't explain the letter and the 'yours truly'." Howl grumbles. Howl was obviously confused and, honestly, so was Sophie. Why would the Prince send her a personal invitation? If he has something to talk to her about he could have simply come to visit Howl. All these thoughts were running through both Sophie and Howl's minds as Granny decided it was time to provide some insight.

"How obtuse you are Howl, its quite obvious." Granny's old voice breaks the silence, seemingly to herself as she looks through her books. "After Sophie broke his curse he declared that he would be back for her, did he not? Or were you still in shock from getting your heart back?"

"Broke his curse?" Howl blinks and then looks over at poor Sophie who had gone pale at Granny's reminder of the past, "Sophie did? How?" Sophie looks over desperately at the old woman, begging her with her eyes not to say anything.

Too late. Sophie could tell by the smirk on Granny's crinkled face that she was enjoying this way too much to stop now.

"How? Oh, it wasn't quite that difficult. I'm sure dear Sophie didn't even realize she was doing it." Granny cackles.

"Ah the soup!" Sophie exclaims, shooting to her feet. She was trying her best to interrupt Granny. Sophie walks with robotic movements over to take the soup off Calcifer. She needs to distract Howl. "Howl, its done. Let's all sit down and have an early dinner." She turns and tries to give Howl a smile, but Howl isn't listening to her. He is only staring at her with a quizzical look. It seems her frazzled response only peaked his interest all the more.

"What did you do?" Howl asks. He wasn't angry. He wasn't upset. He was only curious. How will he respond when he finds out? Will he be upset? Will he find it funny? Sophie wasn't sure, but something told her it was not the type of thing she wanted to discuss right now.

"Nothing in particular." Sophie dodges the question while walking over to set the table. That, however, was a big mistake. Avoiding the question only made him more persistent, but Sophie simply didn't have the nerve to tell the guy she likes (loves) how she had behaved without thinking barely a year ago. Granny laughs, and Howl's confused stare becomes increasingly annoyed as he shifted his glare over in her direction.

"Alright, you know something, so out with it." Howl demands. He is not happy being left in the dark, like a child being the only one not in on the joke.

"It really isn't a big deal Howl. Just let it go." Sophie pleads, but his interest had been caught, and she knew there was no way for her to divert it.

"She's right. It was only a kiss." Granny smirks. Man that witch, sometimes Sophie wanted to slap her too. Now everyone stood frozen, waiting for Howl's response. Is it going to be anger? Green slime? Or…

"HAHAHA" Howl hoots with laughter. Yep, exactly what she had feared the most, laughter. Sophie could feel her heart beginning to crack, he never did take my confession seriously. Howl's laughter was so strong he was folding in on himself, clutching his sides. "Haha, whew. By the way you both were going on you made it sound like it was doom's day. So what, little Sophie gave the Prince a kiss?" Howl continued to chuckle, whipping a tear from his eye. "Haha, now now. Don't look so embarrassed, Sophie! It was only a kiss, or by chance was it your first kiss?" Howl howls as he walks over to Sophie, who now stood still in a desperate struggle to not let her composure crumble in the same way her heart was with every one of Howl's words of amusement. With his hands on his hips he leans down so that his jet black hair fell in curtains on both sides of his face, making his emerald eyes seem to glow as he looked into her eyes. "Was that your first kiss Sophie?" Howl asks, his voice becoming deeper and his eyes that were filled with humor mere seconds ago, turned harder as he directed his gaze at Sophie.

"I. I…" backing away Sophie could feel her face turning scarlet as she was forced back against the counter by his penetrating stare. Once again, Sophie had nowhere to run. Howl's glassy eyes were piercing right through her. With no other options, Sophie decides to look down to try and hide her face.

"So innocent," Howl whispers, closing the distance between them easily. Looking down at the tomato-red Sophie who was refusing to make eye contact with him, Howl slowly unclenched the fist hiding in his long sleeved shirt and rose it before her, "Don't worry, Sophie. It was only a kiss." Howl chuckles, his eyes once again amused. Patting her head, Howl then proceeds to walk past Sophie to the stairs. No. Sophie pleads inwardly. She can't let him go before she explains! It was a kiss of gratitude. Mr. Turnip saved their lives after all. She didn't even know he was the Prince! "Now, I've laughed so hard I'm tired. I guess I will go to bed." Howl yawns and stretches his long limbs over his head.

"Wait!" Sophie shouts. She looks around for an excuse to make him stay, and on the counter next to Calcifer she saw one. "What about the soup? You promised you would eat it!" Even Sophie can hear the desperation in her voice, but in that moment she didn't care. All that mattered to her was that she wanted to explain, even if Howl didn't care, she wanted him to know the truth. What is this feeling? She couldn't understand why she was so desperate, Howl wouldn't care either way…

"Sorry, Sophie. I'm not hungry." Howl's voice trails off as he reaches the second floor. Seconds latter, the sound of a slamming door made everyone jolt out of their trance.

No. He left without bothering to hear her explanation. Maybe that's because he doesn't care. The voice in Sophie's head sneers. Did he ever say that he loves you, or that he even sees you as a possible partner? No, he didn't. You want to know why? "He doesn't care." Sophie mumbles to herself. Howl really didn't care about what happened. To him, it was only a kiss which, to a playboy like him, is obviously trivial. It was only a kiss...

Howl was in a great mood. Despite that old geezer making him work nonstop for what felt like years, his hard work was being repaid by the kind Sophie who was willing to spoil him just a little more than usual today. Howl knows he requires more maintenance than your average good-looking, master sorcerer, but what could he do about it. Everyone knows he is far from average.

Watching Sophie, who rarely indulges him, make something specifically for him was making him feel light and giddy with a feeling he couldn't really name. However, Howl decides it best to not worry about the strange tingling feeling in his chest and just enjoy the moment, for that was what Howl did best.

His mood turned abruptly sour, however, when things stared going strange. He hated it when things didn't go his way, but, for some reason, it annoyed him more than anything when Sophie was the one not being compliant. All the other girls, and Howl truly meant ALL the other girls, would do whatever he wanted, so why couldn't Sophie do it at least some times! He had been so happy she was cooking for him, but pure stubbornness was plastered on her face when she began reaching for the parsley he had purposefully hidden on the top shelf when he had last seen it in the pantry.

"Now, Sophie. That looks dangerous. Howl, stop being useless and help her." Calcifer's crackly voice snaps.

"Don't wanna."

"Don't need it."

Howl and Sophie chimed in unison. Why was he being reprimanded? She was the one acting ridiculous. It was HIS soup, why can't he have a say what goes in it? Howl's annoyance only continued to mount as he saw Sophie start to make some progress in getting the dried paper leaves that stick to your mouth no matter what dish they are in down from the shelf. Watching her pull on the cane while balancing so precariously on the stool, Howl couldn't help be at least slightly worried as he sat back pouting across the room. The stool and her small body rocked with every tug of the cane. Ok, maybe I should help her? Or just pull her down and throw the damn stuff out?

Howl begins to get up, still feeling a little annoyed but not enough to risk her getting hurt. He wasn't THAT cruel. This was all for not though, as Sophie had clearly lost her patience with the tin and was now hurdling towards the ground after trying to force it off the shelf.

Howl's new and sensitive heart felt like it had sunk well below the floor boards of his castle as he saw her fall. In a flash, Howl's instincts took over and he knew exactly how to save the situation. With a loud snap, Howl saves the day, and Sophie.

"Honestly," Howl sighs, his heart slowly starting to beat again as he finishes his trek over to where Sophie was suspended. I can't believe your so foolish. You could have gotten hurt! Howl inwardly chides Sophie, but fails to voice his complaints as he was caught off guard by how cute she looked, all helpless and embarrassed. She keeps telling him to put her down, but he can't help but look at her as she hangs in the air. He wanted to make sure she wasn't hurt, but this only aggravated Sophie as she became more red by the second.

"Howl, put me down!" Sophie shouts. She began kicking her legs and waving her arms in a cute attempt to physically fight off his magic. Oh, so now you're annoyed? Howl can't help the sly smile he feels tugging at his lips, that is until his attention, easily distracted as always, is caught by something else. Well, revenge is sweet. Howl's inner monologue hums as he sees how her cute little struggle now left Sophie with a most disheveled appearance.

"Hmm, I don't know, I may enjoy the sight for a few more seconds." Howl was, in fact, enjoying the sight. Giving into temptation, he felt along the underside of Sophies right leg which had escaped her dress. Hmm, her skin was always so soft when he got to touch it, which was admittedly not often. For some reason, his heart always began to beat uncomfortably fast when he touched Sophie, and he didn't like it. Howl much preferred touching other girls-his heart behaved then.

If such little touches made his heart behave this way, what would happen if he were ever to touch Sophie seriously? Pondering the thought, Howl's hand became more bold as it moved up her thigh. Just as he suspected, his heart began to pound harder in his chest. This is no good, I just got this heart back, and I'm already about to break it. Not only his heart, but his hand felt like it was on fire as it made a trial up her leg. This can't be healthy…Maybe I'm allergic to Sophie?

Howl's childish thoughts were cutoff, however, when Sophie took initiative. With how she pleaded with him to put her down, Howl's previous giddy feelings returned, all annoyance washed away. Fulfilling the request, he released his magical hold on Sophie, but for some reason he decided to cradle her in his arms instead of lowering her down directly. If you asked him, Howl wouldn't be able to tell you why he had done it, just that if felt like the right thing to do.

A triumphant feeling filled him again as he held Sophie. Squeezing her tightly to his chest for only a second, he was satisfied with knowing she truly wasn't hurt, and her wiggling protest did allow his hands to move along the more sensual curves of her body. He knew that touching her brought with it annoying reactions from his childish heart, but he was still a man and Sophie was undoubtably a woman. A strong, beautiful, amazing young woman… Who wouldn't be happy to have their hands on her? Though no else will ever get the chance…

His new friend, the tingly feeling in his chest, remained, but his moment of triumph ended when Sophie was able to salvage some of the parchment-like parsley.

He felt mild annoyance with this, but it honestly wasn't worth anymore of his effort to argue. Howl usually had more perseverance in these little things than Sophie, but he was still distracted by the feeling of Sophie in his arms and the delightful warmth he was feeling in his chest. He could let her win this time.

Unfortunately, this was not the only annoyance Howl was going to face that night.

Standing behind his door, Howl began to feel an onslaught of unpleasant emotions.

Why is the Prince wanting to see Sophie? It was only a kiss, and knowing Sophie it was probably on the check or the forehead. That's something her grandmother like personality would do, yeah. But why in the hell was the Prince so interested due to something so insignificant?

Howl couldn't comprehend the Prince's intentions. Is he trying to use her for something? Is Sophie in danger?

The wild and increasingly dark thoughts kept circling in Howl's mind, and he needed to calm down before the slime came. Honestly, he was surprised it hadn't erupted while he was still downstairs.

Sophie got so red at the mere mention of the Prince, this Prince Justin. What the hell? The only times Howl could think of Sophie getting that red for anyone was because of him. Did she like this prince? Well, he isn't some (nearly) middle aged man like you, and most young girls have dreamed of being a princess at least once in their lives. A princess… If Sophie wanted that, Howl did not know how to give it to her. Hell, it may be one of the few things he couldn't give her. Howl tried to reason with himself, and for a short period of time, it looked like he was going to be able to reign himself in.

No, Sophie isn't the kind of girl to dream about being some worthless princess. A ghost of a smile appeared on his face as Howl imagined her ranting about princesses being like dolls on a shelf. Pretty, but regarded as useless. Yeah, she wouldn't want that. Plus, Sophie declared her love for him after the incident last year. She wasn't the type of girl to just up and abandon someone she says she loves. Abandon… Wait. Will she leave?

And with that thought, all his efforts were shot and the slime descended.

AN: Ok, I hope this progressed smoothly! I am new at shifting gears between points of view, but I hope I captured both Sophie and Howl's inner selves well. Leave a comment if you enjoyed this chapter, or if you have any comments, questions, or critiques!