A.N As I promised, the new chapter is up today. Well, if not, then it's because the internet on my computer is slow, and in such a case you all must forgive me. Thank you anyone who reviewed the last chapter, I highly appreciate it, especially because it was terrible. Again, forgive me, and please enjoy this chapter!

Howl had finally made his decision, and it was making him a bit queasy. The idea of marriage was very new to him, seeing as he'd never even considered it before. He'd always been happy with being a bachelor, not settling own until he was forty, or something. But now that he was deep into a serious relationship, one where he knew he was in love, and ready to settle down to a quiet life, his set of mind had changed, quite drastically.

Howl had come to realize that Sophie was the only woman for him. She put up with his tantrums, was able to give him consolation with his problems, and had cared for his house rather nicely during the war. She was an excellent mother (or so he thought from watching her with Markl), caring, compassionate, quiet, friendly, and quick to act when need be.

She was just the opposite of him, who was quick tempered at times, set himself back from others, and very, very messy. He had no idea whatsoever on how to deal with children, and though he cared for others, wasn't to fed up by other people's needs and wants. He loved some people, but only those he chose to love, he could be very loud, and mean at times, and he never reacted to problems, unless you counted running and hiding.

She was his completion, his other half, his second pea in the pod, and his one and only Sophie. (A/N Aww, so fluffy.) What is cheese without crackers? Disgusting! (A/N Sorry, I myself despise cheese.) Howl knew that Sophie was his soul mate, and he was determined to stay by her forever. But, if he didn't let her know that soon, she may decide that he was taking to long. Howl knew how women reacted to such things. They wanted things to begin to move, quickly. They wanted a family, a big strong husband, nice things, and a nice home to live in.

Howl knew he could do all of that, but if he didn't soon, she would move on and find a faster moving husband. Sophie may be patient, but she wasn't getting any younger, and who wants to have a baby when they're fifty? (A/N No offense to people who do.)

So, tonight, at his special place between the mountains, Howl would get down on his knee, declare his undying love for Sophie, and ask her hand in marriage. And if she agreed, he would slip the ring that his mother had given him onto her finger. Hopefully she would say yes, and if she didn't, Howl didn't even consider that as a possibility.

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He'd received a letter from the King, saying that he was required back at the palace immediately. He didn't want to go; leaving would mean leaving Lucille behind. Though Justin didn't have any idea that she felt the same way about him, he grew fonder of her as the days passed, and wished to God that something would happen to make things move even a little bit faster.

But destiny had determined his fate, and it obviously wasn't to be with Lucille ever again. For his father had found a princess for him, and in order to create a bond between his own kingdom and the princess's, he would be required to marry her. Justin did not WANT to marry her! He wanted to love the person he married, get to know them, be happy with them, truly happy.

He didn't want to hear about them a month before the wedding, meet them a few days before, and then say his vows at the alter, pledging to be with them and cherish them forever! And that was probably what would happen, too. Justin couldn't help but feel sorry for himself, knowing that he would have to marry somebody he didn't love, while Sophie and Howl stayed here together totally in love with each other.

If he'd had a mood ring on at that moment, it would be green with envy. Or maybe it would be black with rage, or something else. Justin didn't know what he felt at the moment, his emotions were all a mix, and impossible for him to realize.

Sitting there at the kitchen table, staring at the letter before him, not really seeing it. He was engulfed in his own thoughts, so much so that he failed to realize that somebody was standing behind him, reading over his shoulder.

He was drawn from his thoughts, however, at a gasp that came from behind him. He blinked once, then turned to see Lucille standing there, hand covering her gaping mouth. He saw tears begin to form in her eyes as she read on, her eyes moving left to right quickly, taking in the information that was written there in the King's hand.

"Lucille, I-" Justin began, but stopped as a sob escaped her and tears began to fall down her once rosy cheeks. They had lost their color, however. She covered her eyes and face with her hands, trying to hide her emotions from him, ashamed at her reaction. Why should she care? It wasn't like he loved her back, anyway.

Justin moved on instinct, standing quickly from his seat. It was tipped over and fell on the kitchen floor with a loud clatter, but he ignored it. Instead of righting the chair, he took Lucille in his arms, holding her to him to still her shaking body.

Lucille stopped sobbing for a second, surprised by his warm gesture, and tensed up at the feeling of his arms around her. But, she settled into his embrace after a moment, an placed her hands on his chest and rested her forehead on his shoulder.

"Now, tell me what's the matter, Lucille" Justin whispered in his strong, deep voice.

"I, I, I don't know how to say it," she laughed a dry laugh, not knowing how to explain how upset she was at the letter, without revealing her feelings for him.

"Just say whatever you want," he told her. She was reassured by his words, and began to speak, choking out the first couple of words, then continuing on more boldly.

"I, I don't want you to leave this place. I want you to stay here with all of us, with me," she was surprised by the boldness of her own words. "I don't want you to have to go back to your kingdom, and marry a princess for political reasons. I'm sad, that's all, that you'll be leaving me, that you'll never come back, I'll never get to see you again."

She sobbed at the realization of it all. That someone she may have loved would be going off and getting married to a princess he probably didn't even know.

"I know, I know. It's terrible, I'm not up to it, either," he laughed bitterly, tightening his arms around her. "Especially since I don't love this girl."

"Who do you love?" Lucille asked, and was shocked at herself. How improper, to ask a Prince whom he was in love with. Definitely not me she thought bitterly.

"Well, it's hard to say, since she'd probably be offended," he mumbled, resting his cheek on her head, that was on his shoulder.

"You can tell me. I won't tell a living soul, promise," Lucille reassured him, in a tired, depressed voice.

"She's very close to my heart. Even if she doesn't know it, or expect it, probably," Justin told her. "And I would love if I could hold her close all the time, it feels good to have her in my arms," a small smile crept up onto the Prince's lips, thinking how she probably didn't know who he meant.

Lucille's heart beat faster, wondering who he meant, and starting to see a resemblance between the mystery girl and her current position.

"And?" she asked him, willing him silently on.

"And she is very beautiful, and kind," he whispered, stroking her hair with his hand. A shiver went up his spine at the gesture. "And she smells nice, and has silky hair, and she gives good advice, and loves her friends."

"What is her name?" Lucille asked, a bit in shock, her voice stiff but gentle.

"Lucille," he whispered the answer. She gasped in shock against his chest, and pulled back to look up at him, into his eyes. They had so much love in them, now, so much passion and care.

"What did you say?" she asked him in wonder, and shock, of course.

"Her name is Lucille," he whispered. His hand lifted to cup her cheek, and she felt herself flush with emotion.

"Oh, Justin," she whispered, flinging her arms around his torso, and pulling herself close to him once more. Her heart beat in her chest with feeling, so happy that he felt how she did.

"You should have said something sooner," she whispered to him.

"I guess you feel the same way?" his arms were around her, strong but gentle, once more. His forehead rested on the top of her head, his lips brushing her fair hair with each word.

"I always have," she told him. On their own, his lips found her cheek, and kissed it, resting there gently. She slowly turned her head, closing her eyes, and their lips met.

Their kiss lasted only a short while, but it was sweet and passionate even so. They pulled away, and opened their eyes slowly. Lucille had a small smile on her pink lips, and she looked down at her hands, resting on his, both suspended midway between them at her stomach level.

A large grin settled upon his face, as he brushed her hair away from her face gently with his hand. She looked up at him and smiled more fully.

"Thank you," she whispered. "For making it nice."

"Making what nice, love?" Justin asked her. He continued to stroke her hair with his free hand and rub the hand that was in his other.

"My first kiss, you made it nice. I'm glad it was with someone I…," her voice trailed off, but came back as she looked him in the eye. "Someone I love."

"Those are some of the best words I've heard all my life," he told her sincerely.

"Nice to hear it," Lucille laughed. "Come on, Justin, let's go for a walk. I'd like to take a walk through the wastes while the snow just melted and the flowers are budding," Lucille told him with a grin. She hooked her arm through his, and pulled him towards the door, where he tied her thick cloak on around her shoulders. It was still chilly out, and he didn't want her to catch a cold.

Turning the dial by the door, they opened the wooden barrier from the outside, and stepped out into the warm March sunlight. The new couple was so happy, that they forgot totally about the letter sitting back on the table, sort of like an ominous cloud hanging over the castle….

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Sophie held her skirt up with her right arm, left one looped through Howl's right arm. They were strolling through the wastes, heading towards the town, visible off in the distance.

She was dressed in a different dress, one that Howl had bought for her when he added her room to the house. It was an off white, with a leaf pattern along the bottom edge of the skirt, and had a pastel picture of a bird crossing over her right led. There was a pale pink sash matching the pattern at the bottom of her skirt, from her hips to just below her bosom, tied elegantly at the back. Her silver hair which had grown to be mid back in the past few months was curled at the ends, and her bangs that came to the end of her face was brushed back in a very beautiful way. A small hat sat pinned on her head, pale pink with false flowers pinned along the rim.

She couldn't ever remember being this dressed up, but it was the first day of spring, and Howl had suggested they go into town for the day. A day of shopping, eating fine food, and just to have fun. Sophie wanted to look nice, since they rarely ever went out, and she knew that Howl was looking forward to the day.

The wizard himself was wearing a charcoal gray top hat over his dark hair. His pants were their usual color, but a more classy style. He carried a cane, with a golden, round handle, and dark ebony wood. His shirt was off white like Sophie's dress, with fine stitches and a button up front. He wore a jacket to match his pants, and he had put on some cologne to complete the look.

All in all, they made a rather dashing couple, the only thing that set them apart from the others, was that they were walking in from the wastes. But, since they had to pass a farm or two on the way there, nobody would notice.

"You look beautiful in that dress, Sophie," Howl commented, looking over and down at the young woman holding his arm. She looked up at him and smiled.

"Thank you, Howl. You don't look to bad yourself, all dressed up," she leaned her head on his upper arm.

"Why thank you, gentle maiden," he replied gallantly, with a slight bow, his deep voice skirting laughter.

"Is that amusement, I detect in thy voice, Sir Pendragon?" she joked back, enjoying their little game.

"Why, yes it may be so, if I am not mistaken," he told her, slight laughter escaping after his words were spoken.

Their game continued for a short while longer, one of them not able to contain themselves every now and then.

But they were about to enter town, and they had to discontinue their childish fun. For the town was packed, and they may lose each other in the crowd if they didn't watch closely.

"Stay close, and don't let go of me as we pass through the streets. I don't want to lose you. A pretty girl like you will be gone in a moment," he whispered, a hint of fury in his voice. If anyone even thinks of laying a hand on Sophie, I'll curse them to Hell and back.

He put on a brighter face for her. "Where would you like to go first?" his tone was light, carefree as he led her through the busy streets of the town.

"Oh, well, Howl I've actually been thinking, why don't we get a pet for the castle?" Sophie asked. Her words escaped her lips quickly, in case he didn't like the idea and decided to cut her off. "We don't have to do it first, of course, but I was just thinking, it would be good for Markl to have a puppy, or something. It may teach him responsibility, and it would be nice to have company while I'm doing the laundry, since Lucille does the other house work while I do laundry, and you and Justin and Markl are all off doing other things," Sophie gulped air after her bombarding of words.

"Sophie," Howl began.

"Oh, Howl, please? It wouldn't be any trouble, he wouldn't get into any trouble, wouldn't get into your study, would you please just consider it?" she begged him, brown eyes wide with anticipation.

"Sophie, of course you can get a puppy! Anything you like! Just say the word and you've got it." Sophie's eyes filled with happiness. She'd always wanted a puppy, ever since she was small.

"Oh, thank you, Howl! You're the best!" she hugged his arm as they strolled through the streets, looking in windows.

"I've been told that," he said childishly, waving his cane about a bit. He glanced in a shop window, and saw the two of them faintly reflected. He couldn't help but think how good they looked. "But is that all you want to do today? There has to be something else!" He laughed at his beloved's odd desires. Most women would ask for a new spring dress or shawl or pair of shoes. But not Sophie, oh no. She wanted a puppy, as f the amount of work she had wasn't enough already. Now she wanted a dog.

"Um, I don't know, you decide!" she giggled. She was very happy about the puppy, and was already visualizing what it might look like.

"Okay, first thing's first. Let's grab a bite to eat, shall we?" he asked, bowing her towards a restaurant.

"We shall," she responded, giving him a small curtsey as a concierge opened the door to the café for them.

A.N. So, any better than the last one? Yes? Well, I hope so. Anyway, remmeber to review, and thanks for prvious ones!