A/N-Thanks to those who reviewed the last chapter-FilmMaker1690, Prettyinpinkgal, A Heart Full of Sorrow, puppy444219, helen, Siren of Time, SilverWinter18, Hatake Sienna, Catbuddy, moongirlSelene99, Link Fangirl01, Sen2TOS9, HoodiesRsoft, SayakaM and angie. Read and review this chapter...

Disclaimer-I don't own HMC

Chapter 13

Once I hear his voice it seems my entire world, as I know it –this life with Justin, living in the castle, being addressed as a future princess and future queen- ceases to be. Even the world in which Howl stands in front of me ceases to be. My world fades to black but I can still feel myself standing in the same position I was when Howl said my name…

When he spoke to me.

Memories race through my head. I can hear, through one ear, Howl anxiously asking if I'm all right. Justin is speaking to him angrily, telling him to get away from me. Howl is retorting… it's very similar to the time I heard Calcifer's voice and remembered everything that had to do with him.

Howl… I remember things now. Concrete things. I recall that my dreams were really memories and realize that I've known Howl all along. He is the one I love, not Justin. And even while under the influence of that spell that Circe put on me…the spell that I think was supposed to make me fall in love with the prince…it failed. I never really loved Justin. Not the way he wanted me to.

I can feel my world slowly righting itself. Two faces are coming into my field of vision, the concerned blue eyes of Wizard Howl, and the gray eyes of my 'fiancée' Justin. I want to tell him…him being Howl, of course, not Justin…that I've remembered everything. From the day at the market when he first met me, to the day he almost died, to the day the castle first took to the sky.

But something tells me not to tip my hand just yet. As of right now, Howl and I are in a delicate position. Howl's in enemy territory with no friends but myself and I'm in no position to really help…I can't use magic against Circe. So I must pretend that the spell isn't broken, that I don't remember and that I love Justin.

I think the last will be the hardest.

"Yes, forgive me, I'm fine. A servant came out and told me that a guest had arrived. I found myself unsuitably attired and as such, ran back to the castle from the gardens. I had been informed that the party had already moved into the main dining hall and the fastest way to my room to change was through this main hall…"

Justin raises a hand to cease her talking. "It's alright Sophie…relax. You didn't absolutely have to come greet this guest, although I am quite happy to see you willing to fulfill the duties of prince consort…of princess. And wife. Now, run along and get dressed." He gives her a gentle push in the center of her back towards the direction of her rooms.

Without even bothering to introduce her to the visiting Wizard. Turning his back on her, he said to Howl in a slightly embittered voice, "won't you please come into the main dining hall?"

Well, I must say that him not 'introducing' me to Howl was a bit of a blow. If I could've just made eye contact with him, I could've…somehow…sent him a message. That I remembered him. That I remembered everything. And now, I'm sure, Justin will ensure that we avoid each other. Or he will have Circe drug me…or something along those lines.

As soon as I get back to my rooms Naomi and Ruth meet me. "Lady Sophie, we heard that Wizard Jenkins is in the palace," Naomi speaks. "We thought that you would want to get changed as soon as possible."

I smile and brush some of my –for once- unruly silver hair out of my face. "Please bring me my favorite yellow dress, I'd like to wear that one when I meet Howl." Ruth nods and hurries off to my closets while Naomi assists me out of the frock I wore to the gardens.

"How would you like your hair dressed Miss?" Naomi puts me to the question and by now Ruth is back with my yellow dress. As soon as she hands it to me, I am pulling it on in a most unprincesslike fashion but the quicker the better. It's a simple affair really, a light cotton dress that billows around my legs in such a fashion that a slip as well as several hoops are required underneath. A slight bit of lace shows out the bottom, just enough to compliment the entire dress.

"Just comb it out, please, and pin it back with a couple barrettes. Try and hurry, ignore the tangles, I have to get back down to the main dining hall." Naomi nods and picks up a silver plated hair brush with supple bristles, designed especially for my soft-as-silk hair, designed to brush out all the knots painlessly. It's a new gift that Justin made to me yesterday, after he heard that the handle had broken in the old one.

This was false advertising. Several times, I wince as Naomi pulls the brush through my hair. Soon though, she is done and my hair is pulled gracefully out of my face. I rise from my dressing table and hurry out of the room. "Thank you," I say, pausing at the door and looking back. "Thank you both so very much." I say it with what I know is a sense of finality in my voice. Just in case I can escape with Howl before tonight.

I retrace my steps, down the stairs; more dignified this time, however, instead of headlong running. I cross the main hall, my shoes tapping on the marble is the only noise made.

I reach for the door handle.

This moment seems frozen in time. I can hardly wait to see Howl once again, and all I have to do is pass through the large double doors and I shall see him…whilst pretending to be someone else's intended. I recall how it felt to have his eyes on me once again and wonder if I will even be able to act at all with that intense blue gaze drilling a fissure right through me to my soul.

Justin is expecting me. I can no longer delay. I push the door open.

And he's the first person I see. Justin is standing by the massive carved fireplace, staring moodily into the blaze. Howl stands about halfway across the room, level with the doors and he looks over when I enter. He holds my eyes for about a minute, his gaze searching. I wonder if he sees… but before I can judge whether or not he knows that I remember, he drops his eyes deferentially and gives a courteous little bow.

I sigh inwardly and drop my eyes to the ground. Giving a quick little curtsey, I keep my eyes on the marble ground and walk swiftly to Justin's side.

"Ah, Sophie, there you are darling. I'd like you to meet someone very important. He's an ambassador from your country, you've doubtlessly heard of him. Sophie Hatter, soon to be Princess Sophie, this is Wizard Howl Jenkins. Howl," his voice cools slightly. "Howl, this is Sophie."

Howl walks forward, sleeves from today's outlandish cloak float behind him. "A pleasure," he says in that velvety voice of his. He holds out his hand and I place my hand in his palm, as is courtesy. His long fingers slowly curl around mine, and he brings the back of my hand up to his lips. A gentleman's kiss.

My hand tingles.

"The pleasure is all mine Wizard Howl," I respond with the socially acceptable answer. "I have heard a lot about you, supposedly you are quite the magician. Will you show me a trick?"

He inclines his head. "As you wish Milady." He reaches out a hand with a partially extended index finger and several small sparks fly out of it. The sparks form odd shapes…they look like people. People with strange elongated bodies, heads but no faces, joined arms, like a paper cutout but free legs. They shine with an eerie, electric blue light that crackles oddly. They dance around me in an odd whimsical manner, like some sort of child's dance.

I am reminded of another time, when Suliman almost caught us.

"They're so pretty…" I let my voice trail off and look back up at the caster. They fade away with a wave of his hand.

"Why, thank you. An artisan always likes to know his work is appreciated." Justin moves up behind me and places a possessive hand on my back.

"Yes Wizard Howl, that is a magnificent trick," he sounds friendly but I can hear the coolness in his tone. "I'm sure your long journey has tired you out. I'll have a maid show you to your room. The ball isn't for several days of course. You can spend those days looking around the castle, making sure it's fit for my intended to live, as your king sent you to check."

Howl nods. "I believe I will retire for the evening. I'm sure these next few days will be most educational."

His eyes are on me as he says this.

A/N-Blah!!!!! It took me three hours to write this (not counting mental break breaks) Nyways, Review what you read!!!