Important A.N.: Okay, okay, I know, this is annoying 'cause I said it already, but I'm not an english speaking being, and so I do suck in this language. Especially in grammar, so please, be patient with me and my bad english. Also, I really tried my best to write correct, but I'm sure there are many, many mistakes that I overlooked, so please tell me when I did it.

A.N.: I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sooooooooooooorry that I didn't update sooner. I know some of you wanted to have it sooner, but I couldn't. School was so busy and when Christmas arrived I had to go to my family for days. I know this is a cheap excuse, I'm really, really sorry. Yesterday night my bad conscience got me and I wrote from midnight to half past two. I hope you all can forgive me my fault to not update sooner. Also, if anyone is wondering about the name Lettie, I mean Sophies sisterI don't know if she is called "Lettie" in English.

Chapter 2: Hate

Fanny Smith was sitting on one end of the dining table. She was facing her husband who sat on the other side. Unlike supper before, they ate in silence. It was an awkward silence. Mr. Smith was angry at his wife because she had been visiting her eldest stepdaughter, who lived at Pendragon's House, today. From what he had heard about that girl, she should be a smart one, or at least obey his orders without resistance. But no, that girl seemed to have lost his mind. She didn't come when he ordered her through a butler to come immediately to his home and now she was even engaged with that damn mage.

-Flashback-

Mr. Smith was reading a book, when his wife came in.

"Ah hello honey. How was your day?"

"Okay.", came the short answer, "Where have you been all noon?"

"Oh, did I forget to tell that I would visit Sophie today? It was really nice to see her again. I hope you will come with me next time."

His face darkened. Fanny saw his expression and was confused and a little bit frightened. There seemed to be a dark aura of bad mood.

"The only time I will go to that Casanova of a man is to get your stepdaughter out of there. Even if I have to drag her out of there by force. And I don't want you to ever go back to this house or even talk about it. It can only lead to gossip talk and soil my name and the family's honour."

"Why is it so bad that Sophie lives with Howl? I have never seen her this happy before, so why are you denying her that happiness? They even made plans for their wedding!"

"WHAT? Did you just say that your stepdaughter is engaged with someone this LOW?"

-Flashback End-

Fanny didn't dare to think about what had happened next. She couldn't her husband was like this. She had never seen this side from him before. Now she was thinking if this marriage was really a good thing and if her love might be one sided.

Later that evening Mr Smith went out. He didn't care what his wife would think about him now. He only married her because she was a real beauty, which he could show aristocracy, and because she could give birth to an heir. Those were the only reasons. If she loved him, may it be. For his side there would be never love for her.

It was really late when he entered his brother's house. It had been a while since they last talked. And now he needed his advice and special talent.

A butler opened the door and said Mr. Smith should wait in the saloon. His master would be there in a few minutes.

"What brings my younger brother this late to my house, may I ask?"

The voice was dark and rich and full, but even though it sounded handsome, there was just something, that wasn't right with it. Something that would make you wish you would have never met this person.

"It's been a long time, brother. If I correctly remember, two years since we last saw each other," was all Mr. Smith said for a greeting.

"Yes, that is so, but it doesn't answer my question."

"Okay. I will tell you the truth. I have a little problem with my wife's family, actually it's a huge problem, and I need you and your special talent to solve it. My wife's stepdaughter refuses to come to my place and I fear that she might soil our family. And I think you would get some positive effects by helping me."

"Robert, please go and get some wine for me and my brother. He will stay for tonight, right?"

"Yes, I think that would be the best, if you would let me stay overnight. It will take some time to explain and discuss everything."

Robert, the butler, bowed his had and made his way out of the saloon.

"So, and now, tell me everything, I now you are hiding some parts from your story."

Mr. Smith sighed. Nobody could hide something from his older brother.

"As you wish. But you might dislike some of the important details."

"I can't help you keep the family's reputation if you don't tell me the important details."

"If you really insist. Look, my new wife has three daughters. One real daughter, Martha, she is the youngest of the three, and two stepdaughters, Lettie and Sophie. They are half sisters. The problem is the eldest one, Sophie. She worked at her mother's hat shop until the Witch of the Waste cursed her to be an old lady. That was around that time where the war started. And believe me or not-", he was cut up when the butler came back, carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses. When he left again (he was sent away) Mr. Smith continued.

"Believe me or not, she ended at that damn Moving Castle of that Casanova Pendragon! And do you know what happened next? They fell in love with each other! That damn Pendragon and L-O-V-E? I don't know all details, but it seemed that she saved his life in some sort of a way. And now she is living with him and even engaged? Do you can image what is going to happen to our family's reputation when this gets known? We will be ruined!"

He drank his full wineglass in one gulp. Then he looked to his brother. He had a dark expression written all over his face and a murderous glare.

"What did you say was her name? Sophie? What is her appearance? What does she look like?"

"All I remember is that Fanny mentioned that Sophie is back to her true self, but some parts of the curse seemed to don't get off. I think, she said it was white or something like this."

"Starry-Haired?"

"Ah yes. That was what Fanny used to describe her hair"

"So he really found her. His starry-haired maiden from his dreams", murmured Mr. Smith's brother. An evil grin appeared on his face

"Did you say something?"

"Nothing important. I will help you to solve this problem. On one condition. When we get your little daughter back, I want you to let me marry her."

"Why would you want her to marry you? After all she is my stepdaughter."

"It's exactly as you say. She is your stepdaughter. And she isn't even related through blood to your wife. And how old is she by the way? Sixteen? Seventeen?"

"Around eighteen or nineteen, I think"

"You see, when we get her, you will have a young lady, who must become a proper lady and later a proper wife with a prober husband. And who would be better suited as a proper husband as me?"

"I see your point now. We have a deal. You help me to get my daughter out of Howl Pendragons house and later she will marry you. Now the only thing we need to plan is how we get her out of there."

"I already have a plan. Listen, we will make it like this…"

In the middle of the night, Keyl Smith was smiling evilly about his plan and over an image from a mirror. The mirror showed him a sleeping girl with starry-white hair.

"Enjoy the rest of the left over time, my dear, dear Sophie. Soon you will find yourself in the depths of hell and the ones fault is only and will ever be your beloved Howell Jenkins. You should be prepared Howell. I hope you didn't forget everything about me and my promise to you. Because you will be the cause that this beautiful woman next to you will be crushed under my hatred to you."

Last A.N.: Thank you for reading, especially if you didn't like the story. And I'm sorry if you disliked my habit of not naming brother sooner, but I wanted to have a little suspense. Actually I think I comlpetely failed in trying to do so -.- . I hope I didn't disappoint anyone with the story or the chapter. And I humble apologize for that this chapter was so short and for the late update. I hope I can update in a few says again. And I might change the K+ to an T, but I have to look how this story will go on. Also, if I can bother you, please review, I am grateful with every review I get, even if it is not a good one. your sincerely fantasyfreak17