Another chapter of the tale of mystery.

FAMILY SECRETS

A HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE FANFIC

Chapter 5

Going to visit a loved one at fancy house was stressful enough without having to add an eccentric husband to the mix. During my conversation with my stepmother Howl seemed disinterested and slightly bored. Which is always a dangerous combination with Howl. He easily start acting up at any moment. Luckily, he knew better than to try something right now. Magic was not needed. I ended up giving him Arthur so that I could focus more on what Fanny was saying. I figured that he could be sufficiently distracted to allow me to continue. Howl didn't really care about Fanny's relationship with Mr. Smith. To be fair, neither did I. However, that was what Fanny wanted to talk about. I hoped that allowing her to brag for a bit would get us to where we needed. I was right. Eventually, she stopped talking about her life here and allowed me to speak:

"Fanny, do you remember when father died?"

That sobered her up. "Of course, dear. Why bring that up now?"

I started to feel a little bad. Fanny was a good person. She didn't need to relive that moment again. If it wasn't important than I wouldn't have asked. "Recently, I received this letter." I gave her father's letter. "It seems to be written by father. However, father knows things that he couldn't have possibly known back then. And there's this weird paragraph here." I pointed to what I believed was a spell. "It doesn't make sense. It's almost like a spell."

Fanny looked like she wanted to either drop the letter or throw it away. She seemed completely and utterly spooked. Which got the attention of my bored husband. He may be pretending that he wasn't paying attention, but I knew better. Howl was hanging on every word.

"I don't know what you mean." She shot a pointed look. "Are you suggesting that your father was a wizard?"

"Maybe. Maybe not." I groaned. "I don't know. It's just so odd. I never thought of father that way. I never thought of myself that way either. Clearly, I was wrong. Maybe I was about father too."

There was a long silence where no one spoke. Eventually, Fanny said, "You may be right. I don't know." She looked at the letter. "Your father never told me about having powers or anything like that. He might have mentioned that he had an Uncle or Great-Aunt that was known to be a bit odd. Beyond that I just don't know. Your father never really made a point to show off." She shot an accusing glance at Howl. Who pretended not to notice. "He wasn't that kind of man. So, if he did have powers then he never showed it. I'm sorry, Sophie. I don't think that I can be of much more help."

I nodded then took back the letter. "It's alright, Fanny. I knew that it was long-shot, but I had to ask." I secured the letter then continued. "Perhaps, instead, we should focus on how he died. I know that he was very sick, but I don't know much beyond that. Could you tell me more?"

Fanny was reluctant again to respond. She eventually said, "Your father was fine up until just a few days before he died. I had no idea that he was even a little sick. Just one morning he just couldn't get out of bed. I called the doctor, but they were unable to help him. He died shortly after. It was so quick. We didn't even have time to summon you."

I looked down. It hurt hearing the details of father's death. I knew that he had been sick, but I never realized how quick it had all been. I didn't want to know more, but I had to ask, "Did they ever find out what was wrong with him?"

My stepmother was quiet again then finally answered. "No, they did not. As far as they could tell your father was healthy. Yet, he kept getting weaker. It didn't make any sense."

"He was cursed."

Fanny and I were surprised by my husband's choice to interject. Up till now he had stayed out of the conversation. It seemed that it finally become interesting to him.

"What?" Fanny asked.

Howl slowly sat up straight and addressed my stepmother directly. "Your husband was cursed. It's the only thing that fits. If there was no other reason for your husband's illness than that had to be it. He was cursed by someone." He turned towards me. "Someone wanted your father dead. I don't know why, but I am certain that it was no accident."

That chilled me to the bone. I never thought of father's death that way. It was possible that what Howl said was true. That my father was really murdered. If so, who did it and why? Would they come after me or Arthur next? What did this have to do with the letter? I just didn't know. That scared me even more.

That's when Howl smiled at me. It's warmth relaxed me a great deal. It was like he was saying that he would protect me without ever speaking. Sometimes I swore that he could read my thoughts. Other times it seemed like I would have to drop a rock on his head to get through. I just didn't get Howl sometimes. Somehow I doubt that I ever will.

Fanny wasn't so sure of my husband's declaration. In fact, she downright didn't believe him. Sure, she was speaking to one of the world's foremost experts in magic and curses. That if Howl says that there is a curse involved it is mostly likely so. I've never known Howl not to be able to detect a curse when he sees one. The only thing keeping me from one hundred percent believing him was that Howl never actually met my father. Meaning that he never actually got a chance to study the curse up close and personal. This was all theory until he had some proof. Which he currently lacked. Some would have said nothing. That wasn't my Howl though. He just blurted out what he was thinking. Which met with Fanny's extreme disapproval.

"What a horrible thing to say! My dearest was cursed?! Murdered!" Fanny rose to her feet. "Why, if you weren't family then I would throw you out! How dare you! Howl Pendragon you are the worst. Not everything is related to magic. Sometimes people just die. There is no other explantation." She took a moment to gather herself. "Now, if you will excuse me I have things to attend to." With that my stepmother left without saying another word.

As usual, Howl had no idea what he did. I had to explain it to him. He suggested, however unintentionally, that Fanny killed my father. Most people blame widows for the death of their husbands. To her it seemed like an accusation.

"That wasn't what I meant."

"I know. I know, but my step mother didn't know." I sighed. "You'll just have to avoid her for a while. I'll apologize for you later. Then maybe she'll forgive you." I chuckled. "It seems that you're as popular with my family as I am with yours."

Howl looked wounded. Which suggested that he fine with the state of affairs. I don't think he liked Fanny very much anyway. "I'm hurt. I'm truly hurt."

I waved him away. "Sure, sure. Whatever, It's late. Let's go home."

Howl smiled, "Your wish is my command."

Next Chapter coming up!