Another chapter of the tale of mystery.
FAMILY SECRETS
A HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE FANFIC
Chapter 30
The more I thought about it the more I realized that Howl was right. Going back in time could be useful but it was also so very dangerous. We could get stranded there or we could change something that affects the future. Either way it was not a great idea just yet. I realized that if I used my power so irresponsibly I would not much better than my grandfather. I was the guardian of this power for a reason. I had to use it wisely.
That certainly didn't help me answer the question at hand. Who was after me? I needed to get that answer. So, I tried to stay in the open. I thought that maybe if I was tempting target I would find them. An idea that Howl begrudgingly agreed to. It was noticeably safer than my previous ideas. He just didn't like it at all! Michael stayed home with Arthur while I paraded around in the open. I used this opportunity to find out more about Suliman and my sister. I wanted to know everything! How long they had been dating? How did he treat her? When did they plan to get married? Etc. She told me somethings about their relationship, but held back a bit. There was something that she wasn't telling me. I didn't want to push. So, I decided to wait and see if she would tell me on her own.
Eventually, the conversation turned. We started talking about me and what was happening recently. It seemed that my sister had picked up on my worried face. She wanted to know what was wrong.
I didn't know how to answer my sister. What wasn't wrong? That would have been a far easier question to answer. My own Grandfather tried kidnap me! Honestly, I don't know what he wanted to use me for. Frankly, I don't want to know. I am sure it was not pretty. Heaven knows what would have happened if Grandfather had found me as a child. My life might have taken a truly dark turn. Not that it hasn't already done that numerous times. It's just it would have been so much worse. I am lucky to have been spared from that fate. I should be happy, but I wasn't. I was far too worried to be happy. Someone else was after me. Someone who had not been stopped by our efforts. That person would come after me again. It was only a matter of time. Only I had no idea who that was. Clearly, it wasn't Grandfather. So, who was it?
"Sophie?"
My sister's voice broke me out of my thoughts. Clearly, I had worried her. That wasn't my intent.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to worry you."
She held my hands. "Don't worry about it. Now, tell me what is wrong!"
I told her everything that I had figured out so far. From the fact that Grandfather hadn't sent the wizards to attack me to the realization that he couldn't open those doors. That was why he wanted me. He couldn't travel through time. That meant that someone else was after me. Someone who was likely associated with Grandfather, but was not Grandfather himself. Someone who was from our era. Who was still out there to get me. It was chilling to say, but it helped to get it off my chest. I couldn't honestly bring this up with Howl. He wouldn't want to talk about it. He would just tell me not to worry about it then brush me off. That wouldn't help anything. I needed to talk about this! I needed help!
"Sophie, I have no idea who is after you or why. And I don't care." She hugged me. "You're my sister. And I love you. I won't let anyone take you away. I'll do what I can to find the ones responsible. I'll ask Ben to help. He might be able to figure out something. I don't know, but it's worth a try."
"Thanks, Lettie."
"Good. Now that's settled I wonder would you like some dinner?"
"Sure."
I followed Lettie out of the castle to Ben Suliman's house. A servant popped up then let us in. I thought that it was strange that we were going to Ben's house not her house. I didn't mind, but it was curious. I had not asked to see Suliman. She did not have to take me here. I know that my sister was still not completely comfortable discussing her relationship yet. Heck, she hadn't even admitted to it until recently! I hoped that it meant that she was finally opening up to me about this. I wanted to get to know Ben better. I wanted to know if he would be a good husband for Lettie. The only way I could get that is if they opened up. I hoped that this was the case today. At least that way I would have learned something today.
We waited in the living room for him. As we waited here Lettie answered my unspoken question, "No, I don't live here. Although Ben wants me to." She looked wishful, "It's really sweet. But I couldn't. Could I?"
So he had asked her to move in. That sounded pretty serious to me. I wasn't opposed to it. It just seemed sudden. Then again up till recently she hadn't admitted to being in a relationship with him. I needed more time. Which I clearly didn't have. I knew Lettie far too well. She was seriously considering his offer. Hopefully that offer that came with marriage. If it didn't then, well, I don't know what I'd do. I moved in with Howl before we were married. That wasn't the original plan, but things ended up working that way. True, we didn't end up sharing a bed until after marriage. Still, I wasn't one to talk. I just hoped that my sister had a similar reserve. Or else I was going to have to kill that man.
"It's up to you, Lettie." I finally said. "If you love Ben that much then . . . I'm okay with it. Just be careful, okay?"
She hugged me. "Oh thank you Sophie!"
That opened the floodgates. She told me how they fell in love and started dating. It really was quite sweet. Benjamin was not quite as odd as Howl, but he was strange. Lettie told me that he insisted on doing things for her a lot. He waited on her hand and foot. He always wanted to make sure that she was happy. He was also okay with her leading the way. Which a lot of men around here wouldn't bother to do. I guessed that maybe it was custom in Wales. It had to be. Howl could be like that at times too. Even if he couldn't be bothered to clean up and acted like a child most of the time. Welshmen were strange creatures indeed.
"It's really quite strange. He waits on me hand and foot. He doesn't need to do that. I can take care of a lot things myself." She shook her head. "I've tried to discourage it, but he doing it. Says that it was a man should do. I don't know. It's strange."
"It is." I agreed. "Then again Ben isn't a normal man. He's a welshman. That makes a difference."
She gave me a puzzled look. "It does?"
I nodded. "Has Ben ever taken you to Wales?" She shook her head. "Well, he should. You need to see for yourself. Then you'll understand. The people there are different. Their ways are very strange. You should ask him to take you there."
"I might do that."
Shortly after the servant reappeared to express his master's regrets. Apparently, the King had requested some new spell that was taking all of his concentration. He could not break away now. Instead, he offered to have his staff make us dinner. Since I hadn't eaten since breakfast I took him up on the offer. It was really was quite sweet. It would give more time with my sister. I had so much more to find out about my future brother-in-law.
Dinner with my sister was great - even if it was kind of strange. It didn't feel right eating inside a person's home without the man being there. It suggested just how deeply Suliman loved her, but it also made me feel a little awkward. They weren't husband and wife just yet. This wasn't even her home. We shouldn't eat here. We should eat at her house or at a restaurant. Not here, not now. I still had no idea why she brought me here. Maybe it was for me to get to know Suliman better. It made sense. Lettie clearly wanted to marry him. That means that we going to have to learn how to get along. It's kinda pointless if he wasn't here. Oh well . . .
I did get to learn a lot more about Ben. That did make the trip worthwhile. Plus, it was nice being in this old house again. I didn't really get a chance to appreciate it before. It was quite nice. Fairly fancy too. Nothing like our castle. Not that I minded. I loved Howl's creation. It was so him. Just like this house screamed of Benjamin Suliman. It fit its owner's personality perfectly. I don't think that I would be comfortable living in this house. I wouldn't know what to do with servants taking care of me hand and foot. I preferred to cook my own meals and clean my own house. I wouldn't know what to do here. I would feel out of place constantly. Lettie seemed fairly comfortable with this life. Then again she wasn't one for chores. She always tried to whittle out of things while growing up. Having others cook and clean for her wouldn't be a problem. She would actually enjoy it. This wouldn't be such a bad place for her.
Before I knew it was dark. I ended up staying a lot longer than I intended to. Howl was going to be angry. He provably hated being stuck outside and hungry. Not that he would leave his post. He would protect me even if he was cold and hungry! However, the longer that I waited more likely he was to explode. I had to get going. For I didn't really feel like getting into a screaming match with my husband.
I stood up. "Thank you for dinner, Lettie."
"You're welcome." She smiled, "Next time, will you tell that silly husband of ours to come in?"
I didn't realize that she had noticed Howl. She had gotten much better. She was provably a stronger I am by now. Not that I minded. I really didn't want to be a witch. I was okay with her being better than me.
"I will. Good night."
"Good night, Sophie."
I was led out of the building. Lettie had asked if I needed someone to guide me home, but I insisted that I was fine. Technically, Howl was with me. He would help me if I got too lost. Besides I wanted to be an tempting target. I wouldn't be if someone was with me. I hoped that someone would attack me. That way we could some answers. I did not want Lettie along. I did not want her in danger. I was still her older sister. I was responsible for her. I would not allow her to follow no matter what. Lettie eventually realized that and gave up. Then I was off. I had no idea whether or not someone would take the bait. Only time would tell.
Next Chapter coming up!