1Howl was pacing back and forth in front of calcifer, who was getting rather fed up.

"Look Howl, I don't see what the big deal is. It's just four words. I never imagined that Horrible Howl, The great Pendragon, and the amazing wizard Jenkins would be so scared to ask a simple question!"

Today was the day that Howl had planned to finally ask Sophie to marry him. He had finally gathered up the nerve to ask her. Well... some of the nerve.

"It's not that easy Cal. I'm nervous. What if she says no?"

"Listen, she loves you right?" Howl nodded his head. "And you love her. So then why is there a reason to say no? I just think you're a big baby."

Howl growled. "If you think it's so easy then I'd like to see you try."

"Fine I will. Sophie!" Calcifer called.

"Yes Calcifer?" Sophie asked coming down the stairs carrying a basket of clothes.

"Sophie will you marry me?" Howl slapped himself on the forehead. Sophie just stared blankly at them.

"Well I-I... I d-don't... Well I-What?!"

"It's nothing dear. Cal's just trying to be funny. Here, let me get those for you." Howl walked over and took the basket from her.

"I am not trying to be funny. I'm just trying to show howl how to propose because to chicken to do it himself."

Howl groaned and Sophie continued to stare at the two of them blankly.

"Would someone mind explaining."

Before Howl could say anything Markl burst into castle.

"Sophie! There's some customers at the flower shop."

"Oh!" Sophie immediately forgot everything else. "I better get going."

When she left the room howl turned to scold Calcifer.

"What so you think you're doing?!"

"Well you pompous know-it-all, you were too slow! Now Sophie's gonna marry me!" Calcifer laughed causing his flames to shoot higher.

"Sophie's marrying Calcifer?! No way!? I always thought she would marry you master howl." Markl shrugged his shoulders and ran after Sophie with heen right at his heels.

"SHE'S NOT MARRYING A FIRE DEMON!!!!" Howl yelled after him. He spun around and glared at cal. "And you. You little devil. You are absolutely no help at all." Howl stalked up the stairs to re-evaluate his strategy.

It seemed to be the most difficult thing howl would ever do. He knew he was a coward. He tried to fix that, but with Sophie. She just made him want to hide from his insecurity. He knew how perfect she was. How loving, caring and not to mention beautiful. In comparison, every girl he'd ever known, (and there were a lot) were vile and ugly. She seemed like the angel who he needed to rescue him.

Howl sighed and pulled out the ring he had bought her. Beautiful. Like her.

Tomorrow. Howl was closing the shop and taking her out tomorrow. Some where special where he could finally ask her that important question.

"Sophie?"

"Yes Markl?"

"Why are you marrying Calcifer."

Laughter could be heard coming from inside the castle from a certain little flame.