Ходячий замок
Chapter 13
HedidittoshowmehewastoomuchofacowardtocarewhatIthoughtofhim,isn’tthatright,Mrs.Pendragon?”
Sophienodded.ShewishedshecouldhaverememberedallHowl’sdelicateremarks.TheKingwouldhaveunderstoodthemevenifshedidnot.
“Nottheactofavainman,”theKingsaid.“Butnoonewoulddothatexceptasalastresort,whichshowsmethatWizardHowlwilldowhatIwantifImakeitcleartohimthathislastresorthasfailed.”
“Ithinkyoumaybe—er—takingdelicatehintsthataren’tthere,YourMajesty,”Sophiesaid.
“Ithinknot.”TheKingsmiled.Hisslightlyvaguefeatureshadallfirmedup.Hewassurehewasright.“TellWizardHowl,Mrs.Pendragon,thatIamappointinghimRoyalWizardasfromnow,withourRoyalCommandtofindPrinceJustin,aliveordead,beforetheyearisout.Youhaveourleavetogonow.”
HeheldouthishandtoSophie,justlikeMrs.Pentstemmon,butalittlelessroyally.Sophieleveredherselfup,wonderingifshewasmeanttokissthishandornot.ButsinceshefeltmorelikeraisingherstickandbeatingtheKingovertheheadwithit,sheshooktheKing’shandandgaveacreakinglittlecurtsy.Itseemedtobetherightthingtodo.TheKinggaveherafriendlysmileasshehobbledawaytothedoubledoors.
“Oh,curses!”shemutteredtoherself.ItwasnotonlyexactlywhatHowldidnotwant.Howlwouldnowmovethecastleathousandmilesaway.Lettie,Martha,andMichaelwouldallbemiserable,andnodoubttherewouldbetorrentsofgreenslimeintothebargainaswell.
