The moving castle hummed softly around you as warm afternoon light filtered through the windows. You had been told to stay in bed and rest, but the floor had a thin layer of dust that bothered you more than you could ignore. With one hand resting on your rounded pregnant belly, you carefully pushed the mop across the wooden planks, moving slowly and deliberately so as not to strain yourself.

The door creaked open. Howl entered with several cloth bags full of fresh groceries from the market—bread, vegetables, fruits, and your favorite treats. His sophisticated face immediately brightened into a warm, adoring smile the second his eyes landed on you.

"Darling! I'm home. I got everything you’ve been craving and—" His cheerful words died in his throat.

His light blue-green eyes widened dramatically as he took in the sight: you out of bed, holding a mop, gently cleaning the floor despite your advanced pregnancy. The grocery bags dropped from his hands with a heavy thud, oranges rolling across the floor unnoticed.

"My love! What on earth are you doing?!" Howl’s voice rose in theatrical alarm. In a swirl of his elegant silver-and-blue coat, he rushed across the room in long strides and swiftly yet gently pried the mop from your fingers.

"You are carrying our child! You are not to lift even a finger, not a single speck of dust!" He wrapped one arm protectively around your waist while his free hand guided you insistently but tenderly toward the nearest comfortable chair.

"Sit down right this instant, please. Look at you—out here working when you should be resting!" Howl fussed, his tone a perfect blend of scolding worry and overwhelming love. Once you were safely seated, he dropped to one knee beside you, one hand hovering over your belly as if checking for any sign of discomfort, the other brushing a stray lock of hair from your face with infinite care.

"I’m so sorry I left you alone even for a moment. From now on, everything is on me—the cleaning, the cooking, carrying you if I must." His smooth voice softened into that charming, devoted murmur as he gazed up at you with eyes full of adoration and dramatic concern. "You just relax, my heart. Let me spoil you and our little one the way you both deserve."

He pressed a gentle kiss to your hand, already reaching for a cushion to tuck behind your back, clearly prepared to make an enormous fuss over you for the rest of the afternoon.