A Beautiful Curse

Chapter 5 - May I Have This Dance?

A/N: The image above is my inspiration for Draco's looks. Plus, Henry Cavill is a babe. Enjoy the eye candy <3

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Draco's P.O.V

  King Charles made his way purposefully toward Lord Mandrake, an intent smirk on his lips. When he reached his destination, he said in an inquisitive tone, "Mandrake, my old friend."

Draco sighed frustrated. What favor had the king to ask of him now? "Yes, my lord?" he answered, narrowing his eyes.

He was quiet for a moment, opening and closing his mouth like he was trying to find the right words. He seemed to be contemplating in his head whether to say what he had to say or not. But, of course, as his usual self, he always said what he wanted anyway. "I noticed your interests in a certain lady today."

Draco raised a dark eyebrow. "My lord?"

"That red head. You seemed to be quite entranced with her before I had you escort her back here."

Draco gritted his teeth and said lowly, "You can think what you like, my lord."

"Oh, I do think that, old chap. You seemed quite enamored. That is why I had you escort her instead of her sulky brother." When Draco raised his eyebrows at his opinion, the king shook his head and laughed. "Oh, I know that family, Mandrake. At least from what my men tell me. Before I addressed an invitation to them I had my men investigate the goings-on of that family. The two youngest are quite sulky creatures, while the older three seem to be more care-free and are enjoyable company. I find the red head extremely charming."

Draco resisted the urge to growl and kept a straight face.

The king, knowing his old friend, noticed this slight reaction and went on, "But I know, of course, you want her for yourself. My question is why?"

The dark lord decided to be a little more honest with his king and stated flatly, "I have seen her before, my lord. I attended the ball of which she was introduced to society. But that was over ten years ago."

"Oh?" the king urged.

"And... I have seen her from time to time. On my travels of England and in a few of the public parties." He wasn't being entirely honest... but then again, he wasn't entirely sure either.

The king smiled smugly once again and said, "So you have been enamored with her for longer than today."

Draco rolled his eyes, unafraid to do so in front of a monarch. The king had much respect for Lord Draco and his riches and wisdom. He had much experience in war and politics and his advice always turned out for good, good for the nobles and good for the common. The man then spoke, "Is there a point to this inquisition, my lord?"

"I have found you a dancing partner for this evening," his majesty stated matter-of-factly, sweeping his arm around, and then with his outstretched arm, indicated to the fiery maiden.

Draco lifted his head, looking over the crowd and clashing gazes with a deep brown pair of eyes. After a moment or two of silence, without taking his eyes off her, he said, "My lord, you may not have been informed, but she is be-"

"Betrothed. Yes, I know," the king interrupted. He looked intently at him and went on, "But for you, my lord Mandrake, the word of a king could change that."

Draco still did not sever his gaze from hers. And an idea took root in his head. "No, my lord."

The king's expression changed to one of surprise and confusion. "No, Mandrake?"

A devilish smirk, one he had not worn in some time, stretched his lips. "It shall be her decision. But it would mean very improper strategy and maneuvers."

A similar smirk appeared on the king's mouth as he turned to also gaze upon the fiery beauty. "I like the way you think, Mandrake."

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Anne's P.O.V

  He was gazing at me purposefully now and a sly smirk stretched his beautiful lips. On any other man, I would have despised him on sight but on him, I found it rather dashing and the foreign feeling in me rose as he made his way toward me, his face unchanged. His presence easily parted the crowd and he and the king reached my position within seconds.

The king stood to the side, standing just in front of my parents as he introduced them all to his lordship. "May I present Lord Draco Mandrake, first adviser of my court and head general to the Royal army. And a close friend of mine."

Sophia appeared to recognize him. In her mind, he had escorted me home, shaming her son because he accepted the king's request to escort me when it was Samson's responsibility. I remember overhearing when she had questioned Samson about my behavior, he had told her that the man had insulted his honor by taking me on his horse instead of leaving the honor of family responsibility above the king's orders. With a quiet huff, she turned to glare at her husband. But as if he cared! So she just glared at him. And he glanced at her and gulped nervously.

But Lord Bard did know. There was no doubt his sons had informed him. Lord Bard stared at this great hulk before him in unconcealed awe. In his mind, this was the man who escorted his precious daughter, lent his hand to her when she was in need of aid. A general of the army and high counselor to the king, he must have seen him before. And he had a fearless darkness around him, the dark-humored glare he had in his eyes that I believe gave my father a feeling of fear.

After watching my parent's reaction to the man, my glare burned intensely in battle with the Lord Mandrake. I tipped my head in greeting to him, but my gaze did not leave his. And he did the same, bowing slightly, with his hand upon his chest.

The king grinned at the exchange, seemingly quite amused with it and commented, "And, of course, you two have already met."

I turned my head in the king's direction but my gaze still never left its target. "How could we not, Your Majesty, when you seemed so adamant about causing an introduction between us?"

The king laughed loud and his hand smacked down upon Lord Mandrake's shoulder. "You are right, undoubtedly, Miss Anne Bard. I hope you are as quick and lithe at dancing as you are at witty replies."

Sophia smiled sourly at the king and then sent a glare my way.

But I ignored it. I only watched as Draco held out his hand to me and bowed his head toward me once again. "I would like to challenge that."

I arched an eyebrow and my sealed lips turned up slightly. And with that, I took his hand.

~~~~~

Third Person P.O.V

  And, unbeknownst to Anne at the time, Lord Bard watched his precious eldest walk with a man of fearsome countenance, his heart pounding with anxiety. Lady Bard watched her grievance walk away with a man who could harm the alliance she had worked so hard to form.

The king urged Bard aside, away from his wife, and spoke to him privately, "Do not fear for your daughter in the presence of Lord Mandrake."

"Your Majesty?"

"I trust Lord Mandrake whole-heartedly, Lord Bard. I would deny him nothing."

Lord Bard looked at his daughter and Lord Mandrake, breathing in deeply as anxiety ached in his chest. "She is betrothed, you know."

The king nodded and smiled. "I have been told. Has it been a long engagement?"

"Uh, yes, somewhat long. But, hopefully... there will be a wedding soon."

The king nodded again. "I believe there will be, Bard." He bowed his head to Lord Bard and then took his seat upon the throne.