Honor

Chapter Seven: Charming

Princess Annie allowed Sir Auggie to lead her out to the middle of the floor, where the crowd parted to give them room to dance. And, with an effortlessly graceful move, Auggie had swung Annie around to face him. His hands landed comfortably on her tiny waist.

"Ready, Princess?" He asked as a coy smile graced his handsome features.

"Always," Annie smiled in return before allowing Auggie to lead her in the slow French waltz.

However, dancing with Auggie, as Annie soon realized, was entirely different than dancing with Prince Jai. Auggie was confident in his abilities and surprisingly graceful on his feet. Never once did he step on her toes or stumble while making a turn. His hands never strayed from their place on her waist and lower back, and his eyes never left her own. Annie felt as if she was endlessly twirling into the soft brown of his almond-shaped eyes.

"So are you enjoying your time here in France," Auggie asked suddenly to break their silence.

Annie sighed, "Not exactly."

Auggie's expression turned to one of concern, "And why is that?"

Annie grimaced, "The arranged marriage seems to have dampened my vacation a little bit."

"So you don't like Prince Charming over there?" Auggie nodded his head in the direction of Prince Jai, who was dancing with a voluptuous blonde woman, a painstakingly bored expression on his face. The woman clearly didn't see the Prince's boredom, and therefore continued to chatter on and on while the Prince pretended to listen.

Annie shrugged, "Not my type, I guess."

At this, Auggie quirked an eyebrow and grinned sneakily, "So the Princess as a type, eh?"

Annie blushed slightly, "Perhaps."

Auggie chuckled and pulled Annie a little closer to himself as the orchestra changed to another slow waltz, "Care to share?"

Annie shook her head.

Auggie playfully pouted, "Secrets don't make friends, Princess."

"Not now," Annie smiled and bit her lower lip shyly, "But I might tell you someday."

The pair danced in silence for a few minutes. They enjoyed the music and the comfortable atmosphere between them. However, it was not before long that Annie sparked up another conversation.

"Well, Sir Auggie, since you seem so keen on asking me personal questions, it's only fair I get to return the favor," The smirk that graced her features was, Auggie realized, both frightening and shockingly beautiful, "You must have plans to settle down someday, am I correct?"

Auggie nodded, "Yes, of course," he shrugged softly as he continued, "However, I doubt it will all work out."

Annie's expression turned to one of concern and confusion, "What do you mean?"

"It just won't work out," Auggie tried to explain.

Annie looked confused, "And why is that?"

Auggie sighed as he explained, "You see, the woman I admire...well, let's just say she's a little out of my league."

Annie let the subject drop, lost in her own thoughts. Who could Sir Auggie be talking about? Certainly someone of a higher social status than him, considering he said she was 'out of his league'. Which left Annie and her sister, Danielle. Annie sighed, already knowing the answer. It was the obvious choice, everyone preferred Danielle over Annie. She was beautiful, smart, and always followed orders. Being the black sheep in the family wasn't going to get Annie anywhere, and it certainly wasn't going to earn her the affections of the handsome knight standing before her.

Auggie blushed lightly, "I want to get to know you, Princess."

Annie shook her head softly, "Trust me, Auggie, I'm not very exciting. There's a reason everyone prefers my sister over me."

Auggie smiled softly, "You are much so more than your sister."

Annie lowered her eyes to the floor, "But she's so pretty and proper."

Auggie took a hand off of her waist and cupped her chin. He gently raised her head to meet his eyes once more, "I think you're beautiful."

Annie's blushed deepened as she scoffed slightly at his answer, "I'm certainly not beautiful."

Auggie shook his head, "You don't see it, but others do. I do."

Annie smiled softly at his words, "You said you want to get to know me more. I just hope you're not disappointed with what you do or don't see from here."

Auggie grinned at his Princess, "As long as I get to keep looking, I promise you I'll never be disappointed."

And the look in his hazel eyes told Annie that he was speaking straight from the heart.