Phantom's Understudy

Part Nine - The Baron

It had been a week since Erik and I last spoke. We were starting rehearsals for II Muto today and I had learned all of my lines. I wondered if Erik was purposely avoiding me? But, why worry my head over it?

After rehearsals finished up, I grabbed my flute out of my room and I walked up to the roof. I hadn't been up there in a long time, in fact since I met Erik a month ago. I used to go up rather frequently but just hadn't felt up to it.

I opened the door to the roof and walked over to the ledge that I usually sat on and began playing a melancholy tune. I looked down into the streets, seeing people walk together, hand in hand. Some carrying babies. Some walking their child across the street.

Looking at all of this made me realize how lonely I really felt. Erik started to fill that void in the random popups I had come accustomed to. But I guess that friendship was short lived.

My parents were in Wales. I wrote to them at least once a month, but other than Christine and Meg, I really had no one else. Christine and Meg were amazing and perfect friends, but I definitely felt something missing in my life.

A breeze came through and I stopped playing for a moment to pull my cloak tighter. I looked down at the beautiful flute given to me by the man in the mask and the void felt a little bigger.

I stared and stared, just letting my mind wander. As if things would get better if I did. I brought the flute up to my lips again and played the melody to that damned song again that I wanted to hear come from Erik's lips. It was haunting and I couldn't get it out of my head. I obviously didn't remember everything and how it went, but I thought I did a decent job replicating it.

Help me make the music of the night.

I sang along in my head as I finished up with an impromptu tune. The roof door opened just as I finished and Raoul came through. I smiled back at him when he revealed a smile.

"I thought I would find our star up here."

"How'd you guess it?" I asked.

"Christine told me," he surrendered with a chuckle.

I laughed back.

"I actually came up here because my Baron friend is here. He heard your last performance and even danced with you the night of the viewing. He said you've got quite the sense of humor." He said.

I laughed and responded with "The wine sure does help." And began turning down his offer, but remembered the loneliness I felt just a moment ago. So I accepted.

I followed Raoul downstairs to the entrance of the opera house. There stood a man more handsome than I could imagine. He had blond hair and hazel eyes, and he stood tall wearing very elegant clothing.

"Elizabeth, this is Benjamin Wilson. He is a good friend of mine."

I was kind of speechless. This man was interested in me?

He grabbed my hand and kissed the knuckles, bowing before me. "It's an honor, Elizabeth."

I smiled, hearing his English accent through his French. "Thank you, it's an honor to be in your presence, Monsieur."

"I thought I heard your English accent that night. I wasn't sure...you hide it so well. Where are you from?"

"Swansea, Wales, Monsieur. But originally from Oxford. My family moved when the coal mines began booming." I responded.

"Ah. I'm from London, Mademoiselle."

Raoul jumped in. "I'll leave you two to talk alone. If you should need anything, I'll be helping Christine rehearse."