Mon Espion || Phantom of the Opera

Chapter 39 - Losing

Slowly Erik pulled away from Constance's lips while letting his hands gingerly grasp her hips. He smiled down at her, watching her realize that he is in fact staring at her astounding beauty that she displayed so innocently before him. She then opens her eyes, revealing her stunning emerald irises to him, a small hint of amusement garnishing her smile as she sighs of contentment. Before she could speak, Erik moves one of his hands to reach for a small object in his pocket, finding it before long. He presents it to her as she gasps in realization.

"You had my ring?" she asks him confused, taking it from his fingers, "I wasn't aware that I had removed it from my finger."

"I don't blame you for such an action however," he retorted, watching as she placed the promise ring he gave her back onto her hand.

"It's not as if I intended on doing so," she quickly responded, followed shortly thereafter with a sigh, "Perhaps I might of, I can honestly say I do not remember that night at all."

"Which night?" he asks concerned.

"The night where I was told of your affair," she answered honestly yet not removing herself from his embrace.

Erik frowned at her statement, "I will never forgive myself for the pain I caused you my dear. I will try my best to make it up to you, even if it takes the rest of my life."

His hand gently caresses the left side of her face, removing a few strands of her wavy brunette hair that were blocking his view of her complete face. She looks up at him, her eyes wide and doe like and her cheeks capture a hint of pink from his statement.

"Erik," she says softly, resting her hands on both of his shoulders, "I am afraid of losing you again. I know not how to aid you in recovery or even if this is an illness."

"I do not either," he responded sadly, "though the Daroga stated that he was going to talk to some physicians to see if he can find out anything for us."

"Oh!" Constance gasped aloud, "We must find him at once. He said he found out something about your condition prior to me coming down here to visit you."

"He did?" Erik asked hopefully, kissing her cheek in response, "Do you know where he went?"

"Nay," she answered him sadly, "but he couldn't have gone too far."

"I shall fetch him then," Erik replied, gently leading her to the couch in which she took a seat, "Please stay put."

"Please?" Constance asked, quite amused by his tone, "I don't think I've ever heard you utter that word."

"Hush woman," he jested in return, moving towards the entrance in which she came from.

Constance giggled to herself as he ran off without her, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Could she be ready for the information that she was about to receive? What if the prognosis was that there was no cure, would she be able to live with the constant torment of someone changing their personality so quickly. What if they continued their courtship and even got married, perhaps even had kids, what would their children think? Would he react in such a way that he would harm her when he wasn't himself? Or even his children? The sound of large footsteps caused Constance to come out of her thoughts almost instantly, focusing her vision to seeing Erik and Nadir enter the lair and stand before her.

"Nadir," Constance greeted hesitantly.

Nadir nodded and took a seat on the couch beside her, followed by Erik who sat down on a single chair before them.

"Constance tells me you said you had information to share with us?" Erik asked him once they were settled down.

"Indeed," Nadir replied, "I have been searching all over for various doctors for both fact and rumor and have found something quite interesting. Are either of you familiar with Dr. Kraepelin's work?"