Angel of Music

Chapter Five: A Single White Rose

Elsa Winters stepped into her dressing room, after her first performance as the leading soprano. That night was astounding; she was so strongly supported that Madam Terpsichore had to shoo off countless devotees on their way to their extravagant quarter.

The chamber was furnished with numerous of flowers, essentially roses. Dozens of pink, red, orange and numerous coloured roses were scattered among her chamber. Occasionally there was a bushel's of lilies located, and perhaps some tulips. All were for her. Each flower was a courtesy to display their pleasure of hearkening her ability to sing.

Lady Terpsichore gave Elsa a soft smile and murmured gently,"you did very well, my dear."

Placing a hand on her shoulder with a genuine smile, she converted over to the dressing table that held a single white rose. Fastened to its thornless stem, a dark blue ribbon tied in a bow. Picking the rose up delicately in her hands, she turned to Elsa with the rose.

"He is pleased with you," She informed Elsa as she settled the rose in her hands. Elsa did not require to identify who 'he' was. 'He' was an individual that they never desired to consider in the theatre. Fear struck into the performers should his nickname be specified.

Exiting swiftly, Lady Terpsichore briefly notices Elsa glanced down at the white rose. Twiddling the thornless rose in her hands, she fondled the silken blue ribbon. She admired the perfect bow that had been tied around its stem. Wonders of why he would entrust her a rose began to arise within her mind.

Outside the door, first in line was Lumier and Cogsworth with an immense bushel of flowers and a bottle of champagne. Spotting the Vicomte they called on him, as he proceeded to Elsa's door.

"I think we've made quite a discovery with Miss Winter," Cogsworth commented with a smile to master all smiles.

"Perhaps we could present her to you, dear Vicomte?" Lumier suggested as he leant forward.

Madam Terpsichore steps out of the entrance, sealing it closed behind her. Quickly she observes the gentleman before her, bowing her head she scurried elsewhere.

Chuckling at the suggestion, Hans spoke,"if you wouldn't mind, gentlemen. This is one visit I should prefer to make unaccompanied."

Glancing away for a second, he glimpsed back down at the two objects the men held. Quickly retrieving the flowers and champagne he thanked them before making his way to the entrance of Elsa's dressing room.

The men watched with disappointment, as they glanced to one another.

Hans instantly knocks on the door, before proceeding his way inside.

"They appear to have met before," Cogsworth stated to Lumier who nodded his head as they observed Hans close the door behind him.

"Elsa Winter, where is your scarf?"Hans questioned as he smiled towards her.

"Monsieur?" Elsa inquired, as she furrowed her brow as she also glanced up.

"You can't have lost it. After all the trouble I took. I was just fourteen and soaked to the skin," Hans recalled to her with laughter, as he advanced his way towards Elsa.

"Because you had run into the sea to fetch my scarf. Oh, Hans. So it is you!" Elsa exclaimed as she sat up from her position. Embracing each other with laughter. When the embrace was broken, Elsa sat back down on the stool in front of her mirror.

"'Little Queen...let her mind wander,'" Hans quotes from one of Elsa's childhood stories.

"You remember that, too." She interrupted with a red glow coming to the apples of her cheeks.