The Phantom's Guardian (the Phantom of the Opera fan fiction)

Part 12 - Disobeyed orders

Author Note: I do not own any character from the Phantom of the Opera books/ musical/ movie. Only my characters (Desiree, Sharon, the old violinist, Alice, Clara, Madame Dubos) and any others I may add along the story are mine.

Part 12 – Disobeyed orders

"Arrgh...., this is such a huge building yet no place to sleep for me????", Desiree groaned. What was she thinking, going on a rant about how great the Phantom is in front of him? In her haze of embarrassment, she left the lair and even took the Phantom's boat. Now, after she calmed down, she is both tired and sleepy again. She could not go back to the stage because Raoul and the managers might still be there and she could not go back to the lair because she was mortified to face the Phantom. ('And you thought it would be a great idea to talk to him, hmm?') her Sharon-conscience raised an eyebrow. Desiree was far too tired to argue back, even if it's with her own conscience. Instead, she headed for the costume room.

As soon as she entered the room, Clara jumped out from behind a clothes rack and grabbed Desiree's arm.

"Oh, there you are, Monsieur Derrick, I've been looking for you all morning."

"Clara, please just call me Derrick, not this Monsieur nonsense.", Desiree grumbled.

"Oh... but what is wrong with Monsieur...", Clara pouted. Desiree was starting to get suspicious about Clara's apparent affections towards her. Subtly and uneasily, she tried to pry her arm free from Clara's grasp. Unaware of her struggle, Clara droned on.

"Anyway, have you heard the latest news? Christine has come back and Carlotta as well! The Opera Ghost has made new demands too! He asked that the leading role in Il Muto be given to Christine and Carlotta is to be given the silent role. Moreover, Carlotta and the Viscount also got threatening letters to comply with his arrangements. How scandalous!! However, the managers decided to cast Carlotta in the leading role anyway but they are keeping it a secret until the rehearsals start. Everyone is saying that the Opera Ghost is a good-for-nothing meddling..."

"He's not like that!!", Desiree cut her off sharply.

Clara seemed taken aback, her eyes widening. Desiree felt sorry for her immediately.

"I am so sorry, Clara, I did not intend to shout at you. It's just that it has been a stressful day for the whole theatre, with Christine's disappearance and everything."

"But Derrick, why did you say he is not like that? You spoke as if you know the Opera Ghost personally."

"Umm, no, I mean that Christine is actually talented and kind. Moreover, a lot of us dislike Carlotta's snobbishness, don't we? I imagine that this Opera Ghost seems to recognise Christine's potential and maybe, just maybe Carlotta needs someone to remind her of her place. It is just my opinion..."

Clara still seemed doubtful of her explanation, but she seemed more hurt by Desiree's harshness. Thankfully for Desiree, she did not press further and left the room dejectedly. Desiree made a mental note to apologise to her later, when she was feeling less jittery.

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"Did you see Christine today at the Theatre, boy?", the Phantom asked one evening. It has been three days since the curtain call of Hannibal and the girl in question seemed to be keeping to herself these days. The Phantom also has been keeping to the lair, mostly composing and only asked Desiree to deliver another rose to Christine at the night of last curtain call.

During the past weeks Desiree has seen Christine sitting alone in the corners of the opera, pale-faced with a pensive look in her eyes. Meg tried her best to cheer her up, but Desiree could say that it was mostly unsuccessful. She felt sorry for her. For a girl of her age with little worldly experience, it would be difficult to comprehend the events that unfolded. It would make matters worse that she could not talk to anyone about it. For the first time, Desiree felt regret for her decision to pretend as a boy, she could have offered companionship to Christine if she had kept her original appearance.

"I did see her a few times master, but she seems to be resting a lot. Elissa was a difficult and tiring role, although she made Hannibal quite successful."

The Phantom hummed.

"Hmm, It is possible. However, she should be starting her training sessions with me soon for Il Muto if she wishes to maintain that success."

(Oh boy, I am in a pickle! He still doesn't know about the manager's casting decision!), Desiree thought. She was unsure how to break the news to the Phantom. She remembered that in the story, the Phantom undermined Carlotta's voice and killed Buquet during Il Muto. What if he killed the messenger of this news, in other words, Desiree, first? She shuddered from the thought of her corpse floating in the underground lake with nobody to find it.

"What is it? Once again you seem like you've seen death.", the Phantom asked. He was getting unbelievably better at reading Desiree that she had to be extra cautious around him these days.

"Umm, Master, I have rather unpleasant news to tell you....", Desiree began tentatively. "but can you promise not to kill me?"

The Phantom was silent and quizzical at first, then, something incredible happened.

He started Laughing!! It was the first time Desiree heard him laugh and the deep, throaty voice reverberated in the hall, mesmerizing her with its resounding melody. (The man really has the voice of an angel), Desiree thought fleetingly while gazing into his dark green eyes, which are now twinkling with humour. Far too soon, he stopped his laugh, shaking his head at Desiree.

"You really do think the worst of me, do you not? I employed you to bring me all sorts of information, be it desirable or not. Why do you think I would kill you because you were doing your job?", he said.

Desiree found herself smiling sheepishly at his explanation. She unconsciously scratched the back of her head, and replied.

"Umm, it seems simple enough if you put it like that. It's, ... it's just that you always threaten to kill me and I guess I was worried about that."

"Boy, I may keep a mean reputation as the Opera Ghost but I am not a raging murderer. Moreover, you've managed to get me infuriated a few times and I haven't killed you yet, so I think you are quite safe, my friend.", the Phantom patted her shoulder and walked to his organ.

"Since we have guaranteed your longevity, shall I hear your "unpleasant news"?", his fingers played on the keys, teasing the promise of a new song. With a much lighter heart, Desiree started to explain the situation to him.

His hands faltered when she told him that Carlotta will be playing the lead, but continued as if nothing happened. When she finished, he did not speak until the song ended.

"So, these imbeciles dare defy me, hmm? Then they shall know that the Opera Ghost can bring down their business as effortlessly as he can build it up.", he spoke with the cold voice.

"What are you going to do, Master?", (she did not dare to voice the question "are you going to kill someone?")

"The same thing I have been doing for a long time, showing that squealing Carlotta the place she deserves."

Author Note: Hi there, a new part for you! I would like to thank my lovely readers @littlelovie and @Rogrot for voting my story!

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