The Demon's Child and the Phantom

Chapter 4

Rosella's POV:

My body seemed to relax a bit at that news for some reason that I could not place. I was finally in Paris, the capitol of the country. I have always wanted to visit Paris, though I'm not quite sure why. It's not like it can be any different from any other city I've been to before, in fact I'm sure people are just as harsh about appearances here than anywhere else that I've traveled through. And yet I've always felt drawn here for some unknown reason, well not completely unknown I suppose.

"What type of work do you do? Forgive me Monsieur Khan, I should not have asked that."

I immediately feel my face pale at my rashness and find myself looking down at the floor again. A question as forward and inappropriate a servant to ask their master would warrant a beating on a normal day for me, and I wait for just that but it doesn't come. Instead, I hear him sigh a bit and then offer a slight chuckle as he stays seated in the chair. I expected him to reprimand me for my curiosity with violence, but instead he simply stays seated.

"Rosella dear it's alright to be inquisitive about me. Please dear never feel the need to look down at the floor with me. I am the current manager of the La Opera Populaire." (D)

I feel my head snap back up to him as I hear the name of his place of work. Surely not the famous opera house that past owners have spoken of in hushed whispers after a few drinks at dinner? I have heard the tale of what happened three years ago with Christine Daee the Opera singer and the Phantom of the Opera. It was rumored he taught her to sing with a heavenly voice, but that he was horribly deformed. He was rumored to be a monster, a crazed killed, but also a man in love with Christine.

It was not a tale that ended happily for the phantom as she did not return his love. She left him for another man, married the man, and now has a child. The version of the story that I had overheard at one of my previous master's dinner tables said that the Phantom died after she ran away with her fiancé ,but I could not believe that a Phantom could die, unless he was a man instead of some trapped spirit.  

"La Opera Populaire with the Phantom of the Opera?"

"It should not surprise me that you know of that tale as well. I believe that everyone in France has heard of it. But yes, I manage the Opera house now. Rosella dear if you don't mind me asking how old are you?"

"I....Monsieur I am not sure. I am somewhere between 26 and 28. I was not told my true birthday and I lost track of my exact age some years ago."

"That's quite alright my dear. I was just thinking that if you wanted to after you were well, you might could come work with me at the opera house. You are old enough, and I feel that you would like working there." 

"Monsieur......are you serious?"

"Of course Rosella."

"With....with pay sir?"

"Yes with pay and additional benefits as well I would say."

I can only nod back to him in response as tears start to fill my eyes. They don't fall, they almost never do anymore. I can't honestly remember the last time I cried since leaving Florica. I watch as he smiles at me with an honest and kind smile. He soon excuses himself from the room and tells me I should rest. I just nod my head as he leaves. I eventually lay back on the bed and stare at the ceiling and wonder how I ended up here. Maybe God does care about a Demon's Child after all.