The Demon's Child and the Phantom

Chapter 22

Rosella's POV:

I woke to the sunlight streaming in gently through the window, followed by a breeze. It was the breeze that caused me to stiffen as I did not recall leaving the window open. The next thing that caused me to freeze was the presence of another person in the room with me. I could hear their gentle breathing and it caused my entire body to tense for a moment before I slowly opened my eyes.

I was caught in confusion though when my eyes met the soft gentle eyes of Madame Giry. What was she doing here at this hour? I sat up before I felt a pain rush through my left hand and a smaller one on my neck. I looked down and saw the bandages on my hand and felt another on my neck. I looked through the window and saw the hole in the glass, and I knew within seconds that I had lost control of the insanity last night.

I felt tears start to fall from my face as I turned away from her and pulled my knees up tightly to my chest. I heard Madame Giry try to comfort me but I only shook my head and held up my other arm to keep her sitting where she was. I can't believe I lost control in Daroga's house after everything he has done for me. I gasped as I realized I could have hurt him and I wouldn't even know. I looked toward Madame Giry and find her watching my very closely, but lacking the stern and serious look that I've grown accustomed to seeing on her face.

"Did I......did I hurt anyone last night?"

"No dear, just yourself. Do you remember anything?"

I shook my head as a sense of relief washed over me. I could do with hurting myself and live with it, but the guilt that I would have carried should I have hurt Daroga after everything he has done for me. I would have never forgiven myself, and yet it still doesn't tell me why Madame Giry is here. I wipe my tears away as I sit up on the opposite side of the bed from her, choosing to stare at the wall instead of her kind eyes.

"What happened last night?"

"Daroga and Erik were downstairs discussing business when they heard glass breaking and a scream. They ran up here to check on you dear and you demanded...you demanded to see Florica. So, Daroga came to fetch me and when I got here you calmed down and eventually went to sleep allowing Erik to patch up your hand."

I felt more tears start to form in my eyes the moment she uttered Erik's name. He had already seen my madness once, but now he had seen it again. I heard the sound of her dress rustle as she stood and a took the few steps necessary to come to the side of the bed I was on. I blanked my face and eyes as best as I could before I looked up at her, knowing I had more questions about last night but also knowing that I didn't want to show anymore weakness.

"What did I say last night to you? What did I do to myself if no one else was harmed?"

"Before I got here you were threatening to kill yourself with a broken shard of glass from the window. You were still holding it against your neck when I first arrived but then you saw me and saw Florica. You called me mother, apologized, and begged me not to tell Malik."

I close my eyes at my own shame and the shame I must have brought upon Daroga for interrupting his conversation with Erik last night and for disturbing Madame Giry. I felt her lay a hand on my shoulder and another under my chin, gently raising my head up towards hers. I slowly opened my eyes to see her staring at me with a gentle smile and the same kindness that has been in her eyes since the moment I met her.

"Forgive me Madame Giry for everything. For disturbing you last night and for now causing you to be late for the ballerinas waiting for you, and for calling you Florica and my mother. I was not in control or I would never think to call you mother. I'm so sorry."

"Oh my dear, there is nothing to be forgiven as my concern was only for your safety. As for being called your mother, I do not mind. Though I'm sure that Florica probably holds that spot in your heart."

"I called her mother out loud only twice. It earned me a beating from Malik the first time I did it, as she was his kin, so I never called her that out loud again until I parted from her forever. He was right anyway, so it matters very little."

"What was that devil right about?"

"I am such a creature that no one would ever truly want me. My own birthmother sold me to them for 40 francs when I was but a few days old. She didn't want me. No one does. It would have been better if i had followed through with my threat to myself last night."

I saw a look of anger pass through her eyes as I looked calmly back at her, before she knelt down in front of me. My eyes followed her motions as she placed both of her hands on my shoulders and gently squeezed them even as I tensed under her touch. I watched as a gently  warm smile began taking shape on her face.

"Ma Cherie, you are wanted by me and Meg and Daroga and Erik though he may not show it properly. And you are allowed to call me mother any time you wish. I am already seeing you more and more as a daughter. Do not let your past dictate what your future will be and never think that your death would be better for anyone."

I felt my mask break as a sob left my mouth and tears flowed from my eyes. She pulled me into her arms hugged me as I cried. I had never been told I was wanted since Florica and I were separated from one another, and the effect it had on me was greater than I expected. A few minutes passed as she held me tightly in her arms, before my tears eventually dried up. I knew that I still had to apologize to Daroga and eventually Erik but for now I was content to just sit quietly for a few more minutes with Madame Giry by my side.