The Demon's Child and the Phantom

Chapter 23

Daroga's POV:

I listened at the door to Rosella's quieting sobs as Madame Giry attempted once more to calm her down. I forced myself away from the door and back to the parlor downstairs as I forced myself to calm at the thought of her being so incredibly hurt by the people she was forced to live with for so many years. I was meeting with Erik tonight to help him determine what else was needed to prepare his gift of the Prima Donna room for Rosella, though I was still cautious about leaving her alone after what happened last night. My thoughts were interrupted as I heard their footsteps coming down the stairs and I stood from my seat by the fireplace as they walked into the parlor.

Rosella was as stiff and quiet as she had ever been before as she stared at the floor. I looked to Madame Giry with a brow raised but only got one in return paired with a stern face. I nodded, knowing that she was telling me to tread lightly. I felt a sigh leave my mouth but before I could say a word Rosella took a few steps closer to me and spoke in a voice that was as devoid of emotion as I had ever heard from her.

"I will never know how to beg your forgiveness enough Daroga, but I can only hope and pray that you will one day forgive me. I did not mean to lose control in such a way in your home when you have done so much for me." (R)

"My dear Rosella, I place no blame on you for last night's actions. But I would have you look up from the floor please." (D)

I saw her hesitate for a moment before she raised her eyes and looked at me. I saw a look of sorrow mixed with shame wash over her face before it became as impassive as a stone statue before me. I took a few steps closer to her, noticing her form seem to stiffen even as she held my gaze. I gently took her hands into my own as I smiled at her.

"I forgive you, if it is the only thing that helps soothe your heart and worry dear. Don't worry over it any longer. I would but have you smile again for now." (D)

I watched as she seemed to force a small smile to form on her face, one that did not reach her eyes but it was more than I could hope from her at the moment. I invited Madame Giry and Meg to dine with us for dinner, hoping that they could help further lift Rosella's spirits, and was ever thankful to the Madame for her ready agreement with my plan.

"I will see you later little flower." (MG)

I watched as Rosella smiled a bit more as she nodded to Madame Giry before she left the room. I felt another sigh leave my mouth before I took a seat in the armchair by the fire, watching with a bit of relief as Rosella took a seat on the small settee across from me. She looked at me before she looked at the flames in the fireplace, her eyes seeming to follow the dancing flames as she watched them.

"Rosella, may I ask you what triggered you last night so that I may learn how to better help you?"

"It was.....it was a nightmare that stayed with me when I woke I suppose. I'm so sorry Daroga." (R)

I watched tears start to grow in her eyes as her voice cracked a bit before she closed her eyes and became as still as a statue in her seat. But I could also hear the lie in her voice as she spoke. I had no doubt that it was whatever she dreamed that caused her to wake up in such a way, but I do doubt that it was only a nightmare and not a memory.

"Rosella dear, it wasn't just a nightmare was it?" (D)

I watched as she gave a tense nod no, before letting out a shaky breath and opening her eyes. She looked at me and I felt as if I was staring at the statue of an angel that had come to life as devoid of emotion as her face and eyes looked.

"It was a memory of one of the nights of the show. I was burned as usual but when the insanity took over, they offered the crowd the chance to beat the insanity out of me for a few coins. It didn't work that night, I just passed out and woke up in Florica's wagon still in a rage. She wasn't able to tend to my wounds until the next morning when I had passed out again and came to in a calmer fashion." (R)

"You spoke of the burnings but never of the beatings during the shows Rosella. Why?" (D)

"It's in the past, what is to be done about it now to make it matter so? I did not want.......I did not want him to be able to find out either for fear of it hurting him in bringing his own memories back to the front of his mind as I'm sure that he went through similar events while in the gypsy camp." (R)

I watched as she looked away from me and back to the fire, still as tense and solemn as she had been only a few minutes earlier. I let her words sink in as I realized she cared more about hurting Erik than herself, and though that worried me some with regards to her own health I knew that it meant her feelings for him were true and incredible strong. Perhaps as strong as his feelings were for hers, though he struggled more with how to show his feelings at times.

"I know that we haven't known each other long, and that your trust in me might not be that great-" (D)

"I trust you Daroga, with my life." (R)

I didn't get to finish what I was saying as she interrupted me mid-sentence and snapped her full attention to me rather than the fire that held her attention so strongly only moments ago. She stood from her spot and walked over before sitting on her knees at me feet staring up at me like a child would do. She slowly and hesitantly reached out to take my hand into her own and I smiled some as I met her halfway, bearing in mind not to squeeze to tight to avoid hurting the still fresh wounds on her hand.

"That fills me with a great sense of warmth then dear, and if that's true I hope that you learn to come to me when you need to talk. Whether it's about your past or Erik, or anything that may be troubling you. I realize that you have Madame Giry to speak to as well should you need, but I'm here also. I once helped him when he was learning to outlive his past. I can help you too if you let me." (D)

"Thank you Daroga. Your kindness is a gift I will never be able to repay, truly." (R)

"It's something that you'll never have to dear. Now, I think I'll have some tea made for us and perhaps if you're up to it a light lunch in the garden." (D)

"I would like that." (R)

I nodded as I smiled at her, seeing the smallest bit of a smile return in her eyes before I summoned one of the staff to inform them of our plans to take our lunch outside today. Rosella had looked away from me and the other staff member when they came in, choosing instead to look at the flames once more. But she didn't move away from me nor release the tight grip she had on my hand. I had hope in my heart that perhaps she was learning to heal, and with some help she would soon be on her way to a brighter future that could erase the past from her memory.