The Demon's Child and the Phantom

Chapter 24

Rosella's POV:

It had been a week since the incident, and Daroga had accepted my apology the first fifty times before he begged me not to ask for it anymore. He stated that there wasn't anything to apologize for, yet I still somehow doubted that. Madame Giry said something similar as I apologized nearly every-time I saw her. The only one left to apologize to was Erik, and for him I hadn't been able to bring myself to the lair yet to face him.

He saw me at my absolute worst, a moment of insanity that took root and did not let me escape until it had run it's course in its aim to have Florica sent to me. It left me powerless as it took total control, as was easily proven by the still visible marks on my left hand. Such a horrid event that I know it will only serve as a prime example of how horrible I am compared to his love, to his Christine. So rather than face him with an apology, I have simply avoided seeing him altogether even as it seemed to make my heart ache.

I wasn't able to work yet with Madame Madeline due to the still healing cuts on my left hand, but I still accompanied Daroga to the opera house every day. Each day brought a similar routine of listening to the musicians practicing, spending time in the stables, or staying in Daroga's office reading as he worked.

Today was no different as I had spent most of it near a black stallion in the stables, after having listened to the musicians practice earlier today. I walked around in one of the small gardens outside the Opera House for a bit before I returned to wander the halls lost in thought. A full-dress rehearsal for some Italian based opera was being done right now. So, everyone was absent in the halls and present either on stage or behind it.

I let my mind wander blindly and before I realized where exactly I was, I had stumbled upon the old Prima Donna's wing. I knew almost instantly which door led to the Prima Donna room, what was once Christine's old dressing room. I knew it was hers because it was avoided like the plague by everyone that worked here, it was one of Erik's rules and therefore one of Daroga's for the opera house staff that no one was to enter it. I had never sought to break his rules before, as they were few and far between it seemed, that was until now.

I thought about leaving but had a sudden desire to see inside, so instead of leaving I pushed the door open and quietly crept inside before gently shutting the door behind me. I had been somewhat surprised that it was unlocked but my surprise soon gave way to other emotions as I stood in the room. I turned to look around and saw that the room wasn't covered in dust like I had imagined it would be. It looked as if the covers on the bed had just been made and there were even fresh white roses in a vase on a small vanity across from the bed. As I looked around the room and studied all the details, what was left of my pitiful heart shattered into nothingness.

The reason he didn't want anyone to come in here was because it was his shrine to her. It was his way of remembering his lost love, and a way to hold out hope that one day she could return and would need her room back. I felt tears start to form in my eyes again as I sat on a stool in front of the vanity and the little mirror it held. I stare at my face and the blank expression that was just now beginning to shatter and give way to the heart-breaking sorrow that is being held back.

I stare into my own eyes in the mirror, the red and blue-silver each staring back with a mixture of hate and sorrow building in them. They may not be the main reason why he could never love me but surely they do not help. I put my head down on my arms as I keep myself from crying, and rebuild the mask I wear. I'm tired of crying, of being weak, of showing emotion that doesn't help but only gains more scorn towards myself from others. Emotions such as these were the reason my mask was first built to begin with, to save me from further pain.

I feel as if I've done enough crying for two lifetimes and I'm not even that old yet. I finally feel the old promise I made to Lord Byron to never sing again break, as the emotions I have been avoiding for some time finally burst free from inside of me. I start singing a song to myself, the first song that I had ever learned, the same song he played on the piano the first day we met. Masquerade.

"Masquerade
Paper faces on parade
Masquerade
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you"

"I only wish that it were true."

I suddenly get the feeling of being watched but it doesn't make me uncomfortable, which can only mean that Erik is somewhere near or in one of his tunnels. I sigh as I sit up slowly and fix my hair and the blank expression on my face. I won't be the one to acknowledge that he's here, especially since I have broken one of his rules just by my presence in here. I stand to leave the room when I start to hear it. Piano music, but not from the theater where rehearsals are going on, but from behind the large mirror on the other side of the room.

I walk over and as soon as I reach it, it slides open and reveals a tunnel lit with candles. I hold in a gasp as I look and listen to the music coming from Erik. I have no doubt that he planned this but why? Am I now to punished for breaking his rule of coming here? Or face judgement for the other night of insanity? Does he thirst for my blood as payment for breaking his rules? No, no that couldn't be it for even after everything he has ever done to everyone in his past, he is a gentleman at his core.

I listen to the song, never having heard it before which means it is one of his own compositions. His music always speaks with emotions running through it and as I listen I can hear the sadness leak through, but also tones of joy and hope. Though I do not wish to face him yet, I know I must face him eventually and now is just as good as time as any since he knows I am here. I start walking down the hallway before I realize it and the mirror quietly slides shut behind me.

The song seems to repeat itself and I realizehe's playing it again from the beginning as I walk down to his lair. I walk outof the tunnel and into a second passageway to find that I'm directly next to thebedroom in Erik's lair. I turn toward the organ but he isn't there, and I hearhim playing the piano in the bedroom. I slowly walk in there and I see himsitting at the piano facing the door. The beauty of the song hits me again as Irealize he composed it himself.

I look at the bed and see sheet music sitting there and I walk slowly over toit before sitting on the bed, with my back against the headboard and looking athim. As soon as he finishes he starts with a second song without saying a wordto me. I pick up the sheet music but almost drop it as he starts singing in themost beautiful voice I have ever heard. Then I realize he's singing the song onthe sheets he placed on the bed and it's a duet. I pause for a moment until Iread who was meant to sing the other half of the song and see my name writtenin neat cursive next to his below the title of the song, "All I ask of you."