Despite the overwhelming beauty of the old opera house, Allegra know she wasn't supposed to be there. The words of her mother, Christine de Chagny, started to turn the butterflies in her stomach into a wildfire.
She forbid her from stepping a foot in the opera because of the old rumors of death, and her father refused to even speak its name.
The only thing she was allowed to know was that her mother became famous here, then something tragic happened, and she decided to stop singing. Professionally, at least.
"Miss Allegra de Chagny," the director called.
"Focus," Allegra cautioned to herself, stepping out onto the redone stage. This orchestra was the only prominent one auditioning for a concertmistress for hundreds of miles. If she happened to win the role as the best violinist in the area, she could follow the path her mother started. Maybe she could even make her mother love music again.
Allegra tucked her grandfather's violin beneath her chin, sent a quick prayer to the angels, and then proceeded to pour her heart out.
She got the role. Allegra was still overcome with the avid joy that she was more than just a small town violinist. Maybe it was her last name, or maybe the prayer, but she made it.
The second violinist headed towards Allegra, her raving, red face contrasting with her spiraling blonde curls. Bethany Alger. "How dare you win the spotlight over me."
Stunned, Allegra couldn't say anything.
She continued on, saying, "You only won because everyone knows your mother's legacy. Same red hair, same green eyes. You're just a promotional advertisement to them."
"How dare you," Allegra's voice shook. She had the urge to spit an insult to her face, to get even with her hurtful words. Yet her mother had taught her to behave better since she was small. For all she knew, Bethany's mother could have fallen ill recently.
Instead, Allegra walked away. If she was going to understand why her parents despised the place, she was going to have to spend less time arguing and more time trying to uncover it herself.
She slipped away while the auditionees went home, and climbed up the balcony. The view was breath taking. It cost thousands of dollars to repair the place from eighteen years ago, but every penny shined. The pit above was replaced with practice rooms, as the house was mainly used for Allegra's new orchestra. Endless seats extended from the stage. Endless people.. But she could fantasize about that later. Old newspaper clipping ought to be in the basement with any old supplies left over.
She took a couple flights of stairs down, followed endless doors, and ended up getting lost with only a flashlight and her violin. "Great. I became concertmistress, and in the same day end up missing in a secret labyrinth."
After walking a bit further, she thought she could hear the sound of a small river nearby. Following the sound, it led her into a damp, dark clearing. A large body of water lapped up onto the stone floor. Setting down her stuff, she knelt beside it and looked at her distorted reflection in the water.
"I wonder if Bethany's right.. The director was awfully nice to me beforehand…"
Allegra took out her violin, tuned the strings, then played a small concerto. Towards the end her lips began to quiver, and she set her bow down. Everything was a mistake. Even being here was a mistake. If only her mother was here to offer advice… How could she even face her after running off?
Taking in a deep breath, Allegra started to sing a part of her mother's lullaby.
"Think of me, think of me waking
Silent and resigned
Imagine me, trying too hard
To put you from my mind."
She started to strengthen her voice, though it wasn't nearly as lovely as Christine's. It didn't even matter though, because she was Allegra, not Christine. She would leave behind a legacy larger than her parents'.
"Recall those days
Look back on all those times
Think of the things, we'll never do
There will never be a day, when I won't think of you."
Allegra stopped, feeling better and more empowered.
At least, until the silence was pierced by a startled cry from behind.
"Christine?!"
(Hi, thanks for reading this far. This story will be primarily based on the opera version of the book, but I will draw on details from the actual book as well. Sorry for the long intro. More dialogue is coming in the next chapter, I promise. Please comment and follow for updates, I'll try to post more content soon. :) The song belongs to its creator and the characters to the author. I own nothing.)