Chapter One: Life in Gay Paris
Wiltshire Manor, Paris, 1883
"Finished, my lord?"
12-year old Rick Daae looked up from his musical composition to see Chauncy standing over him with a questioning look on his face.
Chauncy was one of the many butlers that served the Daae family, the second most powerful clan in England. Rick's grandmother, Charlotte Daae, was the youngest half-sister of the present King of England, making Rick and his sister third in line for the throne (after the Crown Prince and his brother, Edward). Despite their high position in society, the Daaes were known to have rather simple tastes. Rick's father was known for being a commoner and the childhood friend of Rick's mother, who had revealed a lovely singing voice when Erik and his sister were very young. She had given several performances in London, and now that they had relocated to Paris for the time being, she had promised their family friend, Madame Giry, to sing an aria in the Opera Populaire.
"Yes, yes, thank you Chauncy old boy," Rick replied, returning to his work.
Chauncy nodded and took the soup bowl that was sitting in front of Rick and quietly walked away.
Rick's younger twin sister, Christy, laughed at something their father said. Their father had on his trademark white mask, which hid some facial scars. Neither Rick nor his sister cared that their father was a little deformed; what he lacked in looks he certainly more than made up for in his devotion to his wife and his family. Whereas other noblemen bedded their friends' wives, the Duke of Wiltshire did not.
And why should he? The duchess was stunning in every way possible; even though she was thirty years old, the older Christine effortlessly captured the attention of men, old and young alike.
"Rick, have you talked to Alessandra lately?" his father asked before taking a bite of some mashed potatoes.
Rick blushed. Alessandra Colbert was the young daughter of Eugene and Lucille Colbert, the childhood friends of his mother. Although Alessandra had a lovely disposition, Rick favored another beauty.
Soleil de Maupassant.
She was the 18-year old singing prodigy of the Opera Populaire and Rick's long-standing love. Soleil had no idea of his feelings for her however; which was why he was preparing a full opera for her to perform in. Unfortunately, he couldn't bring himself to write the love scenes between Soleil's supposed character and the character he had based on himself.
It made him think of too many vulgar images.
"Erik?" he heard his mother say, and he cringed.
"Rick, Mother. My name is Rick," he stressed, snapping out of his mini reverie. "And no, Father, I haven't talked to Alessandra lately. Why do you ask?"
"Oh nothing. I just ran into Eugene in the race track yesterday and he mentioned that Alessandra was... clamoring for you." The Duke grinned at his son mischievously. "I just knew you'd grow up to be a ladies' man, Erik."
Rick sighed. His parents loved calling him Erik - he was his father's namesake, after all - as opposed to his preferred name: Rick.
"Are you saying you don't like being named after me?" his father had demanded many years ago. "The outrage!"
Of course, Rick knew his father was only kidding, but that didn't stop him from insisting that he be called Rick.
His mother had complied, but his father and sister... oh how they loved teasing him.
"I don't fancy her Father," Rick said for what seemed like the thousandth time. "I know you and Mother expect me to fall in love with her, but frankly I don't see that happening.
Christy promptly whacked him on the shoulder with her throw pillow.
"Christy!" their mother scolded gently. "Please don't hit your brother."
"Sorry Mother," Christy apologized, but Rick knew better. When their mother wasn't looking, Christy kicked him under the table, but Rick blocked it with his shoe.
"A bit 1880, isn't it?" Rick said calmly, while Christy pouted. Rick loved nothing more than to win at their little fights, but he usually conceded defeat whenever Christy began looking upset. Like his father, he was a sucker for the females in the family.
"Oh shut up," Christy said, throwing him an imperious look. "Come on, are you still working on your opera? You know Madame Giry is excited to see it."
"It's... not finished yet," Rick admitted sheepishly. "I mean there are some things I'm having... well, I'm not sure I should put a few scenes in."
"Do you need help?" Christy pressed, standing up and walking over to him. "Let me see."
"No, I can... Christy!"
Christy read the musical scales. "Well it looks okay, but why does it seem a bit low? This is good for a love scene nothing mo-"she broke off and her eyes sparkled.
Why does she have to be a genius in music as well? Rick griped silently. Now she knows.
"Papa, Rick is writing a love scene! It says: 'and he untied his beloved's bodice and kissed her on the lips feverishly..'" Christy announced loudly, causing the Duke to choke on his wine. The Duchess looked at her son in surprise.
"Rick, my love, why are you including a love scene in your first opera?" her eyebrows raised slightly, but she did not have a disapproving look on her face. "Isn't that a bit too much for a beginner?"
"It's a love story Mother," Rick explained quickly, fully aware of his father coughing and Christy giggling wildly as she showed her father the scales he had written. "I thought it appropriate to bring a love scene into the story."
"Well, if you wish for your father to help you, I'm sure he wouldn't refuse," she told him, throwing the Duke a warning glance.
Rick looked at his father and Christy, who both looked as if Christmas had come early for them.
"I can do this Mother," he assured her. He didn't like the idea of being stuck in a room with his father talking about love and love scenes. "I know you and Father have an important luncheon to attend."
"Nonsense! You know I can always spend time with my only son," The Duke declared.
Swell, Rick thought.
Out loud he said: "Thank you Father."
Christy plopped back on her chair and finished the rest of her breakfast. Finally she sat up straight and waited until Chauncy collected her plate. "May I please be excused?"
"Of course, beloved," The Duke said, and Christy smiled happily and kissed him on the cheek before walking out of the dining room.
"I'd better be leaving as well. Mother, Father." Rick stood up and kissed his mother's hand before getting the musical scales from his father.
"I'll be in the library if you need me, son," he heard his father call after him. "We can discuss your planned, er, love scenes then."
Rick refrained from rolling his eyes and stepped out onto the hallway.
"Oh Erik, must you tease him so?" Christine asked as she and Erik strolled down one of the upper corridors in their home. "He may be mature for his age, but he is still a child."
"Erik has always been mature. I just want him to realize that he should lighten up a little and enjoy his childhood. The boy is always reading!"
"I've always loved books Erik. He just takes after me and Papa," Christine said softly, placing her hand on Erik's arm. "I know you mean well, but I fear that he may not take it as such. I don't want a rift building between you and him."
"Very well. I must admit that you can't blame him for his seriousness. He is set to be the next Duke after all," Erik conceded. "But at least allow me to bring our children shopping. Perhaps that would make our son remember that he has but a few months of childhood left."
Christine smiled and kissed her husband. "Of course. I wouldn't deny you that pleasure. I'd go with you but..." she trailed one hand lovingly over her swelling belly.
Erik bent down and kissed his wife's stomach. "I know. Your condition is delicate. I wouldn't want anything happening to you and the baby. Little Gustave."
"Or Charlotte," Christine reminded him.
Erik laughed. "How could I forget?"
The sudden burst of laughter from Christy and Rick's room caused them to stop.
"There they go again." No matter how hard he tried to deny it, he loved hearing his children laughing and playing. Of course, the time would soon come when they would have to settle into their roles as the next Duke and Duchess of Wiltshire, which made Erik cherish the remaining time even more.
"Oh I hope Christy doesn't try to jump from her window and onto her horse again," Christine fretted.
"I'll go see what they're doing. Come, let's get you to bed." Erik guided his wife into their bedroom, which was a few doors away from their children's room. Christine laid her head on the soft pillows and smiled when Erik kissed her.
"I love you."
"And I love you Chrissy. Sleep well." Erik reluctantly let go of her hand and left the bedroom. It only took him a few minutes to reach Christy and Rick's room. Upon opening the door, he saw Rick and Christy on their beds, the latter holding on to a makeshift rope. Rick was clutching his sister's arm, as if preventing her from swinging off her bed.
"What's going on?" he inquired. "Christy?"
"Um, we were playing?" Christy replied lamely.
When Erik gave her a stern look, she giggled. "I wanted to see if I could swing from my bed and into that pile of pillows. But Rick doesn't want me to."
"Father, she..."
Erik raised his hand to silence them and saw the "pile of pillows" was actually made up of Christy's blankets, Rick's pillows, and their cat's bed.
"Christy, come here," he said, and Christy stopped smiling. He hated having to scold either Christy or Rick, but he knew if he didn't, they would grow up to be unruly. Christy followed him out of the room; from the corner of his eye he saw Rick jump off his bed and begin fixing the room.
Christy stood before him in the hallway, her eyes downcast.
"Christy, you know your mother and I don't approve of your reckless behaviour. I would have understood if it was your brother who was doing the things you do, but you're not acting like a proper lady," he began.
"But Papa, I act like a lady! Sometimes."
Erik knew it was true. But recently Christy seemed to be more rebellious. Last week she had taken off without any chaperone and spent the entire day in their country house. Erik and Christine had frantically searched for her, only to find her strolling into the manor the next morning. And yesterday she had attempted to climb a tree... in a dress. During afternoon tea.
"I know, love. I know. But you must understand the expectations placed on you. You and your brother are practically royalty. English and French society expect you to be a proper lady, with the right manners, behaviour, and etiquette," Erik continued.
Christy frowned, her dainty nose wrinkling. "I don't understand, Papa. Why can other children do whatever they want and not be scolded by their parents? Why can't I be me?"
Erik reached out to her but she was too quick. She raced down the hallway, her feet pounding furiously on the soft carpet. Erik sighed. He was too wrapped up in his thoughts that he jumped when he heard his son's voice.
"She really should learn how to be more mature, Father," he murmured softly.
"I know. But... I know how she feels. I had a hard time learning how to be a proper duke when I first married your mother," Erik admitted.
Rick stood by his side silently, nodding his head slowly. "I'll go after her and see that she's okay," Rick said after some time.
"Thank you Rick." Erik watched as his son ran after Christy before heading back to his bedroom.
As he closed the door Christine opened her eyes. "What happened?"
"Christy thinks we're holding her back. All those rules and restrictions are stifling her," Erik said, lying down beside his wife. Christine snuggled up to him and lay her face close to his own.
"Do you want me to talk to her?"
"She needs time. Maybe I shouldn't have scolded her," Erik said regretfully.
"You weren't harsh with her, my love. But perhaps you should wait for the right time to chastise her. She was having fun." Christine closed her eyes again. She felt tired, and the baby's kicking did nothing to help her rest.
"So are you saying I ruined her morning?"
"Well... yes. But don't blame yourself, Erik. You only sought to teach her what was right." Christine squeezed his hand comfortingly and yawned.
Erik waited until his wife was asleep before leaving. He searched for his children all over the manor and found them in the library. Christy was sitting on his favourite armchair while swinging her legs back and forth. Rick was on the table, writing furiously.
Erik cleared his throat and stepped in.
"Papa doesn't understand. I want to run wild and free! Like a horse," Christy declared, her arms akimbo. "Why do dukes and duchesses have to act so serious anyway?"
"That's the way of life, Christy. You can't escape who you were born to be," Rick replied as he placed the final details on his opera. He had decided to limit the love scenes to kissing, which made his work easier. Only a few more scenes and he would be finished.
"I hate being a duchess," Christy grumbled.
"What would you rather be? A shopkeeper's daughter?" Rick said sarcastically.
"If it means I can do whatever I want, then yes!"
"Be careful what you wish for, Christy. It may come true," Rick cautioned her.
Christy harrumphed and leaned back against their father's armchair, swinging her legs to and fro.
A few seconds later their father walked in smiling.
"Erik. Christy," he said. "Would you like to go shopping with me?"
Rick shook his head. "No thank you, Father. I'm about to finish my opera."
"I would!" Christy piped up. "If you're not angry at me anymore, Papa."
"Why would I be mad at you, mon cherie?" Erik said gently, and Christy brightened immediately. "Erik Christian Daae, I insist that you come with us."
Rick threw his father a swift glance before writing a few more notes on his paper. Finally he threw down his quill and sighed. "Fine, I'm going, I'm going."
Christy squealed with delight and wrapped her arms around Erik. "Is Mama coming with us?"
"She wants to, but your younger sibling is very demanding," Erik told her. "Once she has given birth she'll be able to accompany us on our little trips like she used to."
"And she can bring our little sister!" Christy exclaimed excitedly.
"How are you so sure that we'll have a sister?" Rick asked her. "It could very well be a boy."
"I know it's a girl because it moves around a lot," Christy said, sticking her tongue out at her brother. "We'll never give you a second's peace!"
Rick didn't look too happy at the prospect.
Cafe Elysees, Paris, 1883
"Another scone, Rick?"
Rick was with his father and sister in the Cafe Elysees, their favorite afternoon stop in Paris. Christy was polishing off the buttermilk scones, while their father chatted with a Greek trader they met who was importing coffee and tea to France.
"No thank you, Christy." Rick tapped his fingers on the table absent-mindedly. He could be writing the last scenes of his opera right now, but instead he was stuck in the cafe. Rick had to admit that the shopping trip was fun; his father had bought him the suit he was to wear on his and Christy's debutante ball, while Christy had decided to buy a new pair of shoes and a muff.
At least I can see the Opera Populaire from here, Rick thought. The grand structure was another of their properties. His father had bought it when they were seven, and he remembered seeing it for the first time when they visited Paris a year after their loving Nanny Margerethe died.
"What are you thinking about?" Christy asked him as she ate the last scone.
"My opera," he said.
Christy rolled her eyes. "Is that all you ever think about?"
"No." It was true - he usually thought about his opera... and Soleil.
Speaking of Soleil..
"Soleil!" he called. He had spotted Soleil's telltale red hair as she walked past a few shoppers with her parents. Monsieur and Madame de Maupassant saw him and smiled widely.
His father had turned from the trader and waved Soleil and her parents over. Soleil was looking radiant: her hair was pulled back with a hair clip and she was wearing a dress of deep burgundy, making her pale skin look even paler.
"Monsieur and Madame de Maupassant. And Soleil. Such a pleasure," his father said, kissing the hands of Soleil and her mother. "Please, join us."
Rick hoped that Soleil would sit beside him, but instead she sat beside Christy. He tried hard not to feel too disappointed.
His father quickly wrapped up his conversation with the trader, who bowed and exited the cafe.
"Business," Erik told Monsieur de Maupassant. "Forgive me, where are my manners? Would you like something to eat?"
A waiter rushed forward and Erik ordered two cups of black coffee, a glass of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a plate of croissants and crepes, per the request of Soleil and her parents.
While waiting Soleil and Christy talked about the latest fashion trends, while Rick tried in vain to join in their conversation.
"Will the opera have any new plays soon?" Rick finally managed to ask.
Soleil shook her head. "Just the same ones. I declined Madame Giry's offer to star in 'Romeo and Juliet'; I seem to prefer teaching the younger performers lately."
"Oh. I was writing an opera, you see."
"Oh yes, I remember Madame Giry mentioning it a few days ago. What is it about?"
"It's a love story, but I don't want to divulge the details," Rick said mysteriously, while throwing his sister a warning glance.
Christy must have gotten the message, because she did not mention the inclusion of a love scene in his opera.
"I can't wait to read it," Soleil said, smiling.
"I wrote a part with you in mind," he blurted out. As soon as the words left his lips, he cringed.
Soleil didn't seem to notice, although Christy gasped.
Great, now my sister knows, Rick thought. She'll never let me hear the end of this.
"You did? That's very sweet of you." Soleil smiled at him again and Rick felt his heart beat fast. He knew it wasn't proper to fall in love with someone six years his senior, but who was he kidding? His father was three years older than his mother!
One day I'll tell you how much I love you, Soleil, Rick promised her silently, watching her sip her lemon juice. I just hope that you'll love me back.
Does he like me? Soleil thought.
Ever since she and her parents joined the Duke of Wiltshire and his two lovely children, she had noticed that Rick had given her his full attention. Dared she hope that he was looking at her with admiration and... love?
Soleil found the young aristocrat charming and attractive, even if she had heard rumours that he seemed to be acting older than his age. Other girls found it off-putting, but Soleil liked maturity. Most of the boys her age were so full of themselves that she had stopped accepting suitors. Instead, she had thrown herself into performing on stage and training future divas and ballerinas. But there were times when she wished that she had someone waiting for her backstage, someone who would take care of her and love her.
Someone like - Rick.
Soleil glanced at him and saw that he was staring wistfully out of the window, but the moment she looked at him, he shifted his gaze from the street and onto her face. Soleil could feel something pass between them, which sent delicious shivers up and down her body.
Rick smiled, and Soleil smiled back.
I love you, Rick, she thought, finally averting her gaze from his handsome face. But you're younger than me. I'm not even sure if you even find me attractive, or if you're just being the perfect gentleman.
Author's Note: To help you imagine what Soleil, Rick and Christy look like, their portrayers are
Rick = Cameron Bright (12 years old); Cillian Murphy (24 years old)
Christy = Ryan Newman (12 years old); Tahnee Atkinson (24 years old)
Soleil = Molly C. Quinn (18 years old); Rachel Hurd-Wood (30 years old)
What do you think? Do you have suggestions of your own? :)
