Beauté et le Fantome
Beauty and the Phantom
Chapter One A New Destination
We rode on in silence to our new destination-a quiet village where every day quiet people lived their lives like the day before. Papa made it sound so boring but truly I didn't care where we lived or how much money we had to buy things. I really never liked getting all done up in fancy dresses, jewels and makeup. I preferred to keep to my studies...read and try to help around the house. I knew that he just wanted me to have the best and that he felt that he wasn't giving me the best, he thought that he had failed as a father, but I didn't think so. When the letter arrived yesterday morning I have to admit I was very shocked and very scared about what fate had in store for my poor father and I. All fears vanished when father said that he still owned a little cottage in a village just outside of Paris and that we were to go there to live. You see my father is a merchant. He mainly shipped musical instruments and such all over the world. Not even a week ago a vicious storm hit destroying all of papa's ships thus the end of his business. After father had paid off all of his debts we had little money left and had to move out of our beautiful estate in the city to ensure our survival. So this morning I bid farewell to my best and only friend Meg and her wonderful family, they had offered to let us stay with them, but father being the noble and proud man he was kindly refused, wanting to make his own way in this world, and returned my book to the library and we left, left the only world I had every known and plunged headfirst into a new life. We had left a few hours ago, stopping once to eat, rest and to give the horses a break. I stared up at the sky, the sun was beginning to set and the colors were magnificent.
"Christine, my Beauty we have arrived." Father declared.
I shook my head, trying to clear my already tired mind and looked ahead of us. Sure enough there was the village, the village in which I would live until I married. A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of marriage. I had been courted by many men back home, but I turned down all possible suitors. I didn't want a man who only wanted to marry me for my wealth and beauty. Father called me his beauty ever since I was a little girl, then the men who courted me replaced my name for beauty, hoping to win my favor. I was the proper age to marry, and to have children, but I wanted to wait until I found my prince, my night in shining armor like all the princesses did in the stories mother told me at bedtime before she died. I wanted to fall hopelessly in love and live happily ever after but as my Uncle Philippe had said when I was fifteen, "There is no such thing as happily ever after, Christine. There is no such thing as true love…" Now I believed him.
I was again pulled from my thoughts by the sound of my father's voice and the carriage stopping at the gate.
"Bonjour monsieur" father greeted the gate keeper.
"Bonjour." The gatekeeper greeted "Is there something I can do for you Monsieur, Mademoiselle?"
"I am Gustave Daae and this is my daughter Christine Daae. We are here move into the village, to an old family cottage. Could you please inform us of which way road to take to get into the village, it would be greatly appreciated?"
"Oui, of course. I was told you would be arriving today. Please forgive my rudeness, my name is Giles Andre. My wife, Cecile, and I live near your new home. It is a pleasure to meet you both." The sound of hooves headed this way was heard and Monsieur Andre turned around to see who it was. "Ah, here comes Richard. Excuse me a moment." He turned and greeted his friend and introduced us. "Monsieur Gustave Daae and his daughter Mademoiselle Christine Daae, Monsieur Richard Firmin, he does the next shift here at the gate. Now then, you must both be anxious to get to home before it gets to late so, take the road on the right all the way to the end and you will see a cluster of cottages, I trust you will know which one is yours." Father nodded to Monsieur Andre before he said, "Thank You Monsieur."
"Oh," Monsieur Firmin exclaimed, "We must warn you to be careful around the forest, as a matter of fact don't even go into the forest. Beware le fantome!"
Father and I exchanged confused glances before nodding in unison. "Thank you again Monsieur's." Father stated. We only rode a few feet before Monsieur Andre rode up beside our cart.
"Wait!" he cried. Father stopped the cart. Andre dismounted his horse and came up to me. "I apologize for interrupting you on your way for I know it is getting late but I forgot to give this to you Mademoiselle." He handed me an envelope with my name written on the front in gold ink. Underneath my name it said 'My Little Lotte'.
"Who sent this for me?" I inquired
"Monsieur le Vicomte."
"DeChagny?" I asked
"Oui."
"Raoul!" I exclaimed happily. Father just smiled.
"Well I should be getting back. Again, my sincerest apologies for holding the both of you up. Mademoiselle, Monsieur, farewell."
"Farewell." Father replied. I had already begun to open the letter. As we rode on I read the letter aloud to my father.
A red scarf…the attic…Little Lottemy dearest Lotte,
I have missed you so. I can't believe that we will finally be able to see each other again. I have heard what happened. I hope you and your father are alright. If you ever need anything please do not hesitate to ask. I will say no more for we will see each other soon.
I remain, Christine, your loving friend,
Raoul
"Oh Papa, I do hope we see each other soon." I stated after reading the letter.
"I know, Christine, I know."
XX
We arrived at the cottage soon. The cottage was beautiful. A small stable was to the right of the cottage and a barn behind it. We unloaded the carriage and unpacked our things into our designated rooms. The view from my window was magnificent. There was a beautiful lake and the forest was behind it. I went back downstairs and helped unpack a few things that belonged downstairs.
"Beauty," father called. I left the kitchen and father by the door putting on his cape.
"Where are you going, papa?"
"I'm going to the village square to try and get us something to-" He erupted into a fit of coughs.
"-eat." He finished when the fit was over.
"And something for that cough." I added
"Is there anything else you require, my beauty?"
"No, nothing."
"Alright, then I will be back as soon as I can." He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and left me alone in the house.
I was scared to be in a new home, in a new house, in a new village alone. As I someone read my mind there was a knock on the door. I didn't know if I should answer it. I didn't know anyone here except…Raoul! He said we would see each other soon. Was soon now? I tossed my apron aside and smoothed out my dress before I opened the door.
A man, about three and a half inches taller than me stood before me. He wore black trousers, black boots and a navy shirt. He appeared to be very muscular and strong. He had long golden blonde hair and beautiful, warm, green eyes. I knew those eyes. I opened my mouth to speak however the man was quicker and spoke first.
"Christine Daae, where is your scarf?"
"Monsieur?"
"You can't have lost it. After all the trouble I took. I was just fourteen and soaked to the skin…"
" Oh, Raoul, it is you!"
"Christine" he murmured as he pulled me into his warm embrace. We laughed and talked for about ten minutes before Raoul had to leave.
"I really must go Christine. My father needs me home for some company diner. Can I come and see you tomorrow?"
"Of course, Raoul. You are always welcome! 'Till tomorrow then."
"'Till tomorrow Little Lotte." He said kissing my hand and heading out the door.
I sat down at the table in the kitchen and relaxed for a moment before father walked in carrying some bags. We unpacked in a comfortable silence and ate some bread and cheese after that. I retired early after washing the dishes. I dreamt I was a princess…in a dark and mysterious castle…there were candles all around…there was a man but I only saw the back of him...I reached for him but he disappeared and I voice whispered to me as the candles blew out… 'to late, you are to late'
I woke up at dawn covered in sweat. Somehow now I had doubts about living in this village, in this cottage, near the forest…