Weeks had passed since the Palais Garnier burnt down and during that time, Christine Daaé, struggled to adjust to her new life in the de Changy Manor. In less than a day now, she would become a young vicomtesse. The idea of it grew less exciting by the day.

"Ooohf" Christine huffed, her hands clutching at the corset of her dress.

"Pardon, Mademoiselle". Camille apologized, having pulled the corset laces too tight.

Camille was but a seventeen-year-old girl, a servant to the house. She was rather pretty with golden, blonde locks that were secured in a bonnet, a slim face and eyes as blue as the ocean. Her poor family sent her to the de Changy Manor for work when she was just fifteen years of age. Upon Christine's arrival, she had been assigned to her as a personal hand maiden. Christine politely informed her fiancée that she had no need for such a service, but he insisted. Camille didn't mind waiting on Christine. She found her to be quite pleasant and over the past couple of weeks the two women formed a sort of friendship.

Camille took a step back to scrutinize Christine's gown. She reached out and grabbed the back bunch of the dress.

"I'll just need to pin the ends. It shan't be much longer now" She knelt down, pulling a pin from behind her ear.

Christine stared back at her reflection in the mirror before her. She donned a gorgeous, white-laced, wedding gown. The floral designs danced up the sleeves of her dress, meeting just under her collarbone and along her corset. Layers of material and small embedded diamonds adorned the fabric that draped over the pedestal in which she stood on. She was truly breathtaking.

She focused on her eyes. Her green hues lacked the sparkle in which they held during her early youth. They were sadder, exposing the longing in her soul. She loved Raoul, truly she did, but something was lacking between them. The passion seemed to have hit a stand still upon her arrival to the manor. During the past weeks, she had grown distant, her heart and mind elsewhere. Getting married and embarking on a life of aristocracy was without even a shred of delight. Why did she feel this way? After all, she did love Raoul….didn't she?

Camille noticed Christine's expression in the mirror. Her brows furrowed.

"Madame, is something troubling you?" She inquired, continuing her work on the dress.

Christine was quick to snap out of it. She forced a smile.

"I appreciate your concern, Camille. I'm fine, really. Just a bit tired, I suppose." Christine folded her arms in front of her.

"I'm just about finished here. Then you can go rest up."

Another servant hurried into the room and to Christine's side. His arm extended an envelope in her direction.

"Mail for you, Madame." He bowed his head.

Christine gave him a quizzical look. Mail? For her?

"Thank you." She spoke as she took the envelope into her hands.

The servant departed, and Christine freed the letter from its confinements. She quickly unfolded it and began reading. Her face lit up.

My Dear Christine,

Oh, how I miss you! I was waiting until mother and I were settled before writing you. It's been hectic for us since the fire. I promise you, we are managing though. We are temporarily settled in a cottage within the Vincennes Woods, just east of the Lac Daumesnil. Hopefully not for too long. Mother forbid me to disclose our location, but I thought you should know, my friend. I'm telling you this incase you'd like to come visit me, without mother knowing of course. I understand if you cannot, with your wedding and all. A future congratulations to both you and Raoul.

Just one more thing, Christine. Repeat this to no one, as I only tell you because you'd want me too. He's with us. He's alive. Please burn this letter.

- Your dearest friend, Meg Giry.

Christine's breath caught in her throat. She crushed the letter to her chest with dear life. Camille stood up, her hand tenderly touching Christine's back.

"Is something troubling you?" Camille's eyes fell to the letter.

"No, it's just…personal matters." Christine said with breathless haste. "Help me out of this dress? I'm feeling faint and would like to retreat to my room."

"Certainly." Camille started to unlace the back of the garment.

Christine bit down on her lip to cease its trembling. Her small fist balled the letter up at her side.


Flames of the fire licked at its stone confinements. Varying hues of orange and blue intermingled in a graceful dance. The flames reflected off Miss Daaé's glistening eyes as she gazed into the fireplace. She sat on her knees, one hand placed firmly against the cold stone, the other clutching the wrinkled letter. She let the piece of parchment slip into the fire place, watching as the heat consumed it. It shriveled, broke and blackened within seconds.

There was a sudden and loud knock at the door, causing Christine to jump in fright.

"Christine?" The voice called.

Christine got up from her place and moved to the door. She opened it to reveal Raoul on the other side. He immediately entered the room, subtle suspicion rested in his features.

"We missed you at supper. Is something the matter?" He inquired, his hand resting at her arm.

"Yes, I'm fine. I just felt a bit ill and needed to rest. I promise you, I feel much better now." She smiled reassuringly.

"As long as you're okay." He pulled her in for a hug, his expression remained with unease. "Christine?" He smelled slightly of brandy as he spoke by her ear.

"Yes, my love?"

"You're not having second thoughts, are you?"

With wide-eyes and a gasp, she pulled away from her fiancée, her hands placed flat at his chest.

"Raoul, how can you even say that? Of course, I'm not." She nearly choked on her own words. She wasn't really offended that he had asked that. She was scared that he had good reason too.

"I just want to be certain." Raoul took her hands into his own. "You've seemed….distant…these past few days."

"I'm still adjusting to this lifestyle is all. It's new for me. So different from the opera house." She gave his hands a reassuring squeeze.

"You'll grow accustomed to it. I'm sure." Raoul lifted her knuckles to his lips and planted a gentle kiss. "Until tomorrow, Little Lottie".

And with that, he was gone. The door closed behind him. Christine stood there, alone. Her heart aching as she felt like she had just deceived him.


Night fell over the de Changy Manor, casting a sheet of darkness over the property. Christine gazed out her bedroom window at the moonless and starless sky. Dark clouds hovered above, threatening rain.

Tomorrow she would be wed and everything that she once knew would be different. This was an occasion in which she should be happy, but to tell the truth, she was frightened. It felt as if there were too many loose ends to tie and duties to fulfill before she made this next step. That's when she knew. She needed to see him one last time.

There was no guarantee that the Girys would remain in the same place for too long and Christine and Raoul would be away on their honeymoon for at least a couple of weeks. She would have to go tonight, there was no other choice. It'd be now or never.

Christine turned away from the window and retrieved a dress draped over her divider.


Christine was fastening the button of her cloak when a gentle knock occurred at the door. She froze.

"Who is it?" She called.

"Camille." The small voice replied. "I'm turning in for the night, Madame. I wanted to see if there was anything you needed before I do."

Christine pursed her lips in thought. She really hoped she could trust Camille. Christine went to the door and opened it slightly. Camille looked at her with confusion, observing her cloak.

"Are you-uh going out?" She inquired.

"There's something I must do." Christine replied in a hushed tone. "Please, I need your help. This is important."

Camille hesitated for a moment. She didn't want to get involved with anything that might anger the Vicomte. However, Christine had shown her nothing but kindness upon her arrival. It'd be unfair to refuse her new friend.

"What can I assist with?" She succumbed.

Christine sighed with relief and pulled Camille into her room, closing the door behind.

"I need you to fetch a horse from the stables and have it ready for me by the gate. Don't let anyone see you and if they do, I trust you'll have a clever lie. You mustn't tell anyone that I've gone, especially not Raoul."

Camille nodded her head obediently. A sadness overcame her eyes as she looked back up at Christine.

"Will you not return?" Camille's voice nearly cracked.

It broke Christine's heart, considering that no one else in the house treated Camille with as much kindness as she did.

"I'll be back before morning." Those words stabbed Christine like a piercing knife. She spoke them with such uncertainty. "Has Raoul gone to bed?" She asked.

"No, not yet. He's in the study with Count Philippe." Camille said uneasily.

"Drinking, no doubt." Christine muttered.

"I mean…it is a time of celebration, is it not?" Camille looked at her questioningly.

Christine sighed, reluctant to respond to that.

"Please you must hurry. I haven't much time." She opened the door for Camille, who nodded and hurried down the hall.


While Camille saddled and led the white stallion to the property gates, Christine watched from her bedroom window. She waited for the right moment before slipping out of the room. The last servant inside the house had retired for the night, leaving the halls free of prying eyes. She tiptoed past the study, in which the door was cracked open. Orange light flickered from the door's opening and the sound of drunken laughter could be heard from within. Going unnoticed, Christine released a sigh of relief once she had passed it.

The cold air of the night stung Christine's exposed skin as she stepped outside. Her delicate fingers moved the hood of her cloak over her head, blocking the wind from further assaulting her face. She took off running toward the gate, certain that no one was around to see her.

Once Christine arrived, Camille grabbed the reign of the horse, steadying him. She helped Christine up onto the stallion and then ran over to the gate. With all her strength, she pulled the heavy metal bars back, praying that their rattling sound wouldn't stir the Manor's occupants. Christine gave Camille one last look and a grateful smile.

"Thank you." She mouthed the words. Christine slapped the reigns and the horse took off galloping into the night.