SEE CHAPTER 1!
So yeah, chapter two is up! Yay! I'm having a better time writing Christine and Raoul this time than the last time I wrote this. I hope you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Phantom of the Opera or Beauty and the Beast :)
The Beautiful Rose
~Chapter I: Five Years Later~
"Christine? Christine?" The girl opened her eyes as she was pulled out of her daze. Looking around her surroundings briefly, she realized she must have stopped her needlework in order to listen to the gentle sound of the violin in the next room. Looking at the old women sitting across from her, giving her a stern but knowing look, a small blush dusted her cheeks in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, Mamma Valérius, I won't get distracted again," she promised, quickly picking up the needle where she had dropped it and continuing on the small embroidered flowers she was creating in the white cloth in her hands. Mamma Valérius chuckled gently at the young girl.
"Your father plays beautifully on that instrument, doesn't he?" she commented lightly, turning her eyes down to her own needlework. Christine nodded her head with a small smile.
"He's the best in all of town," she answered, pride evident in her voice. At the thought of her father's gift at playing the violin, her head tilted down in sadness and her hands dropped the embroidery onto her lap. Mamma Valérius caught this in the corner of her eye.
"What's the matter, child?"
"…Do you believe father will be good enough to win the audition to play at the Opera House in Paris?" Christine asked, her blue eyes remaining downcast. Mamma Valérius took her time answering, choosing her words carefully.
"…I don't know," she answered honestly, "There are many great musicians in the entirety of France. But if I know you're father, whom I do, he will not let that opportunity go without a fight. Do not worry so much, dear, everything will be fine."
"Yes, Mamma Valérius," Christine replied politely, quietly returning to her needlework. She couldn't help wondering the possibility of her father not getting the job. They were not a wealthy family, so much that at one point they were living on the streets of Sweden with nowhere to go. If Mamma Valérius and her husband, who is now deceased, had not taken them in then they would have surely died. They had moved to a town near Rouen in France so that Mamma Valérius could live near the rest of her relatives, especially as she got into her old age. But now they are losing money again, and Christine's father would go to any cost to be able to get enough money to support his family, including Mamma Valérius for all of her kind gestures in the past. That is why he was going to Paris for the opportunity to audition for a part in the orchestra, but Christine worried that he may not have the same skills as the others who would also be auditioning.
"Christine?" Christine was once again snapped out of her daze, this time by the sound of her father who was calling her from the next room.
"I'm coming, Papa," she replied, gently putting her work on the table beside her before standing and rushing to the next room. As expected, her father stood in the middle of the small living area, violin clutched in his left hand, the bow in his right. On his aged face was a gentle smile at seeing his beautiful daughter, who was practically a lady now, being close to the age of adulthood.
"What is it, Papa?" Christine pondered, tilting her head slightly.
"It looks like there's going to be bad weather outside," he father began, motioning to the window near where he stood with the bow of the violin. Christine looked at the dark clouds outside and then back to her father in confusion.
"Yes," she confirmed.
"I was planning to leave tomorrow morning at dawn to go to Paris, but I fear the storm will hit before then and trap me here. If I leave in an hour or two, I could get to a town closer to Paris when the storm comes," he continued. Christine's eyes widen in shock, a deep part of her not wanting her father to leave at all.
"B-But you said you were going to leave tomorrow!"
"I know. But the weather always changes plans. Would you do me a favour?" he asked, his light blue eyes gazing into hers. Christine could never deny those eyes, and knew she would have to let her father do as he pleased for it was all for the better good.
"Yes," she answered quietly.
"In my coat pocket there are a few francs. Could you please go to town and buy some bread for me to bring on my journey?"
"Yes, Papa," and without another word said, Christine turned and left the room. Though her heart was heavy with the thought of her father leaving, she did what she was told and went to the front door. Quickly taking the francs from her father's coat pocket, and shrugging on her own coat, she left the small house.
The wind was light, but cold as it passed over the girl as she walked down the dirt road to town, the breeze ruffling her blonde hair. Wrapping her jacket more snuggly around her slim body to keep warmth, Christine couldn't help giving a large shiver at the chilly weather, worried about what the storm might bring.
Ten minutes later, the girl found herself in the small town, still busy with the same villagers that came every day for food, though less than usual due to the cold weather. Not being one to make light conversation with strangers, Christine kept her head down and quickly walked to the closest bakery. Stepping inside the shop, she was greeted by warmth from the working stoves and without a thought stepped deeper into the shop.
"May I help you, mademoiselle?" the baker asked from across the counter. Christine blinked for a moment, trying to remember why she was there before moving towards the man.
"Yes, Monsieur. May I have a loaf of bread, please?" she asked.
"Which one?" the man asked, motioning towards the different loaves displayed in a basket on the counter. Christine took a moment to inspect each one, debating whether or not it would be better to buy two small loaves or a big one. Deciding that the larger loaf would be best, she pointed at the one shaped like an oval.
"That one, please," she answered. The baker nodded his head and he gently took the loaf and began rapping it in a cheap material.
"That would be ten francs," he informed. Christine took the franc's her father gave her from out of her coat pocket and counted them.
"I only have seven," she told the man.
"I'm sorry, but I will sell if for no less than ten," the baker said, a look of slight apology on his face.
"But Monsieur-"
"I have three francs," a voice cut in. Christine turned at the sound of a door closing to see a young man enter. She knew the familiar appearance, the tall, dark brown haired male with deep blue eyes and a constant kind smile.
"Raoul," she addressed, unsure of what else to say.
"Monsieur le Vicomte," the baker said shocked.
"I have three francs you can use, Christine," Raoul offered while taking his hand out of his coat pocket and showing the said amount in his open palm. Christine stared at it dumbfounded, wondering if it would be rude to take it.
"I-I'm alright, Raoul," she lied, her eyes unable to leave the money in his hand. Raoul chuckled and idly walked over to the counter and placed the franc's down.
"I insist," he answered, motioning for her to place the francs in her hands down. Christine nodded gratefully and placed the money on the counter. Taking the francs, the baker counted them before continuing to wrap the loaf of bread.
"Thank you, Raoul."
"Don't thank me, it's the least I can do for a lifelong friend," Raoul replied, leaning slightly against the counter as he faced the girl. "…Is the loaf for your father?"
"Yes," Christine answered, looking down at the ground. Raoul noticed this and nodded in understanding.
"He's leaving early, isn't he?"
"You know him just as well as I do, he tends to change his plans whenever something like the weather comes his way."
"It's always for the better. Don't worry, Christine, he'll be back before you even realize he's gone," Raoul comforted. Christine smiled gratefully.
"I highly doubt that, but thank you."
"Here you are, Mademoiselle," the baker said while offering the wrapped loaf. Christine took it with a 'thank you' before turning towards Raoul.
"I'm sorry, were you going to purchase something?" Raoul looked at her confused for a moment before remembering where he was. He laughed lightly and shook his head.
"Me? No."
"Then why are you here?" Christine asked curiously, raising a brow at him skeptically.
"I was walking to Philippe's new home when I saw you in the window. I thought I would say 'hello'," he explained. Christine smiled and gave a small chuckle.
"Silly Vicomte," she teased.
The two continued to make small talk as they exited the bakery.
"So your brother has returned from England," Christine began. Raoul nodded.
"Yes, his accent sounds like a strange mix of French and English. It's humorous – he doesn't like it when I tease him about it," he explained. "He bought a nice home near here. He wanted to start a family without having our parents watching his every step."
"Family? Has he met someone in England?" Christine questioned.
"No, but he's planning on finding someone here. I know he always had an eye for Sorelli, but…our parents…" Raoul trailed off, unsure of the right words to say.
"Do not approve of her?" Christine finished. Raoul sighed.
"Yes… If they are not in our 'rank' than they are not worthy of the noble De Chagny family," he answered shamefully. Christine places a hand on his back in a friendly manner.
"Don't worry so much, Raoul. When the right girl comes along, you'll know, and whether or not your family approves of it you will marry her and have beautiful children together. Hopefully eight of them."
"Eight?" Raoul echoed surprised.
"Of course, four to name after both your parents and hers, one to name after your brother, another to name after whoever she chooses, and the last two will be born late when you realize all of your children are grown up and moving away," Christine explained with a childish smile. Raoul laughed.
"Alright, eight it is," he agreed.
When the two reached the edge of the town they stopped to face one another.
"I believe this is where we part ways," Raoul said, a tone of a sadness in his voice. Christine nodded.
"I believe so," there was a small silence that passed between them.
"Give your father the best of luck for me, and give Mamma Valérius a kind greeting," Raoul said with a smile. Christine returned the smile as she nodded her head.
"Of course, and don't forget to give Philippe a kind greeting in my name."
"Of course… Au Revoir, Christine."
"Au Revoir," and without another word said Christine turned and left, walking towards her home. Raoul stayed where he was for a moment longer, watching after the girl longingly before slowly turning and walking towards his brother's address.
It took Christine another ten minutes to reach her home. She was surprised to see her father outside, his coat on while he packed Jammes, Mamma Valérius' horse.
"Papa?" she questioned confused as she approached the man. Her father turned and gave her a warm smile.
"There you are! I was wondering if you were going to return at all," he teased.
"You said you weren't going to leave for another few hours," Christine reminded. He nodded his head solemnly.
"I know…but my heart is anxious to be on the road. The storm clouds are coming closer at a fast pace. It would be better if I left now. I thought I would prepare Jammes while you were in town, and then say my goodbyes," he informed. Christine could only stare at him before slowly passing the loaf of bread, tears starting to form in her eyes.
"Christine," her father said gently, his heart breaking at the sight. He took the bread from her before pulling her into a hug with his free hand. "I promise I will return as soon as possible. You know I would rather be here with you and Mamma Valérius than anywhere else in the world."
"I know," Christine sniffed. Taking a moment to just be in each other's embrace, her father soon pulled back. He wiped one of the tears that slid down Christine's face before giving her a warm smile.
"I'll send you word when I have reached Paris," he said comfortingly. Christine nodded with a small smile. Her father turned back to Jammes and placed the bread in one of the pockets that were not completely full. He took another few minutes to finish with the rest of the packing, but Christine never left his side as he did so. With nothing else left to do he mounted the horse.
"…I'll be home soon," he said slowly, not being able to hide the sad look on his face. Christine nodded.
"R-Raoul gives you the best of luck," she informed. Her father chuckled.
"What a good lad. If you get lonely, invite him over. Mamma Valérius loves seeing him, and you two are great friends."
"I will, Papa."
"…I love you…"
"I love you too," with that said, her father pressed his heels into the horses' side gently and began trotting down the road. Christine watched until she could no longer see his retreating figure.
"Come home safely," she whispered to herself.
A/N-Well we all know where this is headed. Back to Erik's mansion, next chappy! Yay moody Erik! So please review with your thoughts on this story so far and ideas if you have some. Thank you!
