New chapter yay! Hope you enjoy!
Also, I would like to give a special mention to bhalesfb who favourited my story. I could not pm you for some reason so I am saying thank you very much here instead! I hope you enjoy the story.
Anyway this chapter focusses on Christine. :D
Several days had passed since Raoul had first come, almost a week, Christine thought, though she was unsure as to quite how many days. She had lost track of the time somehow, and all the days had merged into one long string of life. She didn't know why, but her days had felt like a drag since the night of Don Juan. It seemed she had lost all enthusiasm for life. She figured, though, that it would pass with time. She would have confided in Raoul but for some reason she didn't want to. She was sure that if she did, he would brush it aside, and pretend that it was just nothing. Christine knew that it wasn't just nothing but she felt that Raoul would just not be able to, or want to. She was beginning to get the impression from him that he did not care as much about her opinions and the things she wanted as she had originally thought. She had been sure on the afternoon that he had visited her, that he would care a lot about the things she needed and wanted out of their relationship, but over his visits, Christine began to gather the impression that, like all men, he wasn't going to care as much as she had hoped. She knew that she should not be too surprised, all men were like that, so why should Raoul be any different? She cursed her stupidity for believing that just because they were childhood sweethearts, he would care more about her wishes than other men. She should have known that he was no different. Thinking this made her heart sink. She had thought that he would be different, or special, but now she knew that she was wrong. She remembered the last time that she had seen him, the previous evening.
He had come straight to the Giry's after he had finished work, and had, as he had the last couple of evenings, he began to talk about nothing except the wedding. They had not gone for any moonlight walks, or romantic dinners. Raoul seemed desperate to plan the whole thing as early as possible, even though the wedding its self was not planned to be held until May. It was tedious, and tiring to Christine. She did not understand the necessity of writing out the entire guest list of snooty aristocrats with way too much time on their hands months in advance, or planning out a wedding cake that would not be made until a few days before the wedding its self.
She remembered that she had sat down opposite him in the Giry's parlour, dreading the topic of their discussion that day. She had started to feel like the whole elaborate style of the wedding was completely unnecessary and therefore, a sense of irritation started to bubble up in her. If Raoul was so worried about her health and her mental state then why was he forcing her into all this repetitive planning. Why couldn't he give her a few weeks, or even days, to recover from the shock. She was certain that was what was causing the boredom and lack of enthusiasm she felt while planning. The whole thing was tedious to her, however the topic of conversation of that day, would always be the worst for her.
"You need a wedding dress." Raoul had said decidedly, cracking his knuckles confidently, and glancing at her. "After all, you can not get married without a wedding dress."
Christine remembered sighing under her breath, trying to keep herself from retorting back something that she would later regret. She had known that it wouldn't be too long before he mentioned a dress but she didn't realise it would be so soon.
"I have arranged for someone to show you around the wedding shops and help you pick out a dress which is..." He paused, to puzzle over his word choices. "Appropriate for the family you will be marrying into."
Christine had understood perfectly what Raoul was thinking, and why he did this, and it irritated her. He thought that she was so incompetent and lacking in knowledge of his family, that he had to send someone with them to help pick out an appropriate dress.
"Since we are of the aristocracy, we have a very... Specific style that we need you to wear." He began, trying to explain why he was doing what he was, but only proving to annoy Christine further. "We need to show you off as a good addition to the family, as a few members of the family have already been quite... Sceptical about you and your past."
It took every ounce of Christine's patience and resolve to not snap back at him. Instead she sat there, nodded and played along like a good wife should.
Looking back on this, Christine still felt annoyance at the way she had been treated, but figured there was little, or nothing that could be done. This was just how it would have to be. She didn't like it but she had to live with it.
She was brought back to reality when Meg entered the parlour and began to speak.
"Christine are you ready?" She squealed.
"Oh... Yes..." Christine replied glumly, standing up with a small sigh.
"Are you okay Christine? You sound a bit down." Meg asked, frowning a little, clearly concerned.
"Yes... I'm fine, I'm just a bit tired..." Christine lied smoothly.
"Oh, okay!" Meg replied excitedly.
Madame Giry arrived downstairs soon after, and the three of them left in a carriage.
"You must be so excited! I mean, I can't imagine anything more exciting than shopping to find your perfect wedding dress!" Meg whittered excitedly, causing Antoinette to hush her daughter slightly.
Antoinette had realised that there truly was something not quite right with Christine. She had noticed the slight edge of irritation the girl had had every time that Raoul had tried to discuss their wedding. She had noticed that Christine seemed reluctant to contribute and that if she wasn't partially ignoring what was being said, then instead, she was just nodding along with whatever Raoul says, while she could see that the girl was becoming increasingly distressed and annoyed with the things being said. Madame Giry did agree that Raoul was going into far too much detail far too early, considering the date of their wedding, but realised that it was not her place to say, even if Christine could not pluck up the courage to make a stand herself. Antoinette wished that there was something she could do...
They met the chaperone that Raoul had sent, and she greeting them snobishly and coldly, shaking their hands briefly. She took them to a large dress shop, filled with poofy white dresses.
"Mademoiselle Daaé. Your fiancée has advised me of the situation and I have selected this shop." She explained briefly.
Christine and Meg began to look around the shop. Christine was unsure if she had ever seen Meg as excited as she was this day. She was in complete awe, pulling Christine around, showing her at least half of the dresses in the shop. She seemed to love all of them, and Christine was sure that if it were Meg's wedding, her only problem would be choosing which one she loved the most. Unfortunately Christine did not share this opinion. She found the whole search rather dull, and found none of the dresses at all inviting. They were huge and puffy, with poofed up skirts and sleeves, and ruffles that stuck out. They were all covered in itchy lace and ribbons, and looked far too snobby and gaudy for Christine. Chrstine's idea of a wedding dress was something less poofy, less gaudy although something with a slightly fancy touch to it. For some reason, she found herself picturing the wedding gown that the Phantom had created for her. It was as if he, and only he, knew exactly what would appeal to her tastes. She felt a pang in her heart when she remembered that they had been very close for ten years. He probably knew more about her than anyone else, even Raoul. She sighed at this, knowing that she should not be thinking such things, considering the fact that it was Raoul whom she was marrying.
Christine tried to find a dress that appealed more to her tastes than any of the others, but every time she find one, the chaperone, who was following her around, would tell her that it wasn't appropriate.
"That would be highly inappropriate for a Vicomtesse, Mademoiselle Daaé." The chaperone replied dully, again, causing Christine to pull a face, and sigh, rubbing her forehead.
Meg placed a hand on her shoulder, feeling quite sorry for her friend.
"Christine, why don't I help you pick one? We could find a nice one." She suggested kindly, with a smile, for what must be the fourth or fifth time.
Christine finally gave up and accepted. She allowed Meg to show her which ones she liked best, and ended up picking one at random, that Meg squealed at, clearly it was one of her favourites.
That evening, after sitting in the carriage, hearing Meg talk about what type of dresses she wanted to wear as bridesmaids, and how happy she was for Christine, Antoinette really began to worry about Christine. She had seen how reluctant Christine was about the dress that she had bought, and knew that this would contribute to the overall stress and upset of Christine. She just hoped that that evening, Raoul would be understanding, and at first, it seemed like he would.
Raoul arrived at his usual time, greeting his fiancée warmly, and greeting Meg and Antoinette. He sat down, and for once, did not start talking about wedding plans, or anything of the sort. Instead he asked how Christine was doing, and if she liked her dress. Christine lied about the dress, but Antoinette could see the trust and belief build up in Christine, seeing that she could once again see a future filled with happiness. The two chatted happily for a while, before Raoul coughed and said.
"Dear Christine, would you like to take a moonlight stroll with me?" Raoul asked her, smiling comfortingly and lovingly at her.
"Oh yes please Raoul!" Christine replied excitedly.
He stood up, glancing at Meg and Antoinette, letting them know that they were expected to go too, but coughed discretely, indicating that he wanted them to follow behind reasonably far away. Antoinette was all to glad to agree, pleased that he was inspiring confidence in his young fiancée again. Raoul offered Christine his arm, and she took it gratefully, giving him a loving smile. The two of them stepped outside the house, laughing and chatting together, acting, once again like a very in love couple once again.
Meg was in turn, just as excited.
"Oh maman, maman look at them!" Meg squealed. "Aren't they just the perfect young couple."
Antoinette nodded in reply, not 100% convinced of this, but glad that at least, Christine was happy. That was all that really mattered. As they walked down the empty, moonlit street, Antoinette watched the two of them talk. She couldn't hear them, but watched the way that they acted. She knew that they cared about each other greatly, but was wondering that maybe they felt differently. Raoul was clearly taken by her, either in love or lusting and constantly giving her hints that he would not mind a kiss or two, where as Christine ignored these. It puzzled Antoinette. She was acting more like she loved Raoul like a best friend or a brother. Antoinette was concerned and confused, but persuaded herself that she was just being paranoid.
Slightly in front of them, Raoul and Christine were talking quietly and laughing, quite happily, when Raould suddenly stopped, glancing away a little.
"Christine... I need to talk to you..." He mumbled gently.
"Of course Raoul, what is it?" She asked with a sweet smile.
Raoul rubbed the back of his neck guiltily.
"Look Christine... I don't think you realise this but... As a Vicomtesse... You won't be able to sing..." He admitted.
"Oh... Well I understand about in public, but what about at home?" She asked, her heart sinking.
"Christine... No. I forbid it."
Gasp...
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