Now another chapter is up :) I guess what happened before me having to copy and paste was a temporary glitch :) As you know I don't any of the characters from Phantom but I do own Caroline :) Please review and enjoy the chapter guys :)
The Rose of Self
Chapter Twenty Four: I Don't Want to Hurt Anymore...
Caroline's POV
~December 26th 1907~
I woke up suddenly with a scream; before I knew it I found myself curling up into a ball and sobbing into my knees hoping to quieten my sobs. However that wasn't to be as I felt an arm wrap around my shoulders and Erik's soothing singing voice in my ear. As the song progressed I heard and felt my sobs lessen; however the image of the dream I experienced was still fresh in my mind causing me to hiccup every so often.
"Do you want to talk about it Mon ange?" A gentle voice asked and I looked up to see Erik's concerned blue eyes looking at me gently; to which I nodded a little in response.
"If it gets too much for you darling you can stop any time you want." He explained gently and after swallowing the lump in my throat I said tearfully.
"I was in a big room; I'm not sure what kind of room it was or where I was exactly. Suddenly it went all dark and a voice echoed around saying if I didn't marry him you would die. But before I could make the choice there was a thump as your body fell to the floor; I saw you lying there with blood on your mask and you were not breathing. The strangest thing was that the voice seemed familiar; yet unfamiliar at the same time. I am not sure why that was the case though." And I started sobbing as the images took over my mind once again.
"It's ok; I'm here by your side always Mon Ange. I'll protect you no matter what." He said soothingly and I choked out.
"I'm sorry if I woke you."
"It's ok darling; you can't control your dreams. I know what it's like to wake up frightened and scared of the dreams you experience." He said soothingly; did that mean he has had bad dreams just like me? Does he still dream about the fire that took his mother?
"I'll leave you to get ready whilst I prepare breakfast. I think everyone else should be up soon." He said gently and so once he was out of the room I picked out an outfit just as the maid came into the room.
"Here let me do the lacings for you your highness."
"Thank you Marie." I said gently as she continued to tie the lacings.
"Tighter please." I asked suddenly as I realised she had stopped tying the laces.
"You don't need it tighter your highness; Prince Erik would not like seeing you hurt yourself like this."
"Please; just grant me this one request. It will make me happy if you do." I beseeched. And with a reluctant sigh I felt Marie tighten the laces a little more. Once the laces were tightened I put on my shoes and proceeded downstairs for breakfast. I smiled as I smelt bacon and eggs as well as pastries cooking; who knew I was married to such a talented man? Even though the marriage was forced upon us; I still love how talented my husband is and how much knowledge he possesses.
"Morning darling; that smells lovely. I am so lucky to be married to someone so talented and loving." I said gently as I hugged Erik from behind and leaned into his back a little; however I swear for a moment I felt him tense a little under my touch. He turned around and kissed me gently on the lips causing me to smile a little before saying.
"Breakfast is ready Mon ange; why don't you call everyone in to join us?" And with that I left the room in search of Nadir, Antoinette and Meg. I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and called out the fact breakfast was ready. A moment later I heard the collective patter of feet as they ran down the stairs. Once we reached the dining room; we all sat down together and helped ourselves to the food that was set out on the table.
"So what do we have planned for Boxing Day darling?" I asked as I quickly finished a mouthful of food.
"How would you all like to have a horse ride around the grounds?" He asked and I nodded happily in agreement; I also smiled when there were collective cheers around the table from everyone.
"Well once you have all finished why don't you get yourselves into something more suitable for riding whilst I saddle up the horses?" And so I proceeded upstairs followed by Meg to change into my riding dress; which I made myself as well as a pair of boots. Once Meg had changed into her riding clothes; consisting of a blue riding dress with navy riding boots she laced me into my dress; which was burgundy red with a tailored jacket and black boots; we proceeded downstairs to see Erik waiting in his usual black and white attire with a black cloak over his shoulders and a black fedora on his head.
"You look lovely as usual; now let's enjoy a ride shall we?" And with that we all left the castle towards the stables where our horses were saddled up and ready to be ridden into the surrounding countryside. As we rode through the fields of wild flowers I closed my eyes in rapture as the wind blew through my hair. But the moment of beauty was interrupted by Gris stopping suddenly and stamping her hooves nervously.
"Gris girl what's wrong? There's nothing to be afraid of darling." I cooed as I stroked her mane gently hoping to reassure her a little. Suddenly a gunshot pierced the air and Gris whinnied a bit as well as reared up in the air. As she continued to rear up I held on for dear life hoping she would settle down. But that wasn't to be as I found myself falling from her back and hearing something crack as I landed on the ground. As I lay on the ground all I could feel was pain; for a moment I was lost to the world around me. Suddenly I faintly could hear someone calling my name. I then felt someone try and lift me from the ground; however this action caused me to whimper and scream out in pain. At that moment I realised my leg was broken.
"It appears your leg has been broken in the fall. I'm sorry but I will have to lift you to get you to the castle; Nadir is getting the doctor right now; they should be here soon." Erik said matter of factly and so I bit my lip as once again he lifted me from the ground. Once we got into the castle he placed me down gently on a chaise and I waited for the doctor to show up. Soon enough the doctor arrived and I felt Erik holding my hand as the doctor gave my leg the once over.
"I'm afraid it is most definitely broken; I'll set it for you but you will have to stay off your feet for about three to four weeks before the leg is better and you can walk on it again without the help of crutches." I then watched curiously as he set my leg before leaving me with a pair of crutches.
"Is there anything you need?" Erik asked curiously.
"I am fine; I don't need to be mollycoddled and I most certainly don't need to be treated like an invalid." I said through gritted teeth as I attempted to get up from the chaise.
"No Caroline! Your leg is broken and it needs time to heal before you attempt to walk. I promised you I would be there with you every step of the way and I intend to uphold that promise." He said matter of factly as he pushed me down gently on the chaise as I folded my arms like a young child.
"Now is there anything you need darling?" He asked gently once again.
"I'm quite hungry actually." I replied meekly and so with a nod he went in the direction of the kitchen. Five minutes later he came back with a large tray filled with pastries and fruit as well as some cold meat and cheese. I then ate slowly as everyone helped themselves to food on the tray; I guess that's why there was so much food on the tray when he brought it out.
"I'm sorry I interrupted the ride for everyone; I was enjoying being outside so much."
"There's no need to apologise princess; but what we want to know is where did the gunshot come from and who fired the gun causing your horse to rear you off?" Nadir explained gently and I smiled at his understanding.
"I can't tell where it come from; but do you think it could be that blonde man who I have encountered a lot lately?" I asked curiously and I watched as Erik thought intently for a moment.
"It's the most likely possibility as that boy doesn't seem to know when to quit pursuing you." He replied matter of factly.
"What boy do you speak of?" Antoinette asked curiously.
"He is a man in his early twenties; with blonde hair and blue eyes. He said he is a member of the De Chagny family. But the only member of the family I am aware of is Philippe; and the last I remember he is happily married with a wife." Erik explained matter of factly.
"Yes you are right; in a way. But there is the younger son called Raoul; if I remember rightly the younger son does match your description of the man you have been encountering." Nadir replied matter of factly.
"But why would he be pursuing Caroline so? She was betrothed to me after all; so why is he trying to take her from me?" Erik said quickly as he looked at me with concern.
"I'm not sure; but you should remain on your guard. I don't want her hurt; especially when she is the last and only heir of the Bellerose throne. We can't afford to lose her now." Antoinette said gently and I heard Erik reply passionately.
"I will protect her with everything I have; no matter the cost."
"Please Erik; don't get yourself killed just for me. I couldn't bear it if I was the cause of your death. You don't need to sacrifice your life for me; I am not worth saving." I said with a small voice and once again I tried to stand. Why was I feeling like this though?
"Caroline; I will spend every day proving my depth of love for you. But please sit down before you overexert yourself. You need to fully recover before attempting to walk; and even then you will need assistance to do so." He beseeched gently as I was pushed gently back onto the chaise.
"I'll listen because I love you; but I don't necessarily have to like it." I said quietly and I watched as a smile ghosted over his lips.
"I wouldn't have it any other way Mon Ange. Now why don't you rest; it's been a long day and it's getting late." He said soothingly and I looked out of the window; where the sun was setting in shades of orange and pink. As I fell asleep my thoughts returned to what happened today and about the boy who keeps attacking me. It made me think: "when will this nightmare end?"