Title: The Grounds near the Chateau
Set around the 1800's. Tried to be as historically accurate as much as possible, but concentrated more on the story/plot than the era.
Plot: Christine is under the guardianship of Professor and Mama Valerius. Whilst adapting to her new life she enjoys walking the countryside where she lives. One of the walks she particularly enjoys are the grounds at the Leroux estate. One day the Professor informs the return of his friend Colonel Desslar who has travelled in America and who also owns the grounds. Christine will quickly realize the Colonel isn't like any other man, not just in looks but in behavior as well.
Chapter One – A Casual Announcement
Chateau Valerius is not a residence which frequented many guests, especially catering dinners. However, that fact changed one Wednesday morning when Professor Valerius causally announced over breakfast, "My dears, Colonel Desslar has recently returned from his travels in America and I have taken it upon myself to invite him for dinner this evening."
The 'dears' granting him company and now slightly taken aback by the news are his adored wife and their ward Christine Daae.
Upon the untimely death of her most beloved Papa, the Valerius' were granted guardianship of a then 14 year old, distraught Christine. The old couple were dear friends of her father, through her grief stricken state it somewhat comforted her knowing she had a home to go to, with people she knew and cared for and not simply left homeless and abandoned. She has seen the Chateau as her home now for the past 2 years, though it took her a good year to finally settle into a new routine and a very different way of living. Professor Louis and Madame Eglantine Valerius ('Mama' to Christine) both came from privileged backgrounds. While the couple came from wealth the Valerius's were tender-hearted, generous people. Both held kind faces and soft spoken voices, no ounce of snobbery in their bones. They were not much older than her father but for Christine they were like the grandparents she never had. They were not fantastically rich but earned well enough to no longer need to work, to keep house staff or to worry about money in general. Both coming from well-respected families added to their way of living.
The way Christine lived before was the complete opposite to how she is living now. Her and her Papa weren't destitute but they had to be frugal. Unfortunately being a talented freelanced violinist couldn't afford them to live any greater than a one bedroom apartment near the slums of Rouen. However, Christine wouldn't have changed a thing on how she was raised. She grew up with love and music, as long as she had them and her Papa she was happy. Sadly after losing her father she too lost those things for a time. Yet during the course of her second year in the Chateau, with the help of the grand, scenic walks around the countryside just outside Paris, and the loyal love of her relatively new three legged Border Collie pup Forte, the need for music in her life gradually returned. She was singing again (much to the delight of her guardians who enjoyed her voice immensely) and also back to playing the piano.
In her old apartment they managed to home a small wooden piano that took up much space in the living room. Christine was taught the basics but, like her father, having a good ear for music, she was able to quickly pick up tunes and learn to read scores. Her main talent is in singing but there are moments when all she wants to do is listen to the tinkling of the ivories rather than her own voice. However, none of those sounds could ever compare or replace the harmonic notes of her Papa's violin, now forever silenced.
The love she gained from her new guardians wasn't as great as her Papa's but for Christine it was much appreciated. They loved her in their own way. Now that Christine will soon be turning seventeen and entering womanhood, she needs all the love and support she can get.
"Colonel Desslar?" Madam Valerius repeated in astonishment, surprise written across her wrinkled face. "Upon my word…I have wondered about him…Why yes, you must invite him over, how long has it been since we saw him last?"
With a furrow brow over his raised cup of tea Professor Valerius thoughtfully responded, "At least 5 years, I believe. I only found out his return late yesterday when I was in the village and came across his housekeeper stocking up on food. From briefly speaking to her it seems like his arrival was unexpected. I said to her to pass on my invite and I received his acceptance early this morning. He will also be bringing a companion with him, forgot the name, a foreign sounding one anyway, an old acquaintance of his." His brow frowning even more he added, "I got the impression from his note he was surprised by the quick invite, that we remembered him after not seeing each other for so long."
Ignoring Forte's pleading gaze and whining for more food under the table, Christine slathered jam onto her already buttered toast, idly enquiring, "Who is Colonel Desslar?"
With the intention to merely glance over at Mama Valerius, Christine's sights halted seeing the old woman's eyes shining with tears, clearly touched by her husband's observation on the Colonel's invite acceptance.
"Oh…" Mama Valerius sighed almost mournfully, "a most agreeable man that ever was..."
Professor Valerius snorted without humor into his porridge. "My dear, you are probably the only person to ever describe him as thus! And he wouldn't appreciate you saying that either!"
Madame Valerius frowned at her husband whilst dabbing her eyes with her napkin, "Well, he is very polite to us, Louis, you cannot deny that! And that voice of his – and that talent! We are probably the only ones in his life – besides this friend of his- that take any interest in him!"
Christine couldn't help but feel pity for the unknown Colonel, she being in a similar situation as he with only having the old married couple to care for her.
"How do you know the Colonel?" Christine asked with more interest, now taking a bite of her toast much to Forte's annoyance.
After taking a moment of thought, his porridge now forgotten, Professor Valerius answered pensively, "I met him almost 10 years ago...was simply by chance...At the college I once worked, he was overseeing repairs to one of the buildings and I just so happen to be walking past him humming the William Tell overture while he was reading his papers when he commented my humming was flat," a smile gracing Professor Valerius face. "Not only is he an architect but a musician as well, an extremely talented one at that I later learned. After talking to him throughout the period he was at the college I somehow managed to gain his favour, which was no easy feat I tell you. He isn't exactly a people person, so to begin with it was like pulling teeth to try and have a conversation. Was quite one-sided for a time, gave very short responses. "
Frowning at the imagery of an arrogant man being rude to the kind Professor, Christine asked rather crossly, "What made you persevere with someone like that?"
Professor Valerius smiled kindly at Christine. "My dear, it wouldn't be very Christian of me to not show kindness to the man who so clearly has been through much in life," before Christine could press further to what Professor Valerius meant, he added "and also once you hear his voice you too would want him to talk as much as possible."
Obviously this furtive statement added even more questions. What was so wonderful about his voice if he was curt?
"Plus if I didn't persevere I wouldn't have found out we shared much of the same interests. Science, Literature, and of course Music – although my interest in music is not as passionate as his or even yours, dear girl. From then on over the years we maintained contact, ironically him not living very far from here. Well, I say we, mainly I made the effort of communication, eventually inviting him over for dinner for Madame to mollycoddle." he jovially indicated his wife.
"The poor dear was practically skin and bone when you first brought him home!" said Madame Valerius, mindlessly stirring a teaspoon into her cup with vigor. "Such a very lean frame, I wonder if he has filled out during his absence…"
"The Colonel is a talented musician in his own right," Professor Valerius added wistfully, perhaps reflecting when he last heard the Colonel make music. "He owns the Opera Populaire in Paris, you know."
Christine's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Really?"
She has never been to the Populaire, only seen it in passing when in the city, but it's a place that not only stirs longing to go inside those great walls but heartbreak as well. Her Papa auditioned numerous times for a spot in the orchestra but they never took him on, never knowing why. The Valerius's have offered multiple times to take her to see a show but now that she associates that building for failing her father, she doesn't think she has the strength or tolerance to assort herself within its confines. If only they had accepted her Papa, maybe, just maybe, he would've lived longer.
"And the Leroux estate." Madame Valerius added.
"What was that, Mama?" Christine asked, pushing away her morose thoughts.
"The Colonel also owns Leroux estate, those grounds you are so fond of."
Christine's mouth dropped open along with her toast which promptly landed into Forte's eager mouth. "He owns those grounds?!"
"On his mother's side, I believe."
Not long after her arrival to the Chateau, Christine came across those grounds during one of her deepest melancholy states. The grounds are magnificent; a great field of twisting trees, wild flowers and a winding stone path which eventually leads to a vast lake. When the sun is out the grounds become a magical place fairies and elves could dwell. It was her place to escape and ponder whatever thoughts circulated in her mind. To get lost in the heavenly landscape. It was there which helped her find her music again. The view being too beautiful not to find music. Upon receiving Forte he too came to enjoy the walks, enjoying the smells and mud.
Now that the master of the estate has returned she may have to stop those frequent almost necessary trips. At the prospect Christine sank heavily back on her chair, breakfast abandoned.
"The Colonel doesn't help himself living a life of a recluse." Professor Valerius stated, now tucking back into his porridge. "His manners don't help."
"He likes to keep himself to himself, and why not?" snapped Madame Valerius defensively. "All people do is stare! All that he has done for our country, your college and that's the thanks he gets?! It's disgraceful!"
"Why do people stare?" Christine enquired curiously.
"He-he has an affliction." Madame Valerius answered stiffly, slightly shifting on her chair. "He wears a mask, covering the whole right side of his face. I think he gained it during his time in the militia, but I daren't ask. You can tell it's a sore subject for him..."
Strange and alarming yes, but to Christine wearing half a mask doesn't constitute the right to gawp, especially knowing that the man once fought for his country. Though, if the man is rude maybe people can't help but stare.
"What time are we expected for him and his friend to arrive?" Mama asked her husband.
"6:30, no doubt on the dot." Looking to Christine, Professor Valerius pointedly added, "He's a very punctual man, doesn't like to be kept waiting. So best get yourself ready the earlier the better. He will make his annoyance known."
Christine couldn't restrain an exasperated huff leaving her nostrils.
On one hand the afflicted Colonel sounds to have very few people in his life that care for him, possibly living life as a recluse and possibly lonely, and on the other he comes across as a rude, demanding, difficult man who is set in his ways even to those of his limited acquaintance. Throw in the possibility of the Leroux grounds no longer being accessible, Christine's feelings on the mysterious Colonel were very much puzzled. With another deliberate huff she couldn't help but amaze having such strong mixed feelings for a man she has yet to meet.
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The time is 6:45 p.m. and the ever punctual Colonel has yet to appear. Christine is furious. Mama made a huge effort arranging dinner, more so than usual. She requested Helena the housekeeper to go into the village and get all sorts of meats and deserts, much to Helena's annoyance. The Professor also made a personal journey into the cellars to select the finest wines they had. The steps being steep Christine ensured he was accompanied with not only herself but with the butler Fredric and Daisy the housemaid to assist him down the stairs and keep watch. Christine gathered from the dinners the couple shared with the Colonel previously the man doesn't have much of an appetite so all this effort may easily go unnoticed to him but because it has been such a long time since they last saw him, and he is also bringing someone, Mama especially wanted the Colonel and the guest to feel more than welcome. Poor Mama and the Professor, always putting others before themselves. The man may not eat much but the least he could've done is be on time and not keep his considerate hosts waiting. Even poor Forte has been sent outside to keep away from the guests. He tends to get overexcited whenever he comes across people, which isn't very often.
Christine also made an effort. Since living in the Chateau she has never had the need to bother much with her appearance. She has never been invited to balls or events, not that she minded and when in the village or city, they never went anywhere grand, so she mainly wore day dresses. The only company she keeps being the Professor, Mama, the staff and her faithful Forte. And she is content with that. However, as her guardians are putting so much effort in, not wanting to let them down, Christine feels she should too. Her unruly curly hair was unusually tamed, flowing nicely down her back, some clipped at the sides. Her white linen dress was not flamboyant, the material plain yet elegant, demurely showing her figure. She added little make-up to her face, not wanting to go overboard. Some rouge to her cheeks, her eyes slightly lined and lips lightly coloured. Being the first time meeting the recluse and non-people person Colonel, Christine didn't want to give the impression she is taking advantage of her guardians and she is grateful being in their company. Unlike what he is showing at this very moment.
To keep her ever waning patience, Christine suggested they wait in the library/music room where the piano is kept so she can play and sing a song for them as well as to distract herself. Christine is aware the power her voice holds over her guardians, they hold similar expressions as the one her dear Papa held while she sang. Always starts with a hint of surprise on their faces by the sound she can create then easily transcends into one of contented awe. Being only 5ft 4 she must be a sight to see as someone so small can express such sound. Papa always called her his Angel of Music, her voice soothing away any worry, ache or care. Oh how she missed her dear Papa...
Arriving at the piano Christine decided on an old Swedish folk tune having the need to embrace her Papa's heritage and to immerse herself in song.
She sang about a Viking returning from war, wanting nothing more than to be back on his homeland and embrace his love; the years of separation and longing breaking his heart. When he eventually lands home, he soon finds that his beloved wife has died. The feeling of separation and longing paramount. He mourns the loss of her, mourns never getting to say goodbye, and mourns that he will never see or hold her precious form again. The song ends with the Viking finding a new war to lose himself into so that he may lose his life doing something good in order to be with her in the next life.
After singing such a heartfelt song mingled with her own heartbreak Christine took a moment to catch her breath, relishing the hush silence and pushing away the need for tears behind her closed eyelids.
A rambunctious clap ruined the moment.
Jolting, Christine landed her startled eyes onto a rigid form. The person so incredibly still, she faintly noted he wasn't the source of the clapping.
The Colonel has at last arrived for dinner.