Christine

The chorus member the managers have chosen as the interim lead tenor, Louis, has a wonderful, rich voice. He's no Erik, of course, but I wonder how I never noticed it before. He's perfectly friendly and the two of us get on quite well during the first rehearsal for Faust.

"You were marvelous in the Gala," he says. "It was an absolute triumph."

"Thank you."

"You'll make a much better lead soprano than Carlotta," he grimaces. "Honestly, the Opera Ghost was right about her, she's nothing more than a strutting, squawking peacock."

His mention of the Opera Ghost causes my stomach to clench. I have to go through some breathing exercises Erik taught me in order to calm myself. As a matter of fact, everyone seems much more relaxed and happy with Carlotta gone. Monsieur Reyer is obviously pleased with the day's work.

As we're walking off stage for the day I say, "You should put your application in for the permanent position. Surely if Faust goes well, the managers will give you the preference. You were splendid today."

"Thank you!" He beams. "I have put my application in. It's good to know I'll have the new diva's support."

We go our separate ways and another voice calls my name as I near my dressing room. I turn to find Raoul striding towards me. "Well, Little Lotte, congratulations! The new lead soprano, a worthy choice."

"Thank you, Raoul."

"Shall I fetch my carriage and take you to dinner?"

I frown. "Raoul, I've told you, I'm in love with someone else. Actually, I'm married now." I show him the ring.

For the briefest of moments he glares down at my hand with a ferocious scowl, but then the look is gone, replaced by a placid smile. "Ah, congratulations again. You can't blame a man for trying, Christine, but I see I'm bested."

I'm so troubled by the black look he initially gave my ring that for a moment I'm speechless. It was so fleeting, perhaps I imagined it. "I hope that you find happiness as well, Raoul."

He lifts my hand and brushes it with his lips. "If you'll excuse me, I have a meeting with the managers."

I watch his retreating back, still trying to work out whether that expression was my imagination or not. Why would he ask me to dinner if he had a meeting with the managers? I finally manage to shake off my disquiet and make my way to my dressing room where I know Erik must be waiting for me.

As soon as I have the door locked he emerges and pulls me into his arms. "I missed you today."

"I missed you, too."

"Would you like to go out for dinner?"

I think of Raoul's disturbing behaviour and shake my head. "I'm sorry, Erik, I'm tired. Can we just stay in tonight?"

"Of course, my dear." He presses a kiss to my forehead and goes to sit on my bed.

Erik

Christine orders dinner from the opera's kitchen and returns. "A servant will bring it when it's ready."

"How was rehearsal?"

"Very good. Louis, the interim lead tenor is excellent. We're already developing a rapport. He's applied for the permanent position, I hope he gets it. Things are much more relaxed now that we're not all walking on eggshells to avoid setting off Carlotta."

"See, I told you she needed to go. If he does well in Faust, I'll write to the managers and tell them to give Louis the permanent position."

Christine appears troubled for a moment, but then smiles. "I'm sure he will."

"You don't want me to interfere?"

She sighs. "Erik, let's not get into this again. I still can't approve of your methods, but I understand the need for you to continue managing the theater. I promised to let it go."

"You're right. Let's begin your lesson. If dinner comes before we are finished, we'll take a break to eat."

Christine is on her last scale when there's a knock on the door. "Dinner, Miss Daae."

I step back behind the mirror. Christine opens the door for the smiling servant. "Always practicing, Mademoiselle. Perhaps that's why you are so hungry."

Christine blushes. I stifle my laughter as I watch her try to think of a reason for ordering enough for two. "Um, yes, my eyes may have been bigger than my stomach."

"Will you be needing anything else, Mademoiselle?"

"No, thank you."

The servant leaves and Christine locks the door again. We eat and then resume her lesson. She chooses a duet as her reward and we waltz around the small space as we sing.

The vases in her room are currently filled with daisies. Christine gathers them up and weaves some of them into a crown which she places on my head with a giggle. I smile and push it down gently to secure it. "Show me." She demonstrates how to weave the flowers together and I set off making her a crown, adding bits of greenery from the vases as well. She's frowning at my work. "What?" I ask as I continue to weave the flowers.

"It's completely unfair how excellent you are at absolutely everything you put your hand to."

I laugh. "Compensation for my face, I suppose."

Her frown deepens. "I wish you wouldn't talk like that, Erik."

I shrug. "Now that I have you, it doesn't hurt me nearly as much."

She reaches up to tenderly stroke the broken side of my face and feathers kisses across it. My heart always twists with bittersweet emotion when she does this. "This," she says, still stroking my deformity, "is just as dear to me as the rest of you."

I place my hand over hers and squeeze gently as I try to hold back tears. "That, my dear, is why you are, and always shall be, my queen." I place the crown of flowers on her head.