As I led my princess away from her sanctuary to the center of my drawing room, the tension was palpable. Her every timid step shatters my heart a bit more. Nevertheless, it is her breakfast time, you see, and she must have proper nourishment. I will accept nothing less. Her eyes follow me, questioning my actions before she inquires as to why I never join her for meal. I have no decent explanation to confound her, for my silent alarm indicates a visitor in on my premises.
I quickly take my leave of her and make my way to the docks of my home. Damn that man with his infernal prying!
"Good morning, Daroga" I say as I lead him from the area with a flourish, "What have I done now to warrant another one of your delightful visits?"
"Erik, I know you are keeping Mademoiselle Daaé again and you will not get away with it," his stern old friend states with little ceremony.
"I have nothing to do with this. She came back under her own free will."
"Under duress, no doubt. Listen she is no good for you and will only cause more stress and pain to come into your life," my Persian acquaintance said with a twinge of compassion in his strong voice, "Listen, this has to stop or I will go to the police with this matter."
"Go ahead and lead those ignorant clowns here, they will not enjoy that visit any more than I am enjoying this one. Good day."
"Good day to you as well and remember what I said, Erik."
Then, Daroga left my realm of sight and I was grateful. Who does he think he is, wrecking domestic tranquility at every chance!
Sighing in an exhausted manner, I entered my home to check on Christine's progress. Good, she had completed her meal. However, her face wears the oddest expression. As she begins to question me, I feel my fury rising like an inferno in the depths of Hell. Fitting, since I am in Hell. What right does she have, this little flighty child to take this tone with me? She may not like the answers she is seeking. My jaw clenches tightly behind my mask when I realize that I do not even like my own answers.