Disclaimer: I own nothing, not the anime, the book, or the play ^_^!

Author's notes: Hi people here's chapter 9. Wow, this must be the fasted I've ever updated for this story. Well, Salt-the-Catgirl, here's the chapter as I promised ^_^. Happy reading everyone!

Chapter 9

"So, how did you do it?"

The brush stilled in Tiara's hand as she looked up at woman standing in the doorway.

Lena made her way inside the other girl's dressing room and dropped the newspaper in front of Tiara. The young singer picked up the paper with trembling hands as she read the headline that seemed to jump out from the pages.

"If I know better, I'd say you planned this whole thing," Lena said scornfully. "I still don't know how you talked the managers into permanently giving you the lead role. But it seemed your manipulative ways do not end there. Was this your goal, Tiara? To land a marriage proposal from the Viscount?"

Tiara just stared at the other singer blankly. "How did anyone find out?"

"So you won't deny it? You are deluding yourself if you think someone in your station can ever marry into nobility. Does your audacity know no bound?"

"I think that's enough, Miss Lena," said a voice from behind them.

"Leon," Tiara said quietly.

Lena frowned. "What are you doing here? I thought Armand and Firmin let you go."

"It seems my services are still required," he answered mildly. "Now, Miss Lena, the curtains are about to open in five minutes. I'm sure both you and Miss Tiara need to get ready."

With one last glare at the other singer, Lena walked out of the room without another word. Tiara stayed where she was, not knowing if her knees were steady enough to pull her up much less keep her up as she performs on stage for all those people.

Leon gently led her out of the dressing room. "This way Miss Tiara. Everyone's waiting for you."

The whispered accusations were the first thing that Tiara noticed as she stepped onto the stage. Her heart beat furiously against her chest as she scanned the crowd. Only one thought kept turning in her mind.

'If they know, then he knows.'

So preoccupied was Tiara in her musing that she almost missed her cue as the music started. Her voice started out shaky and hesitant. A soft snort was heard from the side and Tiara turned to see Lena sneering at her.

The orange-haired singer glared at the other woman and taking a deep breath let loose the beauty of her voice. The murmurs stopped as once again everyone in the audience was held mesmerized by the beautiful melody. All attention was focused on the young signer that no one noticed the cloaked figure high above the beams until he swooped down onto the stage next to Tiara.

Everyone went still and silent. Then the figure straightened to push the hood off his face. All around Tiara gasps and screams were heard as they saw the phantom's white mask.

"Graham…," she whispered.

From somewhere backstage she thought she heard Kagetsu's voice. But before she can turn her head, a bright flash filled her vision. Tiara tried to see through the smoke that surrounded her, but felt her body go weak and pitch forward. For as sudden as the white light came, darkness soon followed.

*********

"Tiara!" Kagetsu ran up to where she and the phantom had stood as the smoke slowly dissipated. Frantic eyes searched the stage, but the occupants had vanished into thin air.

"Call the police!" he ordered to a nearby stagehand. "Lock the doors. No body leave this building until we find her!"

The Viscount ignored the hysterical cries around him and kneeled down to inspect the floor for trap doors. Not long after, Leon joined Kagetsu on the stage. The brown-haired concierge kneeled close to the other man and pretended to search for the trap door as well.

"Your Grace," Leon whispered, his eyes trained on the floor. "You waste time searching for her here. I believe they've already left the premises. I've an idea as to where he took her. Meet me at Miss Tiara's dressing room. Make sure no one follows you."

With the last word spoken, Leon walked out of the stage. Kagetsu stayed where he was for a few minutes before he too discreetly made his way to the dressing room. When he stepped inside the dim room, the Viscount found Leon waiting by the full length mirror.

"Of course," Kagetsu said, touching the smooth surface. "I thought I saw them use this once, but I haven't a clue as to how to open it."

"I do," Leon offered. He ran his hand behind the top border of the mirror and after manipulating the mechanisms, the mirror slid aside. "Come, it leads outside to the lake. Across from there is Graham's house."

"How did you know all this?" Kagetsu asked as they walked along the tunnel.

"Curiosity, I guess. I found this tunnel and the house by accident."

"I gather you knew all along that the phantom was a farce."

"Yes, when he found out that I knew of his secret he made me promise to tell no one or people close to me will get hurt."

When they emerged from the tunnel, Leon stopped Kagetsu as the taller man made his way to a boat sitting by the edge of the lake.

"Not that way, your Grace," the concierge warned. "He'll see us coming if we take that route. There's a cellar near by. Inside is another secret passage that will lead us directly next to the house."

Kagetsu nodded and followed the other man. "Why didn't he just kill you then after you found out?"

"Because I was useful. I help get what he wanted in the opera house. And partly because of Miss Tiara. She pleaded in my behalf. Graham is not as bad as everyone thinks. But he would do anything for Tiara."

"So I've noticed," the Viscount replied darkly.

**********

Tiara slowly opened her eyes and found herself lying on a soft bed. She surveyed the familiar surrounding and stood up. She recognized the place where Graham had taken her for their music lessons.

"Why have you brought me back here, Graham?" she asked, knowing that the man was near by.

A figure detached itself from the shadows and walked towards her. "Where else would I take my wife?"

"W-what?!" she asked, eyes wide with surprise.

"You really didn't think I'd let him have you, did you?" Graham traced a finger on her cheek. "You're mine and no body takes what's mine."

"Listen, Graham, "Tiara began nervously. "I don't know why the newspaper printed such rumors. I told you there is nothing between Kagetsu and I. I'm not –"

"Liar!" Graham roared. "I heard you. I heard you confess your love for him! Who did you think leaked the story to the press? I wanted you to know that even other people see the futility of such an alliance."

Graham then lifted a hand between them, letting a necklace dangle from his fingers. Tiara gasps, her hand automatically coming up to her neck. She had fashioned a necklace out of Kagetsu's signet ring so she would still be able to wear it if not on her finger. And it appeared that Graham knew exactly what it was.

"You have until midnight to chose, my angel," the masked man told her as he swung the ring like a pendulum. "Be my wife and the Viscount lives. Chose him and he dies. What'll it be, a wedding march or a funeral march?"

Author's notes: I know, I know, the chapter is too short plus there's a stupid cliffhanger. But at least it's almost done ^_^! Just one more chappie to go. I'll try to have it up by next week if possible. Now, enough fun for me, time to hit the books again *sighs*.