Chapter 1: Silhouette of the Past
16 years later
Christine and Roul sat in the balcony of a theater that their daughter was performing in. Christine looked at her daughter as she sang before hundreds, just as she did. Her hands twisted the program that laid in her lap, Roul looked over at her and grabbed her hand.
" Don't worry, she's doing fine," he whispered
Christine looked at him and nodded, but that was not she was concerned about. She breathed deep and tried to relax.
" Please, not this night," she thought, " Anything, but this night."
After the performance, Roul and Christine went down to the back stage to congratulate.
" Oh Charlotte, you were magnificent!" Christine exclaimed
" Thank you mother," she said
Christine looked at Roul and he congratulated his daughter.
" We shall celebrate, tonight," Roul said, " Where's your brother Charlotte?"
" Right here Father," their son's voice said
Charlotte looked over her shoulder and saw her twin brother removing his mask. Christine breathed easier and shook her head.
" Though just a choirs boy you did well," Christine said and kissed his cheek.
" Come on mother, don't do that," their son said
" Laurent, she does it because she is proud," Roul said, " Nothing's wrong with being kissed on the cheek."
" Not by your mother," Laurent said
The four started off and Roul looked at the theater and kissed Christine's head.
" Madame de Chagny," a soft voice called
Christine turned around and the young girl curtseyed and presented her a letter.
" It's from the gentleman from box five," the girl said
Christine looked at the girl and Roul looked at Christine as she accepted the note. Christine turned it around and saw a seal, not expected to see that flat seal. She opened it and read to her self.
Dear Madame de Chagny,
My congratulation on your marriage to the Vicomte de Chagny and to the birth of your beautiful children. It has been sixteen years and your daughter had blossomed over night. She has inherited your voice and strong will to pursue the gift she is blessed with. You promised Madame to assure her talents potential, so I have sent you this letter to remind you of your promise, my dear Christine Daae. On the eve of the fall of your debut, is when I will come. My servant will come to address you at your estate and it is then that for as long as I see fit that your daughter is taught well. A promise is a promise
Sincerely,
Comte de Bellamont
Christine folded the letter and looked at Roul. Roul looked at her and she wrapped her arms around him.
" Mother, what was the letter about? Has something happened?" both children asked
" No, it's a letter from a friend," Roul answered, " Christine, let's go home."
The family climbed up into a carriage and Roul looked at Christine as she held the letter. Roul knew about the promise Christine had promise the Phantom. He had thought that the phantom would forget about it, but he was wrong. He leaned his head back and looked at his daughter…the prima donna of the local theater she sang for. She was now that of another chapter of their lives, of a victim of loneliness
" Don't worry," he whispered
The carriage pulled up to the estate and the children got out. Christine looked at Roul and he hugged her. Roul guided her inside and they went into the study.
" Roul, he's coming," she said, " He remembers."
" He won't take her," Roul said, " A promise from sixteen years isn't much of a promise."
" Roul," Christine said
" He's a crazed man who wishes to steal our daughter. He won't have her."
Christine grabbed Roul's hand and Roul pulled her into an embrace. She felt tears fall from her face and Roul kissed her head.
" Charlotte, will be alright," Roul said
Charlotte brushed out her hair and looked at herself in the mirror, as she prepared for bed. She got into bed and put out the oil lamp, at her bedside, there she got comfortable in her soft bed. The moon light shown brightly into her room and kissed her cheeks. A gently wind danced through the tree's leaves and the sounds of peace covered the house.
As she slept a silhouette of a man towered over Charlotte's sleeping figure. A black gloved hand touched the delicate skin of her face.
" Listen my child," a man's voice said, " Your gift is growing and I will appear to you soon…as your teacher. Do not hesitate."
The sounds of footsteps outside Charlotte's door came and the shadow vanished into the dark shadows.
" I shall come in two days," he whispered
He laid a rose with a black silk ribbon tied to it. The door opened and Roul looked around. He looked at the large dog beside him.
" Only the wind," he said
The dog slightly growled and Roul held the dogs muzzle. He went on his way before the dog began to bark.
The following morning Charlotte opened her eyes and saw the rose. She lifted it and got up, then slipped her robe on. She walked downstairs in a hurry and ran out the front door. Christine and Roul looked up to see the door open. They got up and walked to the door and looked at their daughter as she looked around.
" Charlotte," Christine said
Charlotte turned and Christine saw the red rose.
" Where did you get that?" she asked
" The angel of music visited me last night," she answered
Christine looked at Charlotte and replied, " The angel of must know you are worthy."
Charlotte smile and looked at her father, who nodded in agreement.
" Come it's too cold to be out here," Christine said
She guided her daughter into the house and then shut the door. Roul looked at his daughter and then looked at Christine. He realized the reason why the dog acted the way he did.
" Did you sleep well?" Christine asked
" Very well," she replied
Soon after Laurent came and wondered what was going on. He only heard something about an angel of music. He sighed about hearing it once more and how his sister dreamed of such a being.
" Good morning Laurent," Christine said, " Have a seat and join us."
" Mother, what's this talk about an angel of music?" Laurent asked
" Something you would understand," Charlotte replied
" Perhaps I don't want to know," Laurent said
Christine smiled and sipped her tea, and Roul looked at his children with a sigh, as they argued.
In the Comte de Bellamont's estate.
A dark cloaked figure jumped down from his black horse. His horse gave him a nuzzle and he smirked.
" Easy Caser," he said
The young man entered the large estate through the large wooden doors. He walked down the dimly lit hallways, into the dinning room, where his master the Comte de Bellamont was dinning.
" Master, I have completed what you wished," the young man said
" Good Gabriel, then she knows that I call her," The Comte's deep voice sounded
" Who is she?" Gabriel asked
" You are not to ask foolish questions Gabriel, you are to serve in silence. It is all that I ask, a small favor for taking you in," The Comte de Bellamont sternly said
He rose and Gabriel looked at him, his dark form matched his own, the white mask that covered half his face, brightly showed.
" My dear apprentice you were lost without me," The Comte said
His long cloak followed behind him and Gabriel lowered his head.
" I'm sorry Master forgive my ignorance," Gabriel said
" Tonight go to the performance and this time deliver this letter directly to the Vicomte de Chagny's daughter," The Comte de Bellamont said, " She will not speak of this letter, if it is signed by the Angel of music. Leave as soon as she receives it."
" Yes, Master," Gabriel replied
The Comte de Bellamont looked at his apprentice and smirked. He placed a hand on the young man's shoulder and Gabriel looked up.
" Do not fear this is the right thing," he said
Gabriel nodded and walked off removing his draping cloak. He handed it to a servant and went to his room. There, he removed his dinner dress coat, he tossed it on his bed.
" Comte de Bellamont, he does not understand me," Gabriel said, " he took me in because I am just like him. Disfigured and hide in the shadows."
He looked at the eleven roses that remained in the vase and Gabriel sighed. He leaned back and closed his eyes.
" The Comte de Bellamont has fallen into darkness," Gabriel thought, " Tonight he tends to tell the young woman that her angel is here."
That evening
Charlotte looked at the crowd and then at the other performers.
" Look at them, they're filling up the house," Charlotte said
" Charlotte, good luck tonight," a dancer said
" Thank you," she said
" Mademoiselle Charlotte," a dancer said
" Yes," Charlotte answered
She turned around and saw a rose in the dancer's hands. She presented it to her and Charlotte smiled.
" The gentleman in box five wishes you luck tonight and ask you to wait by your dressing room for a message," the dancer said
" Tell him I will do so," she said
Charlotte prepared to take the stage and charm her audience. She looked at the rose and smiled softly.
" Angel of music stand by my side," she thought
Gabriel sat in box five and looked across to see Christine and Roul sitting there, then look on stage as Charlotte walked on. Charlotte's voice echoed through out the house, as she sang the first note. Gabriel looked down at her and knew why his Master wanted her.
Christine looked over to box five and saw the shadowed figure, she grabbed Roul's arm.
" He's here," Christine whispered
" Don't worry," he said, " He won't harm her."
Christine leaned her head on Roul's shoulder.
" Oh, Roul, I'm so worried," she said, " Why did I have to promise that?"