Chapter 2: The Comet de Bellamont and His Apprentice
Charlotte looked at her mother and father as she held the letter.
" Mother," she said
Christine looked at Raoul and he took the letter and read it out loud. Christine sat down and Charlotte looked at her mother.
" Mother, what does it mean?" she asked
" He won't have you," Raoul said, " Christine I don't care what you promised to him, he will not frighten us."
Christine stood up and looked Raoul and sighed.
" He let us go Raoul, 16 years ago now, the promise I made has come to this," Christine said, " There's a promise with a story, sit down my beautiful daughter and listen."
Charlotte looked at her mother and sat down, then prepared for a story that would leave her in utter confusion. Christine began from the very beginning, before she made the very promise that would determine, the next stage of her daughter's life and career. Charlotte pulled out her fan and fanned herself.
" Mother," Charlotte said, " Please, tell me this monster doesn't want me because he's still in love with you mother."
" He's not a monster Charlotte," Christine said, " He has changed."
" Yes, perhaps," she said, " but how could you promise my life to him."
" I promised him because he is a teacher, Charlotte, not just a man that asked for your hand," Christine said
Charlotte sighed and stood and looked at her father. He couldn't tell her anything, it was something that he had no control over.
" When will he come?" she asked
" I don't know my darling, but please go and find something suitable for the long journey," Christine said, " And pack simple things."
Charlotte looked at her mother and ran upstairs and Christine looked at Raoul.
" Oh, Raoul," she said, " I just ruined our daughter's life."
" No, you did not," Raoul said, " I'm sure she will not be long. We will see her when she performs."
Charlotte looked at the letter and felt tears fall from her face. She could not understand why her mother would do such a thing. She packed what she could and walked downstairs holding her cloak over her arm.
" He wants me because I am like you isn't that right?" Charlotte questioned
" Yes," Christine said
A carriage pulled up and the coachman jumped down. Christine looked at Charlotte and hugged her daughter tightly.
" Please, behave yourself," Christine said, " Your in good hands."
" In a mad man's hands, I don't feel safe," she whispered, " I'll miss you mother."
" I will miss you too," Christine said, " Remember your angel of music."
Charlotte nodded and looked at her father.
" I'll write to you two," she said
The coachman lifted her things and Charlotte walked to the carriage. A hand reached out to her and she grabbed the hand. She was pulled in and settled into the carriage. Charlotte looked out and waved to her mother and father as the carriage took off. She leaned back and her companion pulled down one shade and she looked at him.
" When you arrive, you will meet my master, The Comet de Bellamont," her companion said, " Address him as he wishes, but you will be taught everything he taught your mother and more. He will make you a diva and all he ask of you is to remain at the estate. Do not dig around, he respects those who respect him."
Charlotte nodded and looked out the window as the trip to The Comet de Bellamont's estate seemed endless.
As the journey went on, the fog began to diminish and revealing a large estate in the hills. Charlotte felt her heart pounding against her chest.
" Is that where he lives?" he asked
" Yes," her companion said
The horses trot became heavy as they went down the rocky roads. Charlotte felt a loneliness coming from the estate. She shivered from the coldness and her companion removed his cloak.
" Here, this cloak is made more for the cold, then what you are wearing," he said
She took it and wrapped it around herself, then watched as the estate became closer. Soon it was there and the coachman, stepped down and helped Charlotte out. Servants came and helped Charlotte with her stuff then looked at her companion, who got down. His face was not fully covered by a mask, but it was enough to make her wonder.
" This way Mademoiselle. We don't want to keep The Comet de Bellamont waiting," he said
He opened the door for her and she walked into the deary estate, it's poor lighting made her worry. As they entered the main part of the house there was only silence.
" Welcome, Mademoiselle de Chagny, Welcome to my humble home," a man's voice rang
She looked up and saw the man walking down the stairs, his cloak floated behind him, his black attire was not much more different than, her traveling companion's. He wore a half mask on his right side. He stood before her and she curtseyed, lowering her head.
" Thank you Monsieur Comet de Bellamont, for taking me as your student," Charlotte said
" There is no need in thanking me just yet, I have seen you perform and I can tell you have a voice like your mothers. You are very good, but I will make you even better," The Comet de Bellamont said
" Thank you Monsieur," she said
" Call me Master, or if anything you may call me Erik," he said
Charlotte looked up at him, when he mentioned the name.
" Erik? The Phantom of the Opera in Paris?" she whispered
" I see my reputation is known by a simple child, Mademoiselle, my apprentice Gabriel will take you to your room," Comet de Bellamont said
Gabriel bowed and led her to her room.
" Why do you both wear mask?" she asked
" We hide our flaws, you would do well to leave it that way," Gabriel said
He opened her room door and Charlotte look into the room, seeing the room was well lit, and her things were put up already.
" This is your room, you are to not go into the first two room upstairs. That is The Comet de Bellamont's private study and bedroom. It is forbidden," he said, " and you would do well to remember that."
Charlotte nodded and he left her to her own devices.
" Supper is for 7, be on time," he said
Charlotte nodded and sighed, as Gabriel shut her door. She looked at the vanity and saw a rose with a black ribbon on it. She saw a letter underneath it, she opened it and read it.
Dear Mademoiselle de Chagny,
I welcome you to your new home, you are able to see you parents once a month. You may write to them as many times as you wish, but you are not to speak of your lessons in detail. Do not fear me child, your mother did not, so there is no reason for you to. My servants are you servants while you stay here, feel free to roam my estate. Though I do have my rules, my study and my room upstairs are not to be entered, there is nothing there for you. You are never to leave this estate expect for performances that you are to attend. You will address me as master or Erik, the name I was given at birth, but no other name. Your lessons start at noon and ends at five, supper is for seven and I recommend you go to sleep soon after supper. Sleep well Mademoiselle.
Sincerely,
Comet de Bellamont
Charlotte sat down and looked at herself in the mirror and tears fell from her face.
" Oh, mother why did you promise this man that he could teach me?" she whimpered, " I don't want to be here…I'm so scared."
Gabriel looked at Erik as he stood by enormous fire place. He waited for him to say something, but he didn't.
" She's scared Master, she doesn't know what to do," Gabriel said
" She's her mother's child, she'll get over it, just as her mother did," Erik said
" What is her name?" Gabriel asked
" Charlotte Elizabeth de Chagny," Erik said
Erik turned around and looked at Gabriel and smirked.
" Your still young, life has offered you so much more than it has me. People are becoming soft to those who have been cursed. You do not know the pain I grew up with, so it is hard to see my reasons," Erik said, " Your mask hides only what you wish for others to not see, but yet they know and have accepted you."
" Master?" Gabriel questioned
A servant walked in with Charlotte and Erik looked up.
" You have ventured out my dear," Erik said
" Yes, Monsieur," Charlotte said
" Good, progress is already being made," Erik said, " Have a seat my dear, do not stand."
Charlotte sat down and Gabriel looked at Charlotte, he felt sorry for the young girl. Erik was hard on even those who were on the same level as he. His strict tone made him become the superior over those he spoke to, making them coward in his shadow. Erik shoed off the servant and Erik looked at Charlotte, he walked over to her.
" You are just like your mother," Erik said, " I see nothing of your father in you."
Erik smiled and reached to touch her face, but Charlotte moved from his hand. He smirked and Gabriel looked at Erik seeing that look in his once more.
" Monsieur de Bellamont, supper is ready," a servant said
" Alright," Erik said looking at Charlotte, " Come my dear."
Erik put out his hand and Charlotte took his hand, as she stared up at him. His eyes never left her own as he walked with her to the dinning room. Gabriel followed his master and his student as they went to dinner. Erik pulled her chair out and helped her sit, then Gabriel sat down once his master sat.
" A toast to our beautiful guest," Erik said
A servant poured them all wine, Erik raised his glass to Charlotte and took a sip of the expensive wine. Charlotte looked at her host and then at the servant, who served her. She thanked the servant and then said grace and Erik looked at her. They ate in silence and Charlotte thought about the mess she had been forced into.
After dinner Charlotte walked with Erik and he showed her around, explaining why it is poorly lit. Charlotte looked at the horrifying statues of gargoyles in the halls of the estate. Charlotte slightly shivered and Erik looked at her as she slightly grasped his arm.
" Forgive my decorations mademoiselle," Erik said, " I am after all like these creatures and not like you my child or your beautiful family."
" No, it's alright," she whispered
Erik opened a door and entered the dimly lit room, which had instruments and music in it. He shut the door and Charlotte looked at him. He closed the heavy black curtains and lit several candles and Charlotte looked at him in fear.
" Come to me," he said
Charlotte looked at him and walked over to his shady figure.
" This room will be where we practice, do not be late for you lessons my dear, I am not a patient man," he said, " You will learn every last instrument in this room."
" But I was told I would only s…" Charlotte was silenced by Erik
" Every last instrument in this room," Erik said
Erik picked up the violin and began to play it very gently and looked at Charlotte.
" Do not doubt me, my child," Erik said, " You will thank me."
Charlotte looked at him and sat down at the piano and began to play it. Erik looked at her and gave a nod.
" Every well done, but you will have to do better," he said
Erik looked at Charlotte and he sat down beside her. He began to play and there was no flaws in his playing. It was perfect, like a dance. Erik stood up and walked to wall and then pulled the curtain back. A wall of music and books of music stood and Charlotte gave a gasp. Erik looked at her and smirked and walked back towards her and Charlotte nodded.
" Every last piece will be played," he said
" But there's no…" Charlotte was silenced again
" No way, yes perhaps, but we will make a way," Erik said
Charlotte stood up and straighten her dress out. She wanted to leave and Erik looked at her.
" You will thank me," he said
He walked to her and placed his hand on her face. He looked at her and smiled, and pushed her hair back from her shoulder.
" Yes, you are just like your mother," Erik said
Erik stepped back and put out his hand.
" Come my child there is much more to see," he said
Charlotte wrapped her arm around Erik's and walked around the estate, they walked up stairs and Charlotte looked at the first two rooms. Erik turned her head away and walked her down the hall way.
Erik brought her to her room and opened the door. She looked at him as she walked into the room.
" Good night," he said
He shut the door and walked to his bedroom. He entered and shut the door, there he lit a lamp and walked deeper into the dark room. He removed his dress coat and tossed it on a chair. He looked out the window and stared out into the darkness, he removed his gloves and vest.
" She is going to be hard to acquire her affection," Erik said, " But there won't be any interference."