A/N: this is just the chapter that doesn't end! I cut out a huge section
from this just to get things going, I'm sorry that it took so long to get
into the basic story. Part of what I cut will be included, though shrunk,
in later chapters if you're wondering what happened. Anyways, enough of my
rambling.
~*~
Later that evening, all of society was dressed at there best for the Lacey's ball. The lavish household was perfect for this sort of entertainment with large open rooms with plenty of seating and a most exquisite garden and pond system. Danielle decided to wear one of her more flattering gowns that evening, a soft blue that graciously accented her eyes with bold black lace trimmings to match her pulled back hair. No one could pass her off as simply average that night even if it meant drawing some unwanted attention her way.
Danielle felt that this was something she must do, prove to them all her independence and that there scornful stares meant nothing to her. She had managed to avoid Nicolas for the rest of the day and he was able to behave himself in the ride over but once they arrived they went their separate ways, not wishing to even see each other until they had to at the end of the night. Etienne was there too, keeping quiet for the most part and then joining his colleagues once they arrived.
One of the first persons Danielle saw when she arrived was her good friend Mademoiselle Suzette d'Artoi and she immediately made her way over to the lone standing woman.
"Danielle, my goodness, it's been so long! How are you, how's the family, oh I can't believe it's been so long." The young woman exclaimed at the sight of the friend she hadn't seen for weeks. Her face that had a moment ago seemed almost sad perked to a bright and rosy shade as she beheld her friend with excitement.
"Suzette it is so great to see you again." The two girls gently embraced and moved in the direction of a few open chairs in the corner.
"How's your father doing? This must be so hard for you. Oh you've lost weight! You'll be nothing but skin and bones if you keep this up Danielle, are you not eating?" Suzette looked at her friend concerned, she could see an obvious physical difference in Danielle since she last saw her.
"Father's alright for now, he's just not very mobile. Actually it was he who insisted that I come tonight..." there was a barely audible crack her voice as she felt a wave of emotions threatening to break at the mere mention of her father. She couldn't quite understand it really; as far as she was concerned she had already accepted the inevitable, so why couldn't she speak of it now?
Suzette did not fail to notice the affect the subject was having, so she quickly decided to change it. She looked over to a crowd of people to see Etienne speaking with a group of young ladies, perfect she thought to herself. "My, Etienne looks as though he's grown another inch since I last saw him. He's going to be quite the heartbreaker I tell you."
"Yes but the sad part is it'll be because he'd rather read his books than walk with a lady." Danielle laughed, immediately perking up at the change of topics as she too took notice of her little brother. She smiled contently, knowing that he would never have any real troubles in life.
"Nonsense, he'll come around." A small commotion from the far end of the room attracted her gaze with a start. "You'll never believe who just walked in the room." Taking her friend by the shoulders she turned her to see Philip le Marquis de Ronge. Danielle smiled faintly at the site of the handsome young man she had not seen in weeks.
"It's alright Suzette, we're still good friends." She replied off hand, still staring at the man. She could almost feel his arms around her, comforting her now when she needed it the most.
"Still, it isn't right what that man did to you. He should have told you from the beginning that he was expected to marry some duchesse." Suzette scolded in the direction of the man who, as far as she knew, led her best friend on shamelessly.
"He didn't know. Besides I think it wasn't so much that they wanted him to marry her than they didn't want him to marry me." Danielle turned back to face her friend sadly. Philip was still young and the only son of the Ronge family, who had strictly forbidden him for marrying the daughter of a chores girl of questionable parentage.
"It's utter rubbish, that's what it is. This is the nineteenth century and he's letting his parents decide whom he can marry? Why, he's a grown man, he should have some more backbone." Suzette continued bitterly.
"Well if he wants to retain his title and inheritance he has to..."
"Titles mean so little these days and you've got money enough, he should have just married you and said to hell with it."
"Suzette!" Danielle was astonished at her friend's protective outburst, but thankful at the same time.
"Well it's the truth." Suzette crossed her arms in stubborn conviction with a full expression of displeasure written across her face.
"Perhaps if things were different... The problem is that with father dying I'll have little claim over anything once he's gone. Nicolas wants to marry me off to a man who can take me off his hands, not ask him for financial support... to tell you the truth, I think he was almost as upset about the engagement as I was, simply because it got his hopes up that I would finally be gone." She did not want to talk about this, everything that seemed to be falling apart in her life had managed to come out within a few moments. She knew coming here would be a bad idea, if only father hadn't been so adamant, she thought with despair.
After excusing herself politely from her friend, Danielle made her way to the hall, which lead to the gardens, thinking to herself that some fresh air and getting away from everyone could help clear her mind. This part of the house was quiet and empty, much to her relief. She could get away from all that chatter and gossip that she really was in no mind to hear at the moment.
The thought of simply going home was becoming more and more appealing to her when all of a sudden two arms twisted her around and her lips were met with a familiar pair in a tight embrace. Shocked and confused, Danielle struggled, pushing the man away with half a mind to slap him when she at last met his eyes.
"Monsieur just what do you think you're doing?" She spoke angrily yet all the while was desperately trying to contain the smile, which fought to show itself.
Philip grinned playfully, watching the beautiful woman before him blush most becomingly, knowing that she was really trying vary hard to appear annoyed. He made no attempt to disguise his ardent gaze as his deep green eyes moved over her approvingly.
"Kissing the woman I love." He replied innocently, moving in for another, which Danielle easily maneuvered easily around.
"You sir are engaged." She said sternly, refusing to dwell on the emotions, which were beginning to swell within her.
"Not technically. I'm supposed to be engaged but I haven't actually proposed yet." He tossed out simply. Danielle couldn't help but laugh at his disregard for the situation.
"None the less, it's no excuse to accost me the halls. What if some one had have seen you?" Finding it exceedingly difficult to retain her look of displeasure she allowed her smile to finally escape.
"Well then, I beg milady's pardon for my rash behavior. Now come with me, I have something I want to show you." Snatching her hand in his own, he started to drag her down the hall with him at a quick pace but she wouldn't allow him to get more then a few feet before she yanked her hand back.
"Philip!" She cried while rubbing her hand and giving him a look of death.
"Once again I must beg milady's forgiveness and I beseech thee, her most honorable ladyship, that she may indulge me in granting me the great privilege of an escort. For only the most beautiful and enchanting of all fair maidens in the land may see this." He said this while making the most over exaggerated gestures towards her and finishing with a sweeping bow, causing her to blush profusely in bewildered amusement. With a large grin on his face, he held out his hand to the woman, knowing that her resolve was leaving her.
"I don't have a choice do I?" she sighed.
"Not really. Come on, we'll be back before anyone misses us." And with that they were off, lightly running down the hall laughing like a couple of school children. Danielle decided that just this once she would indulge herself and entertain Philips playful advances, even if it meant returning to reality empty handed.
The giggling couple made there way out to the gardens unseen. It really was a lovely estate and even though the company remained inside all the lamps were lit down the stone paths, which wound their way around groups of trees and flowers. They were rushing down a path running parallel to a wooded area when Philip turned their direction towards the trees.
"Philip where are we going?" she gasped as he tried to lead her into the woods. "My dress!"
"Oh, you must forgive me." He said, stopping to see that the hem would be soiled in the grass. He smiled mischievously before coming towards her quickly and I one confident swoop had her cradled in his arms. "Is this better milady?"
He smiled down at her as her arms found their way around his neck. More for support she told herself, while rolling her eyes and answering, "I suppose it will have to do."
He carried her only a few seconds through the woods when they opened to a beautifully lit clearing. It was a circular area, completely disguised by trees with a waterfall attached to a pond on one side and a few stone benches opposite. Three lamps lit the area with the help of the full luminous moon reflecting off the waters surface as the sound from the waterfall filled the air.
"And here we are." Philip lightly said as he placed her down on the one of the intricately carved benches.
"It's beautiful." Danielle looked around her wide-eyed in amazement at the incredible picture before her.
"Monsieur Lacey showed me this place quite a while ago, as soon as I saw you here tonight I knew you needed to see it."
"Thank you." She whispered distantly, still caught up in the scenery.
"I brought you here because I wanted to give you something, and I thought this would be the perfect spot." He sat down beside her and immediately handed her a small velvet box. He watched her carefully as she opened it with a perplexed look on her face. Inside rested a ring adorned with a large diamond shaped sapphire, flanked by two diamonds set in gold. A million thoughts raced through her head as she stared unbelieving at the precious gift.
"I don't understand" She spoke quietly, unable to look up at him as her body trembled slightly.
With one hand he lovingly caressed her face forcing her eyes to meet his while his other hand took hold of one of her own. "Danielle, I love you and that's never going to change. So I want you to take this ring as a token of that love."
"Philip I can't. You're going to be married." Why was he doing this to her, she wondered despairingly. Surely he knew that her heart could not be toyed with for much longer, what she needed was to forget about him.
"Just take it and promise me to wear it until some man gives you a ring you would prefer to wear. Hopefully I will find a way around or out of this sham engagement and that man will be me but I can't ask you to wait. So just take it." So unsure of himself he looked while awaiting her answer. He always did appear young for his age, with his scruffy dark blonde hair and large bright eyes, that along with his always-playful attitude would cause her to seriously wonder if he was truly out of his teens at times.
After a long moment, "very well" was the only thing she could say as she placed the ring on her hand. Smiling widely he pulled her from the bench and kissed her crimson lips with undisguised passion. Not caring anymore she returned his affections fervently, allowing her hands to wander through his hair and down his back while he held her tightly against him, fiercely exploring her mouth.
After what felt like hours and only a moment all at once, they parted reluctantly. "We must be getting back." Danielle confessed, knowing she didn't want to answer any questions should someone notice her absence.
"Yes, I suppose you are correct. You go on in, I'll follow in a bit." Nodding, she gently kissed him one last time before making her way back to the house, trying not to think about all that had taken place and what it meant.
She was back inside for only a minute before Nicolas grabbed her forcefully to the side by her arm. "Tell me, is sneaking off into the woods with an engaged man the act of a virtuous woman?" he asked in restrained fury while she struggled loose of his grip.
Not now, she thought angrily to herself, as she looked him calmly in the eye before replying. "Really Nicolas, I've been gone for less than ten minutes. I don't know what you can do with a woman in that amount of time but we were just talking. Ah I see Suzette, have a nice evening dear brother." She smiled slyly to him before turning her back on his loathsome glare.
~*~
Some days later...
~*~
Erik was laying lethargically on his divan in a failing attempt to get some reading done. He had just tuned the page when his thoughts were rudely interrupted by a harsh bang on the door followed by Nadir rushing inside looking quite frazzled. Erik scowled under his mask but refused to face the man who had just burst uninvited into his house.
"You know Nadir, it is accustom to wait till one is invited in before entering a home unannounced. Very poor manners and such." He spoke dryly as he turned another page of his book.
Nadir stood nervously, unsure of how to approach the subject he so carelessly rushed over to ask about without even a second thought. He had only seen the newspaper maybe an hour ago and the first thought that came to him was he had to tell Erik.
Sensing his friend's agitation, Erik calmly set his book to rest on the table, there would be no finishing it today. Sighing he turned to face him with an utterly bored look in his eyes. "Are you going tell me why are you here or am I to guess?"
"Have you seen the paper this morning?" Nadir blurted out in a huff.
"Pardon me?"
"This mornings newspaper, have you read it yet?" Erik was almost ready to laugh outright in his friends face; he was making such a spectacle of himself as he waved the mornings paper in the air and spoke as though out of breath.
Forcing himself off the couch, Erik walked over to the mantle, replying only as he tinkered with the first object his hand came across. "Of course Nadir, why the paperboy left a copy by the lake just a few hours ago..."
Why must he always be so difficult, Nadir thought before walking over to him and shoving the paper into Erik's hands. "Read." He told him before taking a seat on the far wall. He was sure he did not want to be too close to him when he found out.
Erik glanced over the first few lines before looking back at his friend. "Le Vicomte de Chagny's death, why should I care about that?" he asked in a dull voice.
"Keep reading." With a sign, Erik once again lifted the pages and continued to read.
Nadir could almost tell the exact moment when Erik's body went tense, it was almost as though a sudden shock reverberated through the air. The Persian watched in growing fear as Erik's hold on the paper tightened into a deathly grip.
There was one section Erik couldn't help but read over and over again in complete disbelief.
'The biggest surprise for family and friends of the Chagny's was not
of the Vicomtes death but that of the immediate disownment of eldest
child Danielle de Chagny. Eldest son and executer of the will, Nicolas
de Chagny has found irrefutable evidence proving Mlle. de Chagny was
not in fact the late Vicomtes daughter and as such has forfeited all
her claims to her inheritance. Nobody has seen from her since her
discharge from the family estate early yesterday morning.'
Still staring fiercely at the page, Erik spoke in a barely controlled calm, "Tell me what you know."
"I'm afraid I don't know anything, I had no idea there was a child... Are you alright?" Nadir stood, though not willing to move any closer. He didn't expect Erik to take this lightly but then he really didn't know what to expect, though this forced control was really doing nothing for his nerves.
Erik finally looked up at him with eyes that shone without recognition. "I thank you for this information," he said in a hushed voice that seemed to have lost all it beauty that was so characteristic of him. "But I'm afraid I must ask you to leave now."
Not liking this, Nadir dared to ask one last time, "Are you sure?"
"Go!" He nearly shouted as his eyes met Nadirs with a look of pure malice glimmering behind them.
Nadir made no hesitation to quickly remove him self from the threshold, shutting the door with haste. He had only made it a few steps before cringing at the sound of crashing objects within the house.
~*~
Please R&R ^_^
~*~
Later that evening, all of society was dressed at there best for the Lacey's ball. The lavish household was perfect for this sort of entertainment with large open rooms with plenty of seating and a most exquisite garden and pond system. Danielle decided to wear one of her more flattering gowns that evening, a soft blue that graciously accented her eyes with bold black lace trimmings to match her pulled back hair. No one could pass her off as simply average that night even if it meant drawing some unwanted attention her way.
Danielle felt that this was something she must do, prove to them all her independence and that there scornful stares meant nothing to her. She had managed to avoid Nicolas for the rest of the day and he was able to behave himself in the ride over but once they arrived they went their separate ways, not wishing to even see each other until they had to at the end of the night. Etienne was there too, keeping quiet for the most part and then joining his colleagues once they arrived.
One of the first persons Danielle saw when she arrived was her good friend Mademoiselle Suzette d'Artoi and she immediately made her way over to the lone standing woman.
"Danielle, my goodness, it's been so long! How are you, how's the family, oh I can't believe it's been so long." The young woman exclaimed at the sight of the friend she hadn't seen for weeks. Her face that had a moment ago seemed almost sad perked to a bright and rosy shade as she beheld her friend with excitement.
"Suzette it is so great to see you again." The two girls gently embraced and moved in the direction of a few open chairs in the corner.
"How's your father doing? This must be so hard for you. Oh you've lost weight! You'll be nothing but skin and bones if you keep this up Danielle, are you not eating?" Suzette looked at her friend concerned, she could see an obvious physical difference in Danielle since she last saw her.
"Father's alright for now, he's just not very mobile. Actually it was he who insisted that I come tonight..." there was a barely audible crack her voice as she felt a wave of emotions threatening to break at the mere mention of her father. She couldn't quite understand it really; as far as she was concerned she had already accepted the inevitable, so why couldn't she speak of it now?
Suzette did not fail to notice the affect the subject was having, so she quickly decided to change it. She looked over to a crowd of people to see Etienne speaking with a group of young ladies, perfect she thought to herself. "My, Etienne looks as though he's grown another inch since I last saw him. He's going to be quite the heartbreaker I tell you."
"Yes but the sad part is it'll be because he'd rather read his books than walk with a lady." Danielle laughed, immediately perking up at the change of topics as she too took notice of her little brother. She smiled contently, knowing that he would never have any real troubles in life.
"Nonsense, he'll come around." A small commotion from the far end of the room attracted her gaze with a start. "You'll never believe who just walked in the room." Taking her friend by the shoulders she turned her to see Philip le Marquis de Ronge. Danielle smiled faintly at the site of the handsome young man she had not seen in weeks.
"It's alright Suzette, we're still good friends." She replied off hand, still staring at the man. She could almost feel his arms around her, comforting her now when she needed it the most.
"Still, it isn't right what that man did to you. He should have told you from the beginning that he was expected to marry some duchesse." Suzette scolded in the direction of the man who, as far as she knew, led her best friend on shamelessly.
"He didn't know. Besides I think it wasn't so much that they wanted him to marry her than they didn't want him to marry me." Danielle turned back to face her friend sadly. Philip was still young and the only son of the Ronge family, who had strictly forbidden him for marrying the daughter of a chores girl of questionable parentage.
"It's utter rubbish, that's what it is. This is the nineteenth century and he's letting his parents decide whom he can marry? Why, he's a grown man, he should have some more backbone." Suzette continued bitterly.
"Well if he wants to retain his title and inheritance he has to..."
"Titles mean so little these days and you've got money enough, he should have just married you and said to hell with it."
"Suzette!" Danielle was astonished at her friend's protective outburst, but thankful at the same time.
"Well it's the truth." Suzette crossed her arms in stubborn conviction with a full expression of displeasure written across her face.
"Perhaps if things were different... The problem is that with father dying I'll have little claim over anything once he's gone. Nicolas wants to marry me off to a man who can take me off his hands, not ask him for financial support... to tell you the truth, I think he was almost as upset about the engagement as I was, simply because it got his hopes up that I would finally be gone." She did not want to talk about this, everything that seemed to be falling apart in her life had managed to come out within a few moments. She knew coming here would be a bad idea, if only father hadn't been so adamant, she thought with despair.
After excusing herself politely from her friend, Danielle made her way to the hall, which lead to the gardens, thinking to herself that some fresh air and getting away from everyone could help clear her mind. This part of the house was quiet and empty, much to her relief. She could get away from all that chatter and gossip that she really was in no mind to hear at the moment.
The thought of simply going home was becoming more and more appealing to her when all of a sudden two arms twisted her around and her lips were met with a familiar pair in a tight embrace. Shocked and confused, Danielle struggled, pushing the man away with half a mind to slap him when she at last met his eyes.
"Monsieur just what do you think you're doing?" She spoke angrily yet all the while was desperately trying to contain the smile, which fought to show itself.
Philip grinned playfully, watching the beautiful woman before him blush most becomingly, knowing that she was really trying vary hard to appear annoyed. He made no attempt to disguise his ardent gaze as his deep green eyes moved over her approvingly.
"Kissing the woman I love." He replied innocently, moving in for another, which Danielle easily maneuvered easily around.
"You sir are engaged." She said sternly, refusing to dwell on the emotions, which were beginning to swell within her.
"Not technically. I'm supposed to be engaged but I haven't actually proposed yet." He tossed out simply. Danielle couldn't help but laugh at his disregard for the situation.
"None the less, it's no excuse to accost me the halls. What if some one had have seen you?" Finding it exceedingly difficult to retain her look of displeasure she allowed her smile to finally escape.
"Well then, I beg milady's pardon for my rash behavior. Now come with me, I have something I want to show you." Snatching her hand in his own, he started to drag her down the hall with him at a quick pace but she wouldn't allow him to get more then a few feet before she yanked her hand back.
"Philip!" She cried while rubbing her hand and giving him a look of death.
"Once again I must beg milady's forgiveness and I beseech thee, her most honorable ladyship, that she may indulge me in granting me the great privilege of an escort. For only the most beautiful and enchanting of all fair maidens in the land may see this." He said this while making the most over exaggerated gestures towards her and finishing with a sweeping bow, causing her to blush profusely in bewildered amusement. With a large grin on his face, he held out his hand to the woman, knowing that her resolve was leaving her.
"I don't have a choice do I?" she sighed.
"Not really. Come on, we'll be back before anyone misses us." And with that they were off, lightly running down the hall laughing like a couple of school children. Danielle decided that just this once she would indulge herself and entertain Philips playful advances, even if it meant returning to reality empty handed.
The giggling couple made there way out to the gardens unseen. It really was a lovely estate and even though the company remained inside all the lamps were lit down the stone paths, which wound their way around groups of trees and flowers. They were rushing down a path running parallel to a wooded area when Philip turned their direction towards the trees.
"Philip where are we going?" she gasped as he tried to lead her into the woods. "My dress!"
"Oh, you must forgive me." He said, stopping to see that the hem would be soiled in the grass. He smiled mischievously before coming towards her quickly and I one confident swoop had her cradled in his arms. "Is this better milady?"
He smiled down at her as her arms found their way around his neck. More for support she told herself, while rolling her eyes and answering, "I suppose it will have to do."
He carried her only a few seconds through the woods when they opened to a beautifully lit clearing. It was a circular area, completely disguised by trees with a waterfall attached to a pond on one side and a few stone benches opposite. Three lamps lit the area with the help of the full luminous moon reflecting off the waters surface as the sound from the waterfall filled the air.
"And here we are." Philip lightly said as he placed her down on the one of the intricately carved benches.
"It's beautiful." Danielle looked around her wide-eyed in amazement at the incredible picture before her.
"Monsieur Lacey showed me this place quite a while ago, as soon as I saw you here tonight I knew you needed to see it."
"Thank you." She whispered distantly, still caught up in the scenery.
"I brought you here because I wanted to give you something, and I thought this would be the perfect spot." He sat down beside her and immediately handed her a small velvet box. He watched her carefully as she opened it with a perplexed look on her face. Inside rested a ring adorned with a large diamond shaped sapphire, flanked by two diamonds set in gold. A million thoughts raced through her head as she stared unbelieving at the precious gift.
"I don't understand" She spoke quietly, unable to look up at him as her body trembled slightly.
With one hand he lovingly caressed her face forcing her eyes to meet his while his other hand took hold of one of her own. "Danielle, I love you and that's never going to change. So I want you to take this ring as a token of that love."
"Philip I can't. You're going to be married." Why was he doing this to her, she wondered despairingly. Surely he knew that her heart could not be toyed with for much longer, what she needed was to forget about him.
"Just take it and promise me to wear it until some man gives you a ring you would prefer to wear. Hopefully I will find a way around or out of this sham engagement and that man will be me but I can't ask you to wait. So just take it." So unsure of himself he looked while awaiting her answer. He always did appear young for his age, with his scruffy dark blonde hair and large bright eyes, that along with his always-playful attitude would cause her to seriously wonder if he was truly out of his teens at times.
After a long moment, "very well" was the only thing she could say as she placed the ring on her hand. Smiling widely he pulled her from the bench and kissed her crimson lips with undisguised passion. Not caring anymore she returned his affections fervently, allowing her hands to wander through his hair and down his back while he held her tightly against him, fiercely exploring her mouth.
After what felt like hours and only a moment all at once, they parted reluctantly. "We must be getting back." Danielle confessed, knowing she didn't want to answer any questions should someone notice her absence.
"Yes, I suppose you are correct. You go on in, I'll follow in a bit." Nodding, she gently kissed him one last time before making her way back to the house, trying not to think about all that had taken place and what it meant.
She was back inside for only a minute before Nicolas grabbed her forcefully to the side by her arm. "Tell me, is sneaking off into the woods with an engaged man the act of a virtuous woman?" he asked in restrained fury while she struggled loose of his grip.
Not now, she thought angrily to herself, as she looked him calmly in the eye before replying. "Really Nicolas, I've been gone for less than ten minutes. I don't know what you can do with a woman in that amount of time but we were just talking. Ah I see Suzette, have a nice evening dear brother." She smiled slyly to him before turning her back on his loathsome glare.
~*~
Some days later...
~*~
Erik was laying lethargically on his divan in a failing attempt to get some reading done. He had just tuned the page when his thoughts were rudely interrupted by a harsh bang on the door followed by Nadir rushing inside looking quite frazzled. Erik scowled under his mask but refused to face the man who had just burst uninvited into his house.
"You know Nadir, it is accustom to wait till one is invited in before entering a home unannounced. Very poor manners and such." He spoke dryly as he turned another page of his book.
Nadir stood nervously, unsure of how to approach the subject he so carelessly rushed over to ask about without even a second thought. He had only seen the newspaper maybe an hour ago and the first thought that came to him was he had to tell Erik.
Sensing his friend's agitation, Erik calmly set his book to rest on the table, there would be no finishing it today. Sighing he turned to face him with an utterly bored look in his eyes. "Are you going tell me why are you here or am I to guess?"
"Have you seen the paper this morning?" Nadir blurted out in a huff.
"Pardon me?"
"This mornings newspaper, have you read it yet?" Erik was almost ready to laugh outright in his friends face; he was making such a spectacle of himself as he waved the mornings paper in the air and spoke as though out of breath.
Forcing himself off the couch, Erik walked over to the mantle, replying only as he tinkered with the first object his hand came across. "Of course Nadir, why the paperboy left a copy by the lake just a few hours ago..."
Why must he always be so difficult, Nadir thought before walking over to him and shoving the paper into Erik's hands. "Read." He told him before taking a seat on the far wall. He was sure he did not want to be too close to him when he found out.
Erik glanced over the first few lines before looking back at his friend. "Le Vicomte de Chagny's death, why should I care about that?" he asked in a dull voice.
"Keep reading." With a sign, Erik once again lifted the pages and continued to read.
Nadir could almost tell the exact moment when Erik's body went tense, it was almost as though a sudden shock reverberated through the air. The Persian watched in growing fear as Erik's hold on the paper tightened into a deathly grip.
There was one section Erik couldn't help but read over and over again in complete disbelief.
'The biggest surprise for family and friends of the Chagny's was not
of the Vicomtes death but that of the immediate disownment of eldest
child Danielle de Chagny. Eldest son and executer of the will, Nicolas
de Chagny has found irrefutable evidence proving Mlle. de Chagny was
not in fact the late Vicomtes daughter and as such has forfeited all
her claims to her inheritance. Nobody has seen from her since her
discharge from the family estate early yesterday morning.'
Still staring fiercely at the page, Erik spoke in a barely controlled calm, "Tell me what you know."
"I'm afraid I don't know anything, I had no idea there was a child... Are you alright?" Nadir stood, though not willing to move any closer. He didn't expect Erik to take this lightly but then he really didn't know what to expect, though this forced control was really doing nothing for his nerves.
Erik finally looked up at him with eyes that shone without recognition. "I thank you for this information," he said in a hushed voice that seemed to have lost all it beauty that was so characteristic of him. "But I'm afraid I must ask you to leave now."
Not liking this, Nadir dared to ask one last time, "Are you sure?"
"Go!" He nearly shouted as his eyes met Nadirs with a look of pure malice glimmering behind them.
Nadir made no hesitation to quickly remove him self from the threshold, shutting the door with haste. He had only made it a few steps before cringing at the sound of crashing objects within the house.
~*~
Please R&R ^_^