News
By KaitlynRose
Disclaimer: I don't own them.
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Erik sat at the dining room table eating his breakfast. He had now been living this strange new life for five days. It was still so odd for him to walk around with out his mask. He unconsciously reached up and pulled at his hair, making sure it was hiding as much as possible. Even with the makeup coving the redness he was still conscious of his imperfections.
"Master, may I clear your dishes?"
"Yes, Bedelia. Uh…please do." He was making a conscious effort to try and use the manners that Mme Giry was making such a big deal over.
He watched as Bedelia picked up the china dishes carefully. He saw that her hands were old and weathered, much like the rest of her. The calluses spoke of a life of hard work. He couldn't tell her true age. She had probably grown old before her time because of the life of labor she had been forced to endure.
Lucien knocked softly on the door.
"Enter," Erik said with a wave of his hand.
"The paper has arrived sir."
"Thank you." Lucien left the room quietly and Erik opened the paper. Even as the Phantom he had always made a point of reading the news, even the society pages. He saw this paper was four days old. In Paris his papers were always new, but it took time for them to be delivered out here.
He glanced at the articles. There was talk of government mishandling, people moaning about taxes and the raising prices of food. Then something caught his eye. There was an announcement of an engagement. On Saturday, a lavish ball was to be thrown at the de Chagny estate in honor of the engagement of Vicomte Raoul de Chagny to Mlle Christine Daae. The nuptials were to take place in four months time.
Erik grabbed his chest with his hand. He felt a new heart break all over. He shouldn't of course. It only made sense that they would betroth themselves to each other. The shocking news really was the suddenness of the wedding. He assumed they would follow the customary yearlong engagement.
He stood up and walked back and forth, thinking. What should he do? He wanted to see Christine. He wanted to tell her he had changed, that he wasn't a monster any more, or at least he was trying. It was still too soon though. Christine still feared him. If he showed himself to her now he would only push her farther away. No, he had to wait before speaking to her. Still, he could do what he always did. Watch. Yes, he was very good at watching. He had mastered the skill well.
He walked out to the hall. "Lucien…Lucien!"
"Yes, sir," the old man said as he hurried along.
"Have M. Roi saddle my horse. Get Mme Bedelia to pack some food for me. I am leaving."
"How long will you be gone, sir?"
"A day, maybe two," Erik replied before heading up the stairs to his room. He needed to change clothes and get his mask. He wouldn't wear it though unless absolutely necessary. He also wasn't planning to do anything terrible. He just wanted to see her. He just wanted to watch.