Chapter 2: Father and Daughter
4 years later
Spending time with Anna brought joy to Erik's life, he grew fatherly to the girl he saved. He watched her grow into a beautiful young woman, with everything she ever wanted. Erik remained the mysterious man to those around him, his daughter felt that he only hid because of the people of his past. Erik rode up to the beautiful home that laid near the sea. Anna watched him get off his horse and the servants help him. She smiled and ran down the stairs to greet him.
" Papa," she called
Erik removed his cloak and hat as he was embraced by Anna. Her hair was pinned up in an emerald butterfly clip and she wore a beautiful emerald dress.
" I missed you my darling," he said
" Oh, Papa, how dare you leave me alone," she stated, " Your business trips are becoming longer than usual."
Erik smiled and walked with her as the spaniels followed behind them. He talked about seeing the foreign countries in the east. She smiled and he presented her with a beautiful hair pin from the far east. She smiled and kissed his cheek and Erik asked her what she had been doing while he was away.
" I helped the servants clean and I did my studies just like you asked," Anna said, " Papa, is it possible that I could go to Paris for school?"
" Certainly not," Erik gruffly answered, " Paris is not for a young woman like yourself. You are still a child and they will eat you alive."
" But Papa, I am taught very well," Anna pleaded
Erik shook his head and grabbed her hand.
" No, you will attend school here, like you promised me," Erik said softly
" As you wish Papa," she replied with disappointment
Erik had the servants serve them supper and there was silence just like Erik liked it. After a bit of supper Erik played the piano while Anna studied and she looked at Erik. She looked out the window and watched as the snow softly came down.
" Paris must be beautiful as this time," Anna spoke softly
Erik's hands faltered on the keys and a sharp note came from the piano. She looked at Erik and he went back to playing.
" It smells of hatred, crawls with petty thieves. A woman would scream at the sight of night life there," Erik described, " One would hold their purse of money close so they are not to be robbed in mid day."
Anna giggled and walked over to her father and kissed his cheek.
" I'm tired Papa, I'll slip off to bed, I am glad you are home," Anna said
" As I am," Erik said, " good night."
Anna went off and Erik continued to play and walked off to his office. He looked at the bills and letters and there he found an invitation to a ball. Erik turned it around and saw the Vicomte de Chagny's seal on it. Erik opened it and saw it was addressed to the Comte Sanxay. He smiled and leaned back to smell a soft perfume on it, he closed his eyes.
" Christine," Erik whispered
Erik set the invitation on his desk, he stood up and walked to the window. He felt the frosty air touch the single pane of glass and he breathed on it.
" Shall we dance?" Erik whispered, " Shall we flirt?"
Erik removed his white gloves and tossed them to the side and removed his dress coat. He drew a blade from the wall and fenced against the air and stopped as a servant came in.
" Your coffee Monsieur, but I suppose you are awake enough to not need it," the maid remarked
" Non sense Marie, bring it to me," Erik said
" I did not want to interrupt your latest fencing partner," Marie stated
Erik gave her a look as he drank the espresso and gave the small tea cup to her.
" Off with you now, I have work," Erik said
" Trouble in the east Monsieur?" she asked
" Would you let a young girl go to Paris by herself?" Erik asked
Marie looked at Erik and said, " She's not a child Monsieur, Anna is a grown woman and very intelligent. I do not see why not."
" Who's side are you on?" Erik questioned
" No sides, but I would say if you wished to keep her with the knowledge of a woman; she should have a woman figure in her life," Marie said
Marie walked off and Erik leaned back folding his arms. He pondered over Marie's comment about keeping Anna with the knowledge of a woman. He had thought about taking on a wife sooner or later, but the women he knew were much to boring. Erik sighed and stood up, then went off to his room. He dressed in his night clothing and went to bed for a restful sleep.
By the morning, the light pierced through the curtains and carried through Erik's dark room. Erik opened his eyes as he felt the coldness enter his room, but then there was the comforts of the warm blankets. Erik sat up and reached for the thin, white, porcelain mask, before getting out of bed. He stretched and then began to dress as he slipped on his usual attire on. He made himself presentable and walked out where Marie handed him his usual morning readings.
" Is Anna up?" Erik asked
" She's still a sleep Monsieur," Marie said, " She seemed to have stayed up late last night."
" I see," Erik said
Marie followed Erik downstairs and he made his way to the dinning room, where breakfast was being served.
" Monsieur are you to attend the ball?" Marie inquired
" That ball I shall not attend," Erik said
" But all the wealthy people will be there," Marie said
" And I am wealthy?" Erik questioned
Marie nodded and Erik laughed as he poured coffee for himself. Marie sighed and took the paper work and placed it at the other end of the table.
" What about letting Anna go?" Marie suggested
" To the de Chagnys' ball I think not, she will not set foot in that home," Erik replied frustrated
" Perhaps to meet a suitor," Marie continued
Erik lifted the paper up and sat back as he ate his morning breakfast and drank his coffee. This was Marie's cue not to say another word, that the conversation was now over.
" Buona Mattina!" Anna chirped
" Buona Mattina Anna," Erik replied
She smiled and kissed his left cheek and sat down next to him.
" What is on you agenda today Papa?" Anna asked
" It is open for anything you wish," Erik replied
" I wish to go ridding in the fields today, perhaps to see the Beauforts," Anna said serving herself some tea
Erik dropped his paper and looked at Anna, she sparkled like a jewel today. He wondered, why the interest in their neighboring friends.
" Why do you wish to see them?" Erik questioned
Marie lifted his plate and he slapped her hand with a tap and she backed off. Anna smiled and Erik folded the paper to understand Anna's mind.
" Speak with haste Anna, what is it that interests you?" Erik inquired deeper
" You know as well as I do, what interest me," Anna replied back
Erik chuckled and snapped at Marie to pick up his plate. She picked it up and handed it to another so she could listen.
" Monsieur Beaufort's son?" Erik questioned
" Perhaps," Anna teased
" Anna, there is a word I wish to say…you should know it by now," Erik said
" But Papa!" she exclaimed
" No," Erik barked, " He is but a troubled boy and I will not see you get involved with him. You are suited for a duke, perhaps a king if there were any."
Anna folded her arms and sat back and Erik felt her kick him. He reached under the table and grabbed her ankle.
" No, means no," Erik hissed, " And stopped acting like a spoiled child…only spoiled little aristocrats act like that."
Anna pushed out her chair and threw her napkin down.
" You are an aristocrat…and I am a child trapped in a cage!" Anna exclaimed, " You only want to keep me here because your lonely!"
Erik stood up and threw his napkin down and walked over to her.
" And you, what are you?" Erik's angered voice rose, " Some damn Prima Donna who wishes to be a countess while she leaves another poor man in the dirt."
" Why would you say that?" Anna shouted near in tears
" Damn it Christine…Anna," Erik hissed
" Christine, who is Christine?" Anna blurted
Erik turned away and walked over and Anna looked at him. He took large strides to be out of her sight. Her long blonde curls floated over her shoulders as she went after him.
" Papa! Please, Papa!" Anna cried grabbing Erik's hand
She fell to her knees and Erik turned and looked at her.
" Please, don't leave Papa," Anna cried
Erik breathed deep and said, " You are none of those, you are but my daughter and I will not have you become a whore to some pampered brat."
" He is all you dream of for me," Anna said
Erik knelt down and looked at Anna, her blue eyes sparkled and he touched her face. He leaned his forehead against hers and sighed.
" You are 18, four years ago you were a child that I rescued from slavery," Erik said, " I do not wish to lose another delicate flower."
Anna grabbed his hands and kissed them.
" You won't," Anna whispered, " I'll be here Papa if it is what you wish."
" You and I, we're the only family to each other," Erik whispered
Anna nodded and hugged him and he embraced her.
" Can we go to the ball?" Anna whispered
Erik sighed as he rolled his eyes.
" Please," Anna said
" Very well, we will make an appearance, but I will not let you out of my sight," Erik said
" You never do," Anna said