Though a Rose May Fade…

Chapter II- That Face…

And now here she was, not knowing anything about it, was being dragged off by her servant Leah. She could never really think of Leah as a servant. She and Leah connected. Christine had spent practically all her life in the Opera Populaire. There were no slaves to tend to her every need. She could do all the work. It just wasn't fair to her that these people had to waste their lives serving others.

"Where exactly are you taking me, Leah? And what are you doing?" Christine asked when the small lady set her down in a chair. Other servants began putting make-up on her and fitting her into a nice dress.

"Sorry, Mademoiselle it is Master Vicomte's orders." Leah said softly.

"Leah, do call me Christine, please." Christine told her, making Leah blush a light shade of pink.

"Sorry, Mad- I mean, Christine."

"So, Leah, what exactly is happening?"

"Did you not know? The parents of the Vicomte are visiting today!"

At that, Christine bolted up from her seat, surprising all by her sudden reaction.

"How could he have forgotten to tell me?"

"Mad- Christine, it was probably a mistake. Here, let us finish fixing you up for tonight." Leah grabbed her hand, taking her back to where she was sitting. Christine looked as if she was only half- listening and merely nodded in no particular direction.

"Yes, yes." She answered distractedly. She wondered over and over why Raoul never told her.

They patted the light powder onto her face making it glow and seem a little paler. They fitted her into a light pink dress and corset that grew tight around her torso. It made her breasts push up allowing more cleavage. The corset made it almost impossible for her to breathe. From the waist downward, the dress widened and looked like a lilac-colored waterfall flowing from her middle. Her hair was brushed and curled to perfection. She looked at herself in the mirror and almost broke the glass apart. She hated this false impression of herself. She wished people wouldn't stereotype her as this innocent, perfect little angel that needs to be watched every second of her life. And it wasn't a problem to have a little fat upon her, now, was it?

"You look stunning." A voice told her softly. She turned to see Raoul in his finest gentleman's clothing similar to the one he wore at the masquerade ball. She smiled half-heartedly at him, her beauty radiating throughout the entire room.

"Thank you… but do you mind if I change into something… a little less… pink and tight?" she asked breathlessly. Raoul just laughed. Christine smiled uneasily. How foolish she had been for asking!

"Nonsense! You look absolutely gorgeous. Now let us wait in the living room." Raoul chuckled jutting out his arm for hers to latch onto. She took it hesitantly.

As they wandered through the long corridor, Christine began to sing softly. The moment just seemed right to do so.

"Think of me think of me fondly when we've said good-" she was interrupted by Raoul.

"Little Lotte, please do not sing. Now is… not the right time." He sounded unnerved by her voice.

"But, Raoul, now is a perfect time!" she exclaimed in hopes he would change his mind, but he did not.

"No, Little Lotte, not yet, my sweet Christine." He tried to steal a kiss from her lips. She broke off the kiss partly in surprise and partly in sorrow. Raoul looked at her surprisingly. Never had she done such a thing!

"Little Lotte, what has gotten into you?" he asked.

"I am sorry." She said sadly. "It was foolish of me." He smiled and kissed her lips again. She did not kiss him back in return. His lips were no longer soft and silky as they had felt in the Opera House. They were not welcoming as much as they were in the Opera house. They were filled with lust, unlike before when they were filled with deep care. But she did not stop him. She did not try for she felt powerless against her husband. Husbands were supposed to be dominant over the wife, correct? Christine believed that. She could do nothing against him.

He began to fiddle with her corset, trying to pry it off of her so he could feel her, touch her. When he began to untie the laces, a face appeared within Christine's mind that caused her to stop him. A voice echoed in Christine's mind that caused her to betray all that she had once believed and break free from his grasp. It caused him to snap back into what he was doing and caused him pain. Christine groaned at the sight of that face within her mind…

"Christine, I am so sorry. Please find it in your heart to forgive me." Raoul pleaded desperately.

Christine was drawn into her beliefs once more and once again betrayed that face in the back of her mind.

"Yes. I will forgive you." She said and he smiled. He hugged her softly taking in her sweet scent.

"Oh, Christine…" he said, burying his head beneath her soft curls. He wanted her so desperately now. He wanted her, to feel her body close to his in this union, but he couldn't not right now. Her surprising action caused his love to overpower his lust, to remember everything and not want to lose her.

All throughout that moment only one person went through her mind and one kiss overpowered all. It was the kiss from a monster she grew to care so deeply for. He was right. Fear could turn to love…

"Just wait, mon amor. My parents are sure to love you just as I do." He kissed her cheek as they went on to the living room to await their guests.