I am updating as soon as I can g I just also need time to write. But here is chapter 12, hope you still like the story. Please R&R - Atrice.

Part 12 - Engaged without Love

Two weeks had gone… two weeks since the last time she saw Erik. She had become used to think about him as Erik and not her Phantom. Why hadn't he come? He said he would return soon, but two weeks, was that soon? Lucille had talked with Artus, and tried to make him understand that she really didn't love him at all. It was like talking to someone deaf, just like when she tried to make her parents listen. And because Erik hadn't returned to her – she thought he had forgotten about her again, in his loneliness – she had accepted the fact that she would be married soon. In just two weeks from now – 8 weeks since Artus proposed – they would be married.

Someone knocked carefully on the door, and Lucille allowed the person to enter. It was Coretta, she could hear it both on the knocking, and on the footsteps.

"What do you want?" Lucille snapped at her from the bed, where she spent most of her time.

"There is a letter for you, miss… with… with a red skull on it." Coretta managed to stutter – Lucille's new mood and temper had frightened her, the girl who used to be nice and gentle, had suddenly become stubborn and fierce. Lucille's face brightened the instant Coretta said the thing about the red skull.

"Close the door… read it to me…" Lucille quickly said, and clapped on the side of the bed, inviting Coretta to sit there. The maid sat down against a poster, and read it;

"Dear Lucille. I am sorry you have not heard from me, but I had to arrange some urgent matters. I will return to you soon, that I promise. Don't forget me, my sweet light. Wait for me after nightfall. Yours wholly, Erik."

Arrange which urgent matters? Lucille couldn't help but wondering about this… wait for him after nightfall, but when? Every night? She would and could not forget him, but she hoped he would return really soon. She had to tell him, that the wedding hadn't been cancelled. Would he blame her? So many thoughts ran through Lucille's head, that she wished he was there, right now. But the only person present, was Coretta…

"Thank you for reading the letter… have you told my parents about it?" Lucille finally asked into the silence between them.

"No… Lucille, I am so sorry I haven't been a good friend. Can you forgive me? I have ruined your life…" Coretta begged, and Lucille could hear the sorrow in her voice. She meant it.

"It is not entirely your fault… I should never had agreed to marry Artus. I forgive you, Coretta…" she said, and before she knew of it, Coretta leaned in to give Lucille a hug, to which she responded. She smiled, happy to get her friend back too.

"So… what about this one? I suppose Erik is your Phantom? You can't have a relationship with him and be married to Artus." The maid explained, and Lucille nodded. She knew all about that, but there seemed to be no key to the problem.

"Erik is my Phantom, yes… he writes he'll return soon, and that I shall wait… but I'm not sure I understand the meaning of it. Coretta, I'm glad to have you back! Erik he makes me feel, like I never felt before, his voice fills my mind with songs of beauty like I never saw it – I love him… which is why I don't want to marry Artus." Lucille explained, and she wished she could see Corettas face. She somehow felt it was calm and happy for the young girl though. The two girls spent the rest of the day talking, about Artus and Erik.

In the evening Lucille went to bed, tired because she talked so much that day. She fell asleep…

"Lucille… Lucille… I am your Light in Darkness… come to me, Light in Darkness…"

Lucille sat up in her bed – was it a dream? She dreamt about him so often, so it might aswell be. But she wanted him to be there, and picked up the tune.

"Light in Darkness, guide and guardian… grant to me your beauty. Light in Darkness, hide no longer, my dear and true Erik!" she sang back, feeling her own voice echo in the room.

"Light in my night, you shall feel me, see that near you I belong. Feel near the window in moonlight, I am here outside!" she knew by now, that he meant nothing bad, when he used the words 'see' to her. He knew how she saw. Lucille jumped out of bed, and opened the door to the balcony to let him in. They hugged as they did the last time, just being in each others arms. Finally she moved away from him, and sat down on the bed – forgetting that she only wore her nightdress, in front of a man.

"Erik… there is something I need to tell you." Lucille whispered in the dark, he had the right to know what was to happen in two weeks. He didn't answer, he still stood just inside the doors, listening to what she said. "I am still engaged… in two weeks from now, I'll be another man's wife…" there was only silence after she finished, and she was hardly breathing herself. Why didn't he answer? "Erik?" she whispered into the stillness between them, but he still said nothing. Lucille heard the swish of the cape, and knew he had left her alone. Would she ever see or hear Erik again? He hadn't even bothered to answer her, he must be very disappointed with her. Lucille didn't get anymore sleep that night.