DISCLAIMER: Please refer to Chapter Two

Cecilia was in the kitchen with Navienne discussing what dinner should be for the night. Erik could hear her talking to Jacques about what food and goods he would need to purchase in town when Gaston went to purchase new hay and materials for the horses. Jacques, a boy no older than sixteen, was Navienne's grandson whom Navienne had requested come and work with her. Cecilia being the charitable woman that she is, allowed it with the condition that he helps the others with chores and household errands.

As Jacques nodded his head in understanding to Cecilia's orders, Erik walked into the kitchen, unlaced his cloak, and handed it to Pierre.

"Merci, Pierre," he said as Pierre nodded to him. "Cecilia, may I have a word with you for a moment?"

"Of course. Navienne should you need any other spices please ask Jacques to purchase them in town. I have given him enough francs for whatever you will need," she replied as Navienne nodded in agreement.

Erik led Cecilia to the sitting room. As he opened his mouth to begin to speak, she mentioned, "Erik. There is something I have wanted to tell you."

Erik felt his heart leap in his chest. Was she going to ask him to marry her?

No, she would never do that! She may be a stubborn and untraditional woman, but she would never beg.

"What is it?" he said with a pretended surprise and worry in his voice.

"I received an invitation while I was staying with you. I found it in my mailbox near my front fence," she paused as she took in a deep breath, "I realize that you will be quite upset, but …"

"Cecilia, I am growing old," he claimed irritatingly, "please just tell me."

"I was invited to the Vicompt de Chagney's wedding tomorrow night. I happened to see him when I was in town this morning and he inquired whether or not my new fiancé and I would be attending. As you are aware of these circumstances, I could not say no because of his close relations with my family."

Erik sat down as he absorbed the news in which Cecilia had just given him. She walked over to his chair and crouched on the ground so her eyes were at the same level as his.

"I can go alone and claim my fiancé is ill. I know it is not proper etiquette, but I understand how it would hurt you so. I know you are trying to move on with your life, and I would not want you to be uncomfortable. I just wanted to inform you. I do not want there to be any secrets between us."

She put her hand on the unmarred side of Erik's face as one tear rolled down his cheek. She could tell that he had tried to be strong through the entire ordeal of Cecilia's injury and the startling lie he has told to Fredrick and Susanne last night. She knew he still loved Christine with all of his heart. Her heart broke to see him express such emotion in her presence.

"Erik, come with me. I have something for you," she said as she stood up with her hand grasping his. He tried to wipe his check and hide his face from her. Together, they walked up with stairs as Erik stared at the ground. They walked to the end of the hallway and turned to face the wall.

Erik looked up and saw a picture of a woman who looked a great deal like Cecilia with the exception of brown hair and green eyes.

Cecilia reached out her hand and felt underneath the frame of the picture. She took a quick look down the hall to ensure that no one had followed them or was around to see what she was doing. Erik could hear a click as the wall seemed to open inward. Cecilia gathered a candle that had been sitting on the table in the hallway, lit it, and led Erik into the unknown room behind the portrait.

The room was completely black until Cecilia placed the wick of the candle into and oil lamp near the entrance of the room. Once lit, the oil lamp seemed to feed into at least six others that had been placed on the walls throughout the large room. Erik could see the outline of the largest piano he had ever seen in his life in the middle of the room with two enormous silver candelabras each holding at least eight candles sitting on the top of it.

Cecilia walked over, lit the candelabras, and proceeded to light the fireplace in order to warm up the rather cold room. Erik could make out a large desk, and two large bookshelves full of books and compositions. His eyes scanned the room as he saw and instrument rack holding a violin, a small lap harp, a few percussion instruments, a wooden flute, and a few other instruments that he could not recognize from the distance he was.

"This was my father's composition room. No one knew about this place besides him and me. No one will ever bother you here. Anything you want in here is yours. I fear that I will never be able to do these things justice as my father did. I trust that you will care for them as if they were your own."

Erik turned to her in awe. He noticed a few tears streaming down her face as she smiled. She wiped them with her dainty handkerchief and took a deep breath.

"I wish you could have met him. He was such a good man. You two would have had a lot in common besides you know…" she said as she motioned to his mask.

She sniffled as Erik walked over to her and gathered her in his arms. He held her head close to his chest and stroked her blonde curls.

"Thank you," he whispered, "I am sure your father was a man among men. I am so sorry, Cecilia."

He held her closer now as he became aware of her attempts to regain composure. After a few moments, she took another deep breath and pulled away from him.

"Well, I must get going. I have a seamstress coming by today to fit me for the dress I ordered three weeks ago. Stay as long as you like. Dinner is at seven," she finished as she walked to the door and turned the one-way knob.

Erik stood in the room in awe of where he was. He was in the laboratory of one of the finest composers to have ever lived. He was in a room where genius and inspiration reigned supreme. He felt as though he was in heaven. He could not help but feel the guilt welling up inside of him. Her father had to die in order for Erik to stand in this room, but then again, her father had to die for Erik to meet her.

He sat down at the maple finished piano and read what was left of the Maestro's last composition. It was almost complete. Erik studied the magnificent piece and maintained the melody in his mind. Hoping to find a pattern, he attempted to complete Cecilia's father's last work.