DISCLAIMER: Please refer to Chapter Two

Erik was descending the stairs when his eyes caught a glance of Cecilia standing in the ballroom atop of a large wooden box. He noticed that two of her stand up mirrors had been brought into the room and all of the drapes were opened to allow the maximum amount of light. He saw a man and an assistant pinning and sewing the ravishing chocolate and black colored dress which hung so delicately upon Cecilia's voluptuous frame.

"Madamoiselle, a lower neckline would look splendid on you. I hope you would reconsider my advice," the short older tailor noted.

"Monsieur Matthieu, I am attending a wedding in the fortnight. I cannot possibly bring more attention to myself. It is a day for the bride," she replied as she caught the sight of Erik out of the corner of her eye.

"Erik. Do you like it?" she asked as he walked toward her and the two men.

"Oh yes! Monsieur Fournier! We have heard much about you," Matthieu noted as he looked at his mask, "we have heard what a debonair and charming man you are. Is it true you have traveled all over Europe?"

Interesting. When they think you are rich and well-traveled, they do not even question you mask. Or are they just trying to be cordial? Well, it seems as through they are not too distracted by it to inquire about me.

"Matthieu," Cecilia kindly snapped, "please do not pester him. He has yet to even consider whether or not this dress even looks remotely good on me. The raise in your pay could possibly be affected by his answer."

She flashed a devilish smile toward Erik. Immediately, she noticed Matthieu and his assistant readying the dress to be accessed by Erik.

Erik noticed her smirk. He could not believe how easily she was able to steer men to her desires. He commended her on her ability to overpower people with her money and her intellect. He found it rather amusing how these men were now desperate to hear his opinion.

"Oh yes, Monsieur. Isn't chocolate the most perfect color for her complexion? Doesn't the cut contour to her figure most stunningly? Is she not ravishing?" Matthieu noted as though attempting to persuade Erik.

Erik bit his lip as he circled around Cecilia. She had her hands folded in a ladylike manner across her stomach. He noticed that the back of her dress. The bustle of the rear seemed to perfectly accent Cecilia's ample derriere. He did feel though that the train should be a bit longer. As he finished his assessment, his hands skimmed the exquisite fabric, and his eyes could not help but transfix on the apex of her outward corset. He almost felt like drooling over her expectant breaths which made her plump breasts rise and fall with a taunting manner.

As Matthieu placed the headpiece atop of Cecilia's head, Erik could not help but sigh and bask in her beauty. Truly, this dress was indeed made for her.

Erik, however, was not going to give Matthieu and his assistant complete praise and satisfaction.

"I feel that the design is splendid, however, I question whether or not you are going to complete the train. A woman with such beauty as she should have such a grand train following behind her. She is, after all, the princess of modern composition."

"Of course, Monsieur. I was just telling Francois how this dress needed such detail. It shall be done!" Matthieu said as he clapped his hands in the air prompting Francois to measure the existing train.

"Excellent," Erik replied, "other than that, I would say, Cecilia is, in a word, stunning in this dress."

He could see her blush as Matthieu and Francois went back to doting on her. Erik could tell that his blessing prompted the men to not only respect him more than previously, but Cecilia seemed to immediately glow with delight.

"I fear I have already taken up too much of your valuable time, Monsieur's. I bid you good day," Erik said as he shook the tailors' hands, "My dear, when you are finished, I pray that you will indulge me with a bit of conversation before dinner."

"Of course. I shall come as soon as my dress is finished," Cecilia replied.

Erik nodded at her and walked out of the room.

Cecilia met Erik about an hour later in the sitting room. He had been reading what appeared to be a philosophy journal.

"You wanted to speak with me?" she said as she sat in the chair across from him.

"Oh," he said as he looked up from his book, "how is the dress?"

"It is perfect. I love it so much I am going to have him come back next week to prepare one for Christmas. I do hope he can have it done in time," she noted realizing that Christmas was only two weeks away.

"I am sure he will. Do not worry yourself. However, I did want to tell you that I would very much like to join you at the wedding tomorrow night. I assure you that I will be alright. I do not wish you to have to attend such an event alone."

"Erik, you do not have to. I would love you to, but I promise it is not required."

"No, I want to go. Besides, I need to, as you say, break out of my shell."

"What if you are recognized?"

"I am going to have a new mask made in town which is of a different style of my current one. I will also purchase a new top hat in order to better hide my appearance. I assure you, if people know I am wealthy and from another county, they will not even question me. I am sure we can come up with a story."

"But, I thought you did not like to be around people?"

"Most of the audience members of the Opera Populaire can barely make out the faces of the actors on stage. I am sure I will be quite alright. As far as people are concerned, I am not completely settled on that matter right now. However, I am currently open to new ideas."

"Are you certain about this, Erik? I do not want you to compromise your beliefs for me."

"You have saved my life, Cecilia, in more ways than one. The least I can do is attend a wedding with you."

Cecilia smiled and rose to her feet. Erik rose to his at the same time. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Thank you so much for doing this for me," she said as he held her.

He realized at that moment how much this event meant to her. He realized that finally people would stop talking about her behind her back about her relationship with Fredrick. That people would finally except her back into society. Although Cecilia was a strong woman, Erik knew she longed to be around people again.

He lifted her chin with his hand and kissed her forehead as she closed her pretty blue eyes.

"Come. Shall we take a walk before dinner?" he asked.

"I would like that. Very much," she replied.

Erik strolled with her over to the closet and retrieved her winter cloak. As he placed it on her, she placed her hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek. He smiled, tied his cloak, and led her outside.