CHAPTER 23

Erik and Nadir made it into town, just as the shops began to open to their patrons. The carriage came to a stop in front of the jewelry store that Christine had told Erik about. Nadir looked at Erik, as he was about to exit the carriage.

"Are you sure you want to go in there, Erik? I can do this for you, my boy. Besides, what if someone sees you?"

Erik pulled his fedora further down the right side of his face and pulled his cape up around him. "Daroga, you forget that I am but an apparition. I shall not be long."

As Nadir was about to respond, Erik was gone. "It's unnerving when he does that," Nadir thought as he rolled his eyes in annoyance.

Erik swiftly entered the store then ducked behind a counter by the far wall to view the storekeeper laying out a few displays for the day with her back turned. "Perfect!" He thought as he crept silently to the main windowed display.

Erik knew exactly what he wanted. Christine spoke of it with such detail. There was no mistaking its design. It was an elegant white gold band with a ruby gem and pink diamond baguettes shaped in a rose. It was flawless in beauty and Erik was highly impressed. He thought back to Christine as she spoke of it and her unfortunate run in with Philippe. "That bastard!" Erik thought with disgust.

He reached to the bottom left corner of the display and coveted his prize within his gloved hand. He crouched low as he heard the storekeeper cough to clear her throat. Erik peered from under his fedora carefully. He thought he had been caught for a moment.

The storekeeper kept to her business and hadn't noticed him in the slightest. It would be easy for him to leave and not pay for his newly acquired treasure, but Erik was no thief. He had no choice in his youth, but now that he was a rather well off man, he could afford any luxury he desired.

Erik held the francs in his hand and silently made his move to the main counter. He placed the francs neatly across the countertop and made his way to the front door in stealth. Before exiting, he threw his voice with expertise. "For the ring in your main display window, Madame."

The storekeeper was startled from her work as she drew in a breath of surprise. She turned to see the front door coming to a close and before her on the countertop was enough francs to cover the entire days worth of purchases.

Nadir sat in the carriage looking out of the window for Erik. He was nervously tapping his fingers on his knee, waiting. Erik viewed him from outside just as he opened the door.

"Really, Nadir, you look like a worried old spinster," Erik chuckled, sitting himself across from the man.

"Must you sneak up on people like that, Erik?" Nadir asked, startled.

"Old habits die hard, Daroga." Erik replied as he tapped the roof of the carriage. "The town of Melun, driver!"

With a click of his tongue, the driver took the reigns and they were off again.

As the carriage made its way to its destination, Erik and Nadir spoke about Melun. Erik told Nadir about an estate in which he had acquired a few years back. He had forgotten about it until a recent reminder jogged his memory.

"What is this house of roses, Erik?" Nadir asked simply.

"La Maison de Roses, Daroga, is an estate that sits along the Seine. It's been a project of mine that Monsieur Reinard oversees. It was not until I read the small note enclosed in my money parcel from him that reminding me of it. He had suggested it because he questioned why I would need to purchase another home. He was also rather adamant about it not being financially sound to acquire a second property when I already owned an estate."

Nadir scratched his head and asked, "How on earth did you even come across such a place? I didn't think you got out from under your rock much, my boy."

Erik glared back at Nadir and the foreign man just chuckled. Erik shook his head then continued, "I remembered it long ago from my travels with the gypsies. When I found out the previous owners were selling it, I had Monsieur Reinard purchase it and make sure that the reconstruction was being followed according to my sketches. I planned on leaving it for Madame Giry and Meg once the work was completed. I owe Annette so much and she deserves a place to call her own instead of that dreadfully small flat she's in now. I still intend for her to have the estate, but for now I find it rather convenient for the situation, don't you?"

Nadir nodded in agreement.

Located at the end of a private road was an imposing iron gate, which led to the central property access. A magnificent stoned paved courtyard opened onto the estate. The grounds were green and the surrounding flora was a sight indeed.

"No wonder Erik was drawn to this place," Nadir thought as he eyed the property in awe.

There were so many different shades of roses that it definitely lived up to its name. La Maison de Roses was abundant with charm and beauty. Ten employees that lived full time on the property overlooked the estate. The maids and servants would be at hand anytime of the day to treat its Lord and Lady like royalty.

The sixteen-bedroom estate was furnished with beautiful period pieces and decorated with antique tapestries and artwork. Each bedroom was custom decorated and exquisitely furnished with a combination of French antiques and imported case goods, hand-made upholstery and luxurious bedding. Goose down duvets and pillows completed the four-poster oak beds. All the bedrooms had their own private bathroom.

A wooden staircase led to three bedrooms in the West wing and a stone spiral staircase led to three bedrooms in the East wing. This wing housed the master suite with its own fireplace, a private terrace, separate changing room and master bathroom. The entire room was beamed with wood and solid oak flooring. The main attraction of this room was its hidden secret that Erik specifically had constructed according to his blueprints. Behind the mirror lay a separate stone tower. He named it Rapunzel's Tower. It overlooked the rose gardens and its spiral staircase led down into it as well.

Two glorious grand salons that sat between the main ballroom were adorned with fifteenth century stone-carved monumental fireplaces, hand-painted murals, marbled flooring, and stained glass windows. Les Anges dans les Nuages, or Angels in the Clouds, was the name of the first salon and the other salon was called La Beauté de Musique, or The Beauty of Music. Each salon depicted just as the rooms stated. The magnificent grand ballroom, Mascarade de l'amour, or Love's Masquerade, housed yet another monumental fireplace and an amazing oak-beamed cathedral ceiling with more stained glass windows, antique artwork, and a chandelier oddly similar to the one Erik brought down at the opera, though this was smaller.

The sitting room also had a fifteenth century fireplace and oak flooring. Bay windows exposed the rest of the grounds, opening to a romantic stone terrace. There was also a massive library that adjoined a large private study.

The medieval wine cave housed bottles as far as the eye could see and the gourmet kitchen was a chef's dream. It had all the necessities for making even the simplest of meals extravagant.

The ambiance The House of Roses radiated was beyond words. "Just like Erik," Nadir concluded.

"So, what do you think, Nadir?" Erik asked proudly.

"Well, I have to question, with something this impressive, why in the name of Allah do you chose to stay in that dingy lair?" Nadir enjoyed poking fun at his friend, but Erik was too excited to let even Nadir dampen his mood.

"I gather you fancy the estate then. I knew you would, old friend. I am thankful that everything has been completed to my approval. It seems that only the stables have yet to be remodeled and the placement of my custom-made fountains, otherwise the timing could not have been more perfect. Christine will be thrilled! Let's head back to Paris. I wish to bring Christine here tonight for dinner.

Before leaving the estate, Erik made sure all the preparations would be ready upon his return. He had dreamed of this night for so long, he could hardly believe that it was actually happening. All Erik could do was grin from ear to ear. "The Angels will dance in the moonlit sky and the stars against the veil of night will weep with joy, for tonight I will ask my Angel from heaven for her hand in marriage."


Disclaimer
I do not own any rights in regards to "Rapunzel" or its authors The Grimm Brothers. It's an incredible fairytale. Thanks for the classical magic, brothers!