Chapter Two
Charles Daae was troubled. It wasn't so much the fact that his guests were due in a matter of hours, or the fact that he hadn't yet made sure their rooms were prepared. It wasn't even the fact that he hadn't even had time to prepare his appearance and ensure that the castle was in a suitable state for their arrival.
No, he was more troubled by the fact that his daughter had locked herself into her bedroom and was refusing to come out.
"Christine, don't be so awkward!" He said, tapping his knuckles on the door.
"I'm not the one being awkward!"
"You're certainly not making things easy. It's not as if you didn't know that this was coming."
"In future years, I expected it! When I was grown up!" He heard her call.
"Christine, you are grown up. You will be twenty this year."
"Then tell them to come later this year!" She said angrily.
Charles sighed and rubbed at his eyes. He was tired and he felt ill. He always felt ill these days. He tried once again to reason with his daughter.
"Christine, please… unlock the door. We're not forcing you to do anything."
"Then why invite them, Papa? So I can be paraded around whilst they decide if I'm good enough for their precious Prince? I do have a little dignity, you know!" She called through the wooden door. Charles closed his eyes in despair.
"Philippe and Raoul's parents were good friends of both mine and your mothers. Besides, you like Raoul. You used to play together."
"When I was five. I'm rather more grown up, in case you hadn't noticed. I haven't seen him in fifteen years ago and I highly doubt that he's going to be the same little boy who pulled my hair and stole my doll!"
Charles leant against the wall despairingly. How would her mother have handled this? He had no idea. The thought depressed him but he shook it away swiftly. He tried again.
"Open the door, Christine. Just talk to me." No reply. "Christine… I know this isn't what you want. But it is only for a month. I'm not going to force you into anything you don't want. I just want you to try and get on with Raoul. For my sake, if for no one else's."
There was silence. He sighed and was prepared to turn away when he heard the soft click of the key turning in the lock. The door swung open and his daughter appeared in the doorway, tears rolling down her pretty cheeks. Charles didn't speak. He simply pulled her into a hug as she sobbed uncontrollably.
Raoul glared out of the carriage window, slumping in his seat. He knew that sulking wouldn't help and that he was far too old to indulge in such childish behaviour, but that didn't make him stop. Every now and then he even glanced at his brother, glowered for a moment and then glared back out at the passing countryside. Philippe scowled at him.
"Sit up, Raoul!"
"Don't bother him." Sorelli said, resting a gently hand on her husbands arm. Raoul ignored them both.
"You're behaving like a petulant child." Philippe told him. Raoul glowered at his brother.
"I have every right to. You could at least have let me prepare instead of just telling me at dinner last night."
"Raoul, we're simply visiting friends." Sorelli pointed out.
"Whose daughter you want me to marry."
"This isn't something we're forcing you to do. Of course, it's always been the plan that you and Princess Christine marry, but we're only going so you can at least get to know her before you decide to take an instant dislike to her." Philippe corrected him.
Sorelli sighed as the brothers glared at each other. Honestly, they really were impossible.
"Raoul, we're only staying for a month. And if at the end of it neither of you feel even slightly inclined to marriage, then we shall return home. It is entirely your choice."
"Very well. I choose not to go."
"Don't be so ridiculous!"
"Philippe, do calm down. And Raoul, stop being so difficult. Honestly, you're both as bad as each other!" Sorelli told them both sternly.
The de Chagny brothers turned away from each other to look out of their separate windows. Sorelli sighed and opened her book. They would probably sulk for the rest of the journey now.
Meg Giry waited impatiently for Christine to finish dressing. Their guests were due at any moment and Christine had been told to change into a suitable dress. Meg went to the dressing table and turned over a bottle of perfume in her hands, rearranging things, anything to keep herself busy. Eventually she broke and asked,
"Haven't you finished yet?"
"No, stop asking!" Christine snapped back.
"Do you need help?"
"No, I'm fine." Christine replied from the next room. Meg folded her arms, tapping her foot.
"Are you nervous?" She asked.
For a moment Christine didn't reply. And then she said,
"I don't know. A little, I suppose."
"But you used to know the prince, didn't you?" Meg said, glancing through a book and replacing it again.
"When I was a child, Meg. And frankly I have no intention of marrying a complete stranger."
"Unless you fall madly, wildly in love at first sight?" Meg teased. Christine appeared in the doorway and eyed her friend.
"There's no such thing as love at first sight, Meg. How do I look?"
Meg grinned at her.
"You always look wonderful. But you're certainly looking good."
"Really? Maybe I should make myself look terrible. That'll scare them away!" Christine winked and turned to brush her hair. Meg began to twist the dark curls into an elaborate hairstyle. She had been friends with Christine since they had been seven. Her mother, Marie Giry, had been Christine's tutor and Charles had had no objections to the two girls developing a friendship. Christine had found Meg to be the only person she could truly confide in, although she had several friends, mostly daughters of the Dukes and Lords that made up the court of Rymansia.
Christine picked at her fingernails and sighed.
"I don't want to do this, Meg. Can't I just pretend I'm ill?"
"They're here for a month, Christine. I don't think you can pretend for that long." Meg pointed out. Christine wrinkled her nose.
"I suppose you're right…"
"Of course I am. There, you look perfect."
Christine smiled at her reflection. The pale blue dress was lovely and Meg was rather good at styling hair. The effect was pleasing. A pity about the occasion it would be for. Meg saw the despondent look in her friend's eyes and hugged her, looking at the reflection in the mirror.
"It might not be that bad. I know you don't believe it, but I think there is such a thing as love at first sight."
There was a knock at the door and Marie Giry entered the room. She looked at the two girls.
"They are here, Christine." She stood slowly and took a deep breath. Marie smiled. "You look like you're going to your own funeral."
"I might be."
"Don't be ridiculous, child. Come along, your father is waiting." Marie said sternly, pushing Christine towards the door and glaring at her daughter as Meg began to hum the funeral song.
Charles waited in the comfortable room, where refreshments had been set out for their guests. He smiled at the three of them.
"I hope you had a pleasant journey?"
"We did indeed. Rymansia is looking wonderful at this time of year." Philippe replied pleasantly. Charles smiled at the compliment to his country.
"I hope you will be able to see much more of it during your stay. That is if my daughter ever gets down here."
They laughed politely. Except for Raoul. He was sat stiffly in a chair, looking terribly nervous. Charles smiled slightly. He was a fine young man and had been extremely polite when greeting him. He glanced at the clock.
"Where in the world has she gotten to?" He wondered out loud.
At that moment the door opened and Marie Giry appeared.
"Ah, Marie. Christine is ready?"
"She is here, Majesty." Raoul stood up, twisting the edge of his jacket in his nerves. And then he blinked as the slender girl stepped into the room. Charles smiled and took his daughter's hand.
"Christine, this is Philippe de Chagny and his wife Sorelli de Chagny."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." She said, smiling sweetly as she greeted the pair. They smiled in return and then Charles turned her to look at Raoul.
The pair looked at each other for a moment, both nervous and unsure. Then Raoul kissed the back of her hand tentatively.
"Princess Christine."
"Prince Raoul." She said, returning the greeting but without smiling. He did not smile either. They were both rather guarded. Charles smiled and sat down. Christine took the seat beside him.
"It's been quite some time since we last saw you, Christine." Philippe commented, smiling.
"Nearly fifteen years." She agreed.
"What have you been doing in all that time?"
"Many things. Lessons mostly. As well as learning how to manage the country." She said. Charles laughed.
"And music. Let's not forget music."
"You play music?" Sorelli asked.
Charles grinned and Christine rolled her eyes as he said,
"I believe she's trying to learn as many instruments as possible before she turns twenty."
"I enjoy music, there's no shame in it."
"She's a wonderful singer as well." Charles said. Christine sighed.
"I haven't sung in quite some time, Papa, as well you know. I probably sound terrible."
"I'm sure you would enjoy talking with our pianist. I believe he's resting in his room at the moment, but he's a wonderful musician." Sorelli commented. Christine nodded.
Whilst Philippe and Charles began to talk about harvesting and Sorelli joined in, Christine risked a quick glance at Raoul. To her surprise, and slight embarrassment, he was also looking at her. He flushed pink at seeing that she had caught him looking and hastily averted his eyes to the floor. Christine chewed the inside of her lip and looked at the ceiling.
Charles cleared his throat.
"It's a beautiful day, why don't we take a short stroll?"
"A wonderful idea." Philippe agreed. They moved to the entrance hall and then Sorelli stepped back, taking Philippe's arm.
"I feel rather tired. I think I might have a sleep before dinner."
"I think I'll join you." Philippe said quickly.
"Oh, I've just remembered I have something to do. You two go ahead!" Charles said, pushing Raoul and Christine through the door and closing it behind them.
They stared at the closed door in amazement, blinking in the bright sunlight. Then Christine pursed her lips irritably.
"Well, that was rather unsubtle."
"Just a little." Raoul agreed, seething with his brother and sister-in-law. He glanced at Christine and said, "Shall we…?"
"We might as well. I don't think they'll even let us back in." She said, glaring at the door. "I could just kill my father."
"I don't think Philippe's going to make it to dinner either." Raoul said and accidentally muttered a very rude word about his brother. Christine couldn't help giggling, putting a hand to her mouth as he went red. He cleared his throat.
"My apologies."
"Oh, don't apologise. I've been saying some very unladylike things about my father recently." She admitted as they began to walk towards the castle gardens.
"Just out of curiosity, do you remember the last time I came here?" Raoul asked. Christine eyed him.
"Yes, I do. You burnt Mary-Ann at the stake after finding a book on witchcraft in the library."
"What?" He said, shocked. She smiled.
"My doll."
"Oh… oh, yes, I'd forgotten about that." Raoul laughed. Christine put her hands on her hips.
"Don't laugh! It was an extremely traumatising event. I loved that doll!"
"I'm sorry." He said solemnly. Christine smiled.
"You're forgiven. Did you have a long journey?"
"Five hours by carriage." He grimaced.
"It was that bad?"
"I was arguing with Philippe most of the way. If Sorelli hadn't been there you wouldn't have two guests so much as two corpses."
Christine laughed.
"I thought your brother was a rather agreeable person."
"He is if you're not related to him." Raoul explained. They reached the rose gardens, complete with decorate fountain and bench. Christine sat and Raoul stayed standing, watching the water fall gracefully from the angel's mouth back into the pool below. They stayed in silence for some time. After a moment they both began to speak at the same time.
"Christine-"
"I don't-"
They stopped and both smiled. Raoul cleared his throat.
"You first."
"Very well… Raoul, do you even want to be here?"
He had to admit, he hadn't seen that one coming. He hadn't expected her to be so forward. But he met her dark eyes and said honestly,
"I didn't want to come."
"That's not an answer to the question." She pointed out. Raoul sighed.
"I know."
He didn't say anything further. That puzzled Christine but she allowed herself to look at him again. Her mind had allowed him to become just a blurred face in her memories, it had been so long. She took that moment to make a new memory of him, standing there by the fountain. The way his light brown hair gleamed in the sun and his blue eyes seemed lost in thought as he fiddled nervously with a button on his jacket, his strong face fixed into a slight frown as though considering something.
After a moment she stood up. He looked at her but she began to talk before he was given a chance to say anything.
"We both know why you're here. I don't know how you feel about it but I'm certainly not ready for anything like that. But I'm not going to try and make things difficult for anyone. Friends?" She held out her hand. Raoul stared at it and then his face broke into a rather relieved smile.
"Yes. Friends."
He took her hand and they shook firmly. Christine smiled and nodded, gesturing for him to sit on the bench beside her.
"Good. Now, let's at least get to know each other."
"A good idea. Let's see… favourite pastime?" Raoul asked. Christine smiled.
"Playing music. You?"
"Horse riding." He said.
"Oh, you'll have to visit our stables. We've got some wonderful horses. I don't ride very much though, I'm not very good." She admitted. Raoul smiled.
"I'll teach you. It's rather enjoyable." He offered. She nodded.
"I'd like that."
They fell into silence. Christine was secretly appalled at herself. Why was she being so friendly? She was trying to convince her father that she didn't want to marry this man. But he was just so… nice. An insubstantial word, used for any old thing, but it suited him. He was a pleasant person and good company. And he was clearly just as unenthusiastic about marriage as she was which definitely made her warm to him.
In turn, Raoul was also wondering what he was doing. This wasn't how he'd imagined things at all. For some reason (he suspected it was his own vanity) he'd expected Christine Daae to be perfectly happy to marry him. But from the moment she'd entered the room, there had been a guarded, suspicious look on her face, although she'd been extremely polite. And her offer of friendship wasn't something to turn down.
And she had just said something to him. He blinked.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I said, when did you know you were coming here?"
"Last night." He said. She stared at him.
"Last night?"
"Yes, Philippe informed me at dinner. By that time he'd already secretly had my things packed and ready, waiting to leave." Raoul said, rather disgruntled. Christine couldn't help laughing at his expression.
"That must have been awful!"
"I've had better dinners." He admitted. "What about you? When did they tell you?"
"Two days ago. I threw a terrible tantrum today, locked myself in my room and everything." She said, scratching her head awkwardly.
"You didn't."
"Oh, I did. I think Papa was just about ready to have the royal guard knock the door down."
Raoul burst out laughing and Christine rolled her eyes, grinning.
"I know! You probably think I'm this awful spoiled brat now."
"I wouldn't dream of passing judgement so soon after meeting you." Raoul said solemnly, but his eyes sparkled mischievously. Christine wrinkled her nose irritably.
"In fact I was perfectly ready to just pretend I was ill for the next month."
"I'm glad you didn't." He said. The words slipped out before he could think about them. Christine looked at him sharply and then smiled slightly.
"So am I. For now, anyway." She said quietly.
Perhaps this wouldn't be quite the disaster they'd both imagined it to be.
Charles and Philippe turned away from the window, where they had been watching the pair in the garden. Sorelli smiled at them both.
"See? They're getting on well."
"A handshake isn't a marriage proposal." Charles said. Philippe sighed.
"I don't know if this is going to work."
"Give it a chance to. They've only been talking for ten minutes. Just don't repeat today's incident. Let them get to know each other because they want to." Sorelli said, taking her husband's hand. He smiled at her.
"Do you think it will work?"
"I have no idea. I can't predict the future."
Charles glanced back out of the window at his daughter.
"We'll let them be for now." He said, more to himself than to his guests. He had a headache. Perhaps a rest before dinner would be a good idea, he thought vaguely, excusing himself.
Whilst everyone was in their rooms, changing into their dinner clothes, Christine was pounced on by Meg in her bedroom.
"Well? What happened? I was going to watch but Mother made me do some sewing." She asked eagerly. Christine rolled her eyes.
"Nothing happened. We went for a walk in the garden and had a talk. That's all."
"But what did you talk about?"
"What we liked to do in our spare time, how very much we didn't want to get married, that sort of thing." Christine said, pulling a dress from her wardrobe. "Could you untie me?"
Meg began to loosen the threads of her dress and she asked,
"What is he like?"
"He's… he's nice." Christine said vaguely and then winced as Meg poked her in the ribs. "Ow!"
"Is that all you can come up with? I caught sight of him, he's so handsome! And nice is the only word you can think of?"
"Well, he IS nice. He's a nice person. Honestly Meg, we only talked for about fifteen minutes. I haven't exactly managed to uncover any deep, dark secrets in that time."
"So, it's not love at first sight?" She said, seemingly disappointed.
Christine shrugged the dress from her shoulders and reached for the dinner dress, slipping it over her head.
"I told you Meg. There's no such thing as love at first sight. And even if there was, I don't think I'd want it to happen anyway. Where's the fun if you don't get to know someone first?" She commented, brushing her hair out.
Meg shook her head in despair.
"You'll never fall in love with that attitude."
"And you're going to fall in love with every handsome boy who walks through the door with your attitude!" Christine shot back with a smile. Meg smiled brightly.
"Oh, I hope so! Come on, Mother and I are dining with you tonight. Your father insists on it."
"He's probably hoping that you'll be able to restrain me when I try and throttle him for playing that trick on us earlier." Christine commented dryly. Meg giggled and Christine sighed.
"Once more into the breach, dear friend."
"Oh, don't be so dramatic." Meg said, pulling her to the door. "It's going to be fine. You're just overreacting."
Christine wondered sometimes if Meg didn't under-react at times. She always seemed perfectly relaxed.
But to be fair, she didn't have the fate of a country resting on her shoulders. Or a prince to entertain at dinner.