1A/N - Short one because I'm busier than I realized. Sorry.At any rate..

I do not own POTO or any of those characters. Also, I do not own any specific word in the english language. Apparently, I "stole" someone elses title. I tried to find the fic but couldn't, and then I was going to rename mine but I think it fit's too well. So at any rate, sorry if I had the same idea as someone else!

Please continue to review, it fuels my creativity :)

And echo - it's been more than two days. Weeping, mourning. Gnashing teeth!

"I want to see it all, Nicholas! The whole earth! I mean, isn't the world so silly and turned upside down as it stands? Why should I, because my parent's are wealthy and I was born with a certain name, be destined to live the entirety of my life married to a man I do not love, pretending to be proper and civil."

An adorable flash of anger had tinted her voice, and Nicholas simply continued to stroke the soft locks that spill across his thighs. He was propped against a tree, and his angel was laying in the grass aside him - her head casually resting atop his thigh as she stared upwards at the stars and bemoaned her existence.

"He will be able to afford to take you anywhere you wish," he had spoken calmly, with obvious logic. This only seemed to perturb her worse.

"Foolishness. I don't know how I will marry a man who assaulted me so." The voice was softer, more fragile now.

"You should have told the truth," Nicholas gently chided.

"Perhaps," she had mused, and a silence fell between them. Elizabeth began to think of ways to escape the impending marriage her parent's had forced upon her. Only two weeks before her mother had swept into her room, with Raoul at her heels. She had been sputtering on and on about propriety and a proper match, ensuring her future and all sorts of nonsensical talk Elizabeth had little interest in. The discussion had ended with their proclamation that in three months time she would wed William DeGent. Elizabeth had wept, screamed, pleaded, and spent the better part of two days struggling against their will. When it seemed completely ineffective, she had turned to Nicholas instead - weeping in his arms and finding solace in his wry sense of humor.

Nicholas, meanwhile, had struggled against the desire to sweep her away. To carry her off in his arms and make her smile for the rest of his life. Reality was easier for his mind to grasp than his little dreamer's, however, and he realized that all he could offer her was poverty. She deserved far better. When she had first announced her impending marriage, he had burned with jealousy and hatred and longed to kill William. He had controlled himself then, and still managed.

"Run away with me," he teased softly, stroking the line of her cheek. Somehow the lines of propriety had been crossed with the two of them, and they were surprisingly close. Physical contact was of little consequence, and they were as free as siblings - only more.. intimate.

"Do not jest with me, Nicholas, as you know I'd rather live my life in a barn with you than in all of his mansions!" Elizabeth laughed lightly, not knowing how the truth in her words stung and only strengthened his resolve.

"Sing the song," he prompted, hoping to change the subject.

"It makes me feel odd," she countered, sitting up. She cast a glance over her shoulder at him, and he could not help but smile at how pretty she was when her hair was disheveled. Her lower lip was pursed into a pout, and he reached to touch it. She grasped his hand, however, and brought it around her shoulders as she leaned into his chest. Without further conversation, she did begin to sing softly.

"Think of me..."

Her sweet voice reconstructed the entire aria acapella for him. She was pink with blush by the time he finished, and he laughed lightly - kissing her atop the head.

"Beautiful. Tell me again - your tutor comes to you only in your dreams? Those are magnificent lessons!" His tone was light, almost taunting. Elizabeth did not respond as he had hoped. Instead, she stiffened.

"Please, let us not speak of him. I should not have told you." Elizabeth suddenly seemed frightened, as though she feared the man who continually plagued her dreams were listening even now.

Nicholas consented, and their conversation drifted to the light topics which pleased them both. He treasured the angel in his arms, knowing all too soon she would be taken from him and belong to another.

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"I am beginning to rethink this entire thing. You were given your choice, my love - why should we not give her one?"

"Because, Raoul, I made a wise choice." Christine shuddered at her own words. She had repeatedly regretted and wondered over the choice she had made. She had never mentioned to Raoul that she had tried on more than one occasion to recant that very decision! "Elizabeth is in love with a stable-boy. She will not make a wise decision. This one has to be made for her. William is a fine choice. Handsome, wealthy enough to keep her well and happy, polite. There is no better choice!"

Raoul was surprised by the callousness in his wife's words. In many ways, Elizabeth had softened Raoul in a way that she had not touched her mother's heart. Elizabeth was a duty, a job to be completed, and while he was sure Christine loved her daughter, she often lacked gentleness with her.

"But what of love!" He insisted, coming behind her as she furiously brushed at her curls. His arms encircled her waist, and he felt her stiffen initially - then relax.

"Love does not always matter," she had responded quietly. Her words left him feeling cold. Had a lifetime with him treated her so poorly? Was her soul so starved for love that she felt no compassion on her daughter, swept up in it's waves now? He released her, and walked towards the door.

"We will drive her away," he murmured to himself.

"At least we will have a choice in where she goes," Christine retorted. Again, Raoul was taken aback with the cruel sort of passion Christine obviously felt over this. He left without another word, leaving his wife to her brooding mood. She had strong opinions, to be sure, but he was the Vicomte DeChagny. He could made decisions regarding his daughter and her well being, and he would speak to her soon about it.