What is This Feeling?
Christine blinked blearily as she tried to remember where she was. The sun was rising, tinting the sky pink around it and she realised that her head was rested on Erik's shoulder, the blanket still wrapped around their shoulders providing mild warmth against the cool morning air.
She stirred slightly, not knowing if Erik was awake, and not wanting to wake him if he was asleep. So she stayed where she was, watching the sun rise slowly over the tops of the trees. It was beautiful and she couldn't help but feel happy with her head resting on Erik's shoulder. In fact when she felt him move she felt a little disappointed and couldn't help but give a small sigh as she moved her head.
"Good morning," she said quietly.
"Morning?" he asked, eyes darting around as he move to get up.
"Yeah, I guess we fell asleep," she replied, hugging the blanket closer to her as he dropped it off his shoulders.
"Oh…" he murmured, running his hand through his hair and tucking several dark strands behind his ear.
"I was just watching the sun rise, you could stay."
"Yes…I guess I could," he replied, slowly sitting down again.
Christine smiled and turned to watch the sun coming up over the trees again, "I love watching the sunrise, my father and I used to do it when I was little."
Antoinette and Nadir watched the two eat breakfast. Small smiles gracing their lips the entire time.
"I have never seen him behave this way," Nadir commented, "did you see them last night?"
"Oui, very sweet, don't you think?"
"Yes…I think that out Master just might be in love."
"Perhaps," she said, unable to hide the smile on her lips, "I never thought I'd see the day…"
"Yes, but do you think she has the same feelings for him?"
"It is hard to tell. She seems to like him enough. Perhaps it is love, but how will we know unless she tells him?"
Nadir shrugged, "I do not know. But if it is to be it will need to be soon."
"The rose?" Antoinette asked.
"Yes, and it is having an effect on him. He's getting weaker. Every time a petal falls, haven't you noticed?"
"Yes, but I did not wish to…come, there is work to be done. We cannot be standing around all day."
Christine sighed as she flipped though the pages of a book. She didn't really feel like reading, but there wasn't much more to do in the castle. It wasn't that it was a bad book, in fact it was very interesting, she just had so much in her mind it was hard to focus.
Lately she had noticed that her reaction to Erik's presence had changed. Whenever she saw him she could reel her pulse begun to rush, her head would reel and if he acknowledge her then her face would flush. It was strange, that had been her first reaction to his presence, back when she had still considered herself a prisoner. She knew that then it had been loathing, a deep hatred for the man who had taken her from her father. Now though, she knew that I couldn't be. She enjoyed his company too much and often found herself seeking it out.
"Hello," Meg said cheerily, "reading again?"
"Not really," Christine sighed.
"Oh, well then you can talk with me for a bit. I'm finished my chores for the moment."
"That must be nice…do you know where Erik is?"
"Hmm, I think he's sleeping. Maman said that he hasn't been feeling well."
"He hasn't?"
"No…headaches and stuff, you know, nothing too terrible."
"Oh, I'm glad."
Meg chewed her lip for a moment, "Yes…so what were you reading?"
"Oh, just a romance novel."
Meg nodded her head, "I read something like that once. I can't say I liked it. But I guess everyone likes different things."
"I normally read more adventurous books," Christine explained, "so I thought I'd get away from that for a while."
"Why?" Meg asked, "they sound more exciting."
"They used to be very exciting," she sighed, "I used to always dream of going on an adventure. You know? Far off lands, knights and castles and everything…it just doesn't seem so exciting anymore. I used to want to get away from my life because it seemed so boring, now I seem to want to go back to that boring life."
"Oh, so you don't like it here?"
"No, I do like it here," Christine exclaimed, "I just miss my father and my old life."
"Oh, I guess I understand that," Meg said, "I'd miss my mother if I were ever taken away from her. But didn't you send him a letter?"
"Yes," Christine sighed, "but I didn't get anything from him, and I know I won't."
"Maybe you could ask to visit him again? I'm sure that he'd let you do that."
"Maybe…do you really think he'd let me?"
"I'm sure of it," Meg replied, "just ask."
Christine smiled at the thought of seeing her father again. Maybe Meg was right. Maybe Erik would allow her a visit, it was worth asking, she only hoped that he would agree to let her go. But as dinner approached she felt herself lose the determination to do so. What if asking made him angry? Still, it wasn't a bad idea.
The meal was awkward, Erik didn't say anything and Christine had nothing to say either. She wanted to ask, but something was keeping her from doing so. Erik wasn't eating and she didn't feel hungry and only pushed the food around her plate. After a few awkward minutes she stood up and walked over to Erik, offering him a small smile, "Erik?"
"Yes, Christine?"
"Would…would you like to dance?" she asked.
Erik seemed hesitant but nodded his head as Christine took his hand and guided him out to the dance floor. There was no music, but it didn't really matter. He was uncertain and seemed reluctant to make any physical contact, but after a few minutes he seemed to become slightly more comfortable.
Christine smiled as he spun her and leaned her head against his chest lightly, closing her eyes and listening to his heart. It raced for a brief moment before slowly going back to its regular rhythm. She could feel her own heart doing the same.
Erik eventually lead her out onto the balcony again and she looked out as the sun set. Erik sat down on the railing, eyes always on her.
"Are you happy here, Christine?" he asked.
"Of course I am," she replied.
"Are you really happy here?" he repeated, "truly happy?"
"I miss my father still," she replied truthfully, "I still worry about him…his health has never been wonderful."
"You should go to him then," Erik said softly, trying to conceal the emotion in his voice.
"What? You mean I could visit him again?" she asked.
"No, I mean that you should go back to him…to stay."
"But I'm your prisoner," she said.
"No…not anymore, Christine. I'm freeing you," he replied, "you may leave the castle. Go back to your father. I want you to be happy."
Christine stared at him for a moment before nodding her head, "Thank you, Erik. Thank you so much."
"Go…" he murmured.
"Good bye," she said, brushing the back of her hand against his masked cheek, "and thank you!"
Nadir stepped out onto the balcony, "She left you know?"
"I know," Erik replied quietly, "I let her go…"
"You…you let her go?" Nadir asked, "but why? Sire, the rose!"
"I know," he sighed, "but I couldn't keep her here. She wasn't happy."
"There aren't many petals left, Sire. Why did you let her go?"
"Because I love her, Nadir," he replied, "and that's why I will die. I will die because of love."
