Author's notes: All right folks, continuation of the last chapter (At long last). Anyhow, I had to correct Chapter 15 – Aida was premiered in the 1870s, thus wasn't written yet during the timeline of this story, unfortunately. I wanted to put it here… it would have been perfect. Anyhow, I'll have to add it later. In case you haven't figured it out, I adore Aida. The bad thing is that very few of the famous operas had been written in the 1840s, so I had to choose the second of my two personal favorite operas – and no, I am not telling which one… yet.

Chocolate for those who guess from this chapter which opera it's going to be and what characters Christine and Erik are going to sing!

Mominator – She gets the ring either way, so her jewelry set is now complete:P Yes, Paris will happen! Read on!

Enrinye – with Erik as my torture tutor, how can I do anything wrong? ;) Anyway, I know it was pretty obvious that Raoul was drooling because of Christine, but he is Le Fop, so I had to do it. Yes, I try to keep Erik IC. Here's more!

Mina – you meant GIRLISH good looks, my dear. ;) Anyhow, Christine luveeeeeeees Erik, so there is no chance this is gonna be RC.

Nabira – I like Patrick!Raoul and Leroux!Raoul, to some extent. Anyway, I loved the line myself, so it's nice to see someone who shares the same thoughts. Here is more!

MelodysSong – hmm… well, she could, but she really can't. it would be too… crazy? I don't know. Well, I dislike mushy cliché fluffy love scenes, but I liked this kiss. It was actually the first kissing scene I have ever written! Raoul Punjabbed? Well, maybe later… read on!

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Chapter XXIV

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Christine was frozen on the spot. Her mind was frantically trying to find a reason why she should refuse the proposal without looking ungrateful or something of the sort. She had been expecting something like this to happen sooner or later, but preferred to hope that perhaps her fears were unfounded. It didn't take her long to learn to be able to turn a blind eye to the warning signs – in truth, she had scarcely seen any, particularly since her reunion with Erik. Understandable, naturally, since she had way more important matters to deal with.

This open marriage proposal and declaration of love to boot wasn't at all desirable. She had outlined in her mind the difference between a fake engagement and a real one, and the difference was clear. The fake engagement was only a game, one she would play with her childhood friend, like they had pretended in the attic all those years ago. It was only make-believe. It wasn't real. She knew it wasn't.

But this was.

Her mouth fell slightly open, she tried to speak. But nothing she could think of would explain why she wanted to outright refuse this chance any girl in her position only dreamed of. Not her. What to say? That she didn't love him? Why not grab a knife and stab him through the heart while she was at it! But… she couldn't give him hope either. If she said she would think about it, the poor boy would have hope that she would accept in time.

Twice she tried to speak, but no sound came out. Raoul continued to look at her face, smiling, thinking she was speechless because she was overjoyed. He noticed her shock and misinterpreted it as anxiety whether or not to answer. Standing up, he took her hand, still smiling kindly.

"It's alright, Little Lotte. You need not answer right now. I waited ten years for this moment – a few more days of waiting are something I can bear. Please wear this, however." Taking her hand, he slipped the glorious ring on her finger gently, admiring the effect. The diamonds really went very well with her skin. "It'll strengthen the effect of pretence… for now."

"R-Raoul," Christine finally managed to speak, looking at him fearfully. She had good reason to fear wearing the jewelry. Another reason to be afraid was his absolute confidence that she would say yes. "I-I don't think I should wear it now…"

"Then you can attach it to the chain of your crucifix, if you don't want to wear it on your finger." he suggested, "And put it on your finger after your answer. That is… if you accept, Christine." He added, with the slightest of blushes.

Taking the ring off her ringer Christine twirled it nervously in her hand. She bit her lip after he smiled and turned to walk away. She couldn't do this. It would not be pretending – it would be lying to him. She shut her eyes, as if afraid of his reaction, and before his hand reached the doorknob, quickly took a deep breath.

"Raoul, I don't wish to marry you."

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"And what purpose did this surprise of yours have, my friend?" the shah inquired obnoxiously.

Erik smiled ironically beneath the mask. Again, he was facing someone who spoke the khanum´s words as if he had learned them by heart and was suppose to recite them. for that, even Erik had to give him credit. It was common knowledge that it was the khanum who ruled the country through her son, and she was a ruthless leader.

Christine's idea of a lie proved miraculously good. The girl had never been able to lie to anyone, but this was actually a very good cover-up for both of them. the only thing that could backfire at them was that they would be asked to do such a performance regularly… or, at least, he would.

For once, however, his marred face proved useless. Mentally, he smiled bitterly. Indeed, it had been very useful for this act that he lacked physical beauty. Naturally, to the eyes of an outsider – such as the shah or the Vicomte – it would seem unthinkable that a beauty like Christine would even think of touching him, let alone having an affair with him.

"I am asked regularly to… entertain the khanum, and missing a chance to work with someone who is vocally trained and shares an interest in music has been denied to me thus far. It had been the Mademoiselle's idea to rehearse a piece, though the details had been decided later." Erik explained calmly, without any sign of an outward expression.

The shah nodded very slightly, unable to detect any trace of… anything. It was one of the things that irritated and fascinated him about Erik – you could hardly ever find out what he was thinking, if he chose to maintain an expression of stone. Nearly everyone else was too intimidated by the shah to even dare contradict him, but Erik didn't belong in that group of people, being the sole member of the group that ignored all court formalities, traditions and pleasantries.

"Very well. It is unfortunate, then, that a gift such as this was detected prematurely…" but he showed no sign of blaming his mother for this, "Well, since the secret is out, I suppose you won't mind me asking what was the aria Miss Daaé was supposed to be singing?"

Erik thought different, naturally, but didn't voice his opinion of the matter. "My primary concern was to decide whether or nor the Mademoiselle had the range and skill to sing a more difficult part, and if she would be able to obey commands. Once a Prima Donna gets on stage more than once, her ego usually inflates very quickly. I am pleased to say, however, that it isn't the case with her."

For a moment ignoring the fact that he didn't get a straight answer, the shah debated with himself whether or not to allow this. Clearly, having a beautiful and – to him – exotic woman perform for him was a tempting prospect and it would be a nice change, but it was questionable whether the Viscomte and his brother would allow it and, in general, he thought it might annoy his mother that Erik would be even less available.

She was throwing tantrums already because he was too busy with the new royal palace, and having her amusement limited even more would surely infuriate her. The fact that it could also arouse the khanum´s jealousy that Erik would be spending time with a much younger woman that might be more to his liking was the one thing the shah didn't even think of.

As Nadir had guessed, he was one of the only two people whom the rumors had never reached – the rumors that the khanum would have even invited Erik to her bed, had she dared to take the risks involved. No one would dare to carry such a tale to the shah, who believed, like all good Moslems, that heaven lay beneath his mother's feet.

The other person was Erik.

"Will she be able and willing to sing, then?" the shah inquired.

"Yes." Erik said, with a curt nod. "Yes, she will be able to sing it. After some training, of course. It's true, her voice is good. She knows, though, should she wish to excel, she has much still to learn. Her pride isn't oversized yet, and her voice is young, so there are chances of major improvement… if we'd have your approval for continuing the training, of course."

"Yes, yes." the shah smiled, "I hear my mother has already heard the girl sing, and was impressed – besides, I would like to learn more of the European culture, whether we are to follow my brother-in-law's path," Erik gritted his teeth mildly at the mention of the Grand Vizier, "or decide to contradict him. Either way, Persia is a civilized country, and should be represented that way."

Nodding briefly instead of the low bow any other servant would have been required to have done, Erik turned on his heel and briskly walked out of the audience chamber, only to be joined by Nadir immediately. The daroga had been waiting for the "interrogation" to end, slightly anxiously. While he was certain that the shah would take the bait, his mind was still filled with visions of the khanum turning green with jealousy and her ways of jeopardizing the French ambassadors´ efforts, the good relationships between the delegates and the natives, and, most importantly, the secrecy of the recently renewed relationship of Christine and Erik.

"No need to look so crestfallen, daroga." Erik noted, almost cheerfully, as they set down the corridor. "The shah has approved further rehearsing with "la diva", and everything turned out even better than I expected."

"What of the khanum?"

"What of her?" Erik asked, mild anger appearing on his face at the mention of her.

Nadir almost sighed. "You know better than most how that woman will do anything to get what she wants. What do you think she will do when she finds out that you will have even less time for her?"

"She will have to comply."

"Erik, do you remember when she was jealous of "the pile of stone and mortar"? She forbade you from coming there until you created more ways to amuse her." The Persian reminded him, indicating to the times when the palace required more and more of Erik's time.

"That was different. Even she cannot do anything against the shah's permission… unless she wishes to fight him." A hint of glee reached his voice. "And she wouldn't want to risk that. you can only pull a puppet's strings so far before they break… and then the puppet is free."

Recognizing defeat, the corners of Nadir's mouth rose a bit into a very small smile. "Alright then, you win this round." He then changed the topic. "And what will you be teaching her?"

Underneath the mask, Erik frowned. He figured that one aria wouldn't be quite enough for the court once they would hear Christine's divine voice, it wouldn't sate their need for seeing a glimpse of heaven. Finding an opera that would do her voice justice was crucial, an opera with an acceptable plot, and possibly with the main singer being a soprano. Christine would probably be able to sing a mezzo-soprano part as well, but that would be too unnatural for her and it wouldn't show the full extent of her talent, possibly even hurt her voice.

When he combined all of these conditions, he got a solution easily, and chose an opera that would fit. She had sung the Queen of the Night more than decently, but he didn't want to repeat that, just in cast the khanum would brag about a repeated performance and lack of imagination, or, what would truly be infuriating, skill. It didn't matter, however – what he had in mind was written in Italian and had a very different style, so there was no chance that even the khanum would whine that it was the same as before.

"I have one opera in mind… an opera buffo, amusing enough to entertain them, difficult enough to inspire awe. And I suppose Christine will be rather pleased that I accepted her idea."

Nadir frowned. "What idea?"

"You will see."

"Why do I get the feeling that I won't like this?"

A slight chuckle was the first reply he got. "Perhaps you are getting paranoid, daroga, seeing schemes where there are none. I would say that other than the plot of the opera, there are no plots around, at least not for my part."

"Very well, then – why do I get the feeling Christine won't like this?" Nadir quickly amended.

"Why wouldn't she? The part I have chosen for her is a wonderful lyrical soprano that has mourns, is passionate, strong, but doubtful… a good part for her, I would say. And it is sufficiently difficult to present a challenge for her."

"You aren't going to tell me, are you?" the Persian asked, frowning.

"No." replied Erik bluntly, "The only complication I see is that I might have to sing with her – some of the arias are duets. I won't be able to play… and singing a capella isn't what I had in mind. I doubt there is a single man in this country who knows how to properly hold the violin, let alone play it."

"And how do you intend to solve this problem?"

"Enough with the interrogation already, daroga! You shall see when the time comes!"