Disclaimer: I don't own the Phantom, Robert le Diable, or Rossini's La Cenerentola. I'm not nearly talented enough to have written any one of those impressive compositions, though I did win the county fair's writing contest. Woohoo!

Chapter Sixteen: Cinderella after the Ball

Danielle

Danielle woke up feeling as if her insides wanted to see the light of day. She had trouble making herself get out of bed. She had trouble eating. She had trouble with everything, except for singing. That she could still do, fortunately. The only thought that kept her from falling apart was the knowledge that tonight would make her…or break her. If the gala was a success, she could very well have a real career and she would make Erik happy. Strangely, she felt that the latter was the more important of the two. Never before had she loved a person more than singing, not even her father or brother. Not that they had ever been what you'd call lovable. Still, it was an earth-shattering concept for her to digest. She wanted Erik's happiness more than anything.

As rehearsals dragged on, Danielle felt that the day would never end. She longed to crawl home and see Erik one last time before her fate arrived, but it was beginning to look like that wouldn't be an option. She would see him after the show, of course, but she needed him for courage. Once the costumes and make-up were on, it became apparent that she would simply have to wait. At least she knew he would be watching her somehow.

Danielle fingered the lace on her costume. It wasn't as glorious as Giselle's, but she somehow preferred the peasant garb to the voluminous skirts and petticoats glittering with jewels. She wasn't quite ready for the full diva transformation she knew would come soon.

It was difficult standing there in the wings, watching the more experienced singers on stage before her cue. It wasn't because they were effortless. In fact they didn't seem to be doing that well, though it really wasn't a huge surprise. She prayed quickly that she wouldn't have so much trouble.

That was her cue. Danielle—no, she was Alice—walked gracefully out onto the stage. She spoke with her brother, Robert. She warned him about his father. She was dreadfully afraid of that horrible man. She didn't know why; it was instinctive. He seemed dangerous. She looked up at the ceiling painted like the Heavens. That's when she saw him.

Erik was watching from the railing in the dome above the chandelier. He smiled at her encouragingly, and the opera continued. Everything was perfect; Erik was there. Nothing could go wrong with him guarding over her. She imagined that there was no audience but him. Everything was just like their lessons at home.

Three hours later, Danielle curtsied to the audience, grinning with pride and exhilaration. The applause of hundreds was ringing in her ears. It was for her. Perhaps not all of it, but some of that dull roar belonged exclusively to her talent. She had been welcomed by each and every spectator. She could even see her brother giving her a standing ovation and telling the people in the box next to him that she was his sister.

Danielle was soon off the stage, out of her costume, into normal clothes and being greeted by a flurry of admirers. After shaking hands with a few nobles and members of the bourgeoisie, she was confronted with none other than her brother, Luc. Accompanying him was a flamboyantly dressed young man of medium height and stocky build. His eyes were a muddy brown and his sandy blonde hair fell just below his shoulders. There was a seedy, conniving glint in his eyes that made Danielle dislike him immediately. He was definitely not the kind of man that she would want to be alone with for any length of time.

"Danielle, darling," Luc began in that irritatingly arrogant voice he used when trying to impress someone, "I would like you to meet my close friend, Mathieu Latrec. Mathieu," he said, turning to his companion, "this enchanting talent is my younger sister, Danielle D'Artoi. Danielle, we were just discussing the excellent performance you gave to the Parisian elite this evening. Mathieu was especially awestricken."

"Yes, Mademoiselle, I was quite captivated by your charm," Latrec complemented in an oily voice. "I shan't miss a single performance. Perhaps we shall become better acquainted if I do."

"I'm sure we will, Monsieur Latrec," Danielle returned with a steely tone. "I believe that Luc will see to that. Please pardon me, but I must depart. It has been an exciting day. My nerves can't take the strain," she told them graciously. Only Latrec missed the sarcasm.

Danielle was fuming as she made her way to the dressing-room that would lead her home. To think that she had fallen for Luc's proud big brother act! She had actually believed that he would come to support her. How foolish could she be?

The irate singer hardly noticed where she was going. Her feet were simply walking in a familiar direction. She came to herself only when she had come out of one of the many tunnels and found herself in the den. Erik was seated on the sofa, waiting for her. He must have been waiting impatiently because as soon as she set foot on the Persian carpet, he was up and interrogating her.

"Where have you been," he questioned furiously. "I've been sitting here for almost an hour."

"I was detained," Danielle rejoined, not bothering to hide the flashes of lightening in her eyes.

Erik immediately recoiled. She had never spoken to him like that before. Something was very wrong. "What happened," he asked gently, concerned.

"First I had to endure a flood of fans. Then I spoke with my pig-headed brother," she spat. "I thought that he had come to celebrate my success, because he cared. I was such an idiot!" She ground her teeth, while pacing about the room. "Do you know the real reason he was here? He wanted to introduce me to some drinking-buddy of his, Mathieu Latrec."

"Why would he bother," Erik muttered, confused but hoping she wouldn't explode.

"Don't you get it? This Latrec comes from one of the wealthiest nouveau riche families in all of France. His father is worth a very large fortune. Luc obviously wants me to marry him," she finished on a whisper.

"How does that matter," Erik asked reasonably, though beginning to burn with anger himself. "If you don't want to marry Latrec, don't marry him. It's as simple as that. They can't force you to do anything you don't want to. You're old enough to make your own decisions."

"I suppose so," Danielle agreed doubtfully. "I had just hoped that Luc was changing, that he really loved me. I should have realized that that was too good to be true."

"I'm sorry, Danielle. I wish things could be different."

"I don't," Danielle stated brightly, smiling at him warmly. "There's no use feeling sorry for myself. Everything happens for a purpose. I'm stronger because of my family's rejection. I'm independent enough to follow my dreams despite them. If I weren't, we might have never met. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Erik stared into her eyes for a moment, as if reading them for any contrary feelings. When he had been satisfied with her sincerity, he said, "Well, perhaps we could pursue a new subject. Your performance tonight, for one."

Danielle took a seat in an armchair near the fireplace, and waited patiently for his assessment. He was sure to have praise, but she knew that he had detected room for improvement. Danielle was certainly the first to admit that she wasn't infallible, and she liked that Erik challenged her to be better. That was exactly what she needed in an instructor…a partner.

"Your performance was," he paused, as if trying to find the right word to describe it, "spectacular," he finally said, smiling broadly.

Danielle's smile was even wider. It felt so good to have Erik's approval. Eventually he would get around to telling her what she had done wrong, but the fact that he had chosen to praise her first was definitely a good sign. That was how she knew she had made few mistakes.

"All our plans are in motion now, Danae," Erik assured her, as excited about her blossoming career as she. "Nothing will stop us. Come morning, you will be the talk of Paris and the prima donna of the Opera Populaire. I overheard the managers one day while you were at rehearsal," he said, trying to sound both sly and casual.

"What did you overhear," Danielle asked, humoring him.

"I heard them discussing the next show with Reyer."

"What is it," she breathed, her excitement now truly peaked.

"Rossini's La Cenerentola," Erik whispered.

"Cinderella? The next opera is going to be the tale of Cinderella," Danielle exclaimed, transported with delight at the very thought of being in the audience. One can only imagine how she must have felt to know that she would be in the production, and the most probable lead, no less. "Oh, Erik, this is wonderful."

"You'll be the little cinder girl, Danae. I estimate that they will offer you the part before the end of the week. Angelina is yours," he told her.

"I'm so happy, Erik," Danielle muttered. "I'm completely amazed that all of this is really happening to me. It's more than I ever hoped for; thank you," she said, turning her face toward him.

"I love music and beauty more than anything," Erik replied. "How could I do anything but help you after I heard your music?"

Danielle blushed to a deep scarlet. "What could you have possibly seen in me? You're a genius…the most talented human being I've ever met."

"I saw potential and, most importantly, I saw passion. A singer can have the most pure, bell-like tone, but she is nothing without passion for the music," he explained. "If they don't show what their soul contains, they can never be truly great. You have both the voice and the soul to be great."

Erik

Erik hardly slept that night. He kept thinking about this Latrec Danielle had mentioned. This wealthy, dandified, little whoremonger had better leave his Danae alone. Erik could just kill something when he thought of it. That idiot wanted to take Danielle away? He would have to deal with the consequences.

The jealous, murderous Erik was trying to claw his way out again. There had always been a dangerous, dark, bitter side that wanted nothing more than to give the world as much pain as he had gotten. Over the years he had pushed that side to the back of his mind, the core of his soul. Now it was fighting for control again. All he could do was imagine his hands around Latrec's neck, squeezing the life out of him for daring to speak to his Danae. That would be satisfying.

Erik hoped it wouldn't come to that, but nothing could threaten their happiness. She loved him, didn't she? It had certainly seemed that way earlier. She had seemed so grateful and sweet that she had endeared herself to him even further, if that were possible. But was gratitude enough to make her love him? He had sworn to Nadir that he would let her go if she chose another, but now that that prospect had become so real, Erik didn't know if he could do it.

All that could be done was wait. He would wait for the morning, take everything one day at a time. He had been proud beyond measure because of her performance. In the morning all of Paris would know her name. She deserved as much, but not just because of her hard work or talent. She deserved it because of her passion. He had taught her those songs, practiced them with her for hours. The only thing he hadn't done was give her that passion for her art. That was all hers.

Danielle

Danielle smiled as she brushed her dark, curly hair in front of the mirror of her vanity. Erik could hardly know that he was a large part of the passion he mentioned. Passion for music and the love of God had been her only reasons to live for years, and now he was just as big an influence as the music. In fact, he was the music. She had never before felt so much while singing of love, or sorrow, or anything really. Her life had changed drastically since Erik had stepped into it. Sometimes it felt as if her heart beat because his did. His presence certainly affected her heart's speed. Being near him was electrifying. Hearing him speak was heavenly. It just seemed right to be with him, as if she were meant to be. She certainly hoped so.

Erik

Erik arose early in the morning. He needed to get his hands on the paper as soon as possible. He also made a mental note to speak to Marie later that day. She would probably want to hear about his further plans for Danielle. Marie was overly concerned with Danae. It was infuriating at times. Why did everyone assume that he would hurt in some way? They had no cause for alarm. He worshipped everything she touched as if they were holy relics.

Once he had managed to steal one of the many copies of the news delivered to the Opera House, Erik went immediately to the theatre section. Bold letters proclaimed "D'ARTOI NEW SENSATION IN PARIS OPERA" The article that accompanied the headline praised her talent, beauty, and verisimilitude in the role of the innocent maiden, Alice. "Her voice is the most sublime to be heard on any stage in many years," the critic lauded. "The purity of her tone can only be matched by the immaculate soul she carries to the audience as she weaves her enchantment…No one had foreseen her rise, but anyone could predict her noontide stardom."

Perhaps the article was a little gushy, but it would certainly capture the attention of the managers, especially since that particular critic was always ready to use any occasion to harpoon the Populaire's productions. Yes, this would satisfy them. They would finally see the incredible error they had committed for a year. Danielle's future was assured. They had nothing to worry about. After Robert ended, the Christmas season would put the company on hold for a couple of weeks, but once rehearsals began for La Cenerentola, Danielle's salary would go up and all of her competition would go down.

Danielle

Danielle awoke from wonderful dreams that involved Erik's lips and quickly dressed. By now he would probably know what the critics had had to say about her performance; she was anxious to find out if she had been as well accepted by them as she had been by the rest of the audience. Despite her desire to know, she dressed carefully. She wanted to look nice for Erik that day, though she would never have admitted it to anyone else. There wasn't really a reason; she just wanted to look the part of his successful student prima donna.

Once she opened the door and stepped out into the main living area, she was immediately met by Erik, who looked as excited as she felt. His eyes were glowing and his usually perfect hair was a bit disheveled. He thrust the paper into her hands without a word and stared at her as she read to article about her debut. It was nothing short of sappy, but it was certainly flattering. She was just glad to get a good review, anyway.

Erik's prediction came true sooner than anyone had expected. Danielle was offered the part of Angelina, the little cinder girl, that very day during rehearsals.

A/N: La Cenerentola is based on the fairy tale about Cinderella. I trust that we all have some familiarity with the story. Cinderella is called Angelina in this opera. It is rather loosely based, but it follows the tale pretty well, all things considered.