Okay, I know, I know…I have absloutely no excuse for waiting this long between updates. I apologize profusely. For those of you who were guessing as to what happened next, the answer was …D! Erik hands out cookies to everyone who guessed correctly Now, I know that this update is short, but let me explain why it is so short. Currently, my ship is going through a massive inspection and I have been really busy working long hours and all that crap. Also, I recently became engaged and I have been busy moving into an apartment with my fiance. So that's taken up most of my time. But I will do my absloute best to update more often. I will probably be drawing this story to a close in the next chapter, which, if everything goes according to plan, will be the wedding chapter and will be a long chapter. But then again, I am a member of the United States Navy and everything does not always go according to plan. Anyways, I hope that you guys like this chapter and won't kill me for how short it is. I also would like to thank everyone who has stuck with me when I didn't update for like months on end. Thanks guys!

Chapter Thirty-one: Raoul's Letter

A few weeks passed by and the media frenzy over Erik and Christine's trial finally died down. But there was still one question on everyone's mind, Why would the Vicomte commit suicide?

The answer came about a month after Raoul's death. While going through his belonging at the manor, Christine came across a letter addressed to her. Looking at the date on the top of the page, she noted that it was written on the day of his death. Slowly, she unfolded the letter and began to read.

My dearest Christine,

By the time to read this letter, I will already be gone. But I could not leave this earth without telling you how much you meant to me…how much you still mean to me. I was a fool for betraying my wedding vows, for not seeing what a wonderful woman I was married to. I regret everything wrong that I ever did to you. I regret hitting you, forbidding you from singing when I knew that it was the one thing in the world that you cherished most, and for cheating on you. God I was so stupid! I don't know what I was thinking but I know now that nothing I do is going to bring you back to me.

I will leave this world now Christine, for life is not worth living if I do not have you in my life. But know this, I did love you, and I still love you to this day. I love you with every fiber in my being Christine. For what it's worth, I'm sorry.

Forever Yours,
Raoul

Tears flew to Christine's eyes as she read the letter. She never knew how he truly felt. She folded the letter back up and placed it in a box of items to go to her new home.

Standing, she wiped away her tears and looked about the room. The furniture was covered with sheets and all of Raoul's belongings had either been given away, or moved to the lair. The manor itself was not going to be sold, but preserved. Erik and Christine had discussed it, and both had agreed to keep it and eventually move into the home one day.

Christine looked around one last time before picking up the box and leaving the room, shutting the door behind her.

Both Erik and Christine knew that the day was drawing near. The day that would change both of their lives forever, the day that they were to become man and wife. Both eagerly anticipated their wedding day and as the event drew closer, Christine's frustrations began to mount. First the flowers weren't right, then the bridesmaid dresses were the wrong color. It seemed like nothing was going right for her. But no matter what happened, Erik stood by her side paitently.

Finally, the day arrived.

Don't shoot! I've got plans for the wedding chapter!

I remain your obident authoress,

Phantomfan1911