Well, first of all, I'm very sorry to update this so late. I have been meaning to for some time, and it's just slipped away. School has kept me really busy as of late. I want to finish this, though.
I'm sorry for the lack of motion indicators in the last one (where it sais hits without any marks around it.) It annoys me to no end, but I cannot figure out a way to fix it, so please bear with it. Well, I suppose I should start!
Disclaimer: The Phantom of the Opera does not belong to me. I also do not own rights to Phantom, the screenplay, or the musical by Andrew Lloyd Weber. I in no way own the characters within, only the plot in my fanfiction. I wish I owned the rights to Phantom of the Opera, it would be slash and Christine would get what she deserves.
Oh, and thank you to EVERYONE who reviewed! It means a lot to me that so many people want me to update!
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I arrive at the palace atleast a few hours late. I refused to let any human escort me. You could say that I have no remorse for my actions as the khanum's eyes glare at me in mild disapproval. She has no right to control my life as she desires to. What would a khanum hold for me? Certainly not love. Love...such a strong word. No one has ever loved me- not myself, not my mother, and certainly not anyone I have ever met. Nadir is the closest I have come to a friend. You might ask- Why not Reza? Too young. He is more like a son to me, a son I will never get the chance to have.
"You call, your highness?" I use the term loosely, with no respect.
"Yes, Erik..." Her voice comes in a soft purr, like a cat who has lay her eyes on the prey. How I wish to stifle her at the moment, but I refrain from doing so. I must retain my remaining dignity, and my only place to stay at the moment. "I have a special request of you..." I see the gleam in her eyes. She wants more than she is about to ask, but she knows my answer. No. "I need you to make an extension on my palace..."
"Very well. If that is all you need me for. I shall be leaving." I tell her, bid her good day, and leave. Simple, short, and sweet- to the point. I have no time for mindless conversation. She looks disappointed as I turn to leave. She is weak, and I do not waste my time with those who are weak. I have been called heartless before, and I, at times, believe this to be true. I do not head to Nadir's. I choose to wander around the market place until evening. I do not wish to start the plans for the palace quite yet.
Upon reaching Nadir's house, as I refuse to call it home, I am greeted with Reza playing with a music box I brought to him. "Having fun?" Why did I ask him that? It is not like me to be nice to anyone, as I am sure I have mentioned. I have a strange urge to rustle his hair, but I resist. There would be absolutely no point in that.
"Hi Erik!" Comes his happy chirp. How can he remain so happy while suffering through so much pain? It is one question I fear I may never know the answer to. "What did the khanum want?" It was obvious that he would ask me.
"It is my job to make an extension for the palace. Do not worry, I will let you review the final designs." I immediately stop talking when I catch sight of Nadir standing in the doorway. My legs seem to move on their own as they walk to my room, without another word to either of them. My mind is racing with questions, none of them relating to my current assignment. I refuse to stay in the same room as Nadir at the moment. He makes me nervous, where most people do not. Reza... I am nice to him, but I am not sure if I care for him. Who am I lying to? Myself? Of course I care about him. I don't want to care about him.
"Are you feeling alright?"
Nadir asks me from the doorway. Lying, as always, I respond. "Of course." I offer no more information to him. He doesn't deserve to know my true feelings. He isn't my friend, though he tries to act as such. Why do people insist on becoming close to me? I never return their feelings. They are wasting their time. However, looking into Nadir's eyes, I silently curse. How is this man able to read me so well?
"Erik, if there is something you wish to discuss with me…" I hear his voice trailing off, and I choose to ignore him for the moment. He has begun to talk about emotions and feelings, something I lost a long time ago. Finally becoming irritated with his chatter, I speak. "If there is something I wish to discuss, I shall come to you. I bid you goodnight, Nadir." My voice comes across as harsh, and I watch him stand in the doorway, unfazed. "Why are you lying to yourself, Erik?"
I let out a short, amused burst of laughter. Why waste my words on this fool? He does not understand. "Must I repeat myself?" I ask, only to be stopped as I feel a hand on the side of my mask. My reflexes are not fast enough, and before I can comprehend what has happened- I am beside myself with fury- something warm comes into contact with my lips. It's a strange, unfamiliar sensation.
My hallow, sunken eyes widen in surprise, my face feels warm. Does this man enjoy tormenting my soul? "Good night, Erik." He tells me in a whisper before he backs out of the room. I sit on the end of the bed for only a moment more before reclining on the cushions. "…Damn you, Nadir." I curse, my arms shaking. I do not know whether to believe the kiss, or to kill Nadir. I lay the mask beside the bed and close my eyes, pulling the sheets up around my body. The sun is setting, and I have all night to contemplate the meaning behind Nadir's actions. However, if he is only taunting me, I promise that I will torture him to the point he begs for salvation through death.
