Once we were finished touring Erik's house we proceeded back to the sitting room, to have coffee and talk. But something had been bothering me since Erik returned. He seemed more moody than I had seen him since the night of the masquerade. And I didn't like it.

As I was wondering about what could have happened to make him so upset I heard a voice squeal something that sounded like "Erik!"

I looked towards the entrance and saw a little brown haired girl of no more than eight pass by me in a blur as she ran towards Erik.

"Mon petite chere! What are you doing back so soon from your lessons?" Erik asked as he grabbed the little girl and spun her around.

"Erik! It is horrible" she said with a very thick French accent, "They won't let me do anything fun! I just sit and listen as they talk on and on. C'est si ennuyant."

"Ah, ah chere. You know you're supposed to speak in English."

"But it is such an ugly language," she replied while pouting.

"Rochelle!" Erik exclaimed, "That is rude! Can you not see we have a guest?"

At this she looked over at me as if she was surprised anyone else was in the room besides Erik. "Oh! I am so sorry!" She scrambled down from Erik's arm and curtsied at me, "That was very rude. I apologize."

I was stunned at how polite she was, "It's quite alright."

Erik smiled as he looked at us (I couldn't help but think that he seemed to be returning to his normal self), then seemed to come to his senses. "Oh yes! Introductions are in order. Kristina, this is my sister, Rochelle. Rochelle this is Kristina, mon ange."

"Oh," Rochelle said with a flicker of recognition, "So you are Kristina! It is very nice to meet you." She said while curtseying in my direction once more.

I wasn't totally sure how to respond to this, so I just smiled and replied, "It is a pleasure to meet you too."

"Erik has told me so much about you! Are you really an American?"

"Er, yes, as a matter of fact I am."

"How exciting! Tell me, have you ever been on top of the Empire State Building? I am told that the view is spectacular."

"It is quite breathtaking," I told her honestly, "But I don't believe that it quite compares to your Eiffel Tower."

"Oh that? That's nothing," she replied with some scorn, "It's such a simple design really, there are so many more complex ones that he designed."

"Rochelle," Erik said suddenly, "That is quite enough. There is no need to bore Kris with such things."

"Oh, of course not. So, Kristina, will you please tell me about living in America?"

"Of course, I'd be delighted to. Oh, and feel free to call me Kris."

"Kris. Yes, I do like that more. Come, let us go outside to talk. Are you coming and Tony coming, Erik?"

"We shall catch up with you two soon, if that is alright with you both."

"Of course!" Rochelle answered for both of us.

As mon chere and ange started to walk out, I suddenly came to my senses. "Rochelle! Could you come here for a second?"

Once she had hurried over to me, I bent down and softly whispered in her ear, "Be careful what you say, you know the rules." She solemnly nodded and then ran back to Kristina, grabbing her hand and dragging her towards the gardens.

"You know that you will probably have to tell her eventually," Tony said once the girls had left the room.

"Of course I realize that," I responded, "But it can wait. Just do me a favor and tell Meg that Kris is safe and sound, and is currently touring my estate. Make sure she knows there is no need to worry."

"Right away," Tony answered, as he headed for the phone.

AN: I would like your guys' opinion on something I have been wondering about. As I'm sure you've noticed, this is another short chapter, but I posted it as soon as I finished. What I want to know is whether you would like short chapters updated as soon as I finish them, or longer chapters that will take longer to put up. Please let me know!