It takes Belle a full month to recover from her wound, my stitching job doing as well as any doctor. This phantom learned a trick or two during my traveling days through Persia and my time with Nadir. Keeping the wound clean was the hardest part; when I stitched her up the first time, I did not think about infection or a dirty blade, which was the case. Her fever was high enough to cook an egg on her forehead as her body shivered violently. She would wake, only for a moment, begging and whimpering for me to hold her, to bring her water before falling back asleep. I employed the help of my old Persian friend for a remedy to ease her pain and clean the infection.
"It's a good thing the girl is asleep; this is going to be painful for her my masked friend."
"Let us get it over with." I let Nadir carefully pull her stitches from the skin, a puss-filled mess. Though gore and horror do not frighten me, I turned away at the sight of her wound. I held the tea pot and rag, the brandy on the night table. Nadir took the rag and began to clean the wound, waking Belle and her cries echoed through my abode. I did my best to hold her back as my friend quickly make work of the infected skin.
"This is going to leave a nasty scar Erik…" I nodded my head and bid him continue, not before grabbing the brandy bottle and helping myself to a long pull. "The brandy is for the girl…" my glare put him back to work as I placed the bottle back on the table. Soon the wound was clean and the stitches replaced. I paid my friend what he was due and sent him on his way. "Don't be a stranger my fine friend, do drop by. Just remember to leave your noose at home heh?" I rolled my eyes as I turned my attentions back to my beloved. Within the day her fever was more manageable and by the next afternoon it finally broke, her blue eyes meeting mine once again. She had all but moved out of the room up above and in with me below, using the room to crash in if the night was long. Once she was fully recovered, I let her return to the world above.
"I owe you everything Erik." She purred, her head on my chest as we settle in for the night.
"Anything for you, mon amour." I kissed her forehead, her sigh ringing in my ears.
"I heard above that the managers actually fired Carlotta, just like that!" I laughed and rolled my eyes
"If they did, it would be a miracle in heaven. In any case, I will want to meet this new leading lady if she is to sing in my opera house." Belle's soft giggle makes my heart melt. I pull her up to me, rolling on my side to see her smiling face. "You are the most beautiful thing mon ange…" Her cheeks flush the color of a rose as I lean in to kiss her, oh god how I want more! I feel her tongue flick against mine, her hand reaching around me and pulling me in. Don't tempt me my love… but yet she did anyway. I kiss her again, slowly, passionately, lustfully… One! Two! Three! … the clock begins to ring out the time, ending on eleven. I pull away against the desire of my body. "You start work tomorrow mon amoureaux, you need to rest."
"Oh all right…" her playfulness urging me even more. I give her one last kiss before blowing out the candle and wrapping my arms around her, playfully sliding my hands under her gown and tracing her scar.
Morning came early, at least for one of us. By the time I rolled over, Belle had already gone for the day, a single red rose on her pillow beside me. I couldn't help but laugh at the irony. I sit up and stretch my back, popping in several places. I walk about my abode, humming in a cheerful mood, contrary to my dismal and dark home. I dress in usual clothes, then polish my half mask to its ghostly luster. To the rest of the world I am the deadly opera ghost who kills without a thought, but to one I am as gentle as a lamb, protective of her like a wolf. I decide to take the passage through the mirror, being the quickest to the performance hall.
"No, the paintings shall be hung over there." A small voice catches my ear.
"That's what Madame said, the rose painting was to be by the vanity." A male voice echoes in reply. Someone is moving in; it must be the new prima donna. Maybe now shall be a good chance to make myself known to her… I start to skip steps, my feel lighter than the whispers that fill the hallway.
"Make sure the cradle is by my bed girls, for Gustave's sake." My heart stops quicker than my feet can. I can see the light of day and candles through the mirror. The voice clear as day and breaking my ears. Oh God in heaven it can't be… I wait for the voice to sound through. All I hear is the 'oui Madame' and more shuffling of boxes.
"It can't be true!" either I was thinking aloud or I was screaming.
"Meg! Yes, it is true my dear old friend; I have returned to sing in the house that started my career." You have got to be kidding me! The did fire Carlotta, but replaced her with… I descend back into the darkness, taking the land bridge across to the opera house, landing directly under the orchestra pit. I make my way through the storage rooms and up to my box. I see Badeaux and Leroux take the stage, calling everyone's attention.
"As you may well know, Señoria Carlotta will no longer be the leading soprano here at the Opera Garner." A hushed whisper falls over the crowd. Leroux puts a hand up "But fear not, for a new leading soprano will be sure to outshine Carlotta as she did one before on this stage." Badeaux comes forward, his round belly pressing against his suspenders.
"May I present, Madame Christine de Changy!" Christine comes from backstage, her hair just as thick and curly as ever as it cascades down her back, her doe eyes warm as her smile. Behind her is that fop of a husband holding a blue bundle in his arms. Her wide smile seems to captivate everyone, everyone that is except for one little auburn headed dancing girl. I could see the shock in her face, the dresses in her arms falling to the floor. The head seamstress barreled over to the girl, her movements large and boisterous as Belle scooped the bundles of costumes in her hands. "And in honor of her return; we shall be putting on Hannibal!" No, anything but that… The crowd is soon dismissed to their work, Madame's cane echoing through the bustling. I rush out of my box and up to the catwalks as I hear the familiar notes of Hannibal begin to ring from the orchestra. I see Christine wander through the sets, her finger brushing over the dusty paint as she blows it away.
"I TOLD YOU TO BE MORE CAREFUL!" everyone's head snapping to the booming voice.
"Madame Lieu please, I told you I was sorry!"
"You KNOW that pink is NOT a color that cleans easily!" Everyone gathered around the dueling duo. "You will not rest or eat until you have cleaned every spot from this dress AND the other costumes you ruined!" Alyssa's gown from act III, a beautiful blush colored gown that once dazzled in the glow of a young girl wowed the crowd with her stellar voice. All anyone could see was a plump woman with a bundle of salt and peppered hair piled on her head. "And if you find that you can't clean it, you will remake them ALL!" She walked away, the sight now clear. Several bottles of wine lay on the floor, most of its content on the marvelous gown as other costumes were pattered with the scarlet liquid. The crowd soon dispersed, leaving her without a second glance. I was half way down the rope when a bundle of brunette curls stepped in front of me.
"How could you let this happen?" A pair of beautiful blue eyes look up, frustrated. "Next time do be careful; I don't want my costumes being ruined." Soon the head of curls left, the blue blanketed bundle in her arms as the fop followed. Christine was never that cold, being with that fop has changed her heart. I soon make my way down the rope, trying to be as silent and invisible as one can in a busy opera house.
"Let me help you my dear." I kiss her hand and help her gather the costumes into the seamstress office.
"None of this is my fault… that pompous windbag was carrying several bottles of wine she stole from the kitchen!"
"Don't worry my love, everything will be taken care of." I kiss her softly, the small room giving us some privacy. "I have something for you my love. But it will have to wait until after work." I give her a loving kiss before disappearing into the shadows. "Always know that I love you my dear…" I whisper as she is flooded with work. I keep a close eye on her all through the rehearsal as she worked. She received several sideways glances, most of them coming from Christine. A woman stagehand was not what she was expecting during their first encounter. By the time the day was done, I could tell my girl was in need of a good night's rest. She slowly puts up the dresses and costumes and starts her trek home.
"Tell me, why are you a stagehand dear?" Christine startles Belle.
"OH! Madame de Changy. I am a stagehand because that is what I was hired for." Soon two brown headed boys join her side, one pulling on her hand and giving a large yawn. She looks down at Conner, giving him a warm smile before kissing his head.
"You…have a child…?" Belle shakes her head as she laughs, stray hairs coming loose from her bun. Lukas taps his sister on the shoulder, and through translation laughs as well.
"Meet my younger brothers Lukas and Conner." The doe's eyes grow wide.
"Oh." She promptly replies, adjusting her dress. "Well you have still to answer my question." Belle sighs and whispers something to Lukas, who lead Conner away with the promise of a story later.
"I am a stagehand because I am a good carpenter."
"I see…and you, stay with the stagehands do you?" My dear Vicomtess, you are getting quite nosy…
"No I do not." Her eyes beg Belle tell her more before flitting to the ribbon in her hair. "I did have what once was your room, but now I have moved elsewhere."
"Such an interesting choice of ribbon. Black is not usually appropriate unless someone had died." My heart begins to pound. Leave her alone you tramp…
"Do forgive me Madame, but I need to be going. You know how it is, long days in the opera house and all." She gives a quick curtsy before turning and leaving. Her feet fall silent on the floor as she makes her way to the musician dorm with me close behind her. Thankfully she is in and out quickly, Conner already asleep I assume. I catch her at the door, covering her mouth with my hand to muffle a possible scream. She fights me tooth and nail, clawing and screaming through my gloved hand. I pull her into the light of a torch and turn her to me.
"Calm down mon amour, it's only me." She freezes in place as I move my hand away. Her eyes well up with tears.
"Erik she knows, she knows!"
"Shhhh… don't give it a second thought mon ange… nothing will happen I promise."
"Promise me you don't love her anymore…?" Her words cut like a knife, a sharp, deep knife into my past. There were days I wished that once upon another time our story was different. But now, now I had Belle. And she is all I want. I pull her into my arms and kiss her with all I have.
"I love you more than anything Belle." I pull the black ribbon from her hair, letting the rivers of auburn cascade down her back. "This is the girl I love. I want to love all of you not just part." Her smile and sigh of relief all I need to hear. I scoop her in my arms, her head settling on my chest as I carry her. Before we even cross the land bridge she is fast asleep, her arms around my neck.
