Chapter 6: A New Beginning

Claire had been sleeping peacefully during the carriage ride; Nadir had paid for a coach per Erik's instruction and it was only when the carriage pulled up outside a grand chateau that Erik gently shook Claire's shoulder causing her to stir,

"I'm sorry to wake you but we've arrived" Erik told her before climbing out of the coach and offered her his hand, helping her do the same.

Nadir was stunned at the glorious house that stood before them,

"How on earth did you afford this?" he asked,

"It wasn't easy. My masked face doesn't exactly scream trustworthy to Parisian realtors so I had an old friend of mine; Madame Giry purchase it on my behalf... Come, we have much to see" Erik told them as he offered his arm to Claire whom smiled gently, accepting it as he lead her and Nadir inside.

Erik helped Claire remove her coat before hanging it on a cloak hook as they entered the chateau; The entrance hall was stunning with a grand marble staircase which connected to both the east and west side of the house and was lined with an elegant patterned carpet,

"It's... Beautiful" Claire murmured as Erik lead them into the main parlor; Happy as Claire smiled brightly at the sight of a chess board frame built into one of the tables before the window,

"We may have that rematch this evening if you wish. I believe it is far too long overdue do you not agree?" Erik asked with a slightly teasing tone but frowned as he saw a tear fall down Claire's cheek as she sat down upon a stunning couch,

"I... It is also stunning, Erik... But... I don't deserve any of this" she murmured sadly, casting her gaze down to the carpet below her feet and Erik was quick to come and sit by her side with a confused expression,

"How could you even think that?" Erik pressed, touching her cheek gently so that she would look at him as he wiped away her tear with his thumb,

"... Because... I broke my vows to you Erik... I became the Shah's mistress... I am not worthy to be your wife..." Claire whispered sadly but saw how the masked man before her gave a soft smile,

"Claire. The marriage between us was nothing more than a union that would keep us both safe... I understand your reasons for becoming the shah's..." Erik struggled and sighed,

"I may hate the shah with every ounce of my being but please know that I do understand. You were terrified because you were under his dominion but you're safe now" Erik assured her and Claire frowned,

"I... If you did not return to Persia to save me because of or marriage then... Why did you come back?" she asked confused,

"You're my friend, Claire... What other reason could I have had for coming to save you?" Erik replied with his own form of confusion and Claire stood quickly, backing away from him,

"Your friend?... I... I thought..." she tried as Erik stood with a look of confusion on his face,

"I... I thought that you might have returned because..." she tried but saw the concern in Erik's eyes as he came to stand before her,

"Yes?" he pressed gently, surprised when Claire moved forward and hugged him gently, not seeing the sad expression on her face that she hid from him,

"Nothing... Forgive me. I am just tired from my journey" Claire brushed off and Erik pushed her back gently so that he could smile down at her which she reluctantly returned,

"You may go and choose any room in the chateau that you like. I informed Madame Giry and her daughter, Meg that you were to have first pick" Erik told her, smiling brightly as he encouraged her to go off and pick... It was only after she ascended the staircase that Erik noticed Nadir shaking his head with an unimpressed expression,

"What is on your mind, Doroga?" Erik questioned,

"You're a fool for not seeing what is right in front of your eyes... You cannot see nor seem to understand that Claire is in love with you" Nadir told him firmly but Erik only scoffed,

"You are mistaken, Nadir" Erik replied simply,

"Are you so certain? You did not see what she went through these past five years whilst under the shah's hold... I watched her add tally mark after tally mark to the wall of her cell. It was only after I noticed the black rook she kept that I realized she was counting down the days she was enduring without you" Nadir told him but saw the puzzlement in Erik's eyes... It was the type of look one would have if having a complete stranger come up to them and attempt to communicate in a language they didn't understand; Nadir took a moment to realize and he looked at his friend sadly,

"Oh my poor friend... You don't know what love is do you? That's why you can't understand... You've suffered so much that the feeling is non existent to you. This world has hurt you so much that... You don't see the light Claire carries within her heart for you" Nadir realized but Erik rolled his eyes,

"This chateau has a library filled with books on every subject that this world has to offer. Every book I have indeed read and every subject I have memorized. If you think that I do not know what love is then you are a fool" Erik told him with a chuckle,

"It is one thing to understand the definition of love, my friend but it is another to know what it feels like... To know what love truly means" Nadir reasoned but Erik shot a glare in his direction,

"There is no love in this world for a man like me, Doroga. My own mother could not even bare to hug me never mind love me... She went as far as to make me wear an old flour sack for a mask so as to hide me not just from the world but from her also... Do not bring up this subject again or you will find yourself looking for lodgings within the city" Erik warned him before storming off and Nadir could only sigh; Feeling sorry for his friend whom truly believed that he could never be loved when it was already so obvious that the woman upstairs did in fact do just that.

Will Erik realize Claire's feeling for him? And even come to discover that he may return them? Review for chapter 7!

Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996