Christine dans Deux

An Alternate Multiverse - A Phantom of the Opera Story

Nyasia A. Maire

© 2006

DISCLAIMER: See Chapter One
Chapter Thirty-Eight – Henrí

Fortunately, the nearest room to Christine's is empty and the bed linens fresh. I toss my clothes onto a nearby chair and leave my boots on the floor next to the bed. I draw the drapes, throw back the blankets and hop into bed. The bed is so cold without Christine. I close my eyes and there she is. She holds out her hand, I take it and hold it tightly. She sings wordlessly to me and I fall into sleep.

Bright light burns into my eyes through the closed lids. I groan and think what sweet misery is love. Shielding my eyes with my hand, I open my eyes. A boy stands near my bed. When he sees I am awake, he stands very straight and staring ahead proclaims, "I am Henrí. Your father has sent me to act as your valet. I have drawn you a hot bath and brought you fresh clothes. Please, Monsieur, your father requests your presence at the morning meal. We must make haste. He dines in an hour. Please, Monsieur Erik!"

"I am awake, Henrí. Calm yourself. I will not be late. Have you a robe for me?"

"Yes, Monsieur. I do."

He holds up a dark green robe. I sit up and turn slightly, so the boy can assist me in putting on the robe. I think if I had stood I would have towered over him. I wonder what he would have done then.

I hear Christine's voice, "He would have climbed onto the bed, silly."

I choke back a laugh and the boy looks at me nervously.

"Thank you, Henrí. Well done. I am ready for my bath now. Please lead the way."

"Yes, Monsieur. This way. Follow me, please."

Poor pup is frightened to death. I wonder why. Have I ever seen him before? I silently pray he was not a witness to my last visit to the Château.

Again, I hear Christine's voice inside my head.

"He is not afraid of you. He is afraid of failing to do his duty properly. You are the son of his master. This assignment is an honor. Being your valet is an honor. He wants to be worthy of your father's trust in him and acquit himself well." Christine explains. "He is a good boy. Be kind to him and you will have a loyal and trustworthy companion for the rest of your life. I, too, must bathe and get ready for breakfast. However, as a guest I do not instill the fear you do. A very nice young woman named Miriam attends me. See you at the table, my dearest!"

I stand, tie the robe's belt at my waist, stretch and follow Henrí out into the hall. We enter the bathroom where Christine and I had briefly hidden yesterday. The tub is full of water and I can see a fog of steam rising from it surface. I check the water with my hand. I turn to the boy.

"Thank you, Henrí. The water is perfect."

He bows at the waist slightly, "Thank you for saying so, Monsieur."

I gently place my hand under his chin and raise his face so he can see my eyes.

"Henrí, I am Erik. You need not bow to me."

"But, Monsieur!"

"Erik."

"Erik? Uh, yes. I cannot speak to you thus in front of the rest of the staff. I would be beaten."

"Then it's our secret until I can inform the rest of the staff that you have my personal favor and permission to call me by my Christian name. Is that satisfactory?"

I did not think the boy could stand any straighter, but somehow he manages it.

"Oh! Yes, Monsieur. I mean, Erik! Thank you! Here, allow me to assist you."

I untie the robe and allow the boy to catch it as I shrug it off. I feel his eyes on me as I step into the tub. Before Christine, I would never have been able to stand naked in front of another. Now, it seems so unimportant. I am forever clothed with Christine's love. The water is indeed perfect. Just a little on the hot side and I quickly become accustomed to it. Henrí offers me soap and washcloth. I lather the cloth and scrub away the sweat of my night and morning's exertions from my body. Henrí brings a brush and scrubs my back. As much as I enjoy the attention, I am very aware of the passing time. I raise my hand to my face and feel the bristles of my beard. I hope my beard left no tell-tale marks on Christine.

"Henrí, I need a razor and shaving soap, please. Could you find one for me?"

"I already have what you need here. Allow me. I've practiced on my father many times. He says I am quite good and very quick. I've never nicked him. Not once!"

"My face awaits you, Henrí."

I lean back in the tub and allow the boy to go to work. True to his word, he makes a quick clean job of removing the beard from my face. I rinse the soap from my face and body and turn to find the boy holding a towel for me his eyes averted from my nakedness. I step from the tub and go to take the towel from his, but he begins to dry me.

"Henrí, that is not necessary. I can do that myself. Thank you."

He allows me to take the towel from him. He backs over by the door.

"I shall be in your room to assist you with your clothes, Erik."

I hear the pleasure in his voice as he speaks my name, so I decide not to dismiss him from dressing me.

"I will not be long, Henrí."

He catches himself mid-bow and smiling at me sheepishly leaves the room. I find myself smiling too. My father chose the perfect person to act as my valet and I realize having a valet protects Christine's reputation as I have a witness to my sleeping alone.

I finish drying myself, don the robe and return to my room. Henrí is standing next to a chair, which has fresh clothes on it. I guess these must be my father's clothes. Henrí hands me underclothes and which I put these on myself. He then holds out the trousers for me. I place my hand on the boy's shoulder and allow him to assist me. He holds up a white long sleeve shirt and I slip it on. He hurries around me and begins to button the shirt when I hold up a hand.

"Henrí, really. Please do not take offense, but I can manage this myself." I add a smile to soften the words.

"As you wish." He returns to the chair where I see a pair of soft black leather boots. I tuck the shirttails into my trousers and button the trousers. I finish buttoning the shirt and when I go to button the cuffs find no buttons, just holes for cufflinks.

"Henrí, I have no cufflinks."

"Your father anticipated this need as well. Here allow me."

Henrí walks to the dresser and I see a small box there. He opens the box, removes the contents and returns to me. I see a sparkle of green as he fastens the cufflinks in place. I look down and see my father sent a pair of emerald cufflinks for my use.

Henrí sees me looking at them and tells me, "They're his own. He says they match your eyes and now they are yours." The boy blushes.

"Does he now? Well, I suppose he should know. After all, I've been told we look very much alike."

"Yes, Monsieur. You do. Here let me help you with your boots."

With the boy helping me, we make quick work of getting the boots onto my feet.

"Well, Henrí, just one thing left. I need a hair brush or comb."

"It's on the dresser. Would you like to me to do it for you?"

"No, Henrí. I can do it. Thank you for everything. Unless there's something else, you may go now."

"No, Monsieur. There is nothing else, but I do need to empty the bath and tidy the room."

I run the comb through my hair and pat it into place. I remember how long it took to fix my hair when I had to wear the wig and once again marvel at being reborn.

"Thank you, Henrí. I suppose I will see you again this evening?"

"Yes, Monsieur. Just inform Madame Marguerite when you require me and she will send me to you."

"I will do that, Henrí. Now you have a good day. You have done very well."

I give him a friendly pat on the shoulder and take my leave of him. Through Christine, I feel the boy's happiness and am glad.