A/N: Hi! Thank you guys so much! It's good to see some familiar names once again. Sorry that this chapter is kind of short, but tonight is PROM so little time to make a decent length chapter. Thank you Halley for doing an awesome job and please don't forget to review!

Chapter 3: A Wish

Paris, 1898

In his furious state of mind, Etienne left the estate riding his prized stallion. He ruthlessly charged Eros; the exhilarated speeds fueled the adrenaline flowing through him.

He closed his eyes, deeply breathing through his nostrils the delicious scents of pine and grass. The serenity of such a simple procedure had its affect as the tumultuous waves within were slowly pacified as he rode further on.

Etienne brought Eros to a trot and finally halted. Turning so he could look in the back of his parent's home, Etienne felt the first rush of guilt.

He had no right to talk to his father in the manner he presented and for that felt awful as his mind replayed the argument. Calling out his father was a cowardly and a childish act in one. His temper was vicious if he was targeted to a certain level. And often times, Etienne reacted irrationally because of his stubbornness and short-mindedness.

Eros pawed the uprooted grass, grunting softly as his master patted his mane. "I made a huge mess," Etienne whispered.

The animal didn't reply. Etienne gazed towards the night-sky, basking in the pale silvery glow of the moon. The orchestra of crickets resounded around him; the staccato chirps echoed the sorrow that gripped his heart.

"The music of the night," he mused. Cocking his head, he was about to elaborate more on his comment until he realized there was no one else with him. He was all alone to admire the beauty of darkness.

The sudden disappointment struck him down. He had no one to share this with.

"Perhaps, they're right," he murmured. "A sane man can take so much loneliness before he longs for a companion."

This wouldn't be the first time that Etienne had thought of this. He did long for a wife, a partner, to occupy his bed on the coldest of nights, to love intensely and without restraint. He had his own desires that were sated temporary by the ladies of the night, but that wasn't enough to soothe the raging beast. What he wanted was a commitment, a love that went to the very core of his soul. The sort of love that inspires a man to honor one mistress, to enjoy the friendship and intimacy bestowed on each other, and to find new discoveries time and time again.

Yes he loved music in such a way, but it doesn't compare to the joys of the flesh-- to be one with a woman, to give his love in a way not possible.

Etienne had indeed envied his brother and sisters in finding their true loves. All three were happily enthralled in their marriages, whilst he lived with his parents. He had a good career and his riches alone were enough to attract attention. The girls in his class had plenty of their own money, but they competed over who will get the Destler fortune.

Everyone in Paris knew that Etienne would inherit the opera house once his father died. The Populaire was one of the finest theatres in the world to host many talents. Many nobles from across countries had visited the prestigious opera house, even the King and Queen of England!

What upper class girl wouldn't want to exalt in such notoriety? Weren't they all similar in their greed?

Am I being too rash? He thought. They may not all be the same. Perhaps I am being too judgmental and prejudice towards the future Mrs. Destler?

"I'm jesting myself," Etienne said aloud. "All of them are incompetent. I had far more intellectual conversations with the ballet rats than the soulless bunch I'm forced to endure. Why can't I just marry one and be done with it? I wouldn't have to spend all of my time with her; I'll be working at the Populaire for the most part. And if she were to have a lover, then I wouldn't care. I probably couldn't live up to all of my husbandly rights anyhow."

He sat up straight in his saddle and frowned discernibly. "No I wouldn't stand for it. Yet what is the perfect woman? Father has Maman and she's as perfect as can be. But why can't I find my Angel? Is there even an Angel for me?" Looking down at his horse, a twitch of his lips made a tiny grin. "What do you think Eros? Could Angels even exist for the likes of me?"

Chuckling wryly, Etienne peered up at the majestic black night. There he caught sight of a lone twinkling star.

He remembered what his mother would tell him and his siblings about the first star in the night.

"Star light, star bright," he recited. "First star I see tonight."

It would be pointless, but Etienne at the moment didn't care.

"Please help me find the woman of my heart's wish."

TBC…