Chapter 2

Eight Years Later

"Papa," I said quietly. We were outside by my garden. I was trying to salvage what was left of my rose garden and he was standing behind me. Papa had just finished playing his violin. "Do you really have to go away for so long?" I asked.

I heard him sigh. "So it seems Adrian told you." He chuckled lightly. "I told her not to. She never listens to me."

I bit my lip. Last night after dinner, Adrian told me and Brigetta that papa was offered a job playing in the Paris Opera House's orchestra. I was thrilled at first. This was his dream. All he would talk about is how he wanted to share his talent with the world. He had his chance now. unfortunately, Brigetta reminded me that the only path that would lead into the city were through the woods. True, the woods were not as dangerous if you were in a carriage with a few other people during the day and early evening. However, we didn't have any of those luxuries. We only had one horse. That would leave papa so vulnerable!

"Please don't go papa!" I exclaimed and jumped up. "It is too dangerous! There are wolves and snakes in there who would kill you in an instant!" I spun around. I felt my eyes fill up with hot tears. "If anything were to happen to you I would surly die!"

Papa sighed again and then embraced me. "My sweet Christine. I knew you would worry over me."

"How couldn't I?" sniffed. "I love you so much papa..." He hugged me tighter.

"I love you more. I'm not doing this just for me. I'm doing this for all of us. We could finally leave this village. We could finally have a normal sized home that we could call our own. I want to be able to actually leave you enough money when I eventually do die." he said and I felt the tears start to flow. My papa was getting old. His once brown hair was now turning silver and permanent frown lines were etched onto his face. I wanted to spend what was left of his life together, and not worrying about his safety.

"Don't say that. We don't need money. We're fine without it." I whispered. I wanted to sound stronger ,but I couldn't find it in me at the moment. "And I love this little house of ours!" He chuckled at this. He knew I was lying. I was never a good liar. I would always give it away with my voice.

"Well, even if that is true, I sure hate this place. I constantly have to duck in the doorways just so I don't hit my head!" he tried to joke. I didn't even smile. He sighed. "I just want to make sure my girls are well off. It is my job. If I can't support the most important people in my life, then I have failed as a father."

I pulled back from him. "Papa," I said shakily. "You could never fail us."

He smiled lightly and ran a hand through his hair."Then please Christine...let me do this. I would feel like a failure if I didn't."

I felt a lump form in my throat and I attempted to swallow it down. "Alright papa." was all I said. He hugged me again briefly and I heard him chuckle. "How could you be laughing?" I questioned completely confused. This had to be the worse day of my life and he was laughing.

"Well, Brigetta and that boy Antoine are getting pretty serious. She's been pestering me about a wedding. His family isn't that much wealthier then us so we got to pay for at least half of it. She wants everything to be as fancy as possible. She even refuses to use your mother's wedding dress because it isn't extravagant enough for her. I honestly have no idea where her expensive tastes came from." he explained and shook his head. "At least you have Raoul." he said and my face heated up.

Ever since I met my dear friend Raoul in the market place eight years ago, my life has been so blessed. He was always so kind to me. Whenever he came to visit me and my family, he would always bring me some sort of sweets. We would run off to my garden and eat them while we both told stories about what little we knew about magic. Adrian and Brigetta would always be jealous. They believed Raoul had stronger feelings for me than he actually had. It was quite ridiculous. Raoul was a vicomte! I was just a commoner. He could never be interested in me like that. It was just a friendship that even I could not completely comprehend.

"It is not like that at all!" I exclaimed and turned back to my garden so he could not see my blush. "Raoul and I are just friends!"

He let out a loud laugh. "Friends! That's hysterical. Do you not see the way he treats you? He does everything to make sure you're happy!"

"That's what friends do!" I said and stared down at my wilting roses. In all honesty, part of me wished what my papa was saying was true. Raoul was just so...perfect. Whenever we were together, I felt so happy. He would always make sure I was comfortable when we were sitting by the garden. He even went as far as to use his jacket as a matt just to make sure my dress didn't get dirty while we sat on the grass. He wouldn't show Adrian and Brigetta this kindness ever. He would even go as far as make fun of them! He would say how I was the prettiest of the three of us, which wasn't true. "Anyway, he's far to rich to even consider me." I said quietly.

"I have a feeling he doesn't care about money all too much." he said. "That's what happens when you're in love. Everything else just doesn't matter."

Love? Could Raoul love me? That thought just sounds to insane. He could do so much better. I changed the subject. "When exactly are you leaving?" I asked.

"Tomorrow at dawn." he said and I bit my lip.

"So soon?" I asked.

"The sooner I leave, the sooner I get back."

I didn't sleep that night. All I could do was worry about papa. I spent most of the night packing his bags and preparing food for his journey. Before I knew it, the sun was up and I heard heavy foot steps enter the kitchen.

"Christine." he said softy so he wouldn't wake my sisters up. "Why are you awake?"

"I wanted to make sure you had everything you needed" I explained. He gave me a soft smile.

"You are too considerate." he said and walked over to me. He picked up the bags I had packed for him and we stared at each other for a moment. "Christine, I asked Brigetta and Adrian if they wanted anything while I am in Paris last night. They both said they wanted new shoes. What do you want?"

"Nothing. I just want you to come home safe." I said. He chuckled.

"I knew you would say that. Christine I am going to get you a gift. I guess I'll just buy you some shoes too..." he said and I protested immediately.

"No! I don't want that." I exclaimed. That would be too expensive. "Papa...just get me a rose. A bright red rose. My roses are practically dead. I just want to see a healthy one."

"But Christine, that is way too simple." he said with a frown. "I don't want you regretting it when you see your sisters in their new shoes."

"I wont be. I swear." I said. "That's all I want."

"Well...all right. I should be leaving now." he said and I gave him a huge hug.

"Please be safe papa." I whispered.

"I'll be back within a week." he said and I let go of him. "Take care of your sisters." He turned toward the door and left. Once I knew he was gone, I broke down and started to cry.