I sadly don't own the Phantom or any other characters created by G. Leroux, S. Kay and A. L. Webber, but they always have a place in my heart.
AGREEMENTS
"Joséphine d'Escayrac," she replied.
"You're the daughter of Stanislas d'Escayrac, the explorer?" he inquired.
She nodded. "I told you my father left for Africa. He's searching for the source of the White Nile."
He took a closer look at her face, searching for similarities, for her father was a quite known scientist. Yes, her face was of the same shape, and her eyes were of the same olive green like those of her father.
"The 'darkest Africa' is quite dangerous, or so I heard. I don't think your father is still alive," he observed.
Her eyes grew cold, and she turned away from him. "Don't ever say that again. My father is a strong man, and he will find a way back!" she hissed, clearly upset.
"If you say so," he said quietly.
Deciding to better change the subject he reached for her. At the feeling of his cool hand on her shoulder Joséphine willed herself not to twitch and turned around again.
"My birth certificate is at a bank. I can go there first thing in the morning, then we can meet at the registry to legitimate this…union," the Phantom said.
"I…" she began, but stopped. Passing by him, she sat down in the first pew, leaning back. She looked tired.
"What is it?" he asked her. He walked over and sat down next to her, keeping a save distance and adjusting his position so she wouldn't have to look at his deformation.
"I sneaked out of the house, and I don't know if I'll be able to get out again if I go home now," she admitted dejectedly. "So I thought that maybe we could already try and wake the priest to…"
A cynical laugh escaped his lips. He looked at her incredulously.
"You really want a Christian wedding?" She opened her mouth to answer but he interrupted her. "Do you really think a priest would let someone like me take the vows of holy matrimony?" The Phantom turned his head slightly, so his right side was once more illuminated by the candles. He had to give her credit that she flinched only lightly at seeing him completely.
"Of course," he continued, "you could plead for annulment, saying the devil's child forced himself upon you. Yes, I'm sure the church will believe that, and you could have another Christian wedding..."
"I didn't mean to…" she began, but he stopped her again.
"Tell me then, what did you mean?"
"I meant…I've never been very religious, being the daughter of a scientist, but it's tradition to be wed in church as well. We have to do it, or Clara may be able to challenge this union and hence the contract," Joséphine explained.
"A church wedding has nothing to do with the law," the Phantom told her.
"Theoretically, no," she acknowledged, "France is a laical country, but the influence of the Christian believe in everyday life is undeniable. I am pretty sure that not being wed in a church will affect the judgement of some people in society, and that goes for the authorities as well. I will not take the risk at marrying you to let it all be in vain." She looked at him challenging, but then her eyes grew soft. She undid the shawl tied around her shoulders and offered it to him. "If you rather hide your face before a priest, take it."
The Phantom looked at her, astounded, not sure if he should thank her for her thoughtfulness or if she didn't want the priest to see whom he would wed her to. Nonetheless, he took the cloth from her, but didn't put it on.
A few minutes of silence passed, then he got up, handing her back the shawl. "I will look like a bloody pirate if I put this on, you will have to bear with the sight of me, and the priest as well. Let's go find him."