So began the long, long rehearsals for the new opera "Don Juan Triumphant" and everything seemed to be fine, but Christine didn't feel too happy, because just the thought of having Piandji as her partner felt sick. She wanted so much for it to be her beloved Erik, because she knew very well that they would both be brilliant in these roles, but sad as it was, it wasn't possible. At least during all these rehearsals, whenever Christine had a free moment, she went underground to Erik and they rehearsed all the scenes together. Erik taught her how in each scene needed to either sing or act or move and all this made Christine very happy and of course cheered her up. One day, when Christine had a day off from rehearsals, she decided to again talk with her father Gustave and this time she went to the cemetery to her father's tomb. She put on black cloak, bought beautiful red roses, paid a coachman to take her, herself got into the carriage and set off. Only she had no idea who the "groom" was, but she was too absorbed in her thoughts about everything that she didn't notice anything. When she reached the cemetery, Christine got out of the carriage and went inside the cemetery, but the "coachman" went further away. Christine walked slowly through the whole cemetery, singing a beautiful and rather sad song. She felt sad at this moment and it was not because of Erik or the rehearsals, no, it was partly because of her father, but mainly because of her and Erik, because of their future together. Christine was afraid that they would never be together, that they wouldn't be allowed to and they would not be able to be together because of everything and everyone, because she knew very well that everyone would be against them except Madame Giry, who was not exactly against them, but not in favour of their relationship either. Madame Giry simply loved Christine very much as her daughter in the flesh and therefore cared deeply about her future, wanted Christine to be with Raoul, but lately Madame Giry was no longer imposing Christine because she saw how happy she was with Erik, but she was still concerned about their future and was very uncertain about what would happen next. After she finished singing, Christine came to live with her father and began to tell her father her grief. This "coachman", or Erik, heard it all. Yes, he took her because he wanted to be by her side always and everywhere. Because once he said that he would always be near to her and will watch her. Erik had no idea how unhappy Christine was because of their future, because she was happy with him, but what worried Christine was how and if they would be together. Erik decided that they would have a serious talk about it later, because he had a plan for how the two of them could be together, but only then they will need to leave Paris and possibly destroy the opera. When Christine had finished telling her long story of grief, Erik wanted to go to her and and hug her tightly, but suddenly they both heard the horseshoe dipping, which came closer and closer. It was none other than Raoul and it was only logical that he knew where Christine's father was buried. When Raoul arrived, he saw Christine sitting on the steps at the entrance to the chapel and he got down from horse and went to her. This time Raoul was neither angry nor furious, he was calm, happy and concerned to see his love Christine. When she saw him, Christine was afraid, but Erik became angry and jealous. Christine was really very afraid, because she remembered very well how he was the last time she saw him and so she thought that maybe this time he wanted everything done. But that was not Raoul's intention, he just wanted to talk and that was it, nothing more. As he approached Christine, Raoul saw the fear in her eyes and thought it had something to do with the Phantom, but not with him. He said:
"Hello, little lottie! I knew you would be here, so I came here. I just wanted to talk to you again about my question. I know you already gave me the answer, but I would like to discuss it again calmly, because I was very angry due to that Ghost, but I don't know if it's good idea, because you look scared. Did that Ghost do anything to you?"
Christine stood up slowly, not taking her eyes off Raoul, and was unpleasantly surprised by these words because how could he not realise that it was him Christine was afraid of, not Erik. A little
calming down, she said:
"Hello, Raoul! You said right that I already gave you the answer, so I don't know what else we should to talk about. And no, that Ghost hasn't done anything to me, because it's not him I'm afraid of. You really don't understand anything? I'm scared of you, Raoul. I don't know you anymore, you're not the Raul I used to know. Please, leave me and my Ghost alone. Please, give us peace!"
At these words, Raoul felt anger, rage and jealousy emerge, because for the second time he
he heard rejection from his love and it hurt him that Christine was afraid of him and
that in her mind he had changed for her. He said:
"So you refuse me for the second time and only because you want to be with that dangerous and insane murderer? Christine, he is dangerous not only to you but to all the people around you. How do you not understand? But I guess you never will, because he's crawled too deep into your heart and too blinded your mind that you can no longer see the truth. Well, for the time being you will have peace from me, but only for now, for it is not the end, my little lottie!"
Raoul walked over to Christine, quickly pulled her to him and kissed her. Christine, of course, had not expected such a thing, yet she resisted him with all her might, but it availed nothing, for too
strong grip he had on her. Erik, seeing this, could stand it no longer, and ran out of his hiding-place, he rushed upon Raoul, and drew his sword, and thus tore him away from Christine. Raoul fell
to the ground, and in his rage, he drew his sword too and began a fierce battle for Christine and her love. Christine stepped back and watched in fear to see what would happen, for she was afraid for Erik. First Raoul attacked Erik, almost wounding him, then Erik attacked Raoul, wounding him in the arm, when at last Raoul succeeded in knocking Eric to the ground, took away his sword, and with fury and triumph on his face, wanted to plunge his sword right into Erik. Seeing this, Christine ran to them and said:
"Raoul, please don't, I'm begging you. I love him, yes, I do, and there's nothing I can do. Please accept it and make us alone. Please."
Christine put her hand on Raoul's sword and added:
"If you truly love me, then please do it for the love you have for me. Please!"
Raoul looked at Christine and this time saw in her eyes a great love for Erik, a love that he would never see or feel for himself. He realized that he was powerless before Erik and that he really probably would not succeed in parting them, so he threw his sword to the ground, and stepped aside so that Erik could get up and looking at them both, said:
"I'm only doing this because I love you, Christine, but like I said, it's not the end."
Then Raoul went to his horse, sat on its back, and looked at the two lovers Christine and Erik, who stood embracing, and walked away. Christine, again so tightly embraced Erik and when he had put his black cloak around her again, they both fell into a happy, joyous and passionate kiss. Happy that it was over, but still worried about the future, Christine and Erik went back to the opera...