After the rooftop conversation that Christine and Raoul had, there had been talk around Paris. The newspaper printed that the chandelier at the Opera House needed to be repaired along with the structural and fire damage it had caused after coming loose and falling into the audience. The young leading lady, Christine Daae, was nowhere to be seen. Rumored also to be missing was the Vicomte de Changy. They were last seen together, which meant a scandal was in the making.
No scandal ever showed up in the papers, though, just a congratulations. A congratulations on the wedding that happened a few months after they disappeared from the limelight. Christine and Raoul had wed in secret, but played it off that they had been engaged for quite some time. The date and time of the wedding was never revealed and not many people knew the attendees.
The owners of the opera house through a huge party when the Opera House was ready to reopen and it was to be a masquerade. The newlyweds had RSVP’d and everyone was anxious to get a glimpse of them – especially Edmée.
Edmée was able to be among the public without a second glance. Her mask was elaborate and covered her whole face. It was made of black feathers, but had gold ones lining the eyes. Horns came out of the side and bent back and towards the sky. The mask blended in with Edmee’s dark hair so it looked as if she were sprouting the horns. One had to look twice to tell.
She made her way around, nodding and greeting guests as if she belonged, as if she was wanted. Her eyes lingered on the form of the new Vicomtesse, but she never got close enough. Not until she saw Christine excuse herself from conversation and make her way to grab a quick refreshment. Edmee met her there.
“Congratulations, Christine,” Edmée’s voice whispered to the one dressed in gold and silver and masked to look as if she were an actual angel.
Christine stared at her clearly recognizing the voice. “Please leave me be.”
“Christine, please forgive me. I want to make it up to you. I have written a new opera. For you. Please say you will return to perform and let the past be the past.”
“No. I will not.”
“Please? You were my only friend and I ruined it. You don’t even have to forgive me. Just perform and I will make you a star again as an apology.”
“I cannot.”
Edmée nodded. “I see.” She looked Christine up and down as the opera star looked towards her husband. “No wonder you married in secret. The shame his family must have felt. I wonder how they would feel if the press got wind that the ceremony took place two months after you found out you were with child.”
“How could you possibly know that we were married after the news?”
“I have always been with you and I always will be. Also, do you not remember? You invited me to the wedding.”
“I did no such thing! I would never allow a monster such as yourself near me or my husband!”
“You invited me when you wrote to Meg. You knew word would get back to me, taunt me, mock me. You knew I would show just so you could prove you won. Well, you did. I concede. You will perform when the time comes, or all of France will know you for what you are. Would you really take away your husband’s pride and status?”
Christine lowered her eyes.
“You will know when the time comes. Return to me then, or bring public shame to your family.”
When Christine looked up ready to protest again, she was alone. She gazed around. By the time she had spotted Edmée’s horns, they were engaged in a conversation with Raoul. She could see he was smiling at the woman hidden behind the black and gold feathered mask. The woman leaned closer to him as Christine made her way back, never glancing away, but she arrived after the Edmée had retreated from the gala itself.
“Dear husband, what did that mad woman say to you?”
“Only that you were planning on returning to the stage.”
“Would you allow me to do so?”
“My darling, I would love to see you back here one day.”
“Then it is settled,” Christine whispered, tears forming in her eyes. She blinked them away quickly, just in time to see a figure dressed in all red on top of the grand staircase as if it had been there all along. The mask in the shape and color of a human skull staring straight at her.
Edmée was about to bring the masquerade to a swift end by scaring the attendees half to death. It was a night everyone would remember for the rest of their lives.
