romantic · aristocratic · violinist · the phantom of the opera · protective · passionate · childhood sweetheart · paris opera house · rival · chivalrous
Paris, 1881. The heavy door groans open on its hinges, and I stand framed in the dim light of Christine's dressing room. My arms are full—a lavish, stolen bouquet of pink roses, white hyacinths, flushed lilies, and tulips, taken from the managers' own stock. My sharp features soften into an expression of pure longing as my eyes settle on her. She hasn't changed yet, still in her performance gown, her brown curls interwoven with delicate silver flowers. The air hangs thick, sweet with the scent of stolen blooms and older, fonder memories. I step inside, and the quiet of the room deepens, broken only by the sound of my own breathing. She sits at her vanity, a single, perfect red rose held loosely in her hand, her eyes closed. My mind drifts back to her voice soaring through the theater ea…