The Fifth Cellar (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 17 - Secret Engagement

 Evangeline's POV:

I hurried through Erik's many tunnels in the Opera Walls. I loved it. It was wonderful that one could move through the Opera House, unseen unheard but always hearing things. Erik had taught me everything. He wouldn't teach me about the flaming head or the Punjab lasso though. He said that wasn't for a woman. He had taught me more on the violin and even a little bit of the sword. I wasn't too good but I enjoyed it thoroughly. I loved the sword and thought it was the most wonderful weapon in the world. I had taken to carrying one when I was “haunting” the Opera House. People were beginning to wonder where I was but no one seemed too worried about me. No one was ever too worried about a simply ballet rat. The “haunting” I would do simply involved running through the tunnels and watching what people were doing. Once I had been around and delivered a note for Erik. He hadn't been writing many and had delivered them all by himself but he had let me do it once. I knew I could get in trouble but no one ever knew who I was and it was tons of fun.

I was hurrying along when I heard two voices talking. Okay, I like eavesdropping. I got it from Erik.

*“How can you speak so lightly of such serious things?”* It was Raoul and he didn't sound happy. *“Perhaps we shall never see each other again! … I may die during that expedition.”* Then I heard Christine say,

*“Or I.”* She didn't sound like the laughing girl she normally did. I leaned up against the wall to listen better. Then Raoul said,

*“What are you thinking of, Christine?”*

*“I m thinking that we shall not see each other again ...”*

*“And does that make you so radiant?”* He didn't sound too happy. *“And that, in a month, we shall have to say good-bye … for ever! … Unless, Christine, we pledge our faith and wait for each other for ever.”* I froze as that statement. I was glad I was listening to this instead of Erik. He would have killed Raoul by now. I would have to relay it to him gently. Suddenly Christine said,

*“Hush, Raoul! … You know there is no question of that … and we shall never be married: that is understood.”* I rolled my eyes. Erik, you really made a mess of things, I thought. Suddenly I heard clapping and giggling. I was beginning to wish that I could see through the walls. Something was up and I wanted to know what was going on.

*“But … but,”* Christine said, *“but, if we cannot be married, we can … we can be engaged! … Nobody will know but ourselves, Raoul … There have been plenty of secret marriages: why not a secret engagement? … We are engaged, dear, for a month! … in a month, you will go away; and I can be happy at the thought of that month all my life long!”* I swallowed and realized this was getting worse by the moment. Then she continued,

*“This, is a happiness that will harm no one.”* I rolled my eyes again. Harm no one, my foot! She was laying her life on the line. I heard the joy in Raoul's voice as he said,

*“Mademoiselle, I have the honor to ask for you hand?”* Suddenly she excitedly said,

*“Why, you have both of them already, my dear betrothed! … Oh, Raoul, how happy we shall be! … We must play at being engaged from morning til night!”* I flinched at the thought that I would have to tell Erik all of this. He was going to kill me than Raoul than Christine. Well, not Christine. He loved her too much. But she would feel his wrath. I knew I would have to tell him. It would be better than him finding out on his own. I couldn't listen anymore. I hurried down to the lair and watched Erik playing. He was going to kill me. I walked forward and said,

“Erik, we have a problem.” He turned to look at me and said cheerfully,

“What?” I sat down and uttered the most dangerous words I have ever said,

“Christine and Raoul are playing like they are engaged.”