*Christine's POV*
I look at Erik, shocked. "You wrote this song," I ask, still shocked.

"I did," he says. "I lived in Persia for a while and I had a lot of free time."

"Erik, this song is so beautiful," I say. "It's as if you have loved someone more than life itself."

"There was someone who I wrote this song for," Erik says, causing my heart to drop. "My mother." I breath a little sigh of relief.

"Who is your mother," I ask.

"You might know her," he says. "Her name is Madeline Destler."

I feel my blood run cold and my heart stop; his mother is Madeline Destler, the woman who was executed. Does he know that his mother is dead? How could he not; word of it was spread throughout the kingdom.

"Christine," I hear Erik say, pulling me from my thoughts.

I blink to clear the thoughts. "Yes," I say, looking back at Erik.

"Are you okay," he asks, concerned. "Your face turned white."

"Yeah, I'm fine," I say, not wanting to worry him.

"Are you sure," he asks as he puts a hand over one of my hands.

I smile at the simple gesture and put a hand over his, giving it a little squeeze. "I'm sure," I say.

"Okay," he says, a little uncertain.

I can tell he doesn't believe me, so I change the subject."Since you wrote this song, it should be easy for you to teach it to me then," I say.

Erik's eyes twinkle a little, making me smile. "You should be able to master this song easily," he says. "It might take longer since we don't have an instrument, but I'm sure you'll still be able to learn it."

"Well, we should getting started then," I say smiling. I re-read the lyrics before handing the sheet music to Erik so he can make sure I'm singing it right.

Erik looks at the music before smiling; he has an idea.

*Erik's POV*
As I look at the sheet music, I get an idea for Christine, so she can learn the song better. Just because we don't have an instrument that doesn't mean she won't have a rhythm to follow.

"What are you thinking of," I hear Christine say. "You have an idea."

"I do," I say. "I'll hum the rhythm for you."

I see Christine look at me doubtfully. "Isn't that going to be hard," she asks.

"You have to remember Christine, that I wrote the song," I say with small smile. "I had to hum it at some point."

Christine nods her head. "Okay then," she says. "It's just that I have never heard you sing before."

I realize that I haven't. "I'll make a deal with you then," I say. "If I impress you with my humming and you learn the song, I will sing a song to you."

Christine smiles. "Deal," she says.

"Then we should start practicing," I say with a smile. "Are you ready?"

"I am," she says with a small nod.

Nodding back, I clear my throat and begin to hum the rhythm of the song. I look up at Christine and see that her eyes are wide with surprise. I smile as I hum, happy that she likes my voice. I get to the part where she starts singing and she starts.

*Raoul's POV*
I just don't understand. How does her voice continue to get better? There's no reasonable explanation. The only one I can think of is a teacher, but no one could possibly know where I hid her or be able to have her voice improve that much in only a few hours. The whole ordeal is infuriating, but necessary.

Ever since my father died, I have been the one to pay off all the debts he never paid. Since he made the taxes so high and no one in this poor desolate village has no money, I have no way to pay off the debts. This is why that girl is so necessary. Her voice can help make the kingdom make money to pay off those debts and make us a rich kingdom as it once was.

Even though her voice is the main reason why I'm marrying her, I also need to make a good image to other kingdoms, showing them that a queen can help rule a kingdom, plus she is a very beautiful woman.

I shouldn't question how her voice gets better; I should be glad. But it would be nice to know how.

As these thoughts rage through my head, I hear the throne room doors open. I look up and see two guards. "What is it," I snap, not liking the fact that I was pulled from my thoughts.

"Sorry to disturb you, your Highness," one of the guards says. "But this guard has some urgent news for you."

I turn to the other guard. "This better be important," I growl. "Or your neck will be next for the gallows."

I see guard tremble a little as he steps forward. "I-I re-regret to t-to tell y-you that we h-h-have a br-break in," the guard stutters.

I glare down at him. "Go on," I say.

I see the guard relax a little as he pulls down the collar of his shirt to reveal a dark red circle around his neck. "The man used a rope to get by me," he continues. "I didn't get a good look of him, but I do remember that half of his face was snow white, as if he was wearing a white mask."

I nod when it suddenly hits me; that must be the person who is making that girl's voice better. "Where is your post," I ask the guard.

"I guard the entrance to the catacombs," he answers.

"Would you like us to head to the tower to see if this intruder is there," a guard asks.

I think for a moment. "Not yet," I say. "Let's give her time with her teacher. Go when they least expect it. We will go at midnight,"

The guards bow and leave. I lean back in my throne as a smile spreads across my face. Let's see this teacher and show him what happens when you interfere with the King's property.
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Hey guys, I am so sorry for the long wait for this update. Life has just been so busy especially during the holidays, but now U should be able to update more since I still have winter break. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and expect another one really soon.