A/N: Well... Finally got another story going. Been a slacker lately. Hope you enjoy. Pretty please review. I want to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Chapter One

After months of being unable to replace the Vicomte Chagny as patron, the Opera Populaire finally found a couple interested in being their patron; Comte Tyce de Foix, a very wealthy man, and Comtesse Althea Foix, the previous patron's cousin. Foix shook hands with the owners, Firmin and Andre, before agreeing to a tour of the opera house before making their decision. Little did they know that the Opera Ghost had already noted their presense and was not pleased.

The Phantom followed their progress with a look of disgust on his face. The Comte clearly knew nothing about opera and his wife was related to his worse enemy. She surprisingly looked nothing like Raoul with her straight light blond hair which was partially pulled up, navy blue eyes, petite form, and delicate features. She seemed fairly confident despite her short frame but as he continued to watch her, he noted nervous glances and habits. All of which went temporarily away as they entered the auditorium to hear music playing.

She closed her eyes with the first real smile of the day as the music swelled around her. The music was so beautiful to her. As the prima donna opened her mouth to sing, Althea cringed, opening her eyes as her day dream shattered. She was horrible!

"Althea! Stop dallying." She jumped at her husband's voice and hurried to catch up to the group as they continued towards the stage.

"I'm sorry," she muttered before following in silence.

As they continued onto the stage to meet the cast, Althea felt her dread return. She had a bad feeling about all this. Her cousin's warning echoed through her head, as they were introduced. She blushed as the lead actor bowed over her hand as he pressed a kiss to its back. Foix glared at the man but he just winked at her before walking off.

She wiped her hand off in her skirt as they headed back to Firmin and Andre's office as they finished their tour.

"We'll leave you for a moment so you can make your decision."

As soon as the door closed Althea turned to Foix. "I don't think we should. I have a bad feeling about it. And Raoul said.." she said softly but urgently before being stopped by a slap to the face.

"Did I ask for your opinion? I don't think so," he snapped.

She nodded with downcast eyes, not daring to even touch her stinging cheek as she clenched her hands together.

She bit her lip to hold back her tears as Foix thought over the decision as he walked over to the door.

While they had started back to the managers' office, the Phantom had followed slowly, debating how to proceed. He had no desire for them to become the Opera House's patrons but the more he thought, the more the idea appealed to him. This might just work in his favor.

He caught up just as the door was opened by Foix. "We have decided to become your patrons."

"Oh good. We look forward to working with you. You won't be we sign the contract?"

Foix nodded and then went back into the office. Despite his earlier desision that he would allow this to occur, Erik still felt irritated. They hadn't even considered him before making their choice!

His attention was brought back by Firmin's exclamation. "Comtesse! Whatever happened to your face?" He jerked his gaze to her to see that she had a large red mark on her cheek.

"She tripped," Foix explained. "She can be rather clumsy at times." She stared at the floor, avoiding eye contact. Something was off.

"Can we get you anything? Maybe some ice?"

She glanced at Firmin and then her husband before shaking her head. "No thank you."

"Please let us know if you need anything. Now Comte, if you would sign here please." Andre handed Foix the pen and pointed to the line. He signed sloppilly before handing it back.

"If that is all, we must be on our way. We have a dinner party to prepare for."

"Of course, of course." The owners shook Foix's hand, bowed to both of them, and showed them to the door where Foix handed his wife up into their carriage before following her up.

Althea scooted to the far corner and looked out the window as Foix settled in and the door closed behind them. He rapped on the roof signalling the driver to go. Althea was grateful that her husband stayed silent while they traveled. That is until she looked up to see that he was obviously stewing. That didn't bode well for the evening.

Soon they were home and Althea quietly headed up to her room to change while Foix gave the coachman instructions. She hurried up the stairs, hoping to finish before he came upstairs. Once she was in her room, she rang for her maid before begining to undress. Marie soon appeared and hurried over to help.

She was down to her chemise when the door between her room in her husband's opened and he walked in. She could see the thunder in his expression so she quietly dismissed Marie. Once the girl had ran out the door, she turned towards Foix.

"Did you wish to speak to me?" she asked gently.

That was all it took for the storm to decend on her. She received a fist to her stomach as he shouted at her. She took the physical and verbal blows as well as she could even though she wasn't sure she deserved all of it. Certainly it wasn't her fault that the man had flirted with her earlier. Or was it? She wasn't sure. Maybe she had done something. Soon he stopped, allowing her to slump to the floor.

"Don't embarrass me again," he hissed before going back to his room.

Only when she heard the door click, did she allow the tears to come. What had she done to deserve this? Or maybe she really did deserve it. She couldn't tell anymore. Maybe that was her purpose in life. She would like to think that there was something more she was meant for.

She knew she would have several bruises and when she straightened up, she felt a rib protest. At least he had avoided leaving a visible mark this time unlike earlier.

She sat there for as long as she dared before forcing herself to her feet and ringing the bell for Marie. The girl was there shortly after, a concerned look on her face. She was the only one that knew the truth about Foix's violent nature. Only she knew the truth behind the bruises and bumps. Althea had sworn her into secrecy not more than a week after she had been married.

"Best be quick about dressing. Be gentle with the corset please." Marie nodded in understanding and hurried to help her dress. She smiled a thanks to Marie when she brought out her new navy blue gown. She understood Althea's need for a boost of confidence and the dress would do just that.

With the corset supporting her rib and the smooth fabric of the gown settling around her feet, Althea felt a layer of comfort around her. She walked to the vanity table to have her hair fixed and had to stop to admire how she looked in the mirror. "You look beautiful, Madame."

"Thank you." She looked for a moment more, admiring how her navy blue eyes stood out, before sitting. Marie was quick to unpin it before styling it in a different way. It was quick and simple but flattering.

She was just placing the last pin in when there was a loud knock on the door before Foix came in. At least he was in a better mood than before. "Are you finished yet?" he asked with a touch of impatience.

"Yes. I'm ready to go," Althea said quietly, feeling most of the confidence fade away. She thanked Marie and stood before following Foix out.

She would spend the evening trying to keep Foix as happy as possible while avoiding talking to as many people as possible (which wasn't terribly hard with her reputation for being quiet). She was more than happy when the night was over and she was able to crawl into bed even if it was with her corset still firmly in place to support her rib.