Disclaimer: I do not own Phantom of the Opera or The Little Mermaid. They belong to their respective owners, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Walt Disney. I do not own any of the characters from Phantom of the Opera.

Chapter 1: Engagement of the Worst Kind

Down in the ocean among the fish and coral lives something people only think were part of fairy tales or magic.

Mermaids.

Ruling and protecting all the mermaids and mermen in the North Atlantic is the royal family. At the head of that family is King Poseidon. The king has had two beautiful daughters, the only happiness he would ever need. His queen, his wife died giving birth to their youngest, Carrie, 18 years ago. His oldest, the next heir to the throne, is the beautiful Princess Christine.

Christine is loved by all for her generosity, her kindness but most of all for her angelic voice and astonishing looks. Her voice reminds every one of their queen for her mother used to sing wonderful music for all to hear. Some say that her voice makes them fall in love just from the purity of it. Most of the mermen that have never heard her voice are captivated by her beauty. She was born with big, beautiful, blue eyes and a gorgeous mane of curly chestnut brown hair.

Although Christine still has not found the one that she loves. Her voice and looks may pull men in, but none of them have been what Christine is looking for. She wants someone to need her and not be able to live without her. She doesn't want a man that loves for one small part of her. She wants someone to love every part of her. All she has to do is find him.

xXx Erik

"Erik, when are you going to find a woman and get married?" King Cian asked, while sitting with me eating our soup at lunch time at the dining table. "I mean you're going to need a wife when you become king and you should have a child to be your heir."

"Dad I'm not going to get into this with you again. I'm not going to just marry one of the girls you and mom set out for me. I want a girl that wants me for more than my title and money." I said annoyed with my father. He asked that question every week and I gave him the same answer.

"Why don't you give those women a chance instead of brushing them off? Maybe they would like you for who you are."

"No they don't. I can tell in their eyes that they're afraid of me because of this," I point to the mask and what lies beneath covering the right side of my face "this will always keep the woman from knowing me." I say with a pained voice.

I have been this way since I was ten years old. I was being a normal, playful little boy running around the castle-. I ran into the kitchens and tripped and landed face first into the dying embers from the fireplace.

I was in bed for weeks with a bandage covering my face and doctors walking all around the room. My mom stayed with me sitting by my side holding my hand. I was in so much pain. When I finally had a chance to look in the mirror, I hated myself and knew that no one could ever love me. My face would keep love at bay.

It'll be amazing to me if I do ever meet someone that loves me for me, or, a miracle can stand my face.

xXx Christine

"You're making me do what?" I said, shocked and completely taken aback by what my father just told me.

I was called to speak with him in the Great Hall. I entered to see him sitting on the throne with a regretful look on his face.

"Christine, I need you to understand that if you don't do this we will become enemies with the mermen of the French coast. We need to become one so that doesn't happen. We cannot afford to lose them as allies." Poseidon said.

The mermaid inhabitants are so large that there are many territories that are each ruled by different royal families. The North Sea and the waters bordering France and Spain are ruled by the Chagny family. Poseidon Daae and his daughters rule the water to the west of Ireland.

The Chagny family is greedy. They want more territory and would do anything to get as much as possible. With the powers Poseidon has they don't want to go to war with him. Raoul Chagny, the next heir to the throne has heard of Christine's beauty and wants to marry her so he can have pleasure as well as a lot of ground to call his.

"So you're asking me to marry the Prince of the French coast so we don't have enemies, even though I have told you a thousand times how much I hate that man?" I said burning up with anger inside of me.

"I'm sorry, but yes. I wish I didn't have to ask you this. I hate to have to put you through this and make you hate me. But Raoul said that he wants you to be his bride and no one else." Poseidon said with a sad look in his eyes as if he tried everything and still failed his own daughter.

I look at him and know that there is nothing he can do to change Raoul's mind and I know I have to go through with this. "Ok, I'll do it." I said defeated.

He grabbed me with his strong arms and hugged me fiercely. After we held each other for a few minutes in silence he looked at me and smiled. All I could do is smile back, a bit reluctantly.

Then I left, I went out to find Meg. I had to tell her. She would understand my feelings and would try to make this situation better and more acceptable even though it was a ridiculous and horrible thing to happen to me.