After Christine’s return from the Phantom’s underground lair, her heart is torn between fear, compassion, and love. She grows closer to Raoul, and the two secretly become engaged, though they try to keep it hidden from the public.
Time passes until the grand Masquerade Ball at the Paris Opera House. The ballroom sparkles with laughter, music, and color—nobles and performers dressed in elaborate costumes. Christine, radiant yet uneasy, tries to enjoy the night while burying the weight of her secret.
Suddenly, the joyful atmosphere collapses. The Phantom appears, descending the grand staircase dressed as the terrifying “Red Death”—a skeleton cloaked in crimson. Music halts, laughter fades, and terror sweeps across the room.
He proclaims his dominion over the Opera, warning the managers and performers never to defy him. He makes it clear that he watches every move—especially Christine, whom he still claims as his “Angel of Music.”
For Christine, this is a moment of dread and despair: no matter where she goes, his shadow follows, and her secret engagement with Raoul could be uncovered at any moment.
This scene underscores that the Phantom has never truly vanished—he remains the haunting presence, the inescapable shadow of the Opera House.