France, Paris - 1856

The streets of Paris were alive as they always were, bustling with business, people, beggars, and the constant energy of city life. Amidst this hustle walked Edwin Leroy, son of the famous Leroy family that held immense wealth and power over Paris. But Edwin was not like his family.

His family was cruel, cold, and cared only for themselves and their status. When Edwin was younger, his father had taught him that beggars, gypsies, charlatans, and all such people were beneath the Leroy family—and that it would always be that way.

But as Edwin grew older, he realized his father was wrong, so very wrong. Everyone had a place in Paris, whether it was owning and running a business, making and selling goods, or even performing music on street corners. Edwin loved it all.

Then came the newspaper reports. Stories of scary and deadly illnesses that supposedly came in the form of people—freaks and outcasts. When Edwin saw these people depicted in the papers, he found their differences amazing, fascinating even. No one else seemed to share this perspective.

One night, when the streets of Paris had calmed and the moon hung high in the sky, Edwin decided to take a walk through the damp streets. As he walked, he heard something—a song, a melody—that he couldn't identify but found completely compelling.

Slowly Edwin walked closer to the sound, turning a corner as the rain began to fall harder against his umbrella. Around that corner, he saw someone sitting under an old awning, singing with a voice that moved him deeply.

Edwin stayed hidden behind the wall, watching the person sing. The rain created the perfect accompaniment to your song, and Edwin knew deep down he had found someone extraordinary. But based on how you looked, he also knew his family would never approve.