Adult-FanFiction.org : Books

Ascent to Power	By : Hot4Gerry Category: M through R > The Phantom of the Opera > Het Views: 5436 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 18
- 19
- 20
Chapter Eighteen
Letters of Sorrow and Shame

October 23, 1872

Dear Raoul,

I hope this letter finds you and Christine both in good health. I have seen the two of you less than I would like over the last couple of years. I have tried to reach Christine by letter for over a month. At first I received no response. Then I received her letter informing me of your departure for England. She advised me she would not have time to see me before she left. There have been so few letters I worry there is something wrong with my dear sister. Forgive me if I touch on a sensitive subject but I know how badly you both wanted children. Could this be the sadness I sense in the few letters I have received from my dear sister Christine? Again pardon me if I have gone beyond what is acceptable for a mere sister of your wife. I only wish to help.

I wrote to Christine asking for her help with my financial situation until Maman can return from Italy. I do not know if Christine has told you but Maman and Monsieur Roberto Mercer have decided not to return to Paris until the opera season is over. A romance had quickly and quite unexpectedly ensued between Maman and Monsieur Roberto Mercer. Well perhaps not so unexpected as it might seem. Maman had not been courted willingly by any man since my father passed. When he showed interest in a friendship while he was in Paris Maman was like a young girl again.

Maman would shout the roof off if she heard me call her old. Thinking about it objectively she is really not that old. She is only forty-five. Not such an ancient age. It seems that they continued to meet in Milan and the friendship grew into something much stronger. Maman and Monsieur Mercer were married after a whirlwind courtship in a small chapel in Milan. It seems he could not face her leaving him to come back to Paris. Now as I write this I do remembe you and Christine did meet Monsieur Mercer when he was in Paris. How silly of me to forget. Perhaps you remember him from the day we lunched in Paris?

They are undecided if they will return or make their permanent home in Milan. It all sounds so romantic. I must get used to calling him Roberto. Although I suspect he would rather I call him Papa. I have never been able to call anyone Papa. Would it be strange for a woman of my age to suddenly be calling a man Papa? He has no children of his own and seemed quite happy to have me as a daughter of sorts. He is really a nice man. Perfect for Maman. They were inseparable for the month he stayed in Paris. I think it was the thought of not seeing Monsieur Mercer again that prompted Maman to seek employment in Italy. She can deny this as much as she wishes. I will continue to hold my romantic outlook on their courtship.

I did not wish to be a burden to them in there new found happiness so I continued to stay in Paris as you know. The last year has not gone well for me. I thought I was ready to be on my own. After all I was eighteen almost nineteen. Now I am twenty yet feel even less prpared for life than I was before. Time and experience have shown me I was not prepared for the harsh realities of life. Maman did not leave without giving me the financing to allow me time to find work outside the theatre or a position in another opera house.

As you know I had moved to a smaller cheaper apartment. In hindsight I wish I would have done anything other than move into this place I have come to think of as hell. Pardon my language. Please do not tell Maman. I hate that damn soap. Oops. Sorry.

Things would have not gone as badly for me if my apartment had not been broken into and robbed. I fear it was the landlord or his sons who stole my money but I cannot prove this. The authorities are useless. He is a so called pillar of the community. They rejected my accusations out of hand. Since Maman stopped visiting on a regular basis upon her move to Milan he had started to be aggressive and ungentlemanly in his advances toward me. I should have listened to Manman when she voiced her distrust of him. Typically I had to opose her. As a child every time I went against what my mother advised I ended up in some form of trouble. One would think with age comes maturity or at least a little wisdom. Mine had completely deserted me.

I fell behind in my rent due to my funds being stolen and the landlord has been demanding payment in one fashion or another. I blush as I write this but I feel I have no choice. The landlord is away for a week. He left me with an ultimatum. Give him the money owed or I must forfeit my innocence. Maman did not protect me all those years in the opera house so I could give myself to someone as payment for a debt. I did not want to barter my body to have a place to live.

I have enough food for perhaps another three or four days if I ration it wisely perhaps more. Every day I search for any type of work but so far have not had much success. I have been cast in a few minor rolls. I have not been able to find a permanent position. Once it is known who my mother is interest in me wanes quickly. Yes Maman dealt with the Phantom but I myself only ever saw him from a distance. I must pay for my mother's charity to a small mistreated boy who grew into a poor misguided man. I gladly shoulder this burden for my mother did what was right and charitable. I applaud Maman for taking in one less fortunate. It is my sorrow and hers also that she did not have the ability to take him into our home when she brought him to the opera house. If we could have done more perhaps things would have ended differently.

Please forgive me rambling on about a man for whom I am sure you have only hatred in your heart. I hope someday you will find it in your heart to forgive him. You won Christine's heart and all he has is his memories and dreams of what might have been. He risked everything for love. The manner he chose to pursue his love was not laudable but then that is the nature of man at times. He was honorable in his intention just not wise in his execution of courting the object of his affection.

To return to the matter most pressing for me, I ask you for your help. I know Christine is busy with her plans for her trip and cannot be troubled with my needs. I have sold everything that I had of value. The last of the coal went into the fire a couple of days ago. I am grateful for the unseasonably warmer weather. The nights are not unbearably cold. Although I fear this gift of pleasant weather will not last much loner. It is October after all. If food and warmth were my only concerns I would not bother you but I fear the return of Monsieur Antoine. Even more worrying is his two sons. I informed Christine of their improper handling of me and asked her to see if you could intervene on my behalf. With all she has on her mind I should not have added to her burden.

Imagine surviving The Communard's then the stupid war without a scratch only to suffer injury at the hands of a few of my own countrymen. Of course during that time many Frenchmen turned there backs on their fellow compatriots. War is a stupid way to solve the problems of the world. I suppose it is necessary though as not everyone sees peaceful negotiating would be of benefit to everyone. Men must puff up their chests and assert their superiority. I suppose I am not furthering my cause by pointing out the faults of the male population. Let me stress you are the exception. You are a wise and wonderful man. Have I repaired any damage done with my criticisms of your gender?

I would not be writing now if not for an event that happened two nights ago. I am ashamed to even put these words in writing. In my mind they are degrading enough but to put them down for another to read shames me. There is no polite or good way to say what happened to me. I was raped. Forced to accept a man using my body in a most horrific manner. Not once and not only by one man. The landlord's two sons used the master key to unlock my door one night. They came with two other men I do not know and really I am grateful I passed out and have no memory of their possession of my body after the first couple of attacks. They had injured me in the taking of my innocence. I am sorry if I am crude but I do not know of another way to say what must be said so that I express the urgency of my need.

The doctor who tended my wounds did not charge me for his services. He felt I had paid enough with each bruise on my face and body. I asked him why they would beat an unconscious woman and he told me some men were just evil and mean spirited. I think there is another kind of man who would do this but I shall not print those words to describe such a man but I cannot help but think them. The doctor informed me I will not know if there are any consequences due to the rapes for a few more weeks, perhaps even a month. He hinted of a solution to this problem should it arise but I could not use this method as I believe that all life is precious.

I do not blame Christine for I know if she could have helped me she would have. We have been sisters since I was six and she was seven. Our bond was instant and unbreakable. Please do not let her blame herself for anything that happened to me.

I would be indebted to you if I could stay with you and Christine for a short time until I can contact my mother. If this is not comfortable for you, I know I am now an undesirable woman, I would ask that you find it in your heart to send me enough money to find myself a better living situation. When I find work I will repay you. If I do not find a position I will ask Maman to send me money. I do not wish to worry or burden her. I know she would return immediately if she knew what happened but in truth there is little she could do other than give me comfort. I do not wish to interfere in her new found happiness. I am sure I can think of some reason for needing more money after all I am a woman and spring is on it's way. Well perhaps Christmas would be a better reason. Spring is much too far away. As you may have noticed I am like a grasshopper. I jump from one subject to another. This has always driven Maman crazy. She would set her mind to discuss one subject only to discover I had forged ahead to something totally different.

Pehaps I should just state a partial truth. I do need new clohes. She would understand the need for new clothing as most of mine were burned in the fire and could only afford to replace a few items. My wardrobe after two years does resemble what beggar women would wear. I do not say this to influence your decision. Alright, that is a lie. I am blatantly working on your soft kind heart. Did it work?

If I do not hear from you in the next few days I must leave this place. I have been barricading my door but I must go out soon to look for work again. I will understand if you feel you cannot bring a fallen woman into your home. I understood when Christine told me shortly after your marriage that it would put too much of a burden on your new relationship to have someone in your home especially someone who is unrelated to you. It was sweet of you that night at dinner to offer me a home but as Christine stated earlier that day when we spoke of mother leaving that it would be inconvenient for me to stay at that time. I understood perfectly well how two newlyweds would need privacy. I was not completely innocent at that time. Now I have no delusions of innocence at all. Or should that be illusions?

I shall wait to hear from you.

With love and hope,

Your loving sister Meg

Raoul reread the letter several times. His mind could not comprehend the fact that Christine had known Meg was injeopardy and did nothing. To further add to her sins she denied a simple gesture of common decency to an untenable situation. Raoul felt guilt weigh him down. No matter what problems he faced he should have taken an interest in Meg. He should have made sure she was safe. Meg had become an amazing young woman. Even in a time of tragedy she tried to keep a jovial outlook. Her teasing in the letter lightened his mood while still conveying her dire situation.

My God she left her sister in that place knowing what was going to happen. Madame brought her up as if she were her own child even at times giving more to her as she grieved so much for her father. I pray Madame can forgive her for I know I can not. I will inform Madame of the situation and the part Christine played in it but I cannot bring myself to devastate sweet little Meg with her sister's betrayal. I will send my assurance that I will take Meg into my home and she will be treated as if she were my sister. She already sees herself as such because of her association with Christine. Christine is even more callous and devious than I first thought. How could she go on with her life as if nothing urgent needed her attention? Even if she did not want to go to Meg herself she knew I would have taken care of her. God in heaven I pray she will not have to bare the burden of an illegitimate child resulting from that brutal violation of her innocence.

With a heart burdened with guilt Raoul contemplated what he could say to Meg. How he could make amends? Raoul prayed he could pen the words he needed to give Meg some sense of security.

It pained Raoul to think of the sweet girl he remembered being hurt in such a vile way. He could see her sweet smile and the flash of humor sparkling in her eyes. He could not recall ever hearing one negative comment about her from anyone. In fact he remembered her always being surrounded by people all the time making them laugh and smile at her jokes and comical antics. When she took to the stage and danced there was not a more beautiful sight. Meg was graceful and at the same time innocently alluring. If he had met her instead of Christine he may have courted her himself. He had always found her to be attractive. It would be a crime if her light had been dimmed due to her attack.
Raoul sat down at his desk and took paper and pen from the drawer. He would write immediately and send his personal valet with the letter to Meg today. By late evening tomorrow Meg should arrive and be under his protection. Christine damn well better welcome Meg into their home. Giving some thought he decided he would express his desire to have Meg travel with them to America as a companion to Christine. In light of Christine's recent actions he did not feel she was the best person for Meg to be around but in order to assure her safety he must keep her close.

October 23, 1872

Dearest Meg,

I am deeply sorry for your recent troubles. There is no need for me to mention such painful memories. Of course you must come to us immediately. I would be remiss in my duties as the husband of your dear sister to neglect your plea and turn a blind eye. In the short time I have known you I feel as if we share a mutual wish for friendship. This will give us an opportunity to become better acquainted.

I am sending a letter along with my personal valet to assist you in coming to us. Please leave the letter for your landlord. I will take care of the matter at a later date. Pack what you can not bare to leave only. Only your most precious items will come with you. All remaining items consider as recompense to your landlord for payment of rent. If more is needed I will provide the funds. I will be contacting the gentleman, and I use the term in the loosest sense of the word, as soon as we have you settled. I think I have much to discuss with this man. Indeed I look forward to seeing him face to face. His sons warrant a personal visit also. Do not distress yourself with anything further on this matter. It shall be dealt with swiftly and justly. Tomorrow I will personally make arrangements for you to be fitted for all you will need to wear while you are here.

In a couple of months Christine and I will be leaving for America. She wants to try to perform in an American theatre. I am sure she means to ask you to travel with us as her companion. I am sure she will not mind you coming early. You two must have a lot of gossip to discuss since your last meeting.

I will not take no for an answer and will be bringing you home as our guest as a dear family member. Remove from your mind all thoughts of being a burden and intrusion on our lives. I extend this offer on behalf of Christine as I am sure she would approve my decision. If she knew she would be making this same offer I have extended to you.

Until tomorrow little Meg. Keep those barricades firm for just a while longer. I suggest an iron skillet as a good choice of weapon. I always enjoy the role of hero so ease your mind. You are not imposing on either Christine or myself. On the contrary you will bring joy to this otherwise dismally quiet house.

Your knight in shining armor,

Your brother Raoul

Raoul had hesitated designating himself Meg's brother but he felt she might draw comfort from the fact that he saw her as family. After all she had ended her letter indicating she looked upon him as a brother. He sealed that letter. Taking another sheet of paper and envelope he wrote to Meg's landlord. Placing the letter to the landlord in an envelope. Propriety be damned. He left the evelope bare of any name of the recipient or sender.

He rang the bell to summon his valet. His loyal servant listened to his instructions without questions. Raoul could count on his discretion in all matters of his personal life. If there was one person he trusted it was Henri. The man had taken care of his personal needs since he had became a teenager and it was decided he needed a gentleman to aid his journey from boyhood to manhood. Henri had taught him how to properly dress and behave when with others. Henri was quite an elegant man. All Raoul's morals and codes of conduct could be attributed to Henri. Raoul had spent more time with him than with his own father. He would keep Raoul's council private unless told to do differently. He would not even mention anything to Christine. His loyalty was to Master Raoul and only to him.

After Henri's departure Raoul thought over what his best course of action would be. Christine was away for a few days on one of her trips visiting yet another “friend”. Raoul had given up having her followed as he no longer cared to know of her affairs. He would put Meg in the best guest bedroom. The one just down the hall from the master bedroom. Let Christine try to explain to her friend why they no longer shared a bed. If asked he would tell the plain truth of the matter. He felt no loyalty to Christine and saw no reason to protect her good name. The one thing that would hold his tongue was his own need to save himself embarrassment and the shame of being dishonored by his wife.

Raoul had one more letter to write. This one would be much harder. He had to tell a mother many miles away from her only daughter that she had been violated in such a horrible fashion by men who were equal to animals. Even Erik at the height of his insanity did not sink so low as to force his attentions on Christine or any other woman in all those years he watched behind in the dark shadows. He was bound to be exposed to half naked women on a daily basis. Many men who were pillars of society would have been tempted with such a daily influx of temptation. To have all those beautiful women and not be able to touch them had to be torture. From what Raoul understood Erik had never lain with a woman. Had never even kissed one until Christine had given him those two kisses underneath the opera house the night it burned. When Raoul thought of all Erik had been through in his life and all he had missed he could almost feel sorry for him. Raoul would not hate him so much if he had challenged him for Christine as another man might. If he had not let his obsession of her rule his head they could have behaved as gentlemen and competed for her hand. If they had perhaps they would not now be in such a mess.

Raoul waited until he had Meg safely under his roof before he wrote to Antoinette. He had wanted to be able to say fore certain she was safe and well before penning one word. Taking pen in hand he began his letter to Madame Roberto Mercer.

November 1, 1872

My dear Madame Mercer

This letter is not an easy one to find words to fill the paper without admitting my guilt and shame in the shabby treatment of your daughter. If not for my neglect she would not now be in her present situation. Perhaps it would be as well if you wait to read further until you have your husbands strong shoulder to lean on.

As your daughter told me when she informed me of her plight there is no nice or kind way to say what occurred.

Madame it grieves me to inform you that dear sweet Meg was violated by four men in her apartment. Her landlord was threatening her. His sons, we are sure, broke into her apartment and stole all her funds. The dreadful man gave her an ultimatum. Either pay in full with money or in kind. I am sure you understand to what I am referring. He went away for a couple of days telling her he wanted her answer upon his return.

His sons took it upon themselves to break into Meg's apartment with two other friends. Meg was treated in a most inhumane fashion. Naturally she wrote to me. I am shamed to inform you that she had made a plea to Christine earlier for funds. Christine for whatever reaason did not respond to her plea. In the end she finally replied to Meg's many letters. She told her she could not help her as we were newlyweds. She did not feel comfortable inviting Meg to stay with us or asking for money. I have since learned Christine is not the person we thought her to be.

Roual went on to tell Madame all that had been happening. He assured her he would give Meg all the care he would give any member of his own family. He told her of all Christine's duplicitous actions over the last two and a half years. Raoul made sure to express the extreme care Meg would receive when they reached America. As he was sure Erik had more than likely written to Madame Raoul briefly told her of Christine's search for her Angel. The Phantom. This man he now knew as Erik.

In conclusion Madame rest assured I will take excellent care of your daughter. Although I failed in my duties before I give my solemn word I will protect her with my life as I would still defend Christine. I will not fail her or my honor as a gentleman again.

We have developed a good and strong friendship. More like brother and sister really. To set your mind at ease I have no romantic interest in Meg nor would I ever compromise her by making any type of advances to her that would make her uncomfortable. Please, as much as I know you want to come and be with Meg at this time I feel she needs to get away. She is quite excited about seeing a new part of the world. As Christine's sister she will have all the benefits of any de Chagny relative. She is beginning to forget or at least recover somewhat from her ordeal. She is blossoming. Her old sparkle is coming back. She is quite a prankster. Many times the pranks are directed toward me. Rest assured I do not mind. I find her rather delightful. She has brought laughter back into this old mausoleum.

Let me set your mind at rest. All expenses incurred now and in the future will be met by me as her brother. She will want for nothing nor will her child. I know you are in contact with Erik. God how hard it is to think of him as anything other than The Phantom of the Opera or Opera Ghost. I suppose I will have to get used to thinking of him as a man as I am sure our paths will cross. I am aware you will inform him that we will be joining him in the great American state of Virginia. Do not concern yourself with Meg's safety. I am sure Erik will want to insure Meg's continued tranquility. I will be a gentleman as long as he can swear to be the same.

Your loving son if not by law or birth then by spirit,

Raoul

Raoul had written and sent his letters Raoul drank a bottle of brandy. About halfway through the bottle he thought it would be a splendid idea to visit his one time paramour, Claire.

That woman did not know the meaning of the word innocent. Raoul had often thought she had been born with the knowledge of the sirens he had read about as a young boy. Claire knew things that other women would faint just thinking about them.

Claire had welcomed him even if he did seem a little the worse for wear. Raoul took all of his frustrations out on Claire. He fucked her roughly just as she liked but Raoul had always been too much of a gentleman to comply with her requests.

He did not hold back this night. He took in the traditional manner then again from behind. Never had he thought to be so violent with a woman nor did he expect one to scream for more.

When passion had been spent Raoul lay beside Claire turning his head when he heard moaning coming from the beside. He turned his head squinting with bleary eyes at what he thought to be a man masturbating while sitting in Claire’s chair.

Raoul did not recall anyone being in the room earlier. It would be just like Claire to have a man waiting in the wings in case the main who fucked her left her wanting.

The next morning Raoul could barely raise his head from his pillow. He still had on the clothes from yesterday. Managing to come off the bed without his head falling off, Raoul went into his bathroom. Upon removing his clothing he could detect the scent of a woman. When his hand went to scratch himself he felt the stiffness and matting of his hairs.

Well at least now he knew it had not been a dream. How the hell had he managed to get home in one peace? He supposed Claire had her driver bring him home.
Raoul could feel grateful that it had been Claire he had sought as he would have no worries about any repercussions. Claire would make sure of that.
Raoul decided the best thing to do would be to put this incident from his memory then stay away from his liquor cabinet until he had Meg settled and had made some sort of decision as to what he would do about Christine.

The threads of fate were weaving more strands into the intricate pattern. Nothing was set in stone. The pattern can be changed by a simple decision. People say fate is a fickle woman. It is not fate that is fickle. It is the people she has in her power who are fickle.
- 18
- 19
- 20
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Ascent to Power