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No Easy Way	By : secretlysecretly Category: M through R > The Phantom of the Opera > Het Views: 7568 -:- 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
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A/N: Thank you for reading and especially BlackRosePhantom for all her reviews! You are great!

We hope that none of you will be set off by this coming chapter where Christine makes an appearance. If you guys do get offended, please try to keep all critisism constructive. If you can't manage that and decide to flame us, we don't mind as we are firm believers of the moto: there's no such thing as bad publicity. That, and we're gonna use all flames to set up a lovely bonfire for a barbeque.

Of course we could set our phanfic in an A/U-Christine-setting (well, perhaps the next one... probably it's gonne be an E/C), but this is how we see things after watching the movie waaaaay too many times!... We would like something better for Erik, or to express it better, we would like the best for Erik (regardless who is by his side...)

Enough already! Enjoy :-)

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Chapter 21

Friday afternoon found Marianne preparing herself for the ball. She had chosen a dark blue dress for the occasion which she knew fit her perfectly. The cleavage was low cut, leaving her shoulders uncovered and accentuating her bosom tastefully. The top of her dress was embroidered with tiny jewels and hugged her figure tightly, making her waist appear extremely slim thanks to the corset which Louise had helped her put on earlier. Her skirt was voluminous made out of various layers of fabric and lace, adorned with the same jewels that sparkled with every step she took, making her appear like she had just stepped out of a fairy tale.

Louise had fixed her hair in a tight chignon similar to a pony tail, curly tresses cascading down her back like a waterfall. The maid had also attached tiny white flowers here and there in Marianne’s hair, giving her mistress a dreamy look. The young duchess avoided heavy jewelry preferring to wear a simple yet tasteful necklace and matching earrings made of diamonds leaving her hands bare save for a matching bracelet she wore over her satin white gloves which reached up to her elbows.

Once Louise was finished preparing her hair, she left her seat in front of her vanity table to stand in front of a tall mirror in order to inspect her appearance. Studying her reflection, she was satisfied to see she looked elegant. She was anxious to see Erik, knowing he would find her beautiful but couldn’t help worrying about what his reaction to Christine’s presence would be.

At exactly the same time, Erik was standing in front of his mirror examining his reflection and wondering whether he should attend the ball. He was dressed entirely in black, the only color standing out the white of his mask. Satisfied by what he saw he started pacing the room, trying to decide whether his need to see Marianne was worth risking his peace of mind as an encounter with Christine seemed to be inevitable.

During the past few days he had struggled with his emotions alternating between tenderness directed at Marianne and the uncertainty that Christine had always awoken in him. On the one hand he was curious about seeing the Viscountess de Chagny and the feelings that she would arouse in him and on the other he knew he had to end this once and for all as the last thing he wanted was to let Marianne believe he was afraid of this confrontation and that he still harbored feelings for Christine.

Christine de Chagny gave one last glance at her reflection in the mirror and admired herself before walking out of her room. She closed the door behind her and a smug smile curved her lips the moment she set eyes on Marianne Pinon. Comparing herself to the duchess she knew that she had made the right choice wearing the crimson dress that would surely overshadow any other female presence at tonight’s gala. When she had first chosen the design for this particular occasion, she had made sure that her bosom would be amply emphasized, hoping that all eyes would turn to marvel in her presence.

Taking in Marianne’s far too discrete form, she decided that she had done well in wearing her most elaborate jewels for the ball. Her neck was adorned with an extraordinary necklace made out of rubies and emeralds, completing the set with matching earrings, bracelet and ring. If all women in the Rouen countryside dressed as bland as Marianne in an effort to appear elegant, Christine de Chagny knew that tonight she would enjoy the undivided attention of every male at the party.

She had decided long ago that being the wife of Raoul de Chagny was a life too tedious for a woman of her temperament but it had its privileges. Raoul would buy her extravagant clothes and furs to match her taste and fine jewelry to compensate her for the time he spent away from their home due to his business travels, and she found that his guilt suited her needs perfectly. If she was bound to spend a life devoid of passion, at least she deserved all the luxuries that her husband’s wealth could grant her. She gave Marianne Pinon a condescending smile and the two women were on their way.

An hour later Erik was enjoying a glass of red wine, feasting his eyes on Marianne’s sweet face as she mingled with the other guests at the ball. He had been breath taken the moment his eyes had set on her form, unable to shift his gaze from her beautiful face and her lascivious body. His eyes were glued to her as he took a swig from the glass he held in his hand and, like a moth drawn to a flame, he made his way through the crowd to get closer to her.

He could hear her sweet voice as she conversed easily with a group of attending nobles and felt a smile curve his lips as he heard her soft laugh at something she had found amusing. He felt like he had been drugged by her presence and soon he stood before her, bowing cordially in salute. For a split second, he saw surprise wash over her features and then she smiled a radiant smile and greeted him politely.

“Monsieur Destler, it is a pleasure to see you here.”

“The pleasure is all mine Duchess.” he addressed her, taking her hand in one of his and softly touching her trembling fingers to his lips. More than anything he wanted to allow the feather soft kiss to linger on her creamy skin, but taking in the crowd around him staring at him expectantly, he rose to his full height and acknowledged those around him with a curt nod.

Minutes later, his head was filled with names he would just as soon forget and he took Marianne by the arm to find some much needed solitude away from the crowd. However, the young Duchess next to him seemed to be reluctant to share some time alone with him as she rooted herself to the spot next to him and he felt her body become rigid with tension.

He turned his eyes to her face and noticed she had blanched. When he followed her gaze, he felt his blood turn cold in his veins and all around him disappear in darkness. That is everything, except Marianne’s hand squeezing his fingers in her tiny palm. Suddenly, beads of cold sweat gathered on his forehead as his eyes met with those of Christine de Chagny.

For a moment he felt his head swimming and then tried to take control of his raging emotions. Unrequited yearning, betrayal, anger, defeat and indignation filled him, upon looking at her. All at once, he was in the caverns of his Opera House again, a lost soul desperate for any sign of affection from the object of his desire. For a split second he thought he would see Raoul de Chagny ragged and torn race to rescue his beloved from the clutches of the beast, followed by a bloodthirsty mob set out to destroy any sign that he had once walked the earth.

Panic set in, his eyes drifting back and forth at the faces in the crowd, only to find people around him were as indifferent to him as social graces would allow. A few sets of female eyes lingered on him appreciatively, seemingly weighing what type of infection made it imperative for him to hide behind a mask. He turned his eyes back to Christine to find her staring at him in bewilderment, taking in his debonair aura and his immaculate suit.

Whereas he had always imagined fear would be the prevailing feeling reflected in her eyes were he to meet with her ever again, he realized he saw no terror reflected in her gaze; only… could it be lust? She let her eyes wander over his muscular form and nodded in his direction to acknowledge his presence.

When she saw him simply standing there making no effort to approach her, she sauntered her way before him and smiled an arrogant smile, tilting her head backwards to allow him a better view of her astonishing face.

She had changed. Christine Daae had died in that cellar so many years ago, giving birth to the Viscountess of Chagny. Before him stood a woman so sure of herself that her attitude bordered on arrogance.

Her dress was far too gaudy, the jewelry adorning her neck and hands too heavy for a woman her age. The smile she gave him was cheap, so different than anything he would have expected from the ingénue that once believed in the notion of the “Angel of Music.”

Trembling inside but managing to come off nonchalant in her presence, he took her hand in his and barely touched it to his lips.

“How do you do Madame Viscountess?”

“How… I mean, what are you doing here?” Christine asked him frantically.

“I could have asked you the same thing Madame.” He replied ironically. “I trust you find yourself in good health?” he continued, regaining control of his senses quickly.

His air of detachment seemed to set her off and she murmured, “Indeed, thank you very much.” under her breath.

Marianne was at a loss for words. She turned to Erik, searching his eyes for a sign on his part; a sign from him would be more than enough right now. Just then, Erik turned to her and smiled at her reassuringly. Nonetheless, the color on her face drained and her eyes darkened. She couldn’t believe the scene that was involving before her eyes. Christine walked up to Erik and talked to him directly, without a hint of hesitation on her part. On the other hand, she couldn’t help but notice Erik’s awkwardness and nervousness while Christine approached him.

Marianne returned from her lightheaded state to the cruel reality and found Erik staring at her. Who was this man? Could she really trust him? Even so, she squeezed his hand one last time before she left it and, in one last effort to appear indifferent at the situation, managed to utter. “Are you acquainted with each other?”

“Yes, the Viscountess is an old acquaintance of mine; I would venture to say that I have known her for a long time… anyway, long ago before she bore the title of Viscountess…” Erik responded bitterly.

“So, you probably also know my cousin, Raoul.” Marianne’s eyes betrayed her thirst for more information.

“Yes, I do…” was his answer, not long before she heard Christine say. “Yes, my dear Marianne. Erik and I go back to the days I sang as a Primadonna at the Opera Populaire, in Paris.” Christine couldn’t hide a grin for she had sensed Marianne’s uneasiness. “Erik was my… teacher.” She completed her answer looking wryly at Erik.

“At the Opera Populaire? In Paris? You have not talked to me about that, Erik.” Marianne said, raising an eyebrow.

“That is true, Marianne. I am afraid that there are quite a few things I have never told you about myself…” Yet, the look in his eyes was actually telling her

‘All in good time, Marianne.’

Christine felt bewildered at seeing Erik after so long; however, it wasn’t only that. She actually saw him almost having a lover’s quarrel with the cousin of her husband! She had never before imagined Erik playing the role of a lover! This was not the man she had left to perish in the dungeons of the Opera Populaire three years ago. The man who was standing before her was not the pathetic, psychotic, lunatic creature she thought he was, but seemed to be an accomplished gentleman, a true nobleman and now Erik appeared very handsome in her eyes. His horrific face didn’t matter much now. In fact, he looked even more attractive with his white mask on. She could not have imagined Erik being among so many and distinguished people; however, she couldn’t hide her surprise when she noticed how Marianne and Erik regarded each other.

A woman such as Marianne wanted to be with Erik… But, of course! Marianne was jealous! She began to understand that Erik would try to ease her apprehension. She could see it so clearly written all over his face. It was incredible! Her presence didn’t have any impact on him other than his natural surprise to see her after three years time; his bitterness was expected as well, but this was unacceptable. Perhaps Marianne was richer than her husband, but she didn’t have her looks. And Erik seemed to really care about her. He looked as if he were a real man.

He wasn’t the monster that tried to keep her imprisoned in that filthy, disgusting “home” of his… Once she had been enchanted by his voice never even thinking the Phantom attractive in any way. Now before her stood a ravishing man, elegant, rich…the centre of attention. This excited Christine to her very core. Her thoughts were interrupted by Olivier Dervaux’ arrival.

“Good evening.” He bowed his head to the ladies before him. He immediately turned to Erik and greeted him in a more serious tone. “Good evening Monsieur Destler.”

Erik gave him a slight nod. He still didn’t like this man. Why did he have to come this minute? Wasn’t this whole situation complicated enough? He noticed though that Marianne seemed quite content to see Olivier again.

“Olivier, I would like to introduce you to the Viscountess, Christine de Chagny. I hope you still remember her husband, my dear cousin Raoul, don’t you?” She continued. “Christine, this is Baron Olivier Dervaux, a very dear friend of mine.”

Olivier brought Christine’s hand to his lips. “How could I ever forget Raoul? We grew together as boys. He was a good friend. Unfortunately, when he turned fifteen years old, he was sent to a boarding school in Paris; he never returned to Rouen. But I am happy for I see he has chosen a very beautiful and charming wife. How is the Viscount?”

‘At last, some appreciation from a real man.’ Christine thought to herself. “I am happy to make your acquaintance, Baron. Thank you for your kind words. My husband is in good health.” She wanted to continue the discussion with the Baron, but she heard him say.

“Would you mind if I take Marianne away for a while? After all, she has promised me this dance. If you will excuse us.” Olivier bowed his head to Christine and led Marianne to the dance floor.

As she walked away, Marianne couldn’t help but turn her head to look at the pair she and Olivier had left behind. She gave Erik a worried glance, but he nodded reassuringly at her. However she couldn’t help but wince at Christine’s arrogant smirk.

“So, tell me, Erik. What are you doing here?” Christine inquired, trying to catch his attention and interest once more. This was outrageous! She would at least expect that he would eventually have an outburst; she presumed that he would try to conquer her again.

Erik turned and looked at her, succeeding in keeping his composure. “I live here now, Christine. When you left me, I came to the decision that the time had arrived for me to leave the darkness in which I had lived my whole life. There was nothing else that could keep me at the Opera House any longer.”

Christine took a step closer to him. “Oh Erik, I was so worried about you. I didn’t know if you were caught by the mob… I never managed to find out what had happened to you… I thought you were…”

“Dead? Is that it my dear Christine?” he asked her sarcastically, raising his visible eyebrow. “I understand. Or should I say, I sensed your agony for me the night you left, imploring your precious Viscount to take you away from the madness, to sweep you away from the hideous monster.”

Christine was unable to hide her irritation. She had never imagined Erik had heard her saying that to Raoul. In all honesty she had expected him to be dead. Yet, nothing was over. She had nothing to lose.

“Erik, it’s not what you think. You say you understand, but you don’t. Please let me explain to you…”

He kept his self-control; he had decided not to grant her any more satisfaction. Christine, the girl he took care of for almost all her life would perhaps be worth his attention. She would be worth a second thought… but the woman who was standing before him was not his Christine.

“You do not have to explain to me the spoilt child you are. I can see it for myself.”

“You cannot speak to me like this, Erik! I don’t deserve it!” Christine was furious.

“We don’t always get what we deserve Christine.” he retorted strictly.

Christine tried to calm herself. She knew that she did not have the right to confront him, yet she continued. “This is true. We don’t always get what we deserve. My marriage is far from what I expected it to be. Raoul is not the man I expected him to be…”

“Your marriage to Raoul is not my concern. You made your choice.” Suddenly, it all came back to him. He felt an uncontrollable urge to run away from Christine.

“Don’t say that, Erik. I made a mistake.” Christine tried another way of approaching him.

“No, you didn’t. You knew exactly what you wanted and you got it; a man of nobility, with a ‘wealthy’ heart and a perfect face to match your perfect life together.” It was too hard for him to be around her.

“That is exactly what I’m trying to tell you right now. My life with Raoul is far from perfect.” She paused for a second and lowered her eyes to the ground. “A single day has not passed, not one when you haven’t been in my mind and my thoughts.”

“Really, Christine? A fleeting thought for the poor monster that dared lift his eyes to the heavens and hope against hope that true beauty would touch him?” he hissed at her.

“Please, don’t talk like this. Try to understand, it was your difficult character and your behavior that led me to make that decision. It wasn’t your face. I never thought of you as a monster.”

“Yes you did. Why did you return to give me back the ring? It was the end of all things for me, I understood my obsession, and I let you two go. Why did you return? Your gaze was filled with pity, pity for the poor animal. You didn’t say anything. You gave me the ring and left as fast as you could.” His mouth felt bitter. Would he ever be allowed to forget?

“What could I possibly say to you back then, Erik? It was only an attempt on my part in order to save you! Raoul would betray you to the raging mob. I had to persuade him that he had to take me away from your house.”

“You never trusted me. You never believed in me, Christine. If you had chosen to stay by my side, you would have seen the life I had planned to offer you. You satiated your own desire and learned from the best. I gave you my music; I succeeded in making you the first lady of the stage. And I was fully repaid by your betrayal.” He looked at her from head to toe. “All was lost because of your vanity. You wasted your talent for a title.”

Christine realized that Erik was overwhelmed by past emotions. This was the right moment for her to remind him of the passion he once had for her.

“Oh, Erik. I’ve missed you so much. I’ve missed our lessons; I’ve missed the Opera House. I’ve missed you Erik.” She seemed so sincere.

“You have missed having a victim like myself around you, Christine.”

“Please, Erik. Please! You cannot believe all this for me.”

Christine tried to hold onto his hand, but Erik was fast enough to remove himself from her grasp. He took a sip from his wine. “I have no desire to continue this conversation. I am trying to live again. My life has changed and there is no room in it for you Christine.”

“You don’t believe that. I know you’ve been hurt, but I also know that you haven’t forgotten me. You can’t forget me Erik.”

“I have already forgotten you Christine. Goodbye.”

Marianne couldn’t pull her eyes from them. She granted Olivier several dances, but they were only an excuse for her to move around in order to have a better view of the couple. She felt awful. How could it be possible? Why should this happen now? She had been under the impression that things between her and Erik were getting somewhere.

Olivier kept her company all this time, but she hardly heard a word he said. She felt trapped in an awkward situation; she tried to be as agreeable as possible with Olivier and the other attendants, but her gaze kept flying back towards Erik and Christine. It was the best she could do as she had to try not to raise any gossip.

She lost track of Erik after the last dance she and Olivier shared. Marianne looked around her feeling as if the world were spinning. Christine was nowhere to be seen as well. She took a deep breath and tried to hold back her tears.

What Marianne did not know was that Erik had made an effort to approach her a few minutes earlier, but it had proven to be possible. Therefore, he decided to step out on the balcony, desperately in need of fresh air. He looked at the view and sighed.

Christine spotted Erik the moment he was exiting the ball room. All of a sudden her new admirers didn’t appeal to her. Erik was her target now, her life had taken a new turn; an interesting one at that. She laughed casually at the joke someone told her and immediately afterwards excused herself and followed Erik.

“Why are you here, all alone?” Christine said, approaching him.

“Please, Christine. Leave me in peace. There is nothing left unsaid between us.” He wondered why he should have to endure this torment.

“I can’t leave you now that I found you again. You give me the impression of being rather ill. I hope that my presence hasn’t been so unpleasant for you.” she softly said as she tried to get closer to him.

Erik rose to his full height. “Madame de Viscountess, I think that it is not very wise for a lady of your social class to speak all alone with a man on a balcony. If only they knew that this man has once claimed you… It is not nice, to say the least, for a lady to be the object of discussion in a grand ball such as this one.”

“You are right. But, what if… this woman would like to be claimed by this man? Oh, Erik, I can’t stand it any longer. My marriage is a failure.” She turned to the other side in an effort to appear as desperate as she could.

“I’m afraid I am not the right person to discuss such matters, Madame. This is an issue to be resolved between you and your husband.” Even now, after all this time, as he looked intently at Christine, he could see his reflection in her eyes. He could see the reflection of his pain, his desire, his fear, his disgust… He was responsible for all that, he had provoked his fate. But what was done, was done.

Christine looked straight into his eyes. “You know me better than anyone. You were my angel of music. You looked after me. I believed you are the only person who could understand that I’m not happy. You cannot condemn me in a life without true happiness, without true passion, without true love. I thought you were dead Erik.”

“You had your chance! Your kiss was meant to buy your ticket to freedom and you succeeded! You never truly trusted me! Never!”

“I couldn’t trust you. I was only a child. I couldn’t realize what was happening.” Christine whispered.

“It is too late for us Christine.”

“Too late? I can’t believe you’re saying this! You say it’s too late? You, who were so obsessed, so in love with me? I need you Erik!” She lowered her voice and confessed. “I want you Erik.”

They stared at each other. The tension between them was palpable. At that exact moment Marianne spotted them. She froze right at the spot where she was standing. ‘This cannot be happening.’ she thought to herself. She was trying to breathe when Erik’s gaze fell upon her.

He bowed to Christine. “Goodnight, Madame de Viscountess.” Without another glance in Christine’s direction, he re-entered the ballroom and walked straight to Marianne. He took her hand and brought it to his lips. “Good night, Marianne.”

Marianne didn’t have the time to utter a single word. She merely stood there watching him as he left the ball room. She did not realize Christine was standing next to her, and turning her head, she saw that her cousin’s wife had what she could only describe as a conceited smile on her face.

“Are you alright Christine?” Marianne asked her.

“I’ve never been better Marianne. I appreciate your concern.”

‘I want you, Erik. I want you and I will have you.’ The young Viscountess thought to herself, taking a sip from her wine.

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A/N: So, seriously, what did you guys think?
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No Easy Way