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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.

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Chapter 42

Raoul rose from the bed he shared with his wife at the first crack of dawn. He hadn’t slept a wink, tossing and turning all the while, trying to put his thoughts into perspective. Christine had slept soundly all through the night, and there were instances when he had caught himself staring at her while she lay dormant by his side, hardly recognizing his wife after all that had been revealed to him.

Trying to be as quiet as possible, he disentangled his body from the covers and rose from the plush bed, remaining still for a moment to collect his thoughts. Then, with a determined step, he walked over to the closet of the room, shed his nightshift and started dressing. In a few minutes time he was ready and exiting the bedroom, descending the flight of steps that led to the salon.

Once there, he rang for one of the servants with the bell that was attached to the wall next to the door and sat, waiting impatiently. A few minutes later he was sipping his tea while gazing out the window as the light of day illuminated the tracks of land around his cousin’s estate. He had made his choice. His confrontation with Erik Destler wouldn’t be long now.

As soon as the grandfather clock rang eight times, Raoul stood from the armchair he was sitting in and with quick strides made his way to the front door, exiting the manor. He walked over to the stables where a horse had already been prepared for him, following to his instructions, and in one fluid motion mounted the steed.

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Less than a quarter of an hour later he was standing in front of the Destler mansion’s door, waiting for someone to let him in. The face that greeted him was quite familiar to Raoul as he remembered the elderly butler who had been clearly shaken when his master had been run through during their duel.

The elderly man bowed curtly before the noble and, his face taking on a cold but polite expression, inquired as to the reason for his visit.

“I am here to see your master. Please inform him of my arrival.” Raoul stated curtly, sensing the man’s reluctance to let him in.

“I am afraid Monsieur Destler is not available for visitors Monsieur le Viscount.” the butler informed him, moving to step back.

Raoul put his hand on the door handle, holding the heavy oak open before the butler could close it once more. “I will not leave until I have seen Erik Destler. Go and tell your master I wish to see him right now.”

“Master Destler has specifically instructed me to prevent anyone from visiting. He is feeling rather ill I’m afraid.” Vincent replied in a rather irritated manner at Raoul’s persistence.

“He will see me regardless!” the noble insisted, sidestepping the butler, barging in and treading towards the house’s interior.

The butler was on his trail in an instant, trying to cut the Viscount short, but Raoul de Chagny did not pay any heed, opening doors on his way, frantic to find Erik Destler the soonest possible. On his third try, with Vincent following close behind him in an effort to stop the fight he was certain would ensue, Raoul stopped dead on his tracks.

He had been successful in his search for Erik Destler, but the man before his astonished eyes bore no resemblance to his old adversary. The lush who was lying sprawled out on the couch with his mouth agape, chin unshaven and wearing a shirt that had seen better days could easily pass for a bum on the street. The man who had once been known as the Phantom of the Opera always dressed sharp and had a debonair aura about him; he must have abandoned all hope to have been reduced to a shadow of his old self.

The mask that lay forgotten on the floor were he had obviously divested of it in his drunk state bore witness to the change that was so evident to Raoul. Christine would often recount the tale of how livid the Phantom had become when she had first uncovered his face, obeying her curiosity for what lay beneath the white porcelain. The fact was understandable since the image his wife described as well as the one he had gazed upon when the Phantom had been ready to hang him to win Christine’s love had been absolutely horrid.

It was obvious that Erik Destler was petrified of people laying eyes upon his deformity and for that he had ample reason. The fact that he now lay dormant on a couch with his face uncovered, oblivious to the state of disarray surrounding him was unfathomable to Raoul. How it came to pass that a man as proud, as ingenious and as aristocratic as Erik Destler ended up in such a state was beyond him.

As if in a haze, he heard the butler clear his throat behind him. Without turning as to not allow the elderly man to witness his astonishment, Raoul set his shoulders and spoke in as even a voice as he could muster.

“Leave us.”

“Monsieur le Viscount, I couldn’t possibly do that. My master is…” he managed before Raoul turned and cast his venomous eyes upon him.

“Leave us!” he barked and his booming voice finally had the desired effect.

Hesitantly, the butler bowed his head reluctantly and took a few steps back until he closed the door separating the salon from the rest of the house, leaving Raoul and the broken man who had once been known as the Phantom in peace.

As soon as he heard the resounding click of the lock falling back into place behind him, Raoul gave in to the overwhelming sense of fatigue that suddenly washed over him. He heaved a resigned sigh and sat on the edge of an armchair facing Erik Destler as the latter snored, oblivious to his presence in the room.

Raoul shook his head dejectedly at the image before him and buried his face in his hands. ‘What am I doing here? This is utter madness. This is no man, no monster, no worthy rival; he has been reduced to an animal, a mere shadow of the man who once awoke terror in his adversaries. What did my cousin ever see in him? How can she love this… thing when he lives like this?’ He stood from where he was sitting, determined to leave before Destler woke up but as soon as he reached the door and caught hold of the knob to turn it in his hand heard a moan issue forth from Erik’s lips and stopped dead in his tracks.

‘Why should I help this beast?’ was the first thought that raced through his mind but a little voice reminded him that Erik Destler had been reduced to this fowl condition due to his intervention of a few weeks ago. Putting that thought aside, Raoul opened the door stubbornly and made to step out of the room but suddenly he saw in his mind’s eye Marianne in the wretched state she had been the day before, crying openly before him over the loss of the man he himself had so easily condemned to a life without love.

Resigning to his fate, his shoulders sagged, Raoul slammed the door shut forcefully. Treading over to the couch where Erik was sleeping, he grabbed hold of a glass of water that lay on a nearby table and came to a standstill before the sleeping man.

“Wake up!” he called but to no avail. Destler merely snored louder in response and then adjusted himself better on the sofa.

“Wake up!!” he shouted with more force but the only response from the man lying on the couch was a overwrought grunt.

Raoul hesitated for a mere moment before he splashed the glass of water in his hand over Erik’s face. Immediately the ragged man woke with a start and looked around him in a stupor. “Wha…” he managed to slur in astonishment before he noticed Raoul standing over him. He sat up grunting at the jolt of pain that ran through him at the sudden movement.

Disregarding his obvious discomfort, Erik fixed his eyes upon the Viscount and made to stand from the sofa. “What are you doing in my house?” he demanded but, feeling woozy from his previous night’s intoxication, lost his balance and fell back onto the couch.

“Have you come to gloat Monsieur le Viscount?” he scoffed, meeting the younger man’s gaze steadily, despite his pitiful state. “You can rest assured in finally ruining my life….” he murmured to himself and reached out to grasp the bottle of wine that was resting on a nearby table but was cut short when Raoul’s hand caught his wrist in a tenacious grip.

“Don’t.” said the blonde man simply, taking the bottle of wine from Erik and putting it back onto the table.

“You have some nerve showing up here in the first place and now you’re giving me orders in my own home? I would run you through right now if it weren’t for your cousin.”

Raoul smiled sadly at Erik’s words but did not loosen his grasp on his wrist. The look the Viscount gave him didn’t go unnoticed by Erik though, enraging him to the point that all thoughts of Marianne vacated his mind. He pulled his hand back forcefully, almost making Raoul lose his balance and in one fluid motion rose from his spot on the couch, turning the table that lay between them as he started throttling the younger man.

Raoul tried to fight him off, but even in his inebriated state, Erik was too strong to avert. In a single moment he had turned from a pitiful broken figure to the Phantom again and Raoul could almost swear he was back in that cellar beneath the Opera Populaire, fighting for his life once more.

Realizing Erik wouldn’t let go, Raoul tried vainly to break free but it only seemed to enrage the larger man more and he felt the hands on his neck clench his throat tighter. And then, just as fast as he had attacked, Erik let go and pushed him away with a look of utter disgust lacing his features.

Raoul took a few steps back rubbing his neck and trying to catch his breath, his eyes never leaving the dangerous man on the other side of the room.

“Do not tempt me Viscount. My desperation is a product of your actions and you should know that desperate men are capable of anything.” Erik growled menacingly.

Raoul coughed, finally managing to regain control of his senses but made no move to flee from the room, despite the danger he knew lurked behind Erik’s empty gaze.

“You should consider that your queue to take your leave boy. I will not be lenient on you much longer.”

“I have not come here to fight!” Raoul managed to choke out, still trying to regain his composure, but Erik remained unmoved by his adversary’s words.

“My patience is wearing quite thin Viscount. Leave!” he roared, finally finding his mask and putting it on, no longer paying attention to his visitor.

“We need to talk.” Raoul persisted, standing his ground regardless of Erik’s obvious reluctance to make any attempts at being civil.

“I am not interested in anything you have to say!” Erik turned on him, unable to control his vile temper.

“Even if it concerns Marianne?” Raoul asked in one last, vain attempt to make the masked man hear him out.

Immediately Erik froze in his tracks, his face contorting in a pained grimace at the mention of the Duchess. With renewed hope, Raoul noticed the transformation in his host’s demeanour and pressed on.

“I know everything about you and my cousin. I have been informed of your involvement and I also know you had proposed marriage to her, prior to her commitment to the Baron.”

No sooner had he spoken the words and he saw Erik’s eyes fill with unspoken despair. It didn’t last long however and in a few seconds he bore witness to a full transformation before his very eyes as his opponent’s features hardened once again and the tall man regarded him scornfully.

“Speak then. I’m bound to hear.”

Uneasy at the sight of the obviously torn look in his host’s eyes, Raoul spoke in a cool voice. “As you already know, Olivier is marrying my cousin tomorrow.”

“Is that why you came here Viscount?” Erik scoffed. “I am already aware of the fact. Have you come here to gloat on your victory?” he demanded furiously.

“I know we have had our differences in the past but I want to assure you it is not my intention to offend you in any way.”

“Why have you come here then?”

“Since yesterday when we arrived in Rouen with my wife, I have come to realize that things are not what they seem. My cousin is desperate. It might seem strange to you but today I have not come here to quarrel with you or to taunt you for the love you think you have lost. I have come here to make peace with you and ask for your help.”

Erik stared at the younger man in awe of the words he was hearing. “All has been lost to me Viscount and it’s your entire fault. Why should I believe a word you are saying?”

“Because despite what has come to pass between us, I care for Marianne as if she were my own sister. I cannot help but worry for her well being when she is so distressed over her engagement to a man she obviously does not love.”

“I still don’t understand how that connects to me. Marianne has made her choice and I would expect you to be thrilled given that the groom is a friend of yours and a suitable match for your cousin by any measure.”

“I already told you I know of your involvement with my cousin. I know you have asked her to marry you and I know that she has pledged her love to you in return.”

“Why then did she drive me away?”

“She had to! She had to in order to save you.” Raoul simply stated, waiting with baited breath for Erik’s reaction.

“Save me from what? I am already doomed.” the masked man whispered brokenly.

“I will not go into detail right now. After all, I believe that you should see Marianne and she should be the one to tell you everything that has led to her decision, but I cannot simply stand by and watch as her whole life crumbles in ruins because of her loyalty and love for you.”

“Her love?” Erik laughed bitterly. “If she ever truly loved me, she would have stayed by my side rather than desert me after your departure.”

He walked over to where Raoul was standing and facing down his opponent spoke in a gruff voice. “For you information Viscount, I have tried to reason with your cousin on many an occasion and failed each and every time. The simple fact remains that your cousin made the best possible choice in a husband, just like your own wife did three years ago. She chose a noble man, one who bears no deformity on his face.”

“You are mistaken. It wasn’t her choice. She was forced to engage herself to Olivier Dervaux to protect you from getting arrested and subsequently spending your whole life in prison or even worse hanged.”

“What are you talking about? Why would I ever run the risk of being captured? I have taken on a new identity, I am well-respected by my peers and no one or anything can tie me to my unfortunate past as the Opera Ghost. You and your wife are the only persons other than Marianne who know of my past and could turn me in.”

“I am to blame for everything that has happened since I left Rouen after your injury by my own hand. I had informed Olivier of your identity prior to inviting you to a duel but back then I wasn’t aware of the Baron’s true character. Alas, he is my childhood friend, how was I to know he could ever be capable of such cruelty as to force Marianne into a marriage with him?”

Frustrated, Erik ran his hand through his hair and stared at the man before him dejectedly. “I find it very hard to believe you boy. If what you say is true, why didn’t Marianne confide in me? If Olivier is threatening her with my entrapment, why didn’t she simply tell me the truth so that I could confront him?”

“Because he threatens to go to the authorities as soon as he finds out that she has told you the truth. She loves you Erik. She fears what you will do if you find out Olivier is blackmailing her with your own life. She is terrified of you murdering him in your rage and ending up imprisoned or even worse.”

Grasping Raoul’s lapels in rage, Erik pulled the Viscount so that the two men were now standing face to face. “What kind of a sick game is this? I tried to speak to Marianne, to get her to open up to me and she rejected me each and every time. She even went so far as to tell me it had all been a game to her. Why would she ever do that if she truly loves me?”

“I asked her the same thing. She told me she would rather sacrifice herself than see you dead.” said Raoul and, taking hold of Erik’s wrists, steadily lowered them from his jacket.

“This has to be a lie! You have to be lying to me! It has to be a trap!” Erik cried desperately.

“I’m afraid it is the truth. I know it’s hard for you to believe but Marianne did what she had to in order to keep you out of harm’s way.”

“Out of harm’s way?” Erik muttered as if in a haze. “What good is my life to me without her in it? She destroyed everything good in me when she betrayed our love. She deserted me in endless darkness. There is nothing left for me to do but to die alone, my only companion my memories of our time together…”

“You always were rather dramatic Erik.”

“Dramatic? I have tried to reason with Marianne, I even tried to force her to confide in me but she rejected me each and every time. What would you have me do?”

“I would certainly obey to my heart’s desire. Let me assure you though that I wouldn’t let the woman I love make the grandest mistake of her life by denying her own happiness to save me.”

“She made her choice.” Erik grunted.

“Stop being so selfish. Did I give up when you threatened to kill me to keep Christine to yourself that fateful night beneath the Opera House?”

Erik stared at the man before him with a blank gaze and shook his head in abandon. “If you are so determined to see Marianne happy and free of Olivier Dervaux why is it then that you yourself do nothing to stop this wedding?”

“That is exactly what I am doing Erik. Did you for one second think it is easy for me to come here and speak to the man who almost became my murderer three years ago? I fought with myself and my conscience before I came here to see you. I knew though I had to do it because I care deeply for my cousin and realized that if she loves you, that could only mean you are worthy of her devotion.”

Erik froze at Raoul’s harsh words but before he had a chance to retort the Viscount carried on.

“If you throw what you have with Marianne away then you are truly a fool and worthy of your self imposed fate. I did what I had to and told you the truth. Marianne is suffering away from you and is going to sacrifice herself tomorrow to save you. How you can live with yourself with that knowledge is beyond me.” Raoul stated gravely.

Erik started pacing the room desperately, trying to alleviate the pressure he was feeling engulf him. All of a sudden he was suffocating, unable to believe the younger man, but needing desperately to do so. “It cannot be true. It’s all a game. It’s a trap.” he kept muttering to himself.

Suddenly the booming voice of Raoul de Chagny invaded his senses and stopped him dead in his tracks. “Marianne needs you Erik. If you ever truly loved her, I know you will not fail her. Tonight is your last chance to prove you are worthy of her love.”

“Enough!” Erik yelled, furious at the boy’s insinuation that his feelings for Marianne weren’t strong enough. “You can never come to comprehend what I feel for Marianne. My soul already died the moment she ran away from me but if what you have spoken today is the truth, I have no choice but to end my life trying to grant her the happiness she deserves.”

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No Easy Way