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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 45

No more than an hour later, Erik was looking down at the lovely face of his fiancé, a tender smile transforming his own features.

“Won’t you stay a little while longer darling? Please?” she tried to convince him one last time, her eyes begging him to stay by her side.

“You know I can’t my love. It wouldn’t be right.” he adamantly stated.

She frowned again, unwilling to be separated from her lover so soon after their reunion. Erik touched his fingers to her chin, tilting her head up so that he could look into her eyes.

“I will see you tomorrow my sweet.” he promised her, leaning in to steal a chaste kiss from her lips.

Hearing footsteps approaching, he disentangled himself from Marianne just in time to see the Viscountess scowling at them. “I will be counting the seconds until we meet again” he whispered and a radiant smile from Marianne rewarded him for his words, but both of them were pulled from their thoughts as Christine cleared her throat behind Marianne.

“Such an endearing scene” she scoffed, receiving a smoldering look from Erik. “Parting is such sweet sorrow” she quoted amusingly. “Bravo Erik!” she hissed. “I hear you managed to fool the authorities once more. You are now free to pursue your lifelong quest and finally create a family of your own with the woman you love. Your dreams are finally becoming reality before your very eyes, and now there are no obstacles separating you from the object of your undying affection.” she sneered, mockingly clapping her hands together.

“Dearest Marianne, you should be careful for I fear his affection does not last for long. It was but three years ago when Erik was willing to kill Raoul to keep me by his side and look at him now. I could swear he cannot stand the sight of me any more. Why do you hate me so Erik?” she whispered dejectedly, her gaze fixed on the tall, brooding man.

“I do not hate you Christine. I pity you…” he stated calmly, before turning his attention back to Marianne.

“Pity me?” her indignant cry filled the air. “You?!?” she scoffed. “Pity me? What makes you think you are in any position to do that I wonder? Is it because you managed to convince this poor, lovesick fool you have feelings for her? What have you to gain from this Erik? I would presume that all those years of extortion have left you with a vast fortune. Perhaps it is a matter of becoming a member of nobility by marrying a woman of title? Hmmm? Could it be that you feel you will finally gain the respect of all those who forced you to live in empty solitude for so long? I have to warn you Erik. Respect and acclaim by everyone around you will not help you fill the void of your pitiful existence.”

Marianne turned on her, desperate to stop this heartless woman from talking any longer after she had taken in the melancholy look reflected in Erik’s eyes, but her fiancé’s hand on her shoulder stopped her before she opened her mouth.

“I am sorry Christine. I am sorry to see you have not attained happiness after you fought so hard to achieve the perfect life you always dreamed of. I am sorry you are obviously trapped in a loveless marriage of your own volition. I am deeply sorry for your husband whom I have come to respect. I am sorry he couldn’t give you what you seek for. I am sorry for fooling you into believing I was your angel. I am sorry for forcing you to face the darkest recesses of your soul. I am sorry for wasting all those years in an infatuation with a spoilt girl.

“You want to know why I pity you Christine? Because you will never love anyone else but your own precious little self. I pity you because I have come to realize that loving someone enough to put her above my own petty egoism has freed me from the hatred I’ve been harboring against the world all these years. And now that Marianne will make me a father, I fully intend to pour all of the love I have in me to our baby and teach it to spread that love to all those around him or her.

“That is something you will never have Christine, despite your riches and your beauty. When you are touched by true love, only then can you love yourself. Yes Christine, I pity you. Does that answer your question?” he casually inquired, raising his visible eyebrow sardonically.

At his calm expression, Christine felt the tight control she was keeping on her emotions slip and she let a grunt escape her lips before she stormed away furiously.

Marianne, beside herself with worry, searched Erik’s eyes with her own. “Erik, what if she…”

“Shhh…” he soothed her, touching his fingers to her lips softly. “Let us not dwell on Christine any longer. We are together at last.” he tried to console her.

“But…” she muttered forlornly, only to be interrupted by Erik once more.

“Everything is going to be alright my love. Nothing can harm us.” he whispered, leaning in to steal a feather light kiss from her lips. “I love you.” he whispered, raising his head and smiling reassuringly.

“I love you too Erik.” she cooed, clinging onto him tightly.

“You should rest my love. You need to keep your strength up as much for you as for the baby.” he chastised her, seeing the frown return on her face at his words.

“You could stay here you know…” she muttered hopefully, a naughty grin curving her lips.

“Marianne, we have already discussed this. I do not wish to upset your cousin any further after everything that has happened tonight. We have all gone through so much. Let us wait until our...”

“We do not have to share my room.” she interrupted him. “You can stay in one of the guestrooms. I just cannot bear the thought of being away from you any longer. I need to know that you are near. Especially after everything that has happened!” she exclaimed miserably.

“But, what of your cousin?” Erik muttered, trying to be reasonable despite Marianne’s imploring tone.

“I am certain Raoul would not mind you spending the night if you are in a guest room. Please Erik….” she tried again, noticing how his gaze softened as he regarded her.

“Alright then. I will stay; but only if your cousin agrees without hesitation.”

A radiant smile lit her features at his consent and she flung her arms around his shoulders, hugging him tightly to her. “Come” she urged him, anxious at the prospect of him changing his mind “Let us see Raoul and bid him a goodnight.”

Taking hold of his hand, she started walking to the salon where Raoul was. She knocked on the door and entered with Erik following close behind as soon as she heard her cousin’s tired voice answering.

“Erik, I thought you would have left by now?” Raoul inquired as soon as he noticed the tall man.

Before her fiancé could answer however, Marianne spoke mincingly. “Raoul, I am trying to convince Erik to spend the night here. He is quite tired after all that has transpired and … well, frankly I would be quite unnerved to see him go, especially tonight.” she finished hopefully.

Raoul, despite his fowl mood after all that had transpired that evening, had to bite his inner cheek to refrain from laughing out loud at his cousin’s imploring expression. Unable to resist teasing her, he tried to keep his voice as grave as possible addressing her.

“Marianne, do you honestly believe that would be such a good idea?” he inquired strictly. “I mean, I understand why you are not so keen to see Monsieur Destler go but…” he trailed off, taking pity on the maiden when he saw her lower her gaze as her cheeks flushed bright red at her cousin’s reprimanding tone.

Meeting Erik’s gaze, Raoul could see that the tall man had not been so easy to fool. A smile curved his lips as he turned his attention back to Marianne, finally taking pity on her.

He raised her chin with his fingers and smiled good-naturedly when he saw the timid manner in which she was avoiding his gaze. “Marianne, I am just teasing you. Of course I understand why you wish to have Erik close to you at this time. You have gone through so much and, with tonight’s traumatic experience, it is only natural for you not to feel safe away from your future husband.”

Marianne smiled hesitantly at his words and a radiant grin spread on her lips at his next statement.

“As soon as your fiancé and you spend the night in separate quarters, I do not see any reason that should keep him away from you.”

Erik smiled gracefully and held his hand out to Raoul. The younger man regarded him with respect and reached out his own arm, shaking his old adversary’s hand.

“Thank you Viscount” the dark man simply stated, nodding his head imperceptibly.

“Erik, I have been meaning to talk to you. I trust you are keen on marrying my cousin the soonest possible?”

“Certainly. As a matter of fact, I have already given her my ring and Marianne has been gracious enough to accept my proposal for a second time, despite my foolishness in taking the Baron’s machinations for granted.” Erik replied proudly.

The Viscount raised his hand, stopping the taller man. “I appreciate your honesty greatly, but I am sure you can sympathize with my reservations regarding your wedding to my cousin.” he cut his speech short sternly.

Immediately, Erik was on the defensive at the blonde man before him. Before he could talk however, Raoul continued his syllogism. “Do not take me wrong Erik. I did not mean I oppose your union, I just believe that it might seem conspicuous to the authorities if you were to marry so soon following to Olivier’s death.”

Still unnerved, but trying to remain calm, the masked man set his shoulders and put his arm around Marianne’s frail form protectively.

“What do you propose we do?” he asked grimly.

“As a matter of fact, I was hoping you would consider traveling for a while before you eventually return to Rouen as a family, with your baby.” Raoul replied.

Awed at the Viscount’s apparent concern for their well-being, Erik had to admit that he had underestimated Raoul on quite a few accounts.

Marianne raised her head, looking worriedly into Erik’s eyes, the full ramifications of Olivier’s death dawning on her for the first time. Taking in her apprehensive expression, Erik smiled reassuringly at her and leaned in to touch his lips to her temple chastely. “Everything is going to be alright love.” he whispered tenderly, trying to appease her fear.

She nodded her head in mute acceptance, burying herself further into her future husband’s embrace.

Satisfied that the couple before him would seriously consider his warning, Raoul smiled amiably. “Would you care to join me for a drink Erik?” he offered, trying to ease the tension in the room, to which Erik simply nodded in affirmation, letting Marianne leave his arms as she felt a sense of closure wash over her.

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed Erik’s cheek gently, bidding him goodnight and then walked over to Raoul, kissing his cheek in turn, silently thanking him for all that he had done for her and Erik.

Soon thereafter, she was lying in her bed, dreaming of what her life with Erik would be like now that they were together at last.

She felt a wave of anxiety wash over her at the prospect of leaving her homeland for such a long time, but a few seconds later smiled to herself as she realized everything she had ever wanted in life was just within her grasp, regardless of where her destiny would lead her. As long as she had Erik and their child, she knew she would not need anything further to achieve happiness.

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Erik set his empty glass on the table and gracefully rose from his seat. For the past hour or so he had been keeping Raoul company, unnerved to see the younger man so frustrated. Of course, Raoul had not been forthcoming with any of his feelings but Erik was absolutely certain that the man was devastated at his wife’s role in this charade.

“It has been a long day for all of us Viscount, I think it would be best if we rest for now.” he offered innocuously.

The blonde man simply nodded miserably but did not stand behind him. Erik’s gaze drifted to the forlorn man and, reaching out for the doorknob, stopped and spoke in a calm and collected manner, trying to appease the young man’s apprehension.

“Take my word for it Raoul. Everything will seem better beneath the light of the morning sun.” Erik offered reassuringly and opened the door, walking out of the room and leaving the man to his gloomy thoughts.

Raoul looked up dazedly and for a few minutes simply sat there, contemplating his old rival’s words. Tiredly he stood from the couch and as he made his way to the door muttered to himself. “I hope you are right Erik. I just hope you are right.”

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Raoul walked into the dimly lit room to find his wife pacing up and down the length of the grand bedroom. He closed the door behind him quietly and, not paying any attention to her, walked over to the bed, divesting of his waist jacket and loosening his cravat on the way. He heard an exasperated gasp fly from the brunette’s lips but paid her no heed, unbuttoning his vest and sitting on the edge of the bed to untie his shoe laces.

Christine stalked over to him in an instance, her hands on either side of her lean waist as she loomed over him like a maenad. Raoul didn’t speak, he merely sighed with resign, standing from his spot on the bed in an effort to flee her presence.

“Why did you do it?” her voice reached his ears, her usually velvety tone suddenly transformed into a shrill as she finally revealed her true nature. Raoul stopped in his tracks but did not turn his attention back to his wife. He had had enough of her deception to last him a lifetime. In a matter of days he had grown free of any reign his wife held over him.

“WHY DID YOU DO IT RAOUL?” she screamed, finally shaking him from the trance-like state he had been in.

The tall, blonde man turned on her but did not make any attempt to bridge the distance between them. He still would not dignify her with an answer. It had all been too much for him and, in his eyes, Christine had been the one to instigate this absurd chain of events that had led to Olivier’s madness and Marianne’s nearly missed demise. He shook his head resignedly and averted his gaze from the woman who had once been the light of his life.

As he made to walk to the adjoining bathroom to complete his nightly ritual, he heard Christine’s indignant cry fill the air and felt her hand enclose tightly on his bicep, oblivious to the frozen stare he regarded her with. “Why did you help that whiny cousin of yours do away with Olivier to marry that, that … monster?! Why did you get in the way when Olivier pulled a dagger on him when he could have killed that fiend? Why did you not turn him in to the authorities when you had the chance to finally rid us all of his ill presence in our lives? He has only done us harm Raoul. Erik Destler can only bring us more troubles, don’t you see that?!?” she cried indignantly, trying to make her husband see reason.

Instead of agreeing with her though, Raoul did not even blink as he regarded her icily. “WHY?!?” she demanded one last time, furious at his unwillingness to dignify her with an answer after all they had been through. “You owe me an answer damn it!” she screamed in his face.

This last exclamation finally caught his attention, snapping him out of his apathy, setting his eyes ablaze with fury. He snatched his arm out of her grasp and disentangled himself from her, insensible to her cry of disdain at his obvious contempt. “I.OWE.YOU.NOTHING!” he roared, unable to control his temper any longer.

“I AM YOUR WIFE!” she yelled back at him, demanding his veneration in her person.

“You are nothing to me anymore Christine! I am through trying to make you into something you are not. I am through being the only one in this marriage trying to make our relationship work. I am tired of showering you with love when you do nothing but ridicule me with your actions.”

“What are you…” she started but trailed off, taking in his livid expression.

“I gave you everything Christine. I gave you my heart, my name, respect by your peers, everything money can buy and for what? So that you can go behind my back and make a fool of yourself and me by pursuing the man you once rejected for me? Trying to persuade the man you once abandoned to rot away in the cellars of the Opera House to sweep you away from me? Have you taken on any other lovers or was Erik the first soul fortunate enough to receive your billet-doux?” he demanded, turning a blind eye to her bitter tears at his words.

“Who has been telling you such lies? How can you believe them over your wife Raoul?” she sniffled between sobs pitifully, covering her face with her palms.

“I believe I have known all along that you were not happy by my side but I was trying to make excuses for you, trying to convince myself that you just weren’t used to the rigid life of a Parisian noble in contrast to the freedom you relished during your youth.” he murmured, trying to reign his temper.

“You cannot mean that Raoul. You know I love you. I would never have offered to stay by that monster’s side to save your life otherwise. Don’t you rememb…” she tried to appeal to his mercy but her words had the opposite effect as he fixed her with his frozen eyes and interrupted her ravings.

“Enough! I have been catering to your every whim for the better part of 3 years, meeting any mundane demand of yours due to the guilt you have made me feel since that night. If you ever truly loved me Christine, you would have taken your actions of that very night for granted. I almost lost my life to save you and haven’t mentioned that night ever since, and yet you always bring it up whenever you want a precious new bauble or an extravagant new dress that will cater to your endless vanity.”

Christine sobbed miserably at his words, but Raoul remained unmoved by her display of woe.

“I cannot do this anymore Christine. I cannot cater to your ego when you have no regard for me or yourself. I had heard rumors of you taking on lovers in the past, but I always tried to dismiss them as vicious lies of people set out to destroy our love for one another. Sadly, I have come to realize I was living a lie all along. You never truly loved me; I can see that now. I was merely your ticket away from your miserable, sad existence, wasn’t I?” he sneered, cruelly.

At his last words, he saw Christine transform from her pitiful, sobbing self into a vicious shrew. “I gave up everything for you! I gave up my career, my friends, my freedom! And for what? For a marriage devoid of passion and excitement. Did you honestly think I could ever be the prude little wife who has resigned herself to a life as boring as the one you offered me?”

Raoul shook his head dejectedly, feeling disdain wash over him at his wife’s words. “Yes, I took on lovers and you know something Raoul? I have no regrets for any of my acts of indiscretion. You abandoned me to wallow in the murky waters of Parisian aristocracy while you traveled all over the continent for your oh-so-important business affairs. I am young, I am beautiful, I am wanted Raoul! You never made me feel like that after our marriage. You simply see me as the girl I once was but I have news for you. I am not a girl anymore; I am not the innocent who once believed in fairytales!” she cried harshly, her voice breaking in her rage.

“You are free to pursue your lifelong dream of becoming a whore then my dear.” Raoul whispered scornfully. “I will be perfectly content in granting you your freedom so that you can live a long, happy, prosperous life with your endless string of lovers…” he finished coolly, allowing the familiar numbness to take over his senses.

Without giving her a chance to respond, he turned his back and entered the bathroom, leaving Christine to cry brokenly at the state she had found herself in, in a matter of hours. She fell to her knees, crying desperately, trying to think up of a way to reverse Raoul’s decision. Unfortunately, she had never seen her husband so determined over anything, save for his conviction to marry her more than three years ago, when he had stood up to his family and informed them that his decision to marry the woman he loved was final.

Torpidly, she stood from her kneeling position on the plush carpet and walked over to the closet. Poking through her husband’s clothes, she finally found what she had been looking for and held out the heavy object, turning it in her hand as it caught the light of the flickering candles in the room.

If she could not be the wife of a Viscount or a wealthy passionate man such as Erik, she certainly would not reduce herself to living in poverty yet again. She had had enough of that during her childhood, traveling from village to village in the country while her father tried to sustain them both on the meager earnings of a wandering musician. She smiled to herself as the thought of her late father ran through her mind. That had been the only instance in her life when she had truly been content with what little she had to go by. Back then she felt safe and loved and … whole. Now that she seemingly had everything, she had managed to destroy her perfect life single-handedly, but not for long.

She would not allow Raoul to throw her out in the streets. Women of her circle took on lovers regularly but none of them ever paid for it. Why should she be the exception simply because her husband had grown wise to the fact through an unfortunate run-in with that monster? No, Christine was not willing to return to her impoverished state, singing and dancing for the nobles who now had accepted her as their equal.

She walked to the single armchair situated right opposite to the bathroom door and calmly folded her hands in her lap, covering the pistol as she contemplated what she could accomplish as a widow rather than a divorcee. She smiled to herself as she thought how positively delighted Claude would surely be to finally have her all to himself. The tall man was absolutely divine and a better lover than any she had ever had the pleasure of sharing her bed with. The only reason she had not allowed him to sweep her away from Raoul’s side in the first place had been his lack of funds but surely, now that she would inherit her husband’s vast fortune, the two of them could lose themselves in each other.

After all, it would be easy to frame the Phantom for the murder of his old enemy. If only her darling husband had not been so trusting with that monster…

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The deafening shot of a gunfire jolted Erik from his dreamy-like state. In an instant he jumped from his bed, thankful that he had not divested of his clothing when he had lain over the covers to relish in his new-found happiness.

As he frenetically opened his door, he heard Marianne’s door open and saw his fiancé staring into his eyes with abject fear. “Erik? What is going on?” she asked anxiously.

Frantically, he hugged her to himself for a brief second before he pushed gently on her shoulders to get her back into her bedchamber.

“No! I want to know what is happening! I heard a gunshot! What is going on?” she demanded almost hysterically.

“Please Marianne! I don’t know what has happened but it is not safe for you to be out here. Please! Go back to your room and lock the door behind you.” he whispered beseechingly.

“No Erik! I cannot let you…” she started but his frightened eyes begging her to listen to reason alarmed her.

“Please Marianne, for once do as I say. I will be back for you as soon as I find out what is going on. Go into your room and lock your door. Do not open it for anyone but me. I will be back for you as soon as I know something; please!” he implored her desperately.

The maiden nodded her head in mute acceptance and followed his instructions reluctantly. As soon as the bolt fell into place, she leaned her back against the door and buried her face in her hands, crying helplessly.

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No Easy Way