VI
Andrée de Chagny paced exasperatedly up and down the great hallway of her manor and played absentmindedly with her daggers.
What means she threw them randomly on fixtures and fittings, only to pull them out and throw again.
Raoul watched her from the top of the grand stairs and shook his head by asking: "Sis' what's hunting you?"
Andrée slowly turned to face her younger brother: "Philippe!"
Raoul sat down on the step he stood and and sighed, propping his chin in hands: "What he's up to now, marry you again?"
Andrée just snorted and throw her dagger once more, this time straight on a family-portrait where he landed between Philippe de Chagny's eyes : "Nope! He wants that I give up fathers last will and..."
"That you give him the accesses to your inheritance, what would mean also to the rest of your assets and liabilities..." Raoul grinned, "That's what he dreams of..."
"You hit the point, baby bro!"
"Can he get it by law?"
Andrée flashed him a grin: "Never ever, Raoul!"
"Then he will probably try it by damaging your reputation..." Raoul smiled, "so he doesn't stand a chance, you have your reputation already successfully spoiled, Andy!"
Andrée starred at him for two speechless seconds and then started to giggle: "Baby bro, you're the best!"
Raoul stated subtly: "I know. And you know what?"
She shook her head and Raoul cheered: "I'm gonna marry Christine."
"You two can have the left wing..." Andrée stated matter of fact.
The phantom had made the way to his box in the early afternoon to listen in on the rehearsal and now three hours later Erik began to be worried.
They had an appointment.
And Andrée never came too late.
Then there was the typical clacking noise of riding boots and – Raoul de Chagny entered box number five.
The two men starred for one silent moment at each other then the phantom found his voice again: "Where is Andrée?"
Raoul wondered briefly why he was still alive then he remembered his mission and bowed slightly: "With our elder brother..." he shook his head, "That imbecile tried to get her money by law..."
Erik still starred disbelieving at the younger man: How had this little brat found the courage...
"...and I'm here to ask your permission."
"Permission?"
Raoul nodded.
"For what?"
The "little" blonde hesitated for an instant under the phantoms flaming look, then he remembered his sisters words: Just be respectful and polite, he's a gentleman like you. No more insane than me.
So Raoul explained himself with slightly trembling voice: "You're Christine's tutor, her honored maestro, I ask your permission to court her."
Erik blinked twice, how often would this family surprise him once more?
Raoul meanwhile, nervous under the gleaming eyes behind the mask, babbled on: "Andy said I would have to ask you... she considers you a dear friend... probably her only one beside Sebastian... I would really be thankful and..."
"Would you please shut up," the phantom growled, "little lord?"
Raoul felt silent and nodded eagerly with wide eyes.
Erik almost had to laugh at this image, but he just thought about what all had changed.
Christine would never love him, but – No, Andrée was just a friend – but he had to take what he could.
And that twinge of sorrow he had felt when he saw Raoul and not her enter his box...
Raoul almost jumped when the phantom nodded: "I give you the permission, but under one condition: You're responsible that she does not get distracted from her career!"