Before Erik could have argued with Mahtab any further about allowing him to become a doctor or not, they heard Christine's worried gasp from outside.

- Our Savior Jesus Christ, what were you doing?

Erik knew when Kristina used the redeemer's name there must be something terrible going on, so he stood up with an irritated little snort to check what was so unfortunate, and from the door he turned back to his oldest:

- We are going to talk about this later, if you still don't understand it.

Arriving to the hallway he noticed a scared Greg, and Noel covered in dirt and having his clothes ripped at some parts, otherwise he seemed to be healthy. No blood could be seen which would have messed his shirt, but it was obvious he did not get into that state by playing nicely on the playground with other boys. Eyeing his father, who still was wearing the mandarin robe with the hat, with a curious look he finally started laughing and greeted Erik by saying:

- Hello Merlin.

Usually it wouldn't have been such a big deal, and Erik, being in a better mood might have just either laughed at that or would say "stop talking nonsense", but his already worked up state of mind, and being under the effect of the unfortunate event in his past he was ashamed of, added with Noel's looks that indicated he got in trouble, Noel's remark was the last drop in that said glass for Erik in the short period of time of the events, so he returned the greeting with a moderately strong slap, which was still big enough to make Noel's ear ring after that for a few minutes.

- How dare you come home in this state, eh? What were you doing?

- He did nothing wrong. - Greg's monotonous voice replied, as he was trying to defend his older brother who was so kind to defend him earlier.

- Did I ask you? - Erik pointed at the boy angrily.

- No, Papa. - Greg lowered his head.

- Then talk when I do. - Erik put his hand on his hip then pointed at the direction of Greg's room. - I believe you have homework.

- Erik, for Heaven's sake, they just have arrived home…

- The earlier the better to finish your duties.

Greg did not dare to say anything any more, he just walked to his room obediently.

- What is today? - Erik spat out angrily. - Argue and mess with Erik's nerves day? Special Annual Revolution day? Hammer Nails into Father's Coffin Day?

- Receive undeserved slaps day. - Noel grunted, but he found it a better idea not to say it again when Erik sent a strict and frighteningly angry look towards him.

- You disappear from my sight as soon as possible, take a bath and change into something that resembles proper clothing unless you wish to receive the pair of that slap. Moreover, while doing so, if I hear another remark by you I swear to God I am going to beat you the way you don't forget for a time. - Erik hissed.

Noel did not wish to overstrain the argument, so he did as he was asked.

Kristina, however did not like how Erik was working on solving conflicts, and she instantly worded her emotions about that fact.

- What has gotten into you? You are not this impatient with the children usually. And don't hit Noel again!

- He deserved it. - Erik stated coldly.

- For what, I pray? A simple joke?

- All of them start to be too loudmouthed and they permit themselves too much things with me. I have absolutely no power in their eyes, and it is better to change it.

- Oh, so now you will start to beat them to obey? - Kristina cried out with annoyance and waved into the air with an incredulous hand gesture.

- If they provoke it out. - Erik murmured under his breath, turning around to go to his study to check if Mahtab was still there, and if he was, he would send him to his room, he simply did not have the emotional strength to work serious issues out at that moment. Mahtab was no longer in the study though, so Erik just helplessly stood in the middle of the room for a few minutes, then removed the silly robe and hat to put them away. After he finally got rid of the annoying garments he felt a bit better and was contemplating in his mind whether to have a glassful of stronger liquor or not, just to make his hand shake less and be more stable, when he heard something in the corner.

Crying, or at least some sniffing.

Erik curiously and worriedly walked closer and noticed Greg hidden in there, sitting in one of the armchairs that faced the window. He hugged his legs to himself and lowered his head so he could not have been noticed, only his crying gave him away.

- Oh ho… what has happened, hm? I am sorry I was maybe… too strict to you, but you should not cry for that…

- I am not crying about that. - Greg lifted up is head, looking at Erik who approached him with a nicer expression and seemed to be calm enough to be able to understand him, so he calmed down a bit about sharing his emotions with his stepfather. - I am only sad because Noel will be punished because of me.

- What are you saying? Why is it because of you?

- He got in fight to defend me. - Greg cleared his throat.

- Did someone want to harm you? - Erik asked with sudden anger.

- There are some older boys at my school who pick on me because of how I speak. My voice. And that I don't speak French that good yet. I told Noel today and they appeared again when we walking home and Noel told them to go to Hell and leave me alone. And he said I am his little brother and he will beat anyone who makes fun of me.

- And I suppose they did not stop, hm? - Erik patted Greg's shoulder.

- Two of them wanted to beat Noel, but the way Noel looks like now is nothing compared to how they looked like after the fight. Papa can't I sound another way? So this not happens again?

- Greg, we can't have everything we want to have. Besides it seems like children will always be cruel, no matter what. If you are not ugly, then your voice is weird. If not that, then you might read slower. If not that, you are not tall enough or too tall, or too thin… see? You can't be good for everyone. But you don't have to be. The only important thing is you to keep trying to be the best of your abilities in every possible field, and that will compensate the ones you are weak at.

- So if I learn and be clever they will leave me alone?

- Kind of. Being clever is just one thing, one side of the coin. Be good and polite also, but try to defend yourself when you must. If you don't cry over being hurt but show them they can't hurt you they will respect you for being strong… or simply will get tired of teasing someone who does not give any special reaction to their bullshit and will pick someone else to tease. Never be the weak and vulnerable one, son.

- Still… will my voice be better? Ever?

- The intonation part… no, I don't think so. But your voice itself is going to change when the time comes. You are too young for it yet, but when we did your operation, we allowed flexibility for your vocal chords, so your voice will be able to change to be deeper and more of a man's than a boy's.

- This is calming to hear. I go to study to be clever. But please don't hurt Noel…

- I will apologize to him, don't worry. - Erik sighed, knowing he made a mistake not to listen to his children before punishment. That was utterly unrighteous.

After Greg walked away with a delighted and relieved heart and mind, Noel appeared in the room after a good half an hour Erik could spend all alone with his thoughts, cleaned and dressed nicely. He even put on a bow ribbon tie he used to avoid at home. Seemed like he wished to look the best way he could.

- I ask for your forgiveness, Noel. - Erik walked closer too put his hand on the boy's shoulder. - I am sorry I hit you. Greg told me what happened and you did nothing wrong.

- I did. - He sighed. - This is only the smaller part, beating up two assholes on the street.

- Language. - Erik warned him out of routine, but silently agreed. - Did you do something else as well?

- Yes, though it is not entirely my fault. - Noel put his hand on the desk to support himself while standing. This indicated he had something serious to announce. Erik sat down to his usual place at the desk, Noel stayed standing. Oh no, he did not like this at all. What on Earth could have that boy committed yet again?

- Tell me, Noel, for Heaven's sake! Please… do you have a pregnant girlfriend, my good Lord?

- No! - Noel shook his head with an irritated snort. - Girls annoy me. They are stupid.

- They aren't but at least I am not having another load of grandchildren. Then what is so bad you have to tell me?

- I am failing at school.

- What? - Erik lifted his hand to his ear. Noel used to be a great student, he was interested in all of the subjects, and loved to learn. His first year at a Secondary School would start by failing? - Which subject?

- Music.

Silence. Erik's jaw dropped. No, this must be a joke, a bad one. Noel always had a strange sense of humor, he would announce straight-faced seriously he was dying when he was 6 years old to Christine and when she wanted to run to fetch the doctor for him he completed the sentence he was dying for chocolate. Maybe this is just one of them, Noel's strange jokes…? But no. He said nothing more. He put his booklet containing his grades in front of Erik to prove he was telling the truth. Putting up his reading glasses (he now needed two pairs he constantly had to change which fact drove him crazy) Erik leaned closer and examined Noel's achievements. French: two "good" and three "excellent" remarks, History: four "excellent" in a row, Mathematics contained nothing but praising and he had an extra grade for completing a hard homework flawlessly, all of the subjects they learned was at least "good" marked. And there came the line saying "Music and music theory". This was the most miserable set of grades he had ever seen from any of his children, and would not have expected it from Noel at all. The first grade was "mediocre" but after his grade became even worse, there came two "satisfactory" remarks following, but after, four "insufficient" marks followed. He was indeed failing.

- Explain. - He put down his glasses on the desk with an irritated snort, not to see it clearly any more, it was enough what he saw already.

- My music teacher hates me. - Noel shrugged.

- Good excuse. - Erik barked.

- That is the truth. - Noel sighed. - I would change it if I could, but I can't. I guess I am just going to fail.

- What are you saying? What is this nonsense? Why do you say this to me? Explain clearly.

- The first day he saw my name in the class register he made me stand up and asked if I was the son of "la Daaé" and if my brother was Flo. I answered yes.

- And? - Erik snorted angrily.

- And since it is constantly me being asked about things I have no idea about. For example… so you know what is a tritone?

- I do.

- I don't. - Noel groaned. - And if I can't say what the Hell he wants to ask of me I am rewarded with an "insufficient". Like how much sharps are in F major and you have two seconds to answer. I know I shall know it, but he simply is picking on me. He does not even give me a CHANCE to try to reply. And if I can't reply I get the "a son ofa celebrated opera singer and a brother of a child prodigy can't say something so simple…?"

- Are you humiliated in front of the whole class regularly? - Erik stood up, shaking from anger.

- Yes.

- Why don't you talk back, like here at home?

- You told me not to.

- True… well… it is not your fault. But it has to be solved. - Erik hugged Noel to himself, stroking his hair. - Don't be afraid, Papa solves everything. Is there a written example of what he ask of you to do or the bastard only says so in class?

- Here is my homework I am not going to do because I don't know what it asks. - He handed him a paper.

"Transpose the piece to C flat major."

The sheet music under it was a part of a Bach fugue. That clearly wasn't what a music teacher asks of regular students in a Secondary School class with no musical orientation in the beginning year, not even before the Final Exams. But at least the asshole gave written proof of his behavior. Negative favoritism. He picks on the brother of Florian because Flo had success in England and Kristina's glory in the Opera House. He bet the earthworm was simply envious, having only a career of a Secondary School music teacher while Florian was already studying composing and counterpoint at University, and he put it out on a helpless 14 year -old not being interested and good enough in that field. He bet the bastard was happy to find out Noel did not know much about his subject and scratched these "insufficient" marks in with delight.

He was thinking of a solution after he politely dismissed Noel after another apology for the slap and assuring him he wasn't angry with him, and he scratched his head with the tip of his fountain pen getting lost in his thoughts completely.

Of course, he could get into the shameful game with doing Noel's homework or teaching him about what was needed to know, but he simply thought Noel did not need such a detailed musical knowledge. He was a mediocre violinist and could play two Mozart and three Beethoven sonatas on the piano, which was what he actively wanted to learn. Forcing Noel to learn much more music theory would only treat the symptoms, not the issue, and would not be a 100% working solution either. He did not want to prepare Noel for an unrighteous system of education, he wanted the pest to stop what he was doing to his son. He wasn't sure what to do though. Whether he should go to try to speak to the teacher himself, or would better start with the principal? Shall he tell it to Kristina or it should be his fight alone? Kristina would partly blame herself for the happenings, that was for sure. And he did not want to make matters worse by making Kristina worried and sad as well. What kind of a person is that evil bastard? Erik himself, being envious to the whole word for a normal face they had, even could not imagine himself being such a jerk towards one of his pupils if he had the carreer of that rat.

- Such a person shall be killed in a painful and humiliating way. May his bowels exit through his mouth.

He murmured in front of himself in anger, shaking.

Then he drank a glass of strong liqour to dismiss his anger. He shall act the next day. He had to calm down.

A soft knock could be heard at the Persian's door. It was late, but he wasn't yet sleeping. He was sitting on his bedside, reading a book, and guessed it was Erik who wanted maybe a late night chess party. He used to do that since they again lived in the same household, if none of them was able to sleep. Erik in these past wused to complain to him about some stomach pain and him being unable to sleep many times, so he called out.

- Come in Erik, I am awake.

It wasn't Erik though. Mahtab stepped in, still wearing everyday clothes even though it was way past two in the dawn.

- Mahtab… what is the matter? - The Persian stood up to walk closer to him.

- I need your signature, Tonton. - Mahtab placed a piece of paper in front of the Persian on the small table. - I have been thinking about this all day long, and was trying to talk to Papa about it, but he won't listen. I am not going to make his mistakes. I want to be a doctor to treat freaks like me.

- You are not a freak. But what is that paper about?

- My application for a scholarship of the University where I would be studying to be a doctor.

- How do you want to attend school, Mahtab? You have never been to…

- I know. It is not regular University where I had to attend all classes, I would only need to appear on exams.

- I understand, but… what is my role in this story? You shall convince Erik to sign it for you, Moonlight. If I was your father, I would sign it for you, but I am not, sadly. I have no authority to sign it.

- He will never do so until I am 25 and can act for my own rights. Sadly.

- Then I am afraid I can't help you, Moonlight, unless you can convince your father. I know it is not easy if he gets something in his head, but maybe you will succeed after a time.

- I am already in two years delay to start University. - Mahtab shook his head in determination. - I am not going to wait any more.

- You are just as stubborn as him. - The Persian shook his head with a smile.

- Tonton, the thing I wish to ask you is to sign this paper in his name. That way…

- What…? No! Mahtab! Do you know what are you asking?

- You to help me.

- You can't be serious, saying you don't know what you want me to do is illegal.

- No one knows it was you. It is easy to forge Papa's handwriting.

- I said no. You are not making me do something illegal, however I love you. No, Moonlight.

- You would only help me.

- A policeman does not help anyone by committing a sin.

- You had committed one for Papa as well… you lied to save him.

- I know. - The Persian lowered his head with a deep sigh. - But I am not going to make a mistake now. Mahtab, did you consider what would happen if Erik gets to know about what you did and made me do? Do you think he would hug you to his chest with happiness? You know well that you are his most precious of his children and it is an open secret he loves you the most in the family. Did he not have to survive enough betrayal in his life? Do you want to betray him and also make me do the same? Moonlight, even if it is to help you, I could not look into the mirror again and spit myself in the eye from now on, if I did that behind his back. The easiest and best way is the straight one.

- You are right. - Mahtab sighed and sat down in one of the chairs, gently folding the paper and putting it back in his pocket. - I did not think of this aspect of my plan earlier. Maybe I am too much occupied with the result and my goal, which makes me not to concentrate on the tool which is required to achieve my goal. It is a bad thing, is it?

- It can be. Mahtab, do you realize your father had talked to you just about the exact same issue in his story?

Silence fell onto the room and Mahtab looked the Daroga into the eye.

- I did not even realize I am doing the same thing now…

- See? This is why Erik does not want you to get on that road YET. Once you can see past your goals and consider the emotions, happenings to others and consequences of your actions which you do to achieve your further goals, then he might see you will not repeat his mistakes and you will only help people. You are so young yet, Moonlight and life is long. You are able to help unhappy people through a lifetime if you wish to. One or two years are nothing. You have time.

- No need to hurry. - mahtab agreed. - I have a lot to learn anyway.

- That is the right way to see things. - The Persian nodded with a warm smile.

Mahtab walked out of the room not to bother his Uncle any more and headed to the study to be able to think things through and most likely to read some before bedtime. When he opened the door and stepped in though he realized the lamp on the desk was still lighting, and he noticed a skeletal hand put on the desk, turned into fist.

- Are you still angry, Papa? - He asked, walking closer.

- No. - Erik's voice came as a response, but he did not sound to be well. His voice was reflecting pain.

- What is wrong? - Mahtab hurried closer, noticing Erik sitting in his chair, leaned towards the desk, pressing his right hand to his stomach, clenching his fist on the left hand which was lay across the table. Erik was bathing in sweat, looking extremely pale.

- Nothing. - Erik wheezed. - Go to bed.

- No. You need a doctor.

- You know well… what had happened… to him.

- There are other doctors as well in Paris. - Mahtab stated matter of factly.

- I… am not… allowing… that woman… near me… in this state.

- You have just said you were fine. So are you not? - Mahtab pointed out, wanting Erik to finally admit he was in need of help.

- My stomach… just it hurts, but it happens… don't bother with me…

- Where does it hurt?

- Don't play the doctor with me… you are not four years old any more when you… ahhh. Used to… God damn it…

- Where does it hurt? Show me.

Erik sighed, pain was too much insufferable by this time for him, yet he was good with handling moderate to severe pain in general. He pointed at the exact point he was feeling the pain coming from, and closed his eyes.

- If it is what I think it is we should go to the hospital. - Mahtab stated seriously.

- No way. You go to bed and I will get better. - Erik groaned.

He remembered back to his tonsillectomy, and the memories about the hospital, and he did not get any happier. He knew he won't go there, he simply won't. He was old, tortured, ugly and mistrustful. No more people were going to examine him with humiliating tests, especially if this was some kind of stomach problem, it would be way worse than when they used to mess in his throat with a scalpel. No way! No more new doctors, no more nurses, no more illnesses… definitely NO hospital.

- Papa! - Mahtab's slightly annoyed but rather worried voice rang in his ears, but he wasn't able to react any more.

With a final painful moan he collapsed onto his desk, and everything went black.

- Papa! - Mahtab shook his shoulder and checked his pulse in hurry. He was still alive, thank God. He knew what to do and that he could not lose another precious moment. It was time to act, not to panic.

- Do not worry Papa. I am here. Everything will be fine and I will help you. Trust me.