Chapter 12 The Descent
Erik set his glass down and made the trek upstairs, the further he climbed, the louder the raucous. He had fixed it the night before to dim the gas lights for his entrance, he was armed although he was not the best swordsman, he just needed to look menacing. He and Christine had talked and discussed this night. It was decided that they would allow their relationship to become apparent to all. At least their relationship as teacher/student. He was first and foremost a showman and was anticipating the night.
Christine had partaken of the wine Raoul had pressed upon her and was feeling disoriented amongst the costumes, dancing and merriment. Raoul asked her again to marry him in the middle of it all giving her a beautiful ring--her resistance was down and she foolishly said yes. She would give it back soon she thought, but wanted to keep it… awhile longer. She could not hurt Raoul. When he pressed upon her to wear it she immediately felt fear. "No we can't let people see Raoul, not yet. Not until I am a big star-- soon." She strung it around her neck and swept up in the moment kissed him passionately. It was not the same. She was relieved. Her choice was a good one. She looked around for her Phantom who would soon appear.
There were matters to discuss he thought at the top of the stairs before he ascended. Christine would be star, that he had already been granted. But the business of the dancers 'attending' the managers must be addressed. Monsieur Le Fevere had been of outstanding character and had resisted the temptations of the 'casting couch'. It seemed these two had entered this profession because of this temptation. From the beginning they had leered at the dancers, in this Carlotta had been right. And he remembered the way Mme Giry fumed at their interest in her daughters. He would curtail this now. He thought maybe he could scare Piangi into losing some weight for the role, although he knew this to be most likely futile. The drink was warming him and he had a great confidence as the lights dimmed. It was all going well, he thought until he laid his eyes upon Christines bodice. She was not showing yet, but had begun to swell there and he had followed this development with interest…there was something there. Instantly he realized what it was and the black rage that was also a part of him enveloped him. He exited hurriedly before he could harm her, Raoul foolishly following him. He watched him amusedly for a few moments while he collected himself before dropping the noose as a warning and exiting. Madame Giry had been waiting for his sign and took care of him he presumed.
Back in the lair his rage had fully dissipated and turned to anguish. She had chosen him finally, her Phoebus, the golden perfect boy. He should never have allowed her to continue seeing him, but it had seemed the only way. How could she ever love him truly-- a monster. Yes the surgeons could help him, but what he had been told as a child was they could help him, but he would never appear normal. She accepted him now of course, but with the promise of a miracle in the future. She was with child-- his child. It was too late for her to pass off the child as Raoul's. One such as he would look upon her horrified, reject her, Erik was sure, when the truth was told. He did not think Christine understood this. Raoul viewed her as his prize-- tarnished he would cast her aside. The scandal of a marriage out of class could be accepted, but not a marriage where the birth of the first child was too soon. Even if Raoul accepted her-- his family would not and he would surely be cut off from all fortune. At this moment something inside of him broke. Sanity left him quietly and was replaced with one purpose. The possession of his angel.
