Chapter 8: A Return and a Deception
A/N: Hi everyone! I would just like to point out that its supposed to be obvious to the reader who Moncharmin is, but it is not as obvious to the characters. Erik has disguised himself very well. Its just a bit of dramatic irony. And its also very deceptive to the characters since Erik is playing both Moncharmin and himself. I promise that all of this will make sense in the end. Anywho, on with the story!
The wheels of the carriage and the horses hooves splashed through the puddles of morning dew and Marie Claire and Arthur returned to Paris. It was early morning and the sun was just rising over the city buildings. The couple lay contentedly in each other's arms, Marie's head upon Arthur's chest, thinking about the fun and romance that they had experienced on their honeymoon. Moonlit walks, sandy horseback rides, and just being together. The time had been pure bliss, with the sun always shining on the aqua waters of the Medditeranean. And though the two were glad to be coming up, a dark shadow hovered over their return. The shadoe of course, being the return of the Phantom. But both were jerked out of their reveries as the sound of the wheels crunching on gravel, as the carriage pulled up in front of Arthur's red brick Tudor house. Arthur helped Marie out of the carriage with a glowing smile on his face. Then he picked her up in his arms and carried her into the house.
"Arthur what are you doing?" asked Marie, her sweet laugh ringin through the front hall.
"Sweeping you off your feet." grinned Arthur, kissing her curly head. " We'd better hurry and freshen up, we're due at your parent's house in an hour."
"They said that they have some news for us." said Marie Claire as she gave him a kiss." I wonder what it is?" she wondered as she made her way up the stairs to change.
But as the couple rushed to get ready, a pair of grey eyes watched them from behind the willow trees, his heart clenching and his mind ticking.
About and hour later, Marie and Arthur rode up the graveled path of the de Chagny estate on a Arthur's pair of beautiful bay horses. They found everyone in the back deck, where Christine was intently reading a book, and Raoul was teaching Felix to fence. All three were so focused on what they were doing that they didn't notice Marie Claire and Arthur sneak up behind them. Both cleared their throats loudly, so as to scare everyone. A rather comical sight followed. Christine jumped from her seat in a very unlady like fashion, and Raoul and Felix both dropped their fencing swords and fell on the grass.
"Hello everyone." said Marie, her blue eyes alight with laughter." We're home." she said, as Arthur fought to contain his laughter.
"Well," said Christine, laughing herself, "You scared the daylights out of me."
She came over an hugged Arthur, and then Marie tightly, very glad to see them. Marie embraced her mother warmly. She was glad to see that she was alright, for she had worried so much about her since Erik's return.
"Welcome home you two." said Christine smiling, her heart filled with joy at the sight of her daughter's obvious happiness.
Felix then came over and hugged both Arthur and Marie at once, not bothering to brush himself off after he had fallen in the grass. Raoul, who did bother to brush himself off, followed his son, an excited grin on his face. He shook his son in law's hand warmly, and then proceeded to spin Marie around, and kissed her on the cheek.
"Well I must say that you two look awfully tan from your trip. Did you have a good time?" asked Raoul as he took a seat next to Christine, kissing her sweetly before he sat down.
"It was splendid." said Arthur, his tone light and happy.
" Yes it was," said Marie sincerely, "I don't think I've ever had that much fun, or relaxation for that matter."
"Thankyou so much for that trip," said Arthur gratefully. "I needed it."
"Anything for the two of you." said Christine, her smile lighting up her beautiful face.
Marie took a sip of her honey filled tea, as something occured to her.
"What was it that you wanted to tell us?" she asked, looking up.
"Oh yes." said Christine. "Andre and Firmin have hired a new vocal instructor for this opera. A bit of an odd man really, but he seems to have a great knowledge of music."
"And he seemed quite anxious to meet you both." said Raoul.
"I wonder if I've seen him before?" asked Arthur, his brow furrowed in thought. "What is his name?"
"Pierre Moncharmin." said a deep voice behind him.
All five of them jumped in their seats at the unexpected voice.
"Excuse me for intruding, but I saw that everyone appeared to be home, so I decided to stop by. I thought it best to introduce myself to Madame and Monsieur Page' before opening rehearsal tommorow." said Moncharmin slowly.
There was an awkward silence for a moment, until Raoul broke the ice.
"Monsieur Moncharmin, what an unexpected surprise. Please, take a seat." said Raoul pulling up a chair.
"I'm sorry for showing up so unexpectedly like this." apologized Moncharmin as he sat down.
"It is quite alright Monsieur, we often have unexpected visitors." said Christine, trying to smile. But something about this man still troubled her. She shook her head slightly. She didn't know why she felt this way, he seemed like a perfectly nice man. "These are the two people you are so anxious to meet. This is Arthur Page' and this is his wife, my daughter, Marie Claire Page'." she said as she gestured towards them.
Moncharmin stood up and shook Arthur's hand firmly, an eerie half smile on his face. Then he turned to Marie Claire and kissed her hand lightly as she curtseyed.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Monsieur," said Marie, "I cannot wait to see what you will bring to this production."
"Yes," said Arthur, agrreeing. "Neither can I."
"Thankyou for your confidence." said Moncharmin. He could hardly believe that he was here, sitting on the de Chagny's back deck, having completely fooled them. "However I should think that we should be very careful during this opera, what with the return of this Phantom fellow." he said, looking around at all of them to see their reaction.
The atmosphere seemed to become automatically more tense. Christine inched her chair closer to Raoul's as he took her hand in his. Arthur and Marie did the same. Erik had to fight off his urge to laugh. It was clear that the mention of this name struck a fear in them. But it was not a fear of him exactly, but a fear of losing each other. He had found their weakness.
"How do you know of the Phantom?" asked Raoul, looking at the man, and inquiry in his blue eyes.
"Oh, I've just heard the rumors about him around the opera house, about Paris, at the other opera houses I've been to. And I wasn't quite out the door the other day when that chandlier incident occured." said Moncharmin in a nonchalant tone. "I've heard it said that he is a demon. Some say that he is immortal."
"No he's not." said Marie abruptly. "He's a lonely and desperate man gone mad. Completley mad. He is a man, no matter what even he himself thinks." she said, her voice a bit shaky. Talk of Erik always brought back bad memories for her, memories that she didn't want to think about.
"So do not believe the rumors that you may hear Monsieur," said Christine firmly. "He is nothing but a man." she said, leaning in closer to Raoul, who put his arm around her comfortingly as he kissed her forehead. She smiled up at him, the twinkle coming back into her eyes.
Erik had to fight to keep up his facade. It was very interesting to hear others talk about him when he was sitting right there.
"Monsieur you must be careful, though he is a man he is nevertheless dangerous." said Arthur seriously.
"Yes, "said Raoul, his tone grave. "We should all be very aware of our surroundings. He tends to show up when least expected. But it is not wise to act rashly when he appears."
"I shall watch my step." said Moncharamin, smiling smirkishly as he nodded. "Well I should be on my way. I shall see you all tommorow. Thankyou for your hospitality." he said, bowing as he walked slowly out of the gate. And as soon as he was out of sight, he let out a small laugh and dropped a letter on their front doorstep. But he still found it odd how different they all seemed when he was just talking to them in a normal setting. But he was almost positive that he had fooled them completely. This was working out perfectly. Yes, just perfectly.
Later that night, as Felix came in from playing in the yard with his golden retriever Max, he came upon a strange looking envelope, with a curious skull seal. He broke the seal, curious to see what was inside. One thin sheet of paper was revealed.
'Beware of the gala night,
O.G.'
Felix inhaled sharply. This, he decided, must be from the Phantom that his parents had told him about the other day, the same one who had caused the chandelier incident the other day. Not wanting to disturb his parents, who had retired early, he slid the note under their door, with a note attached saying that he had found it. Inside the room, Christine and Raoul had fallen asleep in each other's arms, having been exhausted from all of the worry over the past two weeks. But both found solace in each other. Felix smiled as he walked from his parents room, he loved them so much. But worry still seemed to plague the little boy' s heart. He knew that his parents, his sister, Arthur, and everyone at the opera seemed worried about this Phantom.And he began to worry to.
A/N: Thankyou for all of your reviews everyone! I appreciate all comments and support. Please excuse any mistakes or typos in this chapter, I had to type it fast because I'm going out of town for a few days!
Love, Kchan
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