Chapter 18: The angel sees, the angel knows
Lucien pulled his coat collar close about his face as he walked to his neighbor's house. He had thought that the exercise would do him good, but he was thinking differently as the bitter October winds bit into his skin. He had returned home from the de Chagny's a few days ago, and hsi neighbor had sent him a request to come and visit. He was relieved when he reached Louis'(Erik's) door and rung the doorbell, which he noticed was strangely shaped like a rose. A few seconds later Erik slowly opened the door, a smirkish smile on his face.
"Good afternoon Lucien," he said in a deep, cordial voice. " Please, do come in."
"Thankyou Louis, how are you?" asked Lucien as they walked towards the living room, and the crackling fire.
Erik didn't answer immediately. He could at least say that his life here was content and perhaps peaceful. But happy? He wasn't going to kid himself. But he certainly wasn't going to confide that in the Vicomte's best friend.
"I am doing well." said Erik as the two sat down in front of the fire, which Lucien was very glad of. "How was your stay at the de Chagny's?" asked Erik in a politely interested tone.
"Ah," said Lucien, a big smile on his face. "It was grand, and I had a wonderful time as I always do. And I was especially glad to hear that my goddaughter, Marie Claire and her husband Arthur are exepecting their first child." he said, his voice excited.
Erik, who was upleasantly surprised at this news, was trying to remain calm, so as not to give himself away to Lucien. He faked a rather convincing sneeze to cover his noise of anger.
"Ah, excuse me," said Erik, pulling out his handkerchief. "What delightful news for them."he said, attempting to make his voice light and conversationsal. But inside, his emotions were raging.
"Yes, it really is." said Lucien thougthfully. "They were so ecstatic. And I don't think I've ever seen Raoul and Christine so surprised. Raoul almost fell out of his chair. But they are so happy for Marie and Arthur. It's so nice to see them all so happy again, they deserve it."
"They sound like interesting people," said Erik, trying to keep the contempt out of his voice. "I should find it interesting to meet them, after hearing so much about them from you."
Lucien took a sip of his coffee, laughing at the memories of his stay with his old friends. "Well, they are coming to see my new house in about three weeks, after the reopening performance of the opera, and will be staying with me for about a week. Would you like me to bring them over to meet you? I'm sure they would be delighted."
"That would be a grand idea," said Erik in a tone of anticipation. "I should find meeting new people would be quite refreshing." said Erik, feeling an oncoming headache.
"Yes, well I shall tell them that . I am going to see them soon, as I am going to attend the reopening of the opera." said Lucien as a concerned expression came over his face."Are you feeling alright Louis, do you have a headache?"
"I am actually feeling rather ill all of a sudden and I am afraid that I must retire." said Erik, feigning a melancholy regret. "But I am sure that I will be feeling better tommorow, and I will come calling."
Lucien stood to go. "I hope that you do feel better tommorow my friend. Do you need me to do anyhting for you?" he asked, a bit worried.
"No that's alright," Erik said as he opened the door for Lucien. "I will be quite alright, I believe that it is just a bad head cold."
"Well, I hope that is is not serious monsieur. I shall tell Raoul and Christine of your invitation. Good day." he said as he falshed his trademark smile and walked out the door, back into the cold wind.
Erik closed the door behind him and waited a few minutes so that Lucien was out of earshot. His fists were clenched in fury, his expression livid as a growl of anger escaped his lips. He should have know this was coming, but the news of Marie Claire's pregnancy only made his anger at Arthur, his former protegee, even more fierce. It also made him grow frustrated with himself. Why was it that none of his plans ever seemed to be succsessful? He stormed into the parlor, kicking everything within reach. He threw several trinkets against the wall, taking pleasure in seeing them break. What was it that always kept his schemes from following through? Madame Giry's words echoed in his head:
"Christine is so happy Erik, let her be. She has found her happiness and when you see that , only then can you venture to find yours..."
What was it? Was the fact that he knew that Christine would not be happy with him always in the back of his mind. Surely that was what had been running through his head on that night all those years ago when he had let Christine go with her Vicomte. But he had never identified that emotion before, had refused. And Marie Claire seemed to have that same effect on him. He had refused to believe that each time he attempted to make them stay he only angered them and pushed away a chance of forgivness away even further. A few tears slid down his face. Why was it that he had to be so accursed? Why couldn't he be normal? He wiped the tears roughly from his hazel- grey eyes, ashamed of himself. Anger and fury welled back up inside of him, yet the lonely sadness was still there. Part of him wanted to just leave them be, for it would be easier, and something told him that it would be right. But a much bigger part of his mind refused. A torrent of emotions built up inside of him, and he could think of nothing to do but to sit at his piano and work on the opening score for his new opera. And he had two people in mind for two of the roles; Christine as the mother, and Marie as the daughter. And he himself of course as the father and master. The opera centered greatly around music, and was quite different from Don Juan. But Madame Giry's voice seemed to echo in his thoughts once again:
"Raoul and Arthur love Christine and Marie more than life, they are really wonderful men Erik, if you only knew them..."
As the strains rang through the house, Erik wondered vaguely if Lucien could hear them. How very useful that boy was turning out to be, and would prove to be in the future. He sang along with his score until the last notes resounded through the house. Ahhhh the glory of a musical masterpiece. As he made his way up the stairs and to his bedchamber, a plan began to formulate in his mind. But it would take time, and he had to count on Lucien to bring them over as he had suggested. But he would have to be careful not to reveal himself, or to make Lucien even the slightest bit suspicious over the next few weeks. He sat on his bed, his mind racing as he plotted and tried to keep Madame Giry's French accented words out of his head.
"Past the point of right or wrong..."
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A/N: Hello everyone, I am so glad that you liked the last chapter! Thankyou so much for the tremendous response! I hope that you like this chapter as well, please review. I am sorry it took so long to update, seeing as my internet wasn't working. Anyway , I hope that you like!
Samantha- I am so glad that you liked it! Yay Marie is pregnant! It makes me happy! Thanks! Oh and by the way, your last reivew cracked me up lol!
Guitarprincess- Thanks for the great review, I am glad that you liked it! I am sorry to hear about your summer, but I am glad that my fic may bring you happiness. Can't wait to see more of your fics! Yay RC forever!
Asia1st- Thanks for reviewing! And yay, I used your idea! Oh, and I love your recent fics by the way, keep it up!
I am the Angel of Music- Thanks for your review and your continued support, friend. I am so glad that you like it! Hope you like this as well, and I hope I did a good job with Erik's reaction. Oh and I will be sure to check out your fics again soon, they are really good! Thanks!
mrmistoflees- I am glad that you like the chapter, thanks so much for reiviewing! Hope that you like this as well!