Hi everyone! I'm writing this chapter as I am on the mid-watch.For those of you who are not apart of the military it's the watch that's from 11:30pm to 3:30am.I was struck with inspiration and I thought that it would make the time pass by faster if I wrote a chapter of the story. Thank you to everyone for your kind words on the last chapter. I really appreciated all of your reviews that you guys submitted. Hopefully, you guys will like this next chapter as much as you did chapter twenty-nine. Well, I won't hold up the story any longer!

Chapter Thirty: The Verdict

"Monsieur De Page, do you have any more witnesses to call?"

Silence was heard throughout the courtroom. Everyone looked at each other. Then, finally, Monsieur De Page spoke. "I would like to recall the Vicomtesse De Changy."

Christine stood up quietly and made her way back up to the witness stand. "I remind you Vicomtesse, that you are still under oath," Judge Frederic said.

She nodded and folded her hands in her lap.

"Vicomtesse, in the years that you knew your husband, have you ever known him to be depressed, perhaps suicidal?"

"No, I have not. When Raoul and I were together, he was extremely happy."

"What about during the events at the Opera Populaire?" Monsieur De Page asked.

Christine paused for a moment. "It was a trying time for us all Monsieur. During those months, we all were scared, even La Carlotta. I was scared out of my mind, and I knew that Raoul only wanted what's best for me, but in the back of my mind I knew that there was something troubling him, but I couldn't put my finger on what it was," she replied.

"Did he ever show signs of depression?"

"Well…" she trailed off.

"Vicomtesse? Is there something that you know that you are not sharing with the court?"

"Once, when I went into his room, I saw him taking some pills. When I asked what they were, he insisted that he had a headache and just wanted to lie down and rest. A couple of days later, I noticed a cut on his arm. He told me that he had run into a plant outside while he was riding his horse. I've never known him to lie to me so I took him at his word," Christine said, looking straight at him.

Monsieur De Page looked down at the papers on the table in front of him and then back up at Christine. "Did the two of you keep any weapons in your home? Guns? Rifles? Swords? Anything that could have caused harm to someone?"

"Why yes, we did. Raoul had a rifle that he used when he went hunting, and kept a shotgun locked in a cabinet in the front hall. He had also told me that he had his sword locked in his room, hoping that he never needed to use it again. I never knew him to have a dagger or anything small that he could have hidden from the servants and I. If any of the servants knew about anything that went on in that house without my knowledge, they let me know about it."

"And why is that?" Monsieur De Page asked.

"Because I was the mistress of the house and they felt that I had a right to know."

"I see," he replied. "Who works in your household Vicomtesse?"

"Well, Raoul had his own personal butler, William, then there was Shawn, the stable boy. He took care of any outside work that needed to be done and tended to the horses. Jean Luc is our cook. When I first came to the estate, he told me that whatever I wanted to eat, he would cook," she replied.

"Is that all?"

"No, I had my maids, Elizabeth and Anne. Both of them were incredibly polite to me when I first came to the estate. They helped acclimate me to my new surroundings."

"How old are your maids Madame?" he asked.

"Elizabeth is twenty, and Anne is nineteen."

"Vicomtesse, how long had you known your husband before you two were married?"

Christine took in a deep breath. "I met Raoul many years ago, when I was a child, at the house by the sea. He rescued my scarf from the sea. After that summer I thought that I would never see him again, but when he was announced at the new patron to the Opera Populaire, I had butterflies in my stomach. Eventually, our friendship grew to love and he proposed to me two months after my performance in Il Muto."

"Thank you Vicomtesse, I have no further questions," Monsieur De Page said. He then turned and sat down in his seat.

"You may step down Vicomtesse."

Standing up, Christine went back and took her seat next to Erik. "Do you have any more witnesses Monsieur?" Judge Frederic asked.

He shook his head. "No, your honor, I do not."

"Then I will now retire to my chambers to deliberate this case." He turned to the jury. "I thank you for your time ladies and gentlemen, but your services are no longer needed. You may return to your homes."

A gasp rose out around the courtroom as the jury was dismissed. "In light of the recent evidence, I have decided to make a ruling in this case myself. Court is adjourned for one hour. I shall announce my ruling then."

The gavel was dropped. "All rise," the bailiff intoned.

Everyone in the courtroom stood up as Judge Frederic stood up and exited the courtroom. Christine let out the breath that she had been holding. "Erik, what's going to happen to me?" she asked, clasping onto his hand.

"Don't fret mon ange. Everything will be alright," he replied. "Come, let's go get something to drink while we wait."

He took her hand and led her out of the courtroom. Together, they made their way down the hall and out the front door. A small café was nearby. "Would you like some tea? Perhaps it would calm your nerves," Erik asked, looking into Christine's eyes.

"Yes, perhaps some tea would do me some good."

They went over to the café and Erik pulled out a chair for Christine to sit down. Once she was seated, he pulled out a chair and sat next to her. A waiter appeared a moment later. "What can I get for you two?" he asked.

"Two cups of tea, please."

"Yes sir, right away." He disappeared for a few moments and then reappeared with a tray with two tea cups perched atop of it. Setting them down in front of the couple, he stepped back. "Is there anything else that I can get for you?" he asked.

"No, that will be all, thank you," Erik replied handing him a ten-franc note.

"Thank you monsieur. Have a wonderful day."

Christine put a cube of sugar into her tea and stirred it around. She took a sip and set it back down on the table. "I'm worried Erik. What is going to happen if he finds me guilty? I don't want to go to jail. I can't bear to be apart from you."

"Mon ange, please, don't worry. Everything will be fine. Drink your tea and relax."

The next few minutes passed in silence as they drank their tea. Christine watched people pass by on the street while Erik kept his eyes trained on Christine. Soon, both cups were empty. "Come, let's make our way back into the courtroom. It's almost time," Erik said, taking Christine's hand.

They stood up, and hand-in-hand they made their way back to the courthouse and into the courtroom. They sat in their chairs just as the judge was coming back into the room.

"All rise," the bailiff said.

"Take your seats ladies and gentlemen," Judge Frederic said as he entered the room.

He flipped through the papers on his desk and then looked out into the courtroom. "After reviewing this case, I have come to a decision. Vicomtesse, Monsieur, would you please rise?"

Slowly, Erik and Christine stood up and faced him. Erik took Christine's hand in his and held it tightly.

"In light of the new evidence, I have decided to proclaim both of you not guilty. You are free to go. This case is dismissed!" he said, banging the gavel down.

"All rise."

Christine held her composure until Judge Frederic left the courtroom. Then, she threw her arms around Erik's neck and held him tightly. "I can't believe it! It's a miracle!" she cried.

"I told you mon ange. I knew that everything would be alright," he said, returning her embrace. "Come, let's go home."

Hopefully, everyone liked that verdict. Now, here's a game for you all! The person to correctly guess what the next chapter will be on, will a cookie and a hug from Erik. Here are your choices:

a. Raoul's funeral

b. Erik and Christine's Wedding

c. The Verdict celebration

d. An explanation as to Raoul's suicide

e. All of the above

Please don't forget to submit a review!

I remain your obedient authoress,
Phantomfan1911