The chamber door creaked as it closed. Philippe hung the lantern as William slowly approached Raoul. The boy sat on the floor with the cuffs around his wrists. He looked a mess. There was blood splattered down his shirt from his face. He had one eye beginning to blacken and dried blood sat around his nose. He slowly looked up at William and gave a twisted little smile. Raoul laughed some. "So, what will it be father? Are you here to save him? Or me?"
William sighed. "I thought we were passed this Raoul." He said.
"That's not an answer father." Raoul replied.
"This one will not go quietly Raoul."
"Is that to be my answer? Because I don't think it was clear."
"I've let you have your fun boy. I have stood by and made sure that all of the problems that fun has caused disappear."
"Him or me father, which is it?!"
"You gave me your word that you would not pursue her any longer."
"The bastard or your son!?"
"I will not claim you!" William screamed. Raoul looked at him in shock. "You knew this day would come. I told you that one day there would be a mess not even I could clean."
"Oh, but you can father." Raoul laughed darkly. "You've never cared for him. Tell me, if she were unattached to him would that make the situation better? Because I don't think they are technically married. After all we have convinced most of France that he is dead. So, what does it matter that a fucked his widow?"
William shook his head. "You have truly lost your mind."
Raoul smiled. "They say that happens when you're in love."
"But you aren't." Philippe spoke. "You are just a sad spoiled brat that thought since he couldn't have the toy no one could."
"You aren't wrong brother. Why should this nobody have her when I can't? Why should he live a happy life with her? What makes him worthy of her?! I am the son of a goddamn Count! He is nothing!" He cried out pulling at the cuffs chained to the wall. He yelled as if Erik were in the room. As if he could fight his enemy and claim his prize. Raoul calmed himself after a moment. He slowly stood to his feet. He leaned against the wall and fingered a hole he found. "She wanted it you know?"
"What?" Philippe replied coming toward him. William restrained him.
"Oh yes. She wanted this to happen. I guess she regretted it once we started, but I know that deep down she is happy it happened."
Philippe jerked away from William and grabbed Raoul slamming his head into the wall. "You are truly a sick fuck!" Philippe screamed in Raoul's face. Raoul winced and could feel the sting of the new wound on the back of his head.
Raoul laughed after a moment. "What do you think you're going to do? Kill me?"
"Peut-etre. Peut-etre que je vais." Philippe said glaring at him. "You see Erik has been more of a brother to me than you ever have. And as for Christine, since their marriage I have grown quite close with her. She is the sister I never had. Instead I was cursed with you."
Raoul shook his head. "Do you really think Father will let you get away with that?" Raoul looked over to see that William had backed away. Raoul looked at him concerned. "Father?"
"You are not my son." William turned his back and went to the door. "Do what you will Philippe."
"So it to be the bastard then!?" Raoul yelled panicked as William shut the door.
Slowly he looked back at Philippe. "Permet d'avoir du plaisir, allons-nous?"
In that moment Raoul knew that he had lost.
It was a miracle, but Christine slept through the night. Erik held her close to him afraid of what might happen if he left her again. The house had grown silent within the past few hours. Erik had heard muffled cries from the chamber earlier in the night, but eventually they quieted. Philippe appeared in the doorway not to long after and just simply nodded to Erik.
Erik was unsure if that meant Raoul was dead or just silenced for the time being. He wouldn't ask though. He knew that if Raoul wasn't dead that he would go in and finish the job himself. Philippe stayed the night in the living room. William and Nadir went home for the night. Madame Giry went to her flat in the opera and Selene joined her. Selene insisted on staying close to Erik and Christine.
Erik didn't sleep. He feared what may happen if he closed his eyes. He wished that if he drifted to sleep when he woke that it would all be a terrible nightmare. Erik knew better though. He once thought that he was doomed to a life of misfortune. When Christine married him, he believed that it was a change of luck. Things became normal. He became that closest he had ever felt to a normal man. They planned their lives together. He pictured them growing old and seeing the world.
Christine had mentioned children a month or two before to him. He would admit that he wasn't on board with the idea at first but the longer he thought of it the more he loved their child. He couldn't bring himself to tell Christine that the song was for their child. He was consumed with the idea of their future child and that was when he locked himself away. Erik had never been good at expressing how he felt when it came to Christine, but she understood his music. That is what they always had. Their music.
Erik couldn't even hear that now. His mind was silent, and it was maddening. If it wasn't for the fact that he was holding Christine, he would truly go mad. The music had never stopped since he met her. And now it was gone. He prayed for something to come to his mind. Anything. He begged for even a melancholy note. Something to break the deafening silence.
Eventually it was morning. Selene came and kept the house for Erik. She was surprised to find him in the kitchen when she arrived. "I thought you would still be asleep." She commented.
Erik shook his head. "Couldn't sleep. I tried but it just wouldn't come." He replied setting the kettle of water on the stove to warm.
"How is she?"
"Asleep still I think." He wouldn't look her in the eyes. Erik just couldn't bring himself to it.
"It's alright to grieve mon fils. You can let it show." Selene said placing her hand on his shoulder.
Erik shook his head. "I feel as though I am watching my whole world fall apart, and I can't stop it. I keep trying, but I am not strong enough." Erik looked past his mother thinking of Christine. "I can't let her see me this way. I can't allow her to see me failing. I have to be strong for her."
"Erik that is too much even for you darling." They were silent for a moment. "I was speaking with Madame Giry last night, and I know you don't want to hear it, but Erik, I too feel it best that you two leave." He sighed and looked at her annoyed. Erik jerk away from her opening the cabinet to get the tea leaves. "Erik, I know it was something the two of you had discussed. You and I have even talked about it. It was going to happen eventually. Why not now?"
Erik placed his hands on the counter hanging his head. He was stubborn much like his father as Selene remembered. "If it happens now, I feel it's like we are being run out. I don't like that feeling."
"Think of Christine, and what she needs. You know that in every marriage there are sacrifices that need to be made. This might be one of those sacrifices my dear. You know I will always make sure that the two of you are taken care of." She thought for a moment. "There is a house out in the country that we own. It is a beautiful piece of land. Out of the way just like I know you would want. It's yours if you choose." Erik knew the house she was talking about. They had spent a few summers and holidays there when he and Philippe were growing up.
Erik let out a long sigh and the kettle began to whistle. "I will think about it." He replied removing the kettle.
Philippe sat up and stretched from his spot on the couch. He winced at how his neck and back cracked due to an uncomfortable night's sleep. He yawned as his mother entered the living room. "Is he," She began.
"Alive." Philippe replied annoyed.
Selene nodded. "What is to be done with him?"
Philippe shrugged. "I don't know mother. I can't tell if he is actually insane or, pardon my wording, being a complete ass to get a rise out of me." Selene chuckled. Philippe was always such a gentleman around her when he acted this way it always amused her. "Father told me to do as I see fit. Which means either prison or an asylum. Whichever would torture him more." He looked to Selene as she stoked the fire. "How is he? Are they awake?"
"Erik is." She said with a sad expression. "He is grieving but not sure how or when to express it."
"He has always processed these things differently, mother, you know that." Philippe replied.
She nodded. "I know, but I can't help but worry. I have never seen him like this before."
"We have never had to deal with anything of this sort before." Philippe countered.
Selene nodded. Erik had never experienced true loss before. Not like this. He had been sent away from his family at a young age, yes, but Selene always made sure that she was there when he needed her. William also made sure that Erik was well taken care of. The lifestyle under the opera was what Erik chose because it is what he felt he deserved. Erik knew that he was William's biggest shame but considering recent events that might lower him to second place. "He will come to grip with everything in his own time mother. He will always do what he thinks is best for Christine." Selene smiled to herself.
"He truly loves her, doesn't he?" She asked looking at Philippe who smiled.
"I don't think I have ever seen someone so in love. He is obsessed with everything she is. And she returns every bit of that. They are a perfect match, and no one can convince me otherwise." Philippe replied. Though his words were sweet and meant for comfort, they only caused more pain for Selene. Knowing how in love and devoted they were to each other made her hurt more for them.