Title: A Grand Illusion

Characters: Christine/Raoul, OCs

Chapters: 7/8 + epilogue

Rating: K+

Warnings: Kidnapping

Days passed. The gendarme had found Princess the pony not too far from the de Chagny's home, yet there was no sign of Madeline. Christine refused to leave the house and barely spoke to anyone without questioning them relentlessly about anything that might give them a clue why she would have left that morning. The only person who could offer her any comfort was Leroux, and he only because he seemed to feel as devastatedly guilty as she did.

After a week, the young man stood before the desk of the now ever solemn Vicomte de Chagny and handed him a letter.

"I'm sorry, Monsieur. I just…" he gulped before going on. "I just don't think I can stay. I…"

Raoul nodded, not bothering to open the letter. He offered a good reference and the rest of the week's pay. Donatien refused to take it. He merely wished them well and said he would pray every day that their daughter returned to them safely.

Christine saw him as he made his way to the back door to leave and she called his name. Donatien turned to her with a deeply saddened look.

"Madame?"

"What were you speaking to Raoul about?" she asked him gently. Over the previous days, they'd gotten to know each other enough that the boundaries of class were a little more relaxed. So she felt no guilt at putting a hand on his arm then. He looked at it, almost curiously.

"I handed in my resignation, Madame. I can't stay here. I feel like… Every day I feel as though it is my fault that…" He took a long deep breath and whispered, "Forgive me, Madame de Chagny. I feel like it is my fault Mam'selle Madeline ran off. If I hadn't told her stories about magical kingdoms and mystical lands and adventure, she wouldn't have gotten such a foolish notion in her head! I'm sure of it!"

"No. No, Leroux… Donatien. No. This isn't your fault. She has always been adventurous."

"And I did not help that… I should go, Madame."

She nodded sadly.

"Very well… We'll miss you."

"And I you, Madame."

"Did Raoul give you a letter of reference? For your next job?"

"Oh. No, Madame. I don't need it. I don't need the money."

Her brow creased and Christine fumbled for a question.

"Oh. I thought…"

"I saved enough while I was working for you, Madame. Just enough. My father… He isn't poor, Madame. I told you his illusions were used around the world. He made a few patents and a good deal of money. But he would not finance my ideas for a show and said that I should find work to save up for it. I have. And now I can do what I wish. Though I am no longer sure I want to. Now, every time I create a new illusion… I think of Madeline; how she would enjoy it, how she would laugh… And I cannot bear those memories, Madame! Especially not here. She will not laugh at them anymore… I should go. My father is expecting me home."

"Do you have far to travel?"

"A little way… Madame, I wish you all the best. Please don't be angry at my leaving. I do not mean any disrespect by it."

"Of course not. I know that, Donatien. It was delightful to have had you work for us. Perhaps I will see you around. Perhaps I will see you perform your illusions one day."

He grinned but it was weak.

"You already have, Madame."

With that, he left the de Chagny house.

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