Chapter 43

Christine's POV

I was shocked by Raoul's most recent attempt on Erik's life, although I was not sure this time that I was not his intended target. He called me a whore, which cut me deeply. I thought that Raoul could be reasoned with but I was no longer sure that I ever really knew him. He seemed far from the even tempered and sweet boy that I thought that I had fallen in love with. I prayed that Christian would be alright. Although he had killed Erik's grandfather I sensed that he was still the good natured and caring man that I first thought him to be. It would be terrible to think that his life would be taken from him in his prime; just when he had found love at last. I grieved for Meg should the worst befall him. She and I had always thought that we would marry handsome and loving men. I suppose I did not fall in love with a handsome man, by most people's standards but he was a most loving and unique man, and very handsome on the inside. I wondered if he would be able to keep his temper with Raoul or if this would be the last straw that would lead to my ex-fiancé's demise. Despite all I hoped that Erik would not give in to madness once more in his anger and grief at what Raoul had done.

To my surprise, the Persian approached me and told me that Erik would like me to come and speak to Raoul. Nadir informed me that while Erik was angry at the boy, he was calm and measured enough to still desire that the plan that we formulated be put into action. It was still important that we try to sway Raoul into changing his mind or at least dropping his plans to kill Erik. No one expected either Raoul or Erik to become friends but they did not have to be eternally enemies either. The Comtesse was still the puppeteer and we were all dangling on her strings unless we could all join forces to expose her for who and what she was. I knew that Raoul's antipathy towards Erik ran deeply and I wasn't sure how he felt about me. I hoped that like his rash attempt to rape me that his attempt to kill us was also rash. I could not think that his love for me would turn to hate so quickly.

We all gathered and came down to the room where Erik was holding Raoul. To my surprise Erik had released Raoul from his bonds and was calmly sitting beside him, as if he were an honored guest and not someone who had just attempted to kill him.

Erik turned to Nadir and told him "I have decided that this matter might better be approached in a more comfortable setting. Let us go to the drawing room where we might all be comfortable and discuss this unpleasant matter between us in a civilized fashion."

Raoul gave me an apologetic look as if to confirm that he had acted rashly when he called me that hurtful name. I forgave him instantly, as I could see the misery and regret etched in his eyes. I smiled at him in forgiveness. Erik caught that glance and I knew that he still retained insecurity where Raoul was concerned. I walked over to Erik and took his hand in mine and squeezed it reassuringly. I looked into his eyes and beamed my approval; the tepid look in his own vanished replaced by a look of pure adoration. I was sure that Raoul must have seen our interaction but I could not reassure them both at the same time.

We all made our way to the drawing room where Erik ordered refreshments and a light repast and had a servant fetch his mask and wig. I could understand his continuing discomfort in having Raoul and Otto see him in his natural state.

When everyone was settled he donned them both and turned to Raoul with surprising calmness and told him "Had you not so unexpectedly dropped in to see us, we were coming to see you and your grandmother the Comtesse as well."

Raoul looked at Erik in shock "How did you know that she was my grandmother?" he asked agitatedly.

"I know a great deal about the matter, boy. A lot more than you do." He sneered but continued. "It is the purpose of our little tete-a-tete before you and I decide whether or not to duel. Once you have learned the truth about the origins of the conflict between us, I am hoping that the matter can be settled without any further bloodshed between Us. Given your complete inability to see me as anything more than a deranged monster, I have taken the likely step of having our weapons available."

Nadir handed Erik a wooden box which Erik then opened and removed two very finely crafted dueling pistols, fondling them almost lovingly. I gasped in fear that they would be used. He handed them to Raoul who examined them with equal admiration.

Erik turned to Otto and told him "These belong to Christian and are of the finest German craftsmanship. As one who admires any object of beauty, I must complement both Christian's taste and choice of weapon."

Otto glared at Raoul and then Erik "I don't see the point in telling the boy anything, we do not need him to expose the Comtesse for whom and what she is. Why don't you just take care of him cousin? If you lack the balls to do so I will be happy to do it myself. The boy wounded Christian; it is my right to kill him."

"If you kill the Vicomte, I shall be forced to kill you in his defense. I am not overly fond of you despite our kinship. I have much to settle with you for your past actions but have restrained myself from doing so for Christian's sake and for the sake of peace between the members of our family. You forget quite conveniently that the Vicomte may be your nephew." Erik pointed out threateningly. "But of course getting rid of close relatives is not really an issue in your case." He continued sarcastically.

"Perhaps I should rid myself of both of you. Two less Frenchmen in the world would not leave me heartbroken." Otto threatened.

Raoul turned to me and observed "They are both insane, what in the blazes are they talking about? Why does Erik claim that I might be that man's nephew?"

I told him "Erik is perfectly sane, Otto not so much. As Erik told you there is a lot about this situation that you do not know. It is very complicated to say the least."

Raoul handed the pistols back to Erik who put them back in their case. "Will someone please tell me what is going on here?" Raoul asked in frustration.

Erik smiled at him smugly "With pleasure Monsieur le Vicomte." He purred with sarcastic formality. "I am not sure that you ever were properly introduced to my Persian friend. Monsieur Khan is an old friend of mine from my time in Persia. He held the distinguished position of Daroga which means that he was the head of the Shah's secret police in the city of Mazendaren. He and I were comrades in arms so to speak. Nadir was known as one of the best investigators in all of Persia, an appellation which I believe to be too modest. In my opinion the Daroga here is one of the most skilled investigators in the entire world."

Nadir smiled "You are too kind my friend."

"You are too modest Daroga." He then continued "When I first arrived in Alsace, I sensed that something was not quite right about the environment here. It was not so much the gloomy gothic atmosphere and décor. It was simply that there was something strange and foreboding about the people. I have spent many years in the shadows observing people and something seemed out of place, not quite right. I immediately asked the Daroga to look into the situation and see what he might find. I truly expected him to tell me that I was being paranoid. Imagine my surprise when he related his discoveries to me. They have profoundly affected my views on this matter and particularly towards you. If he had not made his discoveries we would not be talking; you would be dead." He told Raoul flatly. "Daroga, please share your findings with our young friend here." He told Nadir.

The Persian recounted all that he had discovered: the mysterious deaths, Raoul's likely grandfather and most of all, his grandmother's true nature. At first Raoul believed none of it. It sounded too much like one of those gothic stories that the American author Edgar Allen Poe had written that had been translated into French by the poet Charles Pierre Baudelaire. But soon the story became so fantastic as to render it believable, even to Raoul. He could not believe that anything so twisted and bizarre could have been invented even by the combined imaginations of either Erik and Nadir. Otto also confirmed his part and actions and his relationship with the Comtesse. By the end of the narrative Raoul looked very green and squeamish. He was pale with mortification and shame at the thought that he had been so manipulated but even to him he could see the hand of the Comtesse gently pushing him and guiding him to do her bidding.

When the Daroga was finished Erik returned to the box with the pistols and once again removed them handing them over to Raoul. Raoul recoiled in horror at the offered weaponry. Erik laughed bitterly "Would you still like to fight a duel with me boy? Or has your lust for my blood started to cool? Your choice, I am at your service either way."

"Good God, no." he replied "Put them away. I refuse to do her bidding any longer."

Erik turned to the Daroga and smirked "Well I guess that you were right, the boy does have the ability to learn." He turned back to Raoul and asked him "Would you now be willing to let Christine make her choice between us and respect her decision? Or do you still think that I am holding her against her will?"

Raoul looked at Erik and then at me and told him "Yes of course, in view of the circumstances I definitely agree to honor her decision no matter what."

He removed his mask and wig once more and came to stand beside Raoul and faced me. He repeated the words that he had once used on that night in the lair but without either the desperation or the rancor that he had used. He knew what my answer would be. I looked at Raoul apologetically and then walked over to Erik and kissed him on the lips, just as I had done that night. I put my arms around his waist and told him gently

"I choose you Erik, with all my heart." I looked at Raoul and told him "I am sorry Raoul. I hope that we can remain friends."

"Of course Lotte." He replied softly.

Erik looked at me and asked me softly and gently, his eyes were as clear and trouble free as I had ever seen them "Did I hypnotize you or use any sort of coercion to force you to make your decision?"

I laughed but I knew why he asked me the question I answered "Yes, but not by your own doing. I am captivated by everything about you, your musical voice, your mesmerizing eyes, your singing in my ears and my head, the purity of your loving heart, and the beauty of your undying spirit."

Erik laughed and turned to Raoul jovially "Note that she did not emphasize the handsomeness of my face or the fullness of my hair. You beat me hands down on both of those qualities." He cleared his throat and asked more seriously "She has made her choice very clear to both of us. No matter what you might think of me, or of Christine's decision will you give me your word as a noble of France that you will honor it?"

"Yes, I do. I give you my word." He told Erik solemnly.

Erik mused "I will never like you, fop. You are too pretty, too judgmental and priggish for my taste. I definitely do not believe that we could be related in any way." Despite his words Erik held out his hand in a truce and Raoul took it. They shook each other's hands firmly. I was so happy to see the two most important men in my life make peace with one another. I never would have thought that it would be Erik who would have been the one to initiate it. It made me more ashamed of how badly that I had once misjudged him but I was glad at the same time that we found our way back to one another despite so much pain and heartache.

The men then began to discuss what to do about the Comtesse. Otto proposed that they make her 'have one of her accidents'. He insisted that no one would miss the witch, not even her daughter. Raoul suggested that Nadir turn over the evidence to the police.

Erik interrupted and told them "We can do neither. If we stage an accident we could be found out and we would all hang, if we call in the police then Otto, Christian and Raoul could be prosecuted with her. All three are guilty of capital offenses, even you boy. You are all her victims but you are her accomplices as well. Isn't that true Daroga."

Nadir replied "I am afraid so, Erik. All of you willingly did her bidding despite the fact that she instigated the violence by feeding you false information. There is no guarantee that any of you would be treated leniently."

They all turned to Erik. Raoul turned to him expectantly "What do you propose, Erik?"

Nadir mused "Too bad your maze is in Paris, an hour in there and she would be gone like the rat that she is."

Erik smiled "If I did build a maze here in the Chateau I would most definitely use her as my first test case, but I am afraid that my days of haunting opera houses and hiding in cellars are behind me. I am not sure that Christine would like me to engage in more acts of violence, and I think that it is safe to say that the family skeletons are finally out of the closet and the ghosts have been exorcised. The only solution is to lock her up in a lunatic asylum for the rest of her life which will hopefully be brief. We will make sure that she receives no visitors and has no contact whatsoever with the outside world. Trust me when I tell you from personal experience to have no companionship or hope for the future, is to live a fate that is worse than death. To live without love is not to live at all."

Erik voice caught in his throat and he stopped speaking and I could see that he was thinking of himself and his own past. I felt an almost maternal impulse to comfort him and let him know that it would no longer be his fate. I put my arms around him and caressed him, even Raoul said nothing. I kissed him on both cheeks once more and wiped his tears with my hand.

I held him tightly to me and caressed him more like a mother comforting a child than a lover "I promised you ange that I would show you that you are not alone, and I meant what I vowed. I want to share one love one lifetime with you, bear you children and give you the happiness that you so deserve."

Just then Meg came into the room and we all looked at her with concern. "How is Christian?" I asked her afraid to hear her answer.

"He regained consciousness a little while ago, he is still very weak but I think that he will survive." She told us.

Raoul looked relieved "I am sorry for what I did Meg truly I am. I did not mean to hurt him." He told her.

She looked at him. I could tell that she was exhausted from the stress and worry.

"I'm not sure that I could have forgiven you if he had died. You had no business attacking anyone like that no matter what the provocation might have been in your own mind. If you had a problem with either Erik or Christine you should have faced them and confronted them directly in a civil manner not with guns or knives."

Raoul looked at her chastened "You are right Meg, again I am sorry."

She glowered at him a little longer but then she sighed "Alright I forgive you, I have never liked to hold a grudge, ask Christine she can tell you how much I hate that."

I never used to think that my best friend had been capable of holding a grudge but the past few months had told me otherwise. Still our friendship went over the hump and had been restored. I hoped that our future would be brighter.