The sounds of shouts down the hall made Claudette freeze in her tracks. The tray bearing her lady's lunch started to shake, the china plates and teacup rattling as her hands trembled. In the forty years she had served the de Chagny family, she had never once heard Raoul raise his voice like this, nor Philippe or their father. To say it frightened her would be an understatement. What shocked her though was the voice of her lady Christine matching his in volume.

She is no stupid little girl for him to push around.

Claudette almost felt a rush of pride in her chest. It was encouraging to know that her lady wouldn't give in to the spoiled Vicomte's every whim, and that she wouldn't be bullied. When Raoul emerged from Christine's room and locked it from the outside though, her heart sank. Before she could form a coherent thought about what she was seeing, Raoul spotted her and narrowed his eyes.

"The Vicomtess is not feeling well. She's not to leave this room. Understood?"

"Yes Monsieur. What of her lunch?"

"I said she's not feeling well. Take it to her if you wish, but do not speak to her," he said in a pained voice.

"Yes Monsieur. The key...?"

"Louis will help you. I'll be in my quarters," he muttered while rushing past Claudette. She had to jump out of the way to prevent him from bumping the tray and spilling the tea everywhere, but he didn't even notice.

"Still the spoiled little child," she mumbled.

"Pardon Madame?"

The grizzled voice startled her and she whirled to see Louis already standing there with the key in his hand. His thick brow cast a dark shadow across his eyes and gave him a frightful look. Claudette wouldn't be intimidated though; she had known the man since the day she was hired, and she knew that behind his harsh facade was nothing more than a bitter and lonely old man.

"He can't keep her locked up like a prisoner, Louis! It's not right."

"It's the master's orders," he replied in a flat voice. "You best not disobey him."

"Do you take me for a fool? I'll do as he says, but I don't have to agree to it!"

"You should also keep those opinions to yourself. Now, would you like to give Madame her lunch or not? I have other matters to attend."

Claudette glared at him and shook her head. "Have you no decency or one care for milady? She's ill and under an enormous amount of stress. And his treatment of her isn't do one bit of good!"

"I care for every member of the de Chagny family. Madame doesn't require my services nor my attentions. Monsieur le Vicomte is my one concern as such." He stared directly at her and added, "He is like a son to me."

"Your sons would have been far better men than he. He's just like his father-an angry drunk."

"Bite your tongue, woman, or I will have you removed from this estate."

"If I leave, so does Christine. Keep that in mind before you threaten me."

Louis gave her an incredulous look before allowing what sounded like something akin to a dry laugh escape his lips. "That would be a sight. A half-crippled maid leading a half-mad Vicomtess through the forest."

Claudette straightened her slightly curved back and scoffed. "I am not crippled!"

"But she is half-mad."

"What on earth are you talking about? Milady is only ill-"

"So you haven't heard her talking to someone? When she's alone in her room?"

"She's always been one to think aloud."

Louis raised an eyebrow and pointed to his own temple. "Has she? Or is it something...up there?"

"Have you been eavesdropping on her?" Claudette snapped.

"Of course not. But when I delivered the master's letter to her the other day, I couldn't help but overhear a one-sided conversation. Someone was in that room with her. My question is...was it an actual person?"

"Don't be ridiculous. You've never like Christine, have you? This is just another way for you to convince the Vicomte to cast her aside, isn't it?"

Louis studied her for a moment and said, "I think we both know that's already happened."

Claudette gripped the handles of the tray and swallowed her anger. "Why? All because...?"

"The de Chagny name must survive. No matter the cost."

"The cost? The cost? She is not a piece of chattel to be put down because she can't be bred!"

"When nobility is concerned, that is exactly what women are."

Claudette threw the tray and all its contents straight into Louis's chest. He tried to jump out of the way, but his old age slowed his reaction. The plate of food smeared across his white shirt and the pot of tea spilled down his trousers to drip onto his finely polished shoes. The dishes shattered against the floor to send a great echo down the hallway. By the time he looked up to confront her, Claudette had stormed away and vanished around the corner. Louis curled his lip and hollered for two of the junior butlers to come and clean up the mess. He shook his arms to shed as much food from his sleeves as possible.

"Crazy boudin," he snarled. The junior butlers made haste to fetch a bucket and some rags. When one looked up at him, he sneered and pointed in the direction Claudette had gone. "She is not to go near the master, understood? And no one enters Madame's room without the master or me."

The young man nodded and handed Louis a clean towel. "Yes Monsieur. What of the lady Claudette?"

"Leave her for now. I'll let the master handle it." He wiped off his shirt, threw the towel back at the junior butler's chest, and stormed down the hallway without another word.

When the butlers had all finally gone, Claudette released the breath she had been holding and stepped out from behind the large tapestry. After her outburst, she wasn't certain how Louis would retaliate, and she didn't want to risk finding out. Now that it was safe, she crept down the hall towards Christine's room. She stopped and reached into the folds of her dress to withdraw the brass key that Louis had once held. During the distraction of being covered with hot tea, Claudette had lurched forward and snatched the key out of midair as it fell from his hand. Now she could only pray he wouldn't notice its absence. She paused a moment to listen through the door for any strange noises, such as the so-called one-sided conversation Louis had mentioned. When only silence greeted her ears, she knocked and called for her lady.

"Claudette? Is that you?" The voice was muffled and laced with tears.

"Yes, it's me, Madame. Are you all right?"

"Yes...no. Raoul, he... He locked me in here!"

"Hush now. I have the key. May I come in?"

"Wait!"

A series of whispers followed by the sound of the window being latched caught Claudette's attention. She furrowed her brow in puzzlement, but didn't reply. Another minute of silence passed before she heard Christine approach the door.

"Okay. Please come in."

Claudette slid the key into the lock and turned it as quietly as possible. When she swung the door open, the first thing she saw was Christine standing just inside the room, her face full of torment. Claudette removed the key and closed the door behind her, but not without locking it from the inside this time.

"Madame... What's happened?"

Christine bit her lip and fumbled with her hands. "It's all true. Raoul...he's been inviting other women into his bed. All so he can have the heir I can't provide him with. And now...he came here daring to proclaim his love."

"You accused him of it?"

"Yes. I couldn't accept his damn lies anymore! And then...he said if our child...if his face was..." Her words broke and devolved into a guttural cry. She sank to her knees and cradled her stomach. "He would kill him."

Claudette moved to kneel next to her and wrapped one arm around her shoulders. "Madame, what are you talking about? The Vicomte, he would never... I've never known him to do let alone say such a thing."

Tears flowed down her cheeks as she leaned into the maid. "He would. Ever since Philippe died... I don't know why he married me. He hates me. All because I fell in love with an angel."

"An angel? I don't understand. Madame-"

"Stop calling me that."

She nodded and brushed the hair from her tear-stained cheeks. "Christine. What can I do? I don't want you to suffer anymore."

"I can't stay here."

"I'm too old to help you escape..."

"You don't have to. I'll do it myself. Someone will help me."

"Who?"

"My angel."

Claudette stared at her and struggled to comprehend all she was saying. Maybe she is mad. "You pray to this angel?"

Christine wiped her cheeks dry and nodded. "Every night. He's been with me for years. Protecting me, guiding me. He gives me strength. And he's the only one who loves me."

It's who she speaks to. But...is she truly mad?

"Does he answer you?"

Christine drew away from the maid and shot her a suspicious look. "You can leave me now, Claudette. I'm perfectly well. You best return that key. I don't want you getting into trouble on my account."

"Yes Madame. I...may have dropped your lunch on Louis. Shall I fetch you a fresh tray?"

"On him?" She laughed a bit and shook her head. "No. I'm not hungry. Bring my supper early though. I don't wish to be disturbed after sunset."

"Very well. Try to get some rest. You look quite tired."

Christine climbed to her feet and helped Claudette to stand as well. "I shall. Oh and Claudette?"

"Madame?"

"Bring an extra meal tonight, will you? I...may be rather hungry."

Claudette didn't fail to miss Christine's hesitation and darting eyes. Is it for you or for this imaginary angel? She kept the question to herself and only nodded. "I'll return later then. Feel better, Madame."

"Thank you, Claudette. I'll try."