Chapter 36

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"Didn't you see the look on her face?!"

"Of course I saw, Erik! It was a completely normal reaction. I can't believe you would make him feel bad about it, you of all people. You went through that for Heaven's sake," Christine choked her words as her eyes threatened to spill tears any second.

"It's for his own good. He will learn to keep his face covered for the sake of society, just like I had to once," Erik replied as he looked away from her.

Christine walked over to him. "I can't believe it. Erik, listen to yourself! He is your son and it doesn't seem like you love him one bit. You should encourage him to be himself at least with his family, in his own home," her face was an inch away from his by this point. Erik turned his gaze from her once again and Christine sighed, "I just want to know if you hit him."

Erik closed his eyes and lowered this head. "I am sorry," he whispered, but Christine would have none of it.

"Leave please, I can't sleep in the same room as you tonight."

Erik nodded painfully and left the room without another word. He thought of sleeping in the music room so he could play the piano a little and clear his head, but something told him he had some thinking to do. He headed to the parlour and lay down on the divan. After a while, he gave up thinking, knowing that what he did was wrong despite his intentions being pure, he only wanted to protect his son after all. He sighed and closed his eyes, finally going to sleep.

Next morning he woke up by a pair of small and delicate hands that were shaking him. "Daddy?" Lotte called.

"Hi angel," Erik yawned and sat up. "What is it?"

"Mommy wanted to talk to you so I woke you up for her," the girl explained.

"Thank you," Erik kissed her cheek and got up to find his wife. "Now can you do me a favour sweetheart?"

Lotte giggled as Erik poked her stomach, "Anything daddy!"

"Go and get Gustave for me so that we can eat breakfast."

Lotte grinned and ran off.

"Erik?" Christine walked in looking for her husband.

Erik got up and rushed to her, grabbing a rose from one of his vases on the way. He offered the flower to her as he reached her. "I'm so sorry, please forgive me, it won't happen again," he said.

"Yes, I forgive you, but please talk to Gustave, I don't want what happened last night to affect his whole childhood and leave an emotional scar."

"Yes my love, I understand that. I will apologise to him and I will take him to work with me, how about that?" he smiled, making Christine nod in response. They embraced each other and he kissed her with all of his love.

Lotte came running downstairs just then, Gustave walking slowly behind her. "Come on Gustave!" she smiled.

Gustave walked over to Christine, his gaze on the floor, and he took her hand, placing a kiss on the back of it. "Good morning mommy," he whispered, his voice almost cracking.

"Why the formality, Gustave?" Erik asked as he crouched down. Gustave flinched and closed his eyes, and Christine's heart broke. "No, there's no need for that," Erik picked him up and kissed him on the head. "I wanted to apologise to you buddy, but I figured, what is an apology without those special waffles that you like so much? Will you help me make them?"

Gustave seemed hesitant and still a little nervous. "Yes, and you can sit next to me at breakfast!" Lotte cheered, jumping up and down.

"I suppose..." Gustave whispered.

"It'll be a fun day," Erik promised.

Christine interrupted him, "That is, if you will let us see your face sweetie." Gustave lowered his head, suddenly wondering if they were making fun of him. "It's alright, we only want to see you," Christine assured, "Will you let me take it off?"

Gustave bit his lip for a moment as he thought about it, and he realised he didn't really have a reason not to trust his mother, so he eventually nodded and closed his eyes as Christine's fingers slowly took the piece of porcelain.

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