One Step Forward, One Step Back
The first second footman stood leaned over Philippe’s shoulder with the tray of the first dish, salmon, as Philippe reached to his left, taking a piece of fish while the under butler was pouring Adrien’s wine. The conversations were mixed, and tonight Philippe would be the first to break the silence as Adrien was busy cutting into the salmon. “Sir.” Philippe began, “Now that we are to be here in France, I was wondering.” Philippe hesitated.
“Wondering about?” Adrien smiled back at Philippe, picking up his wine glass and taking a sip. It was an older wine that he had brought with him from Paris.
“As you said.” Philippe continued, taking a sip of his own, heavily watered wine. “We will be staying here in France.” A small smile visible on Philippe’s lips as he said it. “I was wondering if I could enlist in the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr and continue my studies there. It’s the only one to rival the Theresianische Militärakademie here in France and I don’t want to spend too long sitting here and falling behind.” Philippe finished, cutting into his fish.
“You wish to continue your military studies?” Adrien said, ceasing to eat as he looked at Philippe who in turn nodded his head while chewing on a piece of salmon. Adrien just chuckled slightly and returned to his fish, “No, that is not your future, the French military is for the poor, the uneducated and the masses.”
Philippe looked up at Adrien, raising an eyebrow, “Then why was I enrolled to begin with? I want to finish what I started.”
“When we enrolled you as a cadet in Austria, you may have had a fortune but no land. Your father, the late Prince of Condé was the first and foremost landlord of France, with vast estates, princely homes, and hundreds if not thousands of farmers under him.” Adrien commented, eating another piece of salmon. “Now all of that has befallen you, you are the new Prince of Condé in all but title, and perhaps that you do not have the title is for the best. You are not your father’s legitimate son, so should the title die with him his perhaps most fitting. You will eventually receive a title regardless, most likely a peerage.”
“And why do you imagine that I will receive a title, or a peerage?” Philippe asked curiously as they both continued with their fish, the under butler refilling both their glasses.
“As I said, Philippe.” Adrien first said, taking a sip of wine again before continuing. “You are the Prince in all but title and name, you own all the land and property. You will be at the forefront of French social life. The nobility may always look down upon you for your birth, but they would never want you not to be part of them. Far better they can look down on your birth, than it can be said in the streets of Paris and France at large that the largest and richest landowner in France is a commoner. That would put them all to shame, the nobility as a whole. It would be too clear a symbol of their decline.”
“Oh.” Philippe just uttered, taking another bite, “Do you not wish for me to be Prince of Condé?” He asked his stepfather, leaning back in his chair as he did.
“I don’t know.” Adrien countered, “I think it would do you more good not to, to receive a dukedom of your own. The Principality of Condé is associated with the Royal Family and that family is no longer here. I would rather not have you be too attached to the new royal house. It brings certain advantages, but also disadvantages.” Though Philippe could not wonder if that comment came more from their latest meeting with the new King, it had gone less than smooth. “Titles are good, but they can only do so much for you.” He finished with Philippe just nodding.
“I suppose.” Philippe paused, “A new title would also be my own, a fresh start.”
“Exactly.” Adrien commented with a smile before Philippe went back to an earlier question.
“But my father was in the military, my grandfather, even you. Would you not wish for me to be in it as well?” Philippe sipped some wine before taking the last bite of his salmon.
“That was a different age, and until very recently I was not even a Baron. No, I have contacted your first tutor, to continue your Latin and keep you occupied until I structure together a proper education for you.” Adrien sat in thought for a moment while the servants cleared the plates, “Perhaps a marriage of you to a proper duchess would also do you well.” He said before shaking his head, “You never know. But don’t worry, I shall have some tutors for you before long.” He finished as the servants brought in the roasted chickens for the main course and the evening continued.
