Thomas was annoying him again.
"Come on, Olivier. What would be the harm in going to Court once? I'm bored!"
"I have no wish to indulge the whims of an overgrown child, just because his father was clever enough to claim himself a throne." he responded annoyed.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
He rolled his eyes.
"You will never find a a wife to marry if you do not go out and meet new people. Our line will die out." Thomas claimed dramatically.
Yes, that was an argument his mother would have approved of. But Olivier had no wish to find himself a wife and continue the line. He was sure he would, if he tried. But he would never have any guarantee that the wife he chose would choose him for anything other than his title.
...the one time he had convinced himself that he was genuinely loved, she had turned out to be a pickpocket and a thief. Luckily his father had kept his head on his shoulders and tried to find out more about her prior to allowing the marriage to go on.
He had hated his father then and had said some harsh words. But when he came down from it, Olivier knew that he was right and thanked him for it. Had his father let him do as he pleased, he would have married Anne and God knows what would have happened. He would never forget the hateful look on her face as she left. It was then that he knew he had done the right thing. She was not a good person.
"Olivier!"
He sighed and turned towards his younger brother.
"Can we at least try to live our lives rather than just stay buried in this dreadful old place? I fear I will die an old man before I turn thirty!"
The King's sister, the Duchess of Savoy, was visiting Paris. The King was throwing a ball in her honor and as always, the Comte de la Fere was invited. He was quite sure that the King did not expect him to actually accept the invitation, since he had not accepted any of the dozens that had come before it. But the invitation had been sent and it was his choice whether or not to go.
"If you will not do it for yourself, do it for me."
No-one could ever deny Thomas anything. It was a useful gift for a second son that would not inherit much, he supposed.
...and go to Paris, the Comte de la Fere did.