As time passed, Philippe got better at being a father to his siblings. Their own father hardly ever came home, and when he did the visits were not a good memory for anyone, especially not Raoul. Philbert had no patience for the boy and unfairly blamed him for his wife's death.

And so it was Philippe who cared for Raoul and his sisters, and he began to take great pride in that. He sent his sisters to finishing schools and made sure they got lessons in whatever they wished. He stored away money every month for their dowries to ensure they would be well taken care of.

He made sure to take every care with Raoul as well. The boy was seven now and the light of their entire home. He was curious and cheerful and nearly always dirty as he roamed the gardens looking for animals and bugs and snakes. More than once Philippe had caught him smuggling animals into the house. He even tried to raise tadpoles in his bathtub once. He insisted on taking in every hurt or sick creature he found and cried when they died despite his best care. He and his dog- still named Orange- were best friends. Philippe, his sisters, and their family and acquaintances were charmed by his sweetness and happy disposition.

The time soon came for Raoul to begin an education, and so Philippe hired a tutor that came highly recommended, a Monsieur Charles Renault. He was a young man, freshly graduated from university, and while Philippe couldn't stand his politics he was supposed to be an excellent teacher.

Three months after he was hired, Philippe was sitting in his study writing letters when suddenly there came a knock at the door. "Enter!" He called, looking up from his letters.

A maid opened the door and said, "Monsieur le Vicomte, I think perhaps you ought to see something. It's Monsieur Renault… I cannot stand and be silent anymore."

At that Philippe got to his feet. "Show me."

He followed the maid to the room where the tutor met with Raoul and he heard crying. The door was open, and so Philippe stood in the doorway and watched for a moment. Monsieur Renault and Raoul had their backs to them, and the tutor had his hand on the back of Raoul's neck, pushing him towards a book. "Honestly, boy, are you really so stupid?!" He demanded. "I know the nobility were unintelligent but you've taken it to a new level!"

"I'm not stupid!" Raoul cried. "Let go!"

"You are!" The tutor insisted. "You cannot even remember a simple list of Latin words!"

"I don't want to learn Latin!" Raoul sobbed. "Let go!"

The tutor did let go but before Philippe could do anything he slapped the boy across the face, which made him cry harder. "You spoiled, ungrateful little-"

He didn't get the chance to finish. Philippe bounded forward and grabbed the man by the back of his jacket, throwing him across the room and pinning him there. "You dare lay a hand on him?!" He bellowed in a fury. "You dare to strike him?!"

Renault looked frightened. "I was teaching him responsibility! He refuses to learn anything!"

"I do not care what he does, you will never touch him again!"

"Fine!" The tutor said. "He's a spoiled little noble brat anyway!"

At that, Philippe lost his temper completely and with a single heave he tossed the man out the open window. It was only the first floor, but he wouldn't soon forget some of those bruises. "Don't ever come back or I will have you arrested!" He bellowed. Then he shut the window and turned to his brother.

Raoul was crying as the maid fussed over him. His cheek was already beginning to swell, a mighty bruise forming. "Has he hit you before, Raoul?" Philippe asked, kneeling down to his level.

Raoul nodded, trying to wipe away his tears. "Sometimes with his cane." He pointed to the man's walking stick in the corner.

"I can vouch for that." The maid said. "Poor little Baron! I should have done something sooner!"

"It's alright, Minette." Philippe said gently. "He's gone now. And as for this…" He got up and broke the cane in half over his knee, which made Raoul giggle despite himself.

"There. He'll never hit you again, I promise." He said. He'd never teach again either, Philippe would see to that.

"Does that mean I don't have to learn no more?" Raoul asked hopefully.

"I'm afraid not, but we'll find you a better tutor." He said.

Raoul sighed, but knew not to argue. "Can I go outside now?"

"Yes, go on. But absolutely no mud today! Aunt Catherine is coming for dinner!" He said firmly.

Raoul just grinned and ran out the door. Philippe knew that he'd be covered in mud by dinner time no matter what. With a half exasperated, half amused sigh he went back to his study and began to process of writing down what happened in case Renault tried to report anything or sue him. Perhaps he had lost his temper, and perhaps he shouldn't have actually thrown the man out the window… but he could not bring himself to regret it.

No one would be allowed to harm Raoul as long as Philippe was alive to stop them.