Corrected version.
Chapter 4
The musketeer could not believe how fast time had passed. Today Philippe was turning 18; he looked at his son, and saw a handsome young man with golden brown hair, like the hair of Frances when she was young, blue eyes like his own. Well-built, and about the same height as him. He had grown a mustache, and a goatee that he stilled in the same fashion as he did. They hoped that would help hide his resemblance to the King. He was very proud of his son who was kind, and compassionate to others.
He almost forgot that Louis was be celebrating his birthday too. D'Artagnan wondered if Louis looked like Philippe, he had not seen him in 3 years, and even if he loved him dearly, he did not miss him as much as he did at first, he felt a bit guilty about it. However not seeing Anne was still very difficult, but necessary to maintain the safety of everyone involved.
The thoughts D'Artagnan were interrupted, when Philip approached him. He looked at his son with pride, and love in his eyes. D'Artagnan embrace his son in a respectful fatherly hug, and said, "Happy Birthday Philippe." The young man returned his father hug, and said, "Thank you father." His father told him, "I have the horses ready, and we can got to the lake to fish when you are ready."
An hour later, they had arrived to their destination, and were sitting on some rocks by the lake, fishing poles in their hands. They did not need to talk to enjoy each other's company. Philippe felt a fish pulling on his line, he pull on his fishing pole to fine a nice size fish. He removed it with ease from the line, and threw it in a wooden bucket with water. His father broke the silence saying, "Nice catch son. Are you enjoying your day?" Philippe smiled at his father and said, "I am father, how could I not when you took care of every detail to make this fishing trip especial." D'Artagnan said, "All I want is you happiness Philippe."
Philippe was silent for a few minutes, looked at his father and said, "I know father, since the day you recued me from prison I have been under your loving care. Sometimes I worry that you are so concerned about my happiness that you forget about your own." The older man smiled indulgently and said, "Seeing you are happy makes me happy, don't worry about me."
They continued in silence for a while until D'Artagnan removed a fish from his line. Philippe looked at his father and said, "Do you miss them?" The musketeer looked at his son and said, "I will always miss your mother, but even if I lived close to her our love is still impossible. I think about Louis on occasion, and I do miss him, but I never had a relationship with him, like the one I have with you Philippe. You are not only my son, but my friend, and my pride and joy."
Philippe almost felt guilty, he knew is father would never admit it openly, but deep down inside he knew that he preferred him to his brother, even if he was sure he loved them the same. He guilt diminished as he thought Louis had the preference of their mother. He didn't know how far that was from the true. The Queen mother loved them both the same, and it was very difficult for her to be away from him. She was willing to suffer through it only to keep him safe.
After a while Philippe said, "It seems like our vineyards are going to do very well this year father. I was thinking than instead of selling most of our grapes to wineries, we should start making our own wine to sell, it would be more profitable." D'Artagnan looked at his son and said, "That is an excellent idea. I would like for you to take care of that project, and your cousin Michelle can help you in case you need to interact with some one that might be familiar with your brother."
Philippe was very excited, even if he helped his father with the running of their farm, and large Vineyard as D'Artagnan had bought more land, it was the first time his father gave him a project of this magnitude. He said, Thank you father for your trust, I will not disappoint you. Seeing the grin on his son's face made D'Artagnan realize that he had done the right thing in giving Philippe more responsibilities, after all he was a man now.
Later that day his grandmother made Philip his favorite dinner which was pork stew and bread, all the family was there, and Aunt Giana made pastries with the help off Genevieve and Christine his cousins. They even invited the good professor and his family. The young people had fun dancing while the professor and his wife played the Violin and the flute. While they were dancing, Athos and Raoul came in. Christine ran to Raoul and threw her arms around him. He swirled her around, and then respectfully kissed her hand. They would find some time alone to really kiss.
Philippe went, and gave a hug to Athos, that the man returned the hug and told him "Happy birthday Philippe" The young man said, "Thanks uncle Athos, it is such a pleasant surprise to have you and Raoul arrive on my birthday." Raoul approached Philippe, and said, "Happy birthday, may the lord grant you a long life." Philippe smiled at his friend and said, "Thank you Raoul, I can see you are a musketeer living at the court." The young musketeer responded, "It is a shame that you cannot become a musketeer, with your skill, and intelligence." Philippe smiled at him and told him, "I wish I could. I would like to help to protect my brother, but he would probably think I was trying to kill him. I don't mind my toll in life, actually I quiet like it."
Raoul and Christine managed to slip out to share a passionate kiss behind the well, and rapidly made their way back before Giana would notice. Genevieve and Philippe offered to take over the music to give the professor and his wife a chance to dance. Philippe played the flute and Genevieve the violin.
Athos approached his friend and told him,"I am happy Raoul is finished with his duty at the war front; he made it back in one-piece and I am able to sleep well at night." D'Artagnan patted the back of his friend and said, "I'm happy too, you know how much I love your son. I don't know how you survived Athos you are a strong man." D'Artagnan shivered at the thought of having Philippe in such a dangerous situation, even if it was highly unlikely.
After visiting for a couple of weeks Athos and Raoul went back to Paris, it was obvious that the attraction between Christine and Raoul was growing. Giana thought they made a nice couple, and was hoping Raoul would not take too long to propose.
A couple of week later D'Artagnan, Philippe, Michelle, Tangy, and Francois were talking about the plan to start a winery. Philippe said, "I've been thinking about it, and I think first we need to build an underground storage room for the aging process, on top we can have a room for the fermentation process. We could use the old cottage for bottling." If we all help and hire a few workers, I believe it shouldn't be that expensive. In the meantime, we could look for an apprentice that is ready to work independently, to oversee the wine production. Father this is the budgeted, I believe is within our means. This year we will still have to sell half of our grapes."
D'Artagnan looked at the budget, and it seemed perfectly reasonable, he looked at his son proudly and told him, "Go ahead son I see the plan is a good one."
D'Artagnan and Philippe bought the necessary materials. They hired six men to help them. First they dig the basement, and then build a solid floor of oak on top of it. They made a large brick and stone room with a tile roof. Finally they finished the basement with walls of rock and plaster. The building was 15 feet by 25 feet. It had six glass windows with wooden shutters. It took them 2 months to finish the structure. D'Artagnan told Philippe in a joking tone, "The wine is going to have a better home than us." Philippe laughed and said, "At least for now, after all the wine will be much finer than us." D'Artagnan laughed, as well as his three cousins.
Pilippe and Michelle left to find a wine apprentice ready to take the next step. They knew where to go. D'Artagnan could not help but be concerned; it was the first time his son and his nephew traveled alone, but they were men now, good in swordsmanship, the use of muskets, and even were good with a bow and an arrow. He had to stay to start the planting.
While Philippe was away, D'Artagnan started thinking about the simple cottage they live in, it was spacious enough but he thought Philippe deserved a nice country house. He hopped next spring they could build a nicer bigger house. After all, they were able to sell a lot of the food they harvested in the market, and they always sold the grapes at a good price, now with the wine production, things should get even better.
Philippe and Michele decided to camp in the open that night. Philippe said, "I hope that Messier Lavern has an apprentice to spare." Michelle told him "Don't worry Philippe, if he doesn't, we will have to travel farther but we will find an apprentice that is ready to become a wine master." Philippe smiled at his cousin, who was more like bother, and said, "You are absolutely right, and it would be fun to take a longer trip."
The next morning the cousins heard food steps nearby, and withdrew their swards and muskets. From a bush the dirty face of a lad of about 10 appeared. The boy was very thin, filthy, barefooted, and dressed in rags. He said, "Pardon me Messieurs, but would you have a piece of bread to spare? Philippe could see himself in the boy, he smiled at him and said, "Come my friend have breakfast with us." The boy approached them, and said, "Thank you Messier, if it is not too much to ask, may I take the food to my father, and my sister." Philippe said, "What is your name?" The lad said politely, "My name s Jean Messier." Philippe told him, "Jean, bring your family, and we can all eat breakfast together."
Michelle looked at his cousin with amusement, there was no use in trying to change him, if he saw someone in needed Philippe always tried to help. That was why the town's people mockingly called their farm and vineyard, the vineyard of the sorrowful. Philippe had a talent for finding the most unusual farm hands; some were lame, others deformed or former prisoners, as well as beggars, and other destitute people. He had to admit that most of them were very hard workers, and were grateful for the opportunity; they went out of their way to try to please them.
A few minutes later Jean came accompanied by a middle age man that was dressed in rags, as Philippe looked him over he had to hold in a gasp. The man's right hand was missing as well as the thumb of his left hand. Then at his side the most beautiful woman he ever remembered seeing, she was young probably sixteen, had beautiful hazel eyes, light brown hair, long lashes, and a sadness in her eyes that touched his gentle heart. Her features were delicate, and very pleasant to look at.
He walked towards them mesmerized by the girl, and said looking at the man, "Welcome to our camp Messier, I am Philippe and this is my cousin Michelle, come and join us at our fire." The man was visibly moved, he had not been treated with respect or called Messier in a long time, "Thank you Messier Philippe, my name is Serge, and this is my daughter Adelynn."
Philippe offered his hand to Adelynn, saying, "Permit me to help you my lady." The girl blushed in embarrassment, but took the hand of Philippe with her small grimy hand, and let him guide her to a tree stump. Michelle observed in disbelief when he saw the face of Philippe, who appeared completely taken by this Adelynn. He appeared oblivious to the fact that the girl was dressed in filthy rags, barefooted, grimy looking, and obviously undernourished.
Philippe offered their unexpected guest slices of bread, cheese and wine. He sat near Adelyn, who was extremely self-conscious, looking at the ground. He said, "Is the breakfast to your liking Mademoiselle?" The girly shyly looked up to Philippe's eyes, and was taken by his amazing blue eyes, which were looking at her with genuine concern. They looked at each other's eyes for a couple of minutes before she blushed, and said "Very much Messier, thank you for your charity towards us." Then she continued eating hungrily.
Philippe took her hand, and deposited a respectful kiss on it, then said, "Please my lady do not think of it as charity but simply as a traveler helping another traveler." She gave him a big happy smile that made his heart rate double. She thought his features seemed strangely familiar: he looked like the King. Adelyn laughed internally, Philippe was better looking than the King was, and had a golden heart unlike the tyrant they had for a monarch.
Michelle started a conversation with the man. They soon learned that the man had been the wine master at the palace. However, one of his young apprentice had accidentally served the wine for the kitchen help to the King. The monarch became so enraged that he order the execution of the apprentice, and had the hands of Serge mutilated, the poor man also had to spend a year and a half in prison. During that time, his family became destitute, and reduce to living on the streets begging for food. His dear wife could not take it, and died shortly after he got out of prison. Serge had been looking for a job in different wineries with no luck.
Philippe was interested, and started questioning the man regarding his knowledge of his trait. It turned out that before working at the palace he had been a head master in a one of the best wineries in Bordeaux. After having a brief discussion with Michelle. Philippe told Serge about their plans of starting a winery, and he and Micelle offered him the position of master wine maker. They explained at the beginning they could only offer a very modest salary, plus room, and board for him and his children.
Serge was moved to tears, and said "Thank you for giving me an opportunity, I will strive to serve you always. I promise I will not disappoint you, and soon your winery will produce some of the best wine of the country."
Michelle galloped to the nearest town, and came back with a couple of horses that he bought to take their new employees back to their property. That evening when they set camp, Philippe saw Adelyn, shivering under the cool air of the evening, her ragged clothes offering little protection. He gallantly put his hooded cape over her shoulders. Adelyn smiled at him, but then looked at the floor embarrassed, and said, "Messier Philippe, I cannot accept your hood, I …. Am dirty… I don't want to ruin your hood." He gently lifted her chin, and told her, "A little dust from the road is not going to ruin my hood, especially not from someone as beautiful as you." She turned bright read, and Philippe said, "I don't mean to embarrass you my lady, I'm simply stating the truth."
The girl thankfully gripped the edges of the hood with her hands wrapping it around herself. Her father told the young man "You are most kind Messier Philippe; it pains me to see my children suffer as they have, now thanks to you our situation is already improving." Serge thought Philippe looked a lot like the King, but of course, it had to be a coincidence, as his young master was one of the kindest people he had ever met, unlike the King.
That night, Philippe gave Adelyn his blankets, and Michelle shared his with him, unable to let his cousin go cold.
That evening they arrived at their cottage. D'Artagnan went out to great his son and his nephew. After hugging them he said, I see you found a wine master. D'Artagnan followed Philippe, and his eyes widened as he recognized Serge, the first thing he thought about was Philippe, and how dangerous this man could be. But before he could say a thing, Philippe said, "Father this is Serge, his son Jean, and his beautiful daughter Adelyn." The way that Philippe pronounced the name of the girl, made him take a look at the boy, and he was surprised to see the way that Philippe looked at that girl.
Serge seemed to read D'Artagnans mind. He thought he understood. The rumor of the King holding his brother prisoner had been true, and D'Artagnan with his noble heart had rescued the young prince, and was raising him like his own.
He respectfully bended before D'Artagnan, and said, "Messier D'Artagnan I am sure you remember me from the palace, and I want to tell you that I am in debt with your son for his generosity, of giving this cripple a job" Then he lifted his arms to make it easy for D'Artagnan to look at his mutilated limbs.
D'Artagnan appeared shocked he said, "My friend Serge what happened to your hands?" Serge said bitterly, "The king did this to me, and also imprisoned me for the mistake of one of my young apprentice, my dear wife died from shame. I assure you that my heart is with your son, and I will always be loyal to him. He has offered me hope when I had none."
D'Artagnan felt a pang of pain, and shame for Louis actions, he said, "Messier Monteiro, come in with your children to share a meal with us, and to rest for the night. I am happy you have accepted the position, there is no better wine maker in the country than you." Serge blushed at the praise of the musketeer and said, "I am flattered."
Once in the house D'Artagnan notice the condition of Serge and his family. He felt almost moved to tears. He remembered him always elegantly dressed in the palace. He had seen his children and his wife on occasion. They always looked like they belonged at the court. Now they looked like paupers. It was clear they needed a bath, and clean clothes. It did not go unnoticed to D'Artagnan that the girl had Philippe's hood on her shoulders, and that Philippe was looking at her with infatuation, and she gave him discreet glances that showed she was just as infatuated.
They all sat at the table, and D'Artagnan offered them wine, bread and butter, she told them diner would be ready in a couple of hours. When they were finished, eating Philippe told Serge, "Let me show you to my room you can stay there tonight, and tomorrow we'll show you to your cottage." After showing them their room, he showed them the washroom, and helped Adelyn to fill a large pot with water to warm up so they would be able to bathe.
Adelyn went in to the washroom first; Philippe had helped her to fill the bathtub up. While the girl was bathing, Philippe told his grandmother discreetly, "Dear Grandmother, do you think you might have an old dress that Adelyn could wear?" The elderly woman had noticed the attraction between the two young people, and said, "I do, I will take it to the washroom for her."
Philippe walked outside with his cousin who was going to leave to his cottage, he asked him to send one of his brothers with an outfit for Jean.
When his guest finished with their baths Philippe prepared one for himself, as he felt dusty, and sweaty from the trip. He put on a nice white shirt, black bloomers with white stockings and leather shoes. He carefully shaved and combed his hair, wanting to look his best.
When he went out to the living area, he found Adelyn sitting on a bench looking at the fireplace. His mouth almost went ajar, if she was pretty before, now she looked like an angel from heaven. She was clean; her hair brushed, and wavy reaching almost to her waist, dressed in an old, but well kept blue dress of his grandmother. Francesca even gave her a pair of stockings, and an old pair of black shoes, which were slightly big on Adelyn. He sat by her looking at the fireplace content simply by being at her side.
D'artagnan gave Serge some clean clothes, and Jean wore an old outfit of Francois, which he had brought himself at his brother's request.
After dinner, his guest thank them, and retired for the night. Philippe went out to look at the stars, and his father joined him.
D'Artagnan put a hand on his son's shoulder and said, "You found a good wine master, I think our winery will be very successful." The young man smiled at his father happy to get his approval.
After a few minutes D'Artagnan looked at the dreaming face of his son and told him, "I can see you like Adelyn" Philippe blushed and asked his father, "Is it that obvious?"
The older man gave him a pat on the back and said, "It is, and I can see she likes you too. She is a nice girl, and I knew her mother who was an excellent woman."
Philippe appeared excited, and asked, "Really, you think she likes me?" His father responded, "By the way she looks at you I would say so." After a minute the young man said, "Father if they are from the palace then they know Louis. If I understood correctly, Serge told you he will not report me to the palace. Am I right?"
D'Artagnan looked at his son and said, "Yes, Serge gave me his word and I know he is a man of honor. He appears to hate your brother; therefore I don't believe he wants to aid him in any way."
Son and father looked at the stars for a while. Philippe asked, "Father, I don't understand, why would Louis punish this man so harshly for an honest mistake? How can he live with himself, knowing the misery he condemned this man to?
It was not an easy answer, D'Artagnan gave himself time to think about the answer, and when he was ready said, "It pains me to say it, but your brother only cares about himself, at times I think he lacks a conscience. It is not entirely his fault, the old King over spoiled him, and thought him to be cruel and callous. There was nothing I could do to prevent it, by the time I had access to your brother it was too late. I was only his head bodyguard and captain of his musketeers, as much as I tried to give him advice he would not listen. I failed him Philippe. I failed both of you, but at least I can try to make it up to you, there is nothing I can do for Luis other than pray."
Philippe put an arm around his father's shoulders affectionately and said, "Don't think for a minute you failed me. As soon as you knew of my existence, you went and rescued me. It is thanks to you that I am a life now. All that I am today, I owe to you father. I love you father, it would make me happy if you stop blaming yourself for what was done to me. The responsibles are the old king and my brother, but I have forgiven them thanks to you. I see how easy you forget, and forgive, without your example I could have not forgiven them."
D'Artagnan pulled his son into a hug; he could not resist ruffling his hair, and kissing his forehead. He looked at his son proudly and told him, "Thank you for your words son. I love you and for your sake, I will work on forgiving myself."
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