Well. I'm impressed. Your work sounds like the protege of a young Charlotte Bronte. Fabulous metaphors and description. Your reading choices are shaping your writing style beautifully, this piece is something to be proud of.

Merveilleuse,
I like the little boy's character, he acts just like a kid =)
only thing i would change would be the pet names his older brother uses for him, comme 'mon cheri, mon chou', and all, because for those who speak french, it sounds a little to much like a mother talking to her child, or a husband to his wife or something.
Mais c'est super!
J'aime le beacoup, =] bonne chance avec la deuxieme histoire.

I must say, your writing has improved tremendously since I last visited your site here at Fiction Press. This story is rather mature. I love the French interspersed with English, and how tender the relationship appears between the main character and his little brother. The description of autumnal rain at the beginning really sets the mood of the story. Unfortunately, I really fail to see where the philosophy you mentioned in the introduction illuminates the story with deeper meaning. The story is still intriguing, but eh, when you add the whole maiden/stag/hunters motif it sort of encumbers it a bit. The constant "back-and-forth" dialogue between Enguerrand and Raoul is tiresome at first, but not so much toward the middle/end of the story. Overall, I think you have done a good job here. Keep writing!

I've never actually read Little Prince, but I've seen the stage adaptation, and I can see where it would inspire you. As for Republic, well, it's been confined to my reading list for nearly six months now...I suppose I'll have to move it up!

You have such a profoundly elegant style of writing, and it shows marvelously in this piece. You've done a great job of setting the scene here.

I find it somewhat ironic that young Raoul had such deep religious convictions, especially considering what a ladies' man he will eventually grow up to be.

Unfortunately, I did not see much of the philosophy you mentioned at the beginning; however, I had a marvelous time looking! Thanks for the read - it's nice to finally get back to some of your remarkable narratives.

My, my, V you are growing too high minded for me (not to say that I do not adore your works.) I caught only bits and pieces of your philosophy I'm afraid to say.

As for the cave maidens, they brought about an epiphany as well as stags...even two centuries ago men had a very weak understanding of women. In a sense, the trials of Celestine were very similar to the Salem Witch Trials in a sense of trial by water (float- guilty; sink-innocent and what a shame). And of course the wronged woman forgives her belligerant husband and they all live happily ever after--excuse my faint cynicism.

But the noble couple (too lazy to type it all out) as Diana and Apollo...I know but kinda ew. As for Raoul as Cupid, I think the painter saw into the young man's soul and future (it's true I've a real life story about a painter who did the very same thing to my uncle...).
He shall never quarrel with a dame...very funny V.
But if I cannot understand all of your philosophy I can appreciate your masterful depiction of a broken family. This is one of your better one shots in my mind, but perhaps someone else will offer a contrary opinion?

As for The Prince I read it a very long time ago when my mind was much more spongy but like a sponge the specifics of the tale are lost on me.

Marvelous as usual V! Keep it up, E.

P.S. I received your PM and what can I say? I am psychic?

Wow, what a great story. I really enjoyed reading it. I can tell that you've done your research for this piece and it makes everything much more realistic. You have some really great images "The warm firelight half illuminated the little boy, coloring his blonde hair a shadowy bronzy-gold and giving his gray eyes a soft lambent quality. His scarf of gilded yellow was in bright contrast to his red velvet robe, as were the creamy white contents of the cup he held in his small hands." Great work, hope to read more of your stuff.