Ch.100Class (2) (Revised)

*Sigh…*

From what I can tell, His Majesty seems to have started this affair without understanding its significance.

His Majesty doesn’t understand what it means to bestow a family name upon someone.

‘A family name is the root of one’s identity.’

Assuming there are no letters of recommendation, a family name becomes the most important measure when evaluating someone you’ve just met.

Without any prior connection, it’s impossible to fully assess someone’s abilities through just a few interviews. Setting everything else aside, it remains unclear whether that person can be properly trusted.

In such cases, judging someone by their family significantly reduces the risk of falling into a trap.

Belonging to a prestigious family allows one to sufficiently infer their educational background, and since they wouldn’t want to bring shame to their family, they can be trusted in their duties.

Of course, there’s a high possibility that person might become corrupt in ways that benefit their family, but this can be resolved by assigning them to duties unrelated to their family’s interests.

Though it pains me to say this to His Majesty, I can fully understand the students’ reactions when they learned their professor had no family name.

‘I felt the same way, after all.’

I still clearly remember what I thought when I first saw His Majesty—when he first entered Dijon Castle as an illegitimate child.

That noble blood had been mixed with impure blood.

That he was the child of a woman who had stained our lord’s honor.

That he was the result of my failure to properly manage the vassals.

Of course, such thoughts disappeared years ago after serving His Majesty closely, but first impressions are always like that.

It’s only natural for the university students to feel uncomfortable when they first met Lord Ellen and learned he had no family name.

If they openly expressed that discomfort, it would be a great disrespect to His Majesty who appointed Lord Ellen, so they should be restrained, but there’s nothing to be done about minor complaints.

‘In a world where judging people by their family names is the norm, what happens when His Majesty directly bestows a family name?’

While most nobles, except for some ancient families, have commoner ancestors who received family names from their lords, such cases have become extremely rare since the stabilization of the state, society, and civilization hundreds of years ago. Yet suddenly, something that only appeared in history books has been recreated in modern times.

Moreover, His Majesty’s authority is elevated due to victories in various wars and the founding of the kingdom. Lord Ellen, being the first to receive a family name from such an esteemed ruler and thus fully absorbing His Majesty’s authority, will see his value skyrocket.

This will cause an uproar. A massive one at that.

[A family name…? Um… thank you. Hehe, to be honest, I’ve always been self-conscious about not having one. I’m the only one in the castle without one, right?]

[…]

‘Yet neither the one bestowing the family name nor the one receiving it understands its significance.’

I had assumed Lord Ellen understood the meaning and thus overlooked His Majesty’s ignorance, but it seems he’s equally unaware.

As a servant, pointing out my lord’s ignorance would be a great discourtesy, so I kept silent. That was a mistake.

[…Lord Ellen, I hope you will now behave in a manner befitting nobility. You’ll need to learn more about proper etiquette.]

[What? Why are you suddenly being so formal with me… no, nobility? What does that… What? Lord?]

If I could turn back time, I would have advised His Majesty even at the risk of being disrespectful.

But I don’t have such ability.

…For now, I must do my best to support Lord Ellen—

“What? The professor is just going to continue like this?”

“Tsk, is this the merit-based advantage His Majesty spoke of? It’s horrifying to think that nameless fellows will be placed above me.”

While contemplating the future at the back of the lecture hall, I hear words that cannot be ignored.

‘…’

These fellows… what’s this about?

The first one who spoke could be reprimanded if necessary, but he didn’t cross the line. He wasn’t directly denying His Majesty’s authority, just making a small complaint.

But the second one is absolutely intolerable.

Not only is he denying His Majesty’s decree, but he’s also mocking and insulting it?

Judging by his appearance, he’s not a commoner but a lower nobleman, which means someone who should know better is spouting such nonsense.

Hmph… in the past, such disrespectful individuals would have had their heads split by a sword immediately, but these days they can run their mouths freely without risking their lives. Have they forgotten the distinction between what can and cannot be said?

“This is worse than I expected.”

Having been busy at the palace for the past year, I haven’t had the opportunity to interact with young nobles, but this fellow’s lack of manners is worse than any young noble in my memory.

Looking closely, I don’t even recognize the emblem on his clothes.

So he must be from a family too insignificant for me to remember. A beneficiary of His Majesty’s decree dares to insult it without knowing his place?

“Others were merely impolite but didn’t cross the line, but you there. You’re expelled. Pack your things and leave immediately. If you want a refund of your tuition, we’ll arrange it as you wish.”

……….

Ding— Ding— Ding—

“Ah…! That will be all for our first class. Hygiene and cleanliness are the most important aspects of medicine, which is why I taught them first. Please review what you’ve learned today whenever you have time.”

‘Ugh…’

The atmosphere has changed drastically.

The noisy, distracted students became instantly docile after Mr. Leclerc’s scolding. Moreover, they’re looking at me with strange eyes.

It doesn’t seem like they dislike me, so I tried not to pay attention, but when everyone in the lecture hall is staring with different peculiar gazes, combined with an excessive silence, it became unbearable.

I wondered if it was because Mr. Leclerc was present, but even after he left the classroom, those strange gazes and the overwhelming silence remained.

This time I managed by unfocusing my eyes whenever I looked at the students and following what I had practiced in an empty classroom, but if this continues in the next class… ugh, I don’t even want to think about it.

With these thoughts, Ellen maintained an outward appearance of composure as she walked out of the classroom, and none of the students inside stood up until she opened the door and left.

……….

“That happened?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Tsk, tsk. It’s right to immediately expel that dissident as Lord Leclerc advised. Fill the vacant spot with a reserve student. Though the semester has already started, it’s only been a few days, so they should be able to catch up with the curriculum.”

“I will do so.”

After hearing Leclerc’s report from his observation of Ellen’s class, I find the situation outrageous.

How could someone openly say such things? And in a lecture hall full of listening ears?

Even without Leclerc’s presence, such treasonous words would have eventually reached my ears. If anything, Leclerc’s quick discovery and punishment was a favor to that noble’s family.

Had rumors spread uncontrollably before reaching me, I would have had to impose severe sanctions on that noble and his family. Thanks to Leclerc’s swift handling, the situation didn’t escalate to something more serious.

Whether it was because he couldn’t tolerate injustice or because he wanted to spare the young noble’s life in his own way, I’m not sure, but the shrewd Leclerc must have known this. Really, Leclerc acts harsh and indifferent, but in matters like these, he has a soft heart.

……….

“Haaa…”

Even though considerable time has passed since the first class, my constricted chest shows no signs of returning to normal.

I had hoped for quiet, but not to the point of such spine-chilling silence.

‘It must be because His Majesty gave me a family name.’

I’ve been thinking about it since the first class ended, and seeing how the students remained in that state even after Mr. Leclerc left, this must be the only reason.

At first, I was simply happy to have a family name, but now that I think about it… isn’t this a major incident?

Considering Mr. Leclerc’s advice to cultivate noble manners and the students’ reactions, it’s too much for a country girl like me to handle—

THUD—!

“Eek?!”

Lost in thought while walking down the corridor, Ellen bumped her head into a pillar that suddenly appeared before her, losing her balance and falling.

Ugh… what’s this? Was I thinking too much to see properly?

“Ugh… I should really think in my room—”

“Ellen?”

“Huh?”

The pillar is talking… no, Your Majesty?!

“I-I’m sorry…! I wasn’t watching where I was going…”

“Hmm, no, no. It’s my fault for standing in the middle of a busy corridor while touring the university. Here.”

*Swoosh—*

His Majesty smiles slightly and extends his hand to me.

…Am I supposed to take it? Is it okay for me to take it?

“Um…”

Looking up at His Majesty from my position on the floor… he’s incredibly tall.

I’ve always been scared when someone looked down at me, but now I don’t feel that way at all.

Above all, when His Majesty was teaching me, I felt only reverence, but now I feel something different.

I can’t hastily take his hand. Not because it would be disrespectful.

What is this feeling?