Chapter 12
Continental Year 761, January 27th (Wednesday).
It was the long-awaited start of Solinor’s lessons.
After much consideration, Solinor chose only history. In exchange for selecting just one subject, he requested to have history class three times a week.
He also asked if he could skip the basic etiquette class.
Through Bianca’s inquiry to the royal education officer, he learned that the first request could be approved if the history teacher agreed. Of course, the second request was denied.
A princess who didn’t know basic etiquette would be an embarrassment to the nation.
—
Thus, Princess Muriela’s historic first lesson was an etiquette class. It was better to take the bad medicine first, as the saying goes.
Like eating the less tasty food first and ending with the good one. Solinor placed the unpleasant etiquette lesson at the start, followed by the history class.
A woman who appeared to be older introduced herself as Anna and began the lesson. How to sit, how to stand, how to smile, how to dine gracefully—everything seemed unnecessary to Solinor.
‘A country can run just fine without knowing these things.’
Teacher Anna was not pleased to see Muriela’s bored expression as she half-heartedly followed along. However, having encountered this reaction many times before, she was not overly troubled. Other princes and princesses had reacted similarly.
It would be stranger for an eight-year-old to enjoy a tedious etiquette class.
Still, Muriela did not ignore Anna’s words and answered diligently. A fundamentally good-natured child, one might say.
After the 30-minute lesson, Anna announced the next session and left Muriela’s chambers.
As soon as she stepped out, she ran into Anton, who was assigned to teach Muriela’s history class.
Adeline had also been taking etiquette followed by history on Mondays for the past eight months, so it was inevitable for the two teachers to cross paths.
“Miss Anna, we meet again.”
“Yes, Mr. Anton, we saw each other at Princess Adeline’s chambers on Monday.”
“Did Princess Muriela enjoy the lesson?”
He was essentially asking about her attitude in class.
“She seems to have a gentle disposition. Ah, I plan to repeat today’s content in the next session.”
Despite her diplomatic tone, this meant the child was kind but paid no attention during the class.
“Reviewing is one of the best learning methods. Well then, Miss Anna, have a good day.”
“Yes, Mr. Anton, I hope your lesson goes well too.”
Based on Anna’s response, Anton tried to predict what his lesson with Princess Muriela would be like.
The education officer had mentioned that the princess requested history classes three times a week, but Anton still couldn’t understand the reasoning.
Muriela’s mother, Queen Reana, had died long ago, so it must have been Muriela’s own decision.
Could an eight-year-old really have such a passion for learning that she wanted three history lessons a week, rather than art or music?
It was common for children to initially be interested in history as stories from the past, but they all frowned when told there would be tests.
It was probably one of those cases.
—
Anton let out a small sigh after confirming no one was watching.
For the past few years, he had made a decent living teaching history to young nobles and royal children, but his job satisfaction was low.
Most local nobles of Silbrenoa were nobles in name only, more like influential local landowners.
Their level of intellectual curiosity was as predictable as a cliché. Only the central nobles truly appreciated Anton’s scholarship.
But that was mostly the parents.
Many of the students showed a lack of enthusiasm and were sometimes even rude. More than once a day, Anton felt the urge to quit. If he didn’t have the debt from buying a large house in the heart of Solineum, he would have already left the job.
Though his children were grown, supporting his wife and elderly parents was still costly.
About 37 years ago, shortly after Silbrenoa was founded, Anton’s parents moved to the new country with high hopes.
At that time, Silbrenoa, with its scarce population, provided benefits like basic education and affordable access to healing facilities for all citizens.
These were funded by significant early profits from the abundant export of mana stones. For those who lacked opportunities in other countries, it was worth risking everything to move there.
Anton, then a teenage boy, was overjoyed to find himself in an environment where he could escape extreme poverty and study freely.
This joy led him to pursue the path of a scholar.
However, the numerous missteps made by the second king, Eldric, once he came of age and assumed governance, left Anton feeling disheartened.
The decisive blow was King Eldric’s decision to close down the kingdom’s only university in the name of saving the national budget.
Once a proud history professor at Solineum University, Anton now found himself reduced to teaching spoiled children as a private tutor.
‘I should just take my whole family and move back to my parents’ homeland.’
He had considered it, but it was uncertain whether such a move was even possible, and even if it was, it would be too dangerous.
There was no guarantee that life would be better if they returned, and above all, he had grown too attached to this country and this city.
When he first arrived, he could barely stutter out words in the northern continental language. Now, he spoke it fluently without a second thought.
It had truly become his native language.
Was that all?
This city held memories with his wife and the students he taught during his university days.
There were also many former students and scholars who shared his concerns for the future of the country, as well as loyal officials who hadn’t given up on restoring proper governance.
Determined once more, Anton headed toward Princess Muriela’s chambers.
‘Strike while the iron is hot. I’ll finish this lesson and contact some former students and acquaintances in government tonight.’
***
Princess Muriela’s eyes sparkled as she stared intently at the scholar with a graying beard who introduced himself as her history teacher, Anton.
‘Oh, he looks very knowledgeable.’
That was crucial, as Solinor had many questions he wanted to ask him.
“First, we’ll discuss what history is and why we need to learn it.”
“History is the past events uncovered through records left by people and various pieces of evidence! We need to learn it to make wiser decisions in the future!”
Princess Muriela stood up abruptly, speaking so quickly that she even spat a little (proof that she hadn’t properly paid attention in etiquette class).
Anton was momentarily stunned by her rapid-fire response.
‘What did I just hear?’
He had never seen or heard of an eight-year-old child who had such a perspective on history. While Anton was still reeling, Muriela made an audacious request.
“So, for Silbrenoa to become even more prosperous, we must understand how it has been governed until now! Teacher! I want to learn everything about what has happened since the founding of the kingdom!”
Solinor had spent a long time pondering how to frame such a request to make it fit a history lesson.
To Anton, who had been caught off guard, Muriela’s speech appeared as an example of high-level thinking and eloquence far beyond her years.
“P-Princess, may I ask how you came to such a thought?”
Solinor rejoiced inwardly.
‘I’ve prepared for this too!’
“As a member of the royal family, I’ve been thinking about the country’s future. To solve current issues and make this nation a better place to live, I realized I must know both the past and the present.”
Anton’s jaw dropped almost comically at her fluid response. He was utterly defenseless. This was the perfect moment for Solinor to deliver his final blow, crafted after long contemplation in bed.
“So, I think it would be necessary for my studies to include records of budget allocations and expenditures, lists of policies implemented and abolished, and data on changes in military strength.”
Hearing this, Anton’s eyes filled with emotion, and tears began to well up.
Strictly speaking, Muriela’s words were not suitable for a child’s history lesson. It was even risky, as she was asking for information considered state secrets.
But Anton was simply overjoyed.
‘Ah, this country still has a bright future. The person who should lead it next is right here.’
Meanwhile, Solinor was startled to find that he had made someone cry with his words again.
‘What did I say wrong this time?’
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Click here -> https://discord.gg/S8c2kGVr2g
Comment