Time had slipped all the way to late May, and the weather in Paris was gradually beginning to heat up, which also meant that the university's annual exams were approaching.
Lionel had missed nearly three weeks of classes before, so he had been especially diligent in his recent studies, particularly not daring to slack off in the dry Latin lessons.
Being able to defeat Le Figaro single-handedly did not mean he could defeat the Sorbonne's annual grand examination.
He himself had little interest in this subject; if it weren't for the foundation left by the original owner's diligent studies over the past two years, he could declare surrender now.
Furthermore, professors' impressions were especially important, as the annual grand examination included not only a written test but also an oral examination.
This was a tradition of "academic debate" and "defense" originating from the Middle Ages, not merely a test, but also a public academic performance.
Students had to answer examiners' questions on the spot, demonstrating instant thought and argumentative ability.
Higher education in this era emphasized memorizing classics and precise citation, and oral exams could directly verify whether students could accurately recall and explain without books.
Graduates cultivated by elite universities like the Sorbonne would mostly enter fields such as law, politics, academia, or the clergy, all of which required the ability to speak in public.
Oral exams were often semi-public, with other candidates, teaching assistants, auditors, and even famous figures present to observe.
A poor performance was akin to a public execution.
Although Lionel was the "conscience of the Sorbonne," professors generally wouldn't make things difficult for him.
However, if they were too lenient, tabloid newspapers might run headlines like "Does the Conscience of the Sorbonne Not Ache?".
At noon that day, Lionel, as usual, pulled out his lunchbox from his bag. Today, Patty had prepared for him a main course of baguette slices filled with duck floss and fig jam;
for meat, cold roasted lamb leg slices with mustard seed sauce; for vegetables, a salad of mixed tender lettuce leaves, sliced white mushrooms, and walnuts;
dessert after the meal was plum pie, along with a small bottle of mint-flavored syrup.
His classmates were used to it by now, but could only drool as they went to eat at the public tables outside or went home.
Albert sidled up to him, also carrying a lunchbox, though his was larger and more exquisite than Lionel's, with porcelain inlays depicting Greek mythological figures on its lid.
Albert opened his lunchbox; inside, the main course was golden brioche rolls, accompanied by duck breast slices, smoked salmon slices, roasted quail, and artichoke heart salad.
There was also chocolate for dessert and a small bottle of champagne water.
Lionel glanced at it and chuckled, "Which restaurant did you custom-order this from?"
Albert's face reddened, and he complained indignantly,
"This was prepared by our family's cook for me! You're jealous! Jealous that my dishes are more refined!"
Lionel's smile remained unchanged:
"I guess... is it 'Ledoyen'? Or perhaps 'Café Riche'?"
Both were relatively famous mid-to-high-end restaurants near the Sorbonne, and also Albert's preferred places when treating others.
Especially 'Ledoyen', which was famous for its roasted quail, a dish that happened to be in Albert's lunchbox.
Albert's face turned crimson, but he didn't lose his temper in the end.
Seeing no one else around, he whispered,
"Ledoyen."
Lionel still smiled:
"Not cheap, is it? I guess at least 4 francs?"
Restaurants in Paris didn't customarily offer lunchbox meals; Albert's special request for one would certainly be expensive.
Albert turned his head away, unwilling to bother with Lionel.
Lionel ate a piece of bread and took a sip of mint syrup before saying to Albert,
"I'll go to Count Rohan's ball!"
Albert turned his head in surprise:
"Really? After so many days, I thought you would refuse..."
Lionel explained,
"Count Rohan is assisting Minister Ferry in promoting the policy of free primary education—I think this is excellent!
Everyone should receive an education, regardless of their family background, whether boy or girl.
Even children from poor families shouldn't become apprentices at the age of 8, and then, under the exploitation of workshop owners, one-fifth will die or become disabled before the age of eighteen."
As Lionel said these words, his face felt a bit flushed, after all, he still had a 10-year-old child laborer in his household.
In this era, most girls' education relied on convents, charity schools, or private home tutoring; public schools practiced gender-segregated classes, but very few places were reserved for girls.
Getting Patty into school was not something he could achieve purely by his personal will; she still had parents, and educational registration not only had to be completed by relatives but also had to be done by taxpayers registered in Paris.
So for now, Lionel could only have Alice teach Patty some words daily and supervise her reading in addition to her transcription work.
Albert didn't actually care whether children from poor families could go to school; he cared that his father had returned to the center of power in Paris, so he loudly echoed,
"Everyone should be educated! My father thinks so too!
The Rohan family is the strongest supporter of free primary education!
Let those bastards who look down on commoners and the poor go to hell!"
Lionel: "..."
Albert extended his hand to Lionel:
"Welcome to the Rohan family ball! It's on the first Saturday of June, at 10 PM, 77 Champs-Élysées!
This will be Paris's last grand ball before the height of summer! Leon, trust me, you'll love the feeling!"
Balls in Paris were mostly held in the colder winter and spring months, usually starting at 10 PM and ending before 2 AM; an extension required reporting to the police.
Lionel nodded, indicating he understood.
Albert showed a suggestive smile: "Remember to bring your dance partner!"
Lionel was surprised:
"Do I have to bring a dance partner?"
Albert was taken aback:
"How can you dance without a partner? Quadrilles, polkas, waltzes, they all require a partner."
Lionel felt an even greater headache:
"Do I have to dance?"
The only ball he had attended before was the masquerade hosted by Baroness Alexeyevna, but that was more like a large cosplay gathering, with no mandatory requirement for a dance partner.
He had thought this time he would only need to drink some champagne or red wine in the shadows and socialize for a bit to get by.
Albert showed a look of sudden realization—due to his family background, Lionel had never attended such high-society balls, so he had no idea about these rules.
However, he wouldn't mock Lionel now; after all, this was his invited guest, and if Lionel made a fool of himself at the ball, he would also be embarrassed.
Albert rubbed his forehead, very troubled:
"Attending a ball without dancing is very impolite."
Lionel spread his hands:
"I only know the simplest dance steps, the kind people dance in public squares during festivals..."
Albert thumped his chest:
"Leave it to me! We still have two weeks!
I can have Mademoiselle Odette Deville, the Rohan family's etiquette teacher, teach you the basic dance steps and the flow of the ball.
She's the most elegant and patient etiquette teacher I've ever seen; in just two lessons, you can learn the 'polka' or the 'gallop'.
As for a dance partner..."
Albert's eyes twinkled, and he gave a mischievous smile:
"That, Leon, you'll have to figure out yourself..."
(End of Chapter)
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