Linhardt von Hevring (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sleepyscholar) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
gachabox2019-10-06 04:52 pm
sleepyscholar) wrote in gachabox2019-10-06 04:52 pm
Time to Spy
Linhardt was less than pleased when he found out Edelgard was planning on using him as a spy against the Kingdom. That was nothing compared to how he felt when he learned he would have to pretend to be a maid at the palace the entire time.
He wasn't trained as a spy, and he had never acted as a woman before.
Unfortunately, despite his objections, the Emperor was adamant that he had to be the one to take on this task.
He spent some time learning about spying techniques, how best to ask questions and listen in on gossip without drawing attention to himself. The rest of his time was learning how to behave, dress and make himself up as a typical woman in the Kingdom. This, they assured him, would make him much less suspicious.
Linhardt suspected, as he finished getting into his dress, that he was ultimately chosen because Edelgard simply trusted him more than any of her real spies. And maybe, by forcing him to act as a woman, he would be on his toes at all times.
By the time he arrived at the palace in Fhirdiad, Linhardt was feeling the slightest bit more confident. He had a contact inside that helped him get his job as a maid, cleaning rooms of the most important people there... including King Dimitri's. He would also help out at festivities, serving drinks and cleaning up.
That was where he was now, balancing a serving tray of wine flutes and trying not to trip over his dress as he approached various lords and military generals, offering them their drinks. Linhardt tried to remember everything he'd learned as he went from group to group, listening for important details about Faerghus' military intentions. If someone addressed him he spoke softly, trying to keep his voice as female as possible.
He was just going to go refill his tray when he looked to the side, thinking someone called out to him, only to accidentally bump into another person when he took another step forward.
Linhardt caught sight of a head of red hair and a handsome face before he lowered his gaze and offered a half curtsy.
"My apologies. I should have been watching my step."
He wasn't trained as a spy, and he had never acted as a woman before.
Unfortunately, despite his objections, the Emperor was adamant that he had to be the one to take on this task.
He spent some time learning about spying techniques, how best to ask questions and listen in on gossip without drawing attention to himself. The rest of his time was learning how to behave, dress and make himself up as a typical woman in the Kingdom. This, they assured him, would make him much less suspicious.
Linhardt suspected, as he finished getting into his dress, that he was ultimately chosen because Edelgard simply trusted him more than any of her real spies. And maybe, by forcing him to act as a woman, he would be on his toes at all times.
By the time he arrived at the palace in Fhirdiad, Linhardt was feeling the slightest bit more confident. He had a contact inside that helped him get his job as a maid, cleaning rooms of the most important people there... including King Dimitri's. He would also help out at festivities, serving drinks and cleaning up.
That was where he was now, balancing a serving tray of wine flutes and trying not to trip over his dress as he approached various lords and military generals, offering them their drinks. Linhardt tried to remember everything he'd learned as he went from group to group, listening for important details about Faerghus' military intentions. If someone addressed him he spoke softly, trying to keep his voice as female as possible.
He was just going to go refill his tray when he looked to the side, thinking someone called out to him, only to accidentally bump into another person when he took another step forward.
Linhardt caught sight of a head of red hair and a handsome face before he lowered his gaze and offered a half curtsy.
"My apologies. I should have been watching my step."
no subject
"I suppose you must have, yes. Perhaps you needed it. You should take better care of yourself, so you don't exhaust next time." He isn't really scolding, so much as lightly teasing. He really does mean it, though. He doesn't like the idea that even their servers are working themselves to the bone.
"Would you like an escort?" It's not far to the maid's quarters, but even still, it's late at night and he's not going to leave without offering.
no subject
"I will try to be more careful next time, yes. Thank you."
He blinks at the offer of an escort. What if some of those drunk men are still lingering about? He wouldn't have anyone to help him if he got caught up in trouble this late with so few people around.
He felt a bit ridiculous for feeling the need, and yet?
"I... yes. If you wouldn't mind, Sylvain," he says, smoothing his hands down his skirt just to have something to do with them. "I'm still so new to this job."
no subject
"I wouldn't have offered if I minded. It's no trouble. A lady shouldn't walk by herself so late." Even a servant. Welcome to being a woman, Lin, doesn't it suck sometimes?
"It's alright, you'll get the swing of things soon enough."