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“Hubie… are you asking me to spy for you?”
“Not for me. For Lady Edelgard. And would you prefer I frame it as simply keeping your ears open?”
Dorothea stared across the well-furnished room at her visitor, eyebrow raised. One look at Hubert and you could tell that he wasn’t the sort of person who normally had business calling on famed songstresses. Even sitting there, as much at ease as he seemed to be able to present himself, he still seemed to cast a shadow, an ensemble of dark apparel contrasting starkly among the otherwise comfortable and colorful decor of her dressing room.
Hubert didn’t seem bothered about whether he looked out of place. His vivid gaze met hers, staring back with unflinching intensity. He continued, reiterating his question. “You’ve worked close by Lady Edelgard’s side before. Why have such reservations now?”
“Well, It’s not that I mind helping out. Just the opposite- you know I would still do anything at all for Edie. I’m just trying to understand why it is you’re asking me. I’m a performer, not an espionage agent.”
Even as she spoke, some dots were beginning to connect in the back of her mind. Wasn’t the life of a spy just an extended acting role? Taking on a new identity, performing it to the best of one’s ability? The big difference was, in that scenario, a flubbed line would mean a lot worse things than just a poor review from a patron.
Hubert confirmed her conclusion. “You’ll find the two actually share a great deal in common. The ability to don a role, inhabit a persona separate from one’s true self, and give an utterly convincing performance under close scrutiny is particularly vital in both fields of work.”
“Point taken,” Dorothea admitted, tapping a slim finger against her sleeve. “But being a good actor doesn’t automatically make you a good spy, any more than being a good spy makes you a talented performer. I mean, what if I asked you to go up on stage? How do you think you’d do?”
That one seemed to catch Hubert’s attention, his small, sly grin flickering just a moment. “...Come again, Dorothea?”
As his grin faltered, hers widened. “You heard me, Hubie. Do you think you could act a part?”
“Well, I hardly…”
“What if Edie herself asked you to? You’d do it then.”
It was clear Hubert was holding his face still, refusing to let it slide into a grimace. “I… were it required of me, then… I would certainly complete my assignment, by whatever means necessary. Regardless of my personal opinion.”
Dorothea settled back in her seat, grinning still. “I thought so- I was just teasing. Still, for what it’s worth, Hubie, I think you’d shine given the right role. You’re a bit too, hmm, strong of a personality to be able to take on most characters. But I’m sure you’d see, if we could find you a good fit…”
The way she saw it, Hubert had a particular charisma of his own, one that he certainly leveraged for his own purposes to great effect. But that intimidating, dark aura wouldn’t mesh terribly well with most types of roles, at least not heroic ones. On the other hand, she could think of a good few villainous or imposing characters that could be truly brought to life by Hubert’s menacing demeanor…
“Yes, well, regardless,” Hubert interrupted Dorothea’s musings. “My abilities or theatrical bent are not the matter at hand. What we’re discussing is what you might be able to provide.”
“Mhm, and just what is it you’re hoping that I can do?” Dorothea responded, her expression back to that same pointed look. “What makes you so interested in me as a candidate? If you’re hoping I have connections, I suppose I might know a few people of note. But, here in Enbarr, I would think your contact network would already be fully established. I doubt there’s any doors I can open that nobody else could.”
“Well, I’ll inform you that it’s certainly not your brewing skills,” he remarked. Her eyes flicked down to the teacup and saucer set on his side of the small table, untouched since he’d taken one sip earlier and blanched. She knew tea wasn’t his preferred drink, but Dagdan coffee wasn’t exactly the sort of thing she kept on hand, and even tea brewed bitter, it seemed, wasn’t much of a substitute. Still, she figured, at least the gesture was worth something, even if the tea itself wasn’t.
“You know, if you called to visit more often, I might actually remember to keep a stock of coffee for you, Hubie. Just a suggestion.”
He didn’t respond to that, instead continuing with his answer. “You are correct- though your connections may yet prove useful, they aren’t the factor that merits your consideration. Rather, you have proven your trustworthiness time and again on the battlefield by Lady Edelgard’s side, and you yourself have said you are still willing to lend her what support she requires. It only makes sense to rely on those that Her Majesty is close to.”
He was right. She had said that. She’d meant it, too. More than just being a ruler, Edelgard was a leader, a treasured companion and a friend to Dorothea. Bonds had been forged in their many battles together, strong bonds that Dorothea held onto firmly. And yet, doing something like this, even for her sake… the idea gave her pause. She wasn’t inclined to turn the offer down outright, but being cast once more in the theater of political conflicts wasn’t a decision to be made lightly.
Whether he noticed her hesitation or just her silence, Hubert took the opportunity to elaborate. “Furthermore, in addition to your acting, you, Dorothea, have an undeniable gift for charm. Few could hope to match you in that regard. I’ve seen you bend the ear of knights and nobles with just a few well-placed words.”
That perked Dorothea up, producing a small chuckle. “Me, undeniably charming? Hubie, is this a compliment? From you? I’m honored.”
“I am not one for idle flattery. It is an objective fact, and I bring it up because it is that talent I- rather, we- are hoping to make use of. You might be surprised what people of significant standing might let slip in the presence of someone with your… knack. Or, perhaps, you already know that to be the case.”
There, once again, he was right. She had courted her fair share of knights and people of status, and though some were mindful in the kinds of topics they brought up, many had been, well, less discerning. Even with no more input from her than the light conversation to keep the evening going, Dorothea still managed to learn plenty of things that she’d been fairly certain should not have made it out of their official briefings. Fortunate for them that she was never the type to gossip.
She hadn’t ever stopped to consider how much more she could have learned if she was actually interested in pursuing that sort of information.
A few moments passed with Dorothea’s brow furrowing in thought. It was clear now that she was at least mulling over the idea. Could she really play this sort of part? More rhythmic finger tapping accompanied her pondering, until she looked up and spoke again. “So then, the people I would be listening in on… it would be the patrons of the opera. The nobles who frequent the theatre. Is that it?”
Hubert seemed pleased that she was putting the pieces together, confirming with a nod. “That’s correct. Although there may be others, eventually. The emperor has no shortage of enemies even in peacetime.”
“Given everything she’s trying to reform, it’s no wonder. From what I hear, there’s hardly a noble in Adrestia that she hasn’t stepped on the toes of. She's caused plenty of uncomfortable stirring among people who haven’t had a reason to worry about their status in a long time. Not that I have any sympathy for any of them.”
Hubert’s grin widened at that. “What she has decreed thus far is, of course, only the beginning. Her Majesty intends to stop at nothing less than total reform of Fódlan’s hierarchy. She will make it clear who will and who will not be brought forward into our new era. The nobility will either fall in line, or else she will strip them of their status.”
“Right- and if I were them, I wouldn’t be very keen on being left behind.”
“Which is why we suspect that any sort of concerted effort to obstruct Her Majesty’s agenda will most likely be born from conspiracy among these nobles.”
“So you need an extra informant, to keep a closer eye on them…”
“And who better, then, than the much-beloved Mystical Songstress of Mittelfrank?”
Dorothea chuckled. “There you go with the flattery again, Hubie.”
“Once again, it is others’ words- not mine.” Hubert chuckled back.
She traded grins with him for another second or two, before her face became contemplative again. She found her gaze drawn towards the wall, out the open window that looked over the buildings surrounding the opera house. In the distance, she could see the tall, imposing spires of the Imperial Palace reaching up towards the skyline. Like its emperor, the building stood assertively, seemingly declaring that it was here to stay, and daring anyone that disagreed to challenge that will.
“You know, it’s so funny.” Dorothea began, gaze still distant. “I’ve never heard anyone else who can talk the way she does. To hear her describe it, breaking down centuries-old hierarchy isn’t any harder of a task than pulling up a building’s rotten floorboards. But considering how much she’s already accomplished… well, I know if anyone could do it, she’d be the one to. And you know? I think I really would love to see it happen. Certainly I won’t be shedding any tears for any nobles clinging to their old ways.”
“May I take it you’re interested in lending your aid, then?”
“Well, don’t get ahead of yourself just yet, Hubie.” She turned and there was once more a guardedness to the way she looked at him. He was posing a compelling case- compelling enough that she was finding herself more and more drawn to the idea. But her peacetime life with the opera had been incredibly hard won, and she wasn’t about to give that up thoughtlessly. She wouldn’t let herself be pulled back into the turmoil of intrigue and danger unless she was satisfied that she could accomplish more good by doing so. “There’s just a couple of things I’d want to get straight before I commit to doing this.”
Hubert seemed hardly deterred, if at all. He’d clearly expected to have to address some reservations. “Ask away- I can guarantee nothing, but for someone as valuable as you, I would gladly accommodate any reasonable request.”
Her eyes stayed focused on him, trying to get a read on his thoughts as she began to propose her conditions. “To start with, my life here at the opera… now that everything is settled, I don’t want it torn up again. So I don’t want to be asked to go on any extended missions away or anything of the sort.”
He nodded. “Naturally. I have other operatives to entrust such tasks to- your assignment would be only among the patrons here in Enbarr. Indeed, any other sudden changes would only raise unnecessary questions.”
“Ah- of course. A star diva like me, away from the opera for all sorts of irregular lengths? You’re right, it’d make for a strange look. Unless-”
“Unless?”
The only reason she could think of for her or any other major performers to leave the city would be if the entire opera were to tour. And a touring performance wasn’t really on the horizon for the company right now, nor would it be until Fódlan had recovered further from the wounds of war. Eventually, though… It was something to keep in mind.
She waved the matter away. “Oh, it’s nothing, Hubie. Just an idea I’ll hang on to for later.”
Hubert seemed to debate if the matter was worth pressing, but then dropped it. "I see. Anything else?"
“My days of taking lives are over. I swore to leave violence behind once the war was over, and I’m not going to take it up again for anyone.” Her words became emphatic, and her tone indicated that there was no room for compromise on this condition. The day the war had ended was the day that Dorothea vowed that she’d never take up arms this way again. She had the peace that had been bought at such a high cost. There would be no more blood on her hands.
Fortunately, this, too, didn’t seem like a problem for Hubert. He didn’t even react to her change in tone, simply nodding in agreement once more. “Truthfully, I expected you might say as much. If you wish to leave the violence to me, then I will gladly arrange for that. I’ll even handle whatever interrogations may need to be performed. All that will be expected of you is to gather whatever information you can obtain using your position and your powers of persuasion.”
Her expression didn’t change much, but she let out a breath that could almost have been a sigh of relief. She was glad enough that she wouldn’t be tasked with that bloody responsibility that she didn’t even think to question if he’d come off as perhaps a bit too eager to take that responsibility upon himself. If she had, she doubtless would have just found it in character.
She scrutinized him for a little while longer, trying to think of anything else she needed his assurance on, but the fact was that her objections had run out before his answers had. As it turned out, Hubert could be plenty convincing, even when he was actually persuading someone and not- well- “persuading” them. And, again, he’d read her more or less right- the opportunity to help Edelgard’s goals while working against Fódlan’s nobility did have an undeniable appeal.
“Alright, then. Just one more condition, and then I’m satisfied. I’m not going to try and recruit anyone else in the opera company for help. I don’t want them getting caught up in something like this.”
Her third reservation passed Hubert’s assessment as easily as the other two had, receiving that same nod of assent. “All the better. You should likely keep an eye on them as well.”
“Hubie! You’re not implying-”
“All I am saying, Dorothea, is that information can come from anywhere, if only you are watching for it. Consider that a first lesson.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Any other lessons you’d like to share?”
“The rest you’ll learn in time. Do we have your support, then?”
“Yes. I’m willing to do this. For you, and for Edie.”
“Marvelous.” He rose to his feet suddenly, the motion billowing his cape against the furniture. “Now, seeing as I have secured your cooperation, I have other matters to see to, so I must take my leave.”
Dorothea’s face fell just as suddenly, and she stood as well. “Oh, but Hubie, you’ve hardly arrived. Must our meeting be strictly business? Truthfully, I was enjoying our conversation, and I was looking forward to catching up a little more.”
“My apologies, Dorothea. Her Majesty keeps my schedule quite busy.”
“You mean, you keep your own schedule so busy? I know she doesn’t run you on that short of a leash.”
He paused a moment. She had him there. But he shrugged it off, continuing towards the door. “Is there much of a distinction who fills the schedule? In every matter I attend to, I am ever in her service.”
“Yes, you certainly always are…” She settled back into her seat, resigned to not stop him from leaving. A corner of her mouth twitched upward as she realized something. “I suppose this means I’m in her service too, now.”
A matching twitch of a smile appeared on Hubert’s face. “Correct. You will hear from me regarding further instructions before long.” He pulled open the door, eyes glancing over the songstress’ engraved name, and stepped through the threshold. Before he disappeared, he turned back to regard her one more time.
“And, Dorothea… You have Her Majesty’s gratitude, and mine.”
“Mhm. Oh, and, Hubie?”
“What?”
“Next time, if you want there to be coffee, see if you can at least give me enough advance notice that I can get ahold of some?”
“Hmph. Perhaps.” And then he was gone, pulling the door closed behind him.
Alone in her dressing room again, Dorothea rested her arm on her sleeve as she tried to digest everything that she’d just agreed to. So, a spy for Hubert and Edelgard… it could work. She’d done her fair share of charming audiences or potential suitors, and this would be similar- just on a smaller scale, and with a bit more focus on keeping her ears open. She could put herself in the right room at the right time to overhear things, or use a little bit of sweet talk to gain the confidence of those nobles. After all, all they saw in her was a pretty face and a musical voice. She knew they didn’t look any further than that outward appearance.
And so, she knew they’d never suspect a thing about her true intentions.
Yes… she could see herself filling this role quite well indeed.