Three Houses Reader Inserts

Street Rat (Claude x Reader)

"Riffraff, street rat"
I don't buy that
If only they'd look closer
Would they see a poor girl? No, sirree​​..."

...

You were a thief, that much was true. But you were left with little choice. Your parents were killed in one of the countless battles at Fódlan's Throat and it's not like the king was taking care of the orphans his warmongering produced.

Not only did you need to survive, you needed to provide for your baby brother. He kept mentioning how he'd need to join the Almyran army just to make sure he could eat everyday, but you wouldn't let that happen. You knew he didn't want to worry you, but you would rather worry than lose him.

"Cyril, I'll be back at sundown." you told him.

He sighed, "I can help too you know."

You ruffled his hair but didn't answer. It was no use trying to dissuade him. You left your brother to look after your little home and took off down the streets.

The closest bazaar to you was always teeming with people, which made it easy to sneak some food out without anyone noticing.

Bread? Check.
Fruit? Check.
Weird beverage in a metal flask? Check.

That had been fairly easy and it had taken less time than you had expected; you still had a couple hours until sundown.

"Hey, you're not from here are you?"

You heard the hostile voices of other kids down an alley way. Curiosity getting the better of you, you went to investigate.

When you arrived there were two teenagers cornering a kid who seemed to be around your age. You saw the kid had a bruise on his cheek and scowled.

"Hey!" You caught the taller boys' attention. "Pick on someone your own size, you bullies!"

They snickered as they approached you, "Who? You? Don't make me laugh."

"What, does the outsider have a little girlfriend to defend him?"

"One from a weak family no less."

You grit your teeth and before you could think your fist shot out and smashed into one of the boys' nose, breaking it.

"Ah! What the hell, you little b--"

"Hey!" The boy you were defending had gotten up and was now standing his ground. "Leave. Now!"

The bullies thought it over, but clearly they were all bark and no bite, so they ran off quickly enough. You let out a breath, still reeling from the adrenaline.

The boy you helped got closer and offered you his hand to shake, "Thanks for the help. The name's Khalid."

You smiled at him and, after dusting your hands off on the sides of your shirt, you took his offered hand in yours, "Y/N. Nice to meet you. What was that all about?"

"Oh, that's nothing new... A lot of people don't like me cause I'm not completely Almyran I guess?" He shrugged.

You tilted your head to the side and examined him. He looked Almyran. He sounded Almyran. He was in Almyra.  And he wasn't hurting anyone... What was the issue?

Khalid seemed to notice your confusion and explained further, "My mom's from Fódlan, but you probably already knew that."

You raised an eyebrow at him, hesitantly asking, "Should I know that?"

His eyes widened in surprise, "You don't know who I am?"

You shook your head, "No, sorry. I don't really get out much. I'm always-- Oh, shoot! I need to get going."

Khalid frowned, "What, already?"

"Yeah, sorry. See you around I guess."

"Yeah," he smiled, "tomorrow. Same time, same place."

You blinked a few times as you internalized what he said. And then, to your surprise, you nodded. You could find time right? Yeah, Cyril could take care of himself, you were worrying too much.

You smiled at Khalid, just as brightly as he had, as you began to make your way back home, "Until tomorrow."

.

"Y/N"

"Yes, Lady Rhea?"

The church of Seiros' Archbishop was a kind woman, and you admired her. Not nearly as much as your brother did, though. That much would probably be impossible.

"One of this year's House Leaders should be arriving today. Claude Von Riegan, heir to the leading Lord of the Leicester Alliance. I would like for you to give him a tour of the grounds."

You didn't want to refuse such a simple task, but just the thought of it made you nervous. Unlike your brother's, your Almyran accent was still very prominent, and though you could speak the language well, it worried you that people might judge your pronunciation of things. And you already had people judging you for just being Almyran, you didn't want any added hate.

Lady Rhea smiled warmly, and put a hand on your shoulder, "There's nothing to be afraid of, Y/N. I would not ask you to do this if I did not believe you were the best person for the job."

You nodded and prepared to greet the new student of the officers academy who would be arriving shortly. Claude Von Riegan, huh?

You at least hoped he was nice.

.
.
.

"They'd find out
There's so much more to me"