Childe x Zhongli "A Servant to the King"

Chapter 8 || The Eclipsing star ||

A tall woman with fair skin, ruby eyes sat across Childe. The only thing separating the two was a glass table embroidered with gold. This was Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing, also known as Ninggaung. Childe had heard many stories about her, she was a respectable businesswoman and overall human. Sitting alone with Lady Ninggaung was a bit intimidating to Childe, however meetings with the tsaritsa and other harbingers were more intense. A small chuckle came from the woman,

"You have caused quite a stir now haven't you"

Childe did not reply to this comment

"My wife gave you a chance, but sadly, I believe you should be sent back to the jail cell"

This statement shocked Childe, her mood and tone had changed in a second. His shocked expression told Ninggaung all she needed to know.

"You don't like that, now do you?" A smirk inched onto her face

"Jailed, alone, and a servant, it doesn't sound very appealing does it", the ginger snapped back

Her smile faded, instead her expression turned more irritated

"I still cannot understand what Beidou and Lord Rex Lapis sees in you" she stated

"Perhaps.." Ninggaung leaned closer to childe, she slowly examined his appearance

"Beidou might pity you....but Lord Rex Lapis.." muttering to herself

Motioning one of her servants to come, she whispered in their ear a question. Childe could faintly hear the words, "medical record, blood, fluids." The servant bowed and walked away, disappearing behind the large doors of Ninggaung's chamber. The Tianquan brought a smoking pipe to her lips. After some time she inquired

"May I ask you some questions, Ajax."

 His heart dropped hearing his real name coming from an outsider. No one other than his family and the Tsaritsa knew his real name.

"How do you know my name. '' He demanded, slamming his hands into the glass table in front of him. Anger, fear swirled within him.

"I have my connections" she blatantly responded

Another period of silence followed.

The large doors swung open as the servant quickly entered, setting the files in front of Ninggaung. Flipping through the stack of paper, her ruby eyes lit up when a certain paper caught her eye. As she read the paper, a smile crept onto her face.

"Well I understand why our Lord has an interest in you"

Looking up at Childe she askes

"Are you curious by chance?"

Hesitating Chidle replied with "Yes"

Setting the papers aside on the table, she begins to tell the tale of Rex Lapis.

"Through the last century, the nations have been at war with each other. In one of the battles, Lord Rex Lapis was poisoned by the Tsaritsa. The poison weakened his strength, ability to heal, and overall health. Gathering the best doctors throughout tevyat, many could not figure out the issue. conferencing with more doctors, one of the locals of Liyue managed to find a lead. The local was a lanky man with long sea-green hair. The man calls himself Baizhu, the owner of Bubu pharmacy. Through his research, the Qixing was notified of his findings. Supposedly, there was a chemical imbalance in Lord Morax, this chemical could only be found in certain vision holders. As you know majorities of hydro users are healers, correct?"

Childe nodded

"You, however, are an exception. A hydro user that slashes through his opponents"

Realizing what she meant by this, Childe knew that they wanted something from his body.

"If it's my blood he's after, I would like to spar for it" Childe proposed

"I'm afraid our Lord's condition currently is too fragile to engage in battle"

"I swear I won't hurt him" the ginger smiled

"You are not a man of your words, Ajax.

You lie and deceive your family.

You even deceit your pride and joy, Teucer"

Suddenly standing up from his seat the man demanded

"How do you know about my family."

Blowing softly on her tea she replied to his question with

"There are many things I know, like how you fell into the abyss, even your queen's schemes to take down liyue."

Looking at her in disbelief anger spread through his body. His heart started beating faster, his eyes narrowed, and even his jaw slowly clenched together. A small voice in the back of his mind repeated the words

"Kill her"

"Kill her quickly"

"Kill her Ajax, she knows too much"

"Kill her"

Ninggaung sensed the bloodthirst emitting from him

"Killing me won't solve anything, all the information given to me is transferred to my most trusted servants "

"Now calm down and have some tea" She offered him

Her servants brought in more tea and mooncakes carefully setting them down on the glass table.

Childe sat back onto the couch, he was still visibly irritated.

"I'm feeling generous today, I will tell you who our lord's rumoured fiancee is"

"Her name is-"

"Ninggaung!" A booming voice shook the room, the large doors of the room had been pushed wide open, allowing the scent of tea to travel into the palace.

"What is it dear?" Ninggaung turned around to face the women. There the uncrowned lord of the ocean stood behind the Eclipsing star.

"Am I interrupting something important?" Beidou inquired

"Yes," the harbinger and Tianquan said in sync

Brushing their reply off Beidou informed them that,

"Lord Morax would like to meet with him soon, prepare him for us will ya?"

"Of course dearie" She pecked Beidou on the cheek

Having goodbye Beidou told the others

"I'm off now"

She closes the large doors behind her with a slam.

"You're rather kind to your wife" Childe teased

"Those who have my respect I will treat them with kindness"

An angry/confused expression formed on the ginger's face, one that Scaramouche would wear when others commented on his height. Attempting to retort he was hit with the reply,

"Hush, you talk too much. Now eat and drink your fill, we will have to prepare you for Lord Rex Lapis"

As the two continued to dine in silence a small conversation broke the silence

"Why do you hate Sir Kaeya so much?"

"No comment"