Seven Months in Heaven [Zhongchi/Tartali]

Chapter 16 - Hu Tao and the Wild Archon Chase

It was a week later that the missive arrived confirming there was a room for him at the palace. A ship would be sent to pick him up, the arrival date exactly one week after the day Ekaterina had deposited the letter confirming as such on Childe's desk. Her Majesty had the grace to add a few words of Her own, voicing her disappointment at his decision to return so soon.

Such a shame, it had read, I thought you and Morax were quite fond of each other. A pity, truly.

A real pity.

It might not have been a pity if she'd told him the truth from the start. He could be sitting at home with Zhongli, still playing pretend lovers with their little contract. He wouldn't be here, whittling away the hours doing admin work just for a few hours' relief from the invasive thoughts of him. Childe didn't even have to be here; by all accounts he was on leave, but it was better than doing nothing.

He prodded at the meal on his desk. It was one of his favourites from Wanmin – Crystal Shrimp, with its mildly salty seafood taste that reminded him of home. As much as he usually enjoyed it, he hadn't had much of an appetite since returning from the Chasm, an affliction he put down to the lingering effects of the ooze.

"You have to eat something, Master Childe," Ekaterina had said, sliding the meal across his desk.

Childe pushed it away. "I'm not hungry."

"Master Childe, really? How old are–?" She slid it back toward him. "You really must take better care of yourself these days or I'll– or it'll look bad on the bank; it won't do for our Lord Harbinger to be seen in a weakened state."

After several more back and forths, Childe had relented and Ekaterina had left. However, he'd managed to eat only one of the parcels, stabbing through those remaining with a single chopstick.

Why hadn't Her Majesty told him? Why hadn't she let Zhongli prod him a bit further, perhaps find a way to assist?

"Ugh!" He launched his chopstick across the room. It sailed through the air, quite coincidentally impaling a painting of Her Majesty herself, protruding from her nostril like an oversized booger.

Oops.

How disrespectful of him.

He didn't stand to remove the chopstick from Her Majesty's Royal Nostril. Instead, he started to write, to prepare The Tsaritsa for the questions he would need answered when he returned to Snezhnaya. What he would do with those answers when he received them, he didn't yet know.

To Her Majesty, The Tsaritsa,

Thank you for making the arrangements to accommodate my imminent stay.

As your most loyal Harbinger, following my most recent mission I was hoping you might be able to provide some time upon my return to enlighten me with some answers, as I am unclear as to the reasoning for a number of decisions that were made over the past months.

In particular, I have been provided information which leads me to believe you did not wish me seeking Morax's assistance on this mission. Additionally, I am confused as to why you did not tell me that the Chasm's assets were soldiers. Both of these disclosures might have enabled me to return a greater number of assets to Snezhnaya's forces. For example, I may have considered a less diplomatic solution.

I hope Her Majesty does not find these questions a criticism. Rather I simply desire to better understand your intentions.

As always, it is the greatest honour to carry out your will.