Death of Me [Tartaglia]

chapter 1

"Oh, Yn, this is so terribly stressful," the Tsaritsa sighed obnoxiously. 

I force an ever uninterested look onto my face, "Of course Your Majesty, but you're hiding your worries so well." 

A cheeky grin flashes across her face, "You think so? Well, I for one think it must be one of the Harbingers who is pissed because they aren't satisfied with their role, wouldn't you agree." 

"I think that's quite smart." 

I place the most approving smile onto my lips, as I refill her wine glass. She pouts, slumping her pale cheek into her palm. 

"And to think I saved them from the shambles of nothing!" she whines. 

"They are so ungrateful to your kindness, Your Majesty. I truly empathize with you. Do you need anything?" 

She perks up with a grin, "Could you bring me some cookies? All this thinking has made me quite hungry." 

"Of course, you deserve it my lady." 

I hear her let out a giggle as I exit her chambers. 

"Meh, meh, meh, meh, meh," I mock to myself. "Ugh!" 

I kick the toe of my boot into the thick velvet carpet that lines the marble flooring. Whiny, self-centered, bitch, she didn't deserve my mother. I walk through the vast castle to the kitchen; the room is big and always is 10 degrees warmer than the rest of the palace. I give the old chef my order before walking back out of the kitchen to think. 

You would think having an active traitor in your palace would seal your lips, but the Tsaritsa only talks more. She's ridiculous. Never mind, she said her next plan is to over take exports of naku weed to the mainland. I'll send word later tonight. 

I reach into the folds of my uniform, rubbing my hidden hydro vision. No one here knows I have it; in fact, the only person who knows about it at all is him. I'd met him back when I traveled to Mondstadt with my mother for my tenth birthday, my one time outside of the castle walls, and we'd stayed in touch. I let out a small sigh thinking about him. He's my only real friend. 

I shove my vision back into it's hiding place. I instead, looking at the gleaming cryo delusion the Tsaritsa gifted me on my eighteenth birthday; which was actually two weeks before my birthday but I didn't bother to correct her. She gifted it to me the same day she promoted me to her right hand maid. The same day my spying went into effect. 

"Sweety, her majesty's cookies are ready!" I hear the chef called from behind me. 

I push off of the wall I was leaning on and walk back into the warmth of the kitchen. 

I smile at the old man, "Thank you, they smell delicious." 

He chuckles, "You can come by later if she lets you, Yn, I made extras." 

"I doubt she will, but thank you." 

I give him a small bow and then exit. I always feel guilty for not knowing his name, but I also don't recall us ever being formally introduced. Despite his age he's probably my favorite fellow employee. Him also seeming to be aware of the Tsaritsa's obnoxiousness is probably my favorite part about him. 

I knock before reentering her room. 

"Come in," it's her serious voice, the one she uses in front of people she deems important. 

I push the door open, head down, and place the cookies gently on her desk before melting into the shadows. 

"You honestly think you can find the traitor, Number 11?" she sneers coldly. 

"Your majesty, I think that our spy is someone we've over looked. I think I can weasel it out of them if we simply don't over look anyone," the ginger says. 

His clear blue eyes sweep around the room, meeting mine for a brief moment. My face remains impassive and bored. He meets The Tsaritsa's eyes again with a cheeky smile. 

"You honestly think I've over looked anyone? Do you take me for a fool?" she snaps. 

He lets out a mellow laugh, "Oh course your highness. Your reward for proof of the traitor's identity is still in order though I assume?" 

"Yes, now if you have nothing better to say, get out," she sighs, pushing a sheet of her white blonde hair away from her eyes. 

She's giving him a venomous look and yet he doesn't seem bothered. While watching in on her meetings with the Harbingers, Number 11 always seems to be the one that cares the least. I once heard a rumor that he only joined the Harbingers for combat experience, although I doubt that. 

"Of course, farewell your majesty!" he gives her a bow before exiting. 

As soon as the door relatches shut she slumps and reaches for one of the warm sugar cookies I brought her. 

"He's convinced he can do something," she mumbles through a mouth full of cookie. "I mean, if Columbia couldn't do anything how could he?" 

"I hope he does succeed, for our sake," I say softly. 

She smiles approvingly at me, "True. Say, why don't you go follow him and ask about his genius plan." 

"Are you sure your highness? I thought you liked it when I was nearby."

"I want to take a nap, this is starting to really hurt on my mental health," she complains. 

"Of course, I'll be sure to give you privacy. Will you want me to wake you for the meeting at 9:00?" 

"I suppose so, actually scratch that and cancel the meeting, say I'm extremely frustrated or something."

"Yes ma'am. I'll be going."