Death of Me [Tartaglia]

chapter 6

We walk until we're outside of his bed room. He opens the door to enter but I hesitate in the hallway. 

"I am going to go check up on the Tsaritsa," I say. "Since I have no interest in watching you shower." 

He fake pouts, "I thought you were mine for the day? Besides, how do I know you're not going back to steal more information?" 

"Because I'm just worried about how she's handling my absence," which wasn't a complete lie. She hasn't spent a full 10 hours without me in three years. Considering her fragile state, I don't know how she's holding up. Although I'm far less worried than I am wanting to see her suffer in pitiful loneliness. 

"Hmm, well I suppose I don't want you watching my shower. Report back to me in thirty minutes." 

I sigh, "Alright." 

We separate. He shuts his door behind him, leaving me to linger in the hall. I can't figure him out. He definitely thinks I am the traitor, but he isn't acting on it. Is he just teasing me? No, he heard me complain about her; but then again, everyone complains about their boss, so maybe it's not that bad. 

I trudge down stairs to the Tsaritsa's study. When I open the door, I am surprised to see her in a meeting. I do a quick apologetic bow. 

"Pardon me, your majesty and sir. Lord Childe gave me twenty minutes so I thought I would check in with you." 

The archon is in her steely, cold mood that always appears when she is with her harbingers, "Did you not think to knock? This is a private meeting, people could over hear from the hallway." 

I bow again, "Forgive me, my lady." 

The man, the Doctor, chuckles, "It's quite alright, we were just finishing up anyway. Will you consider my offer, my lady?" 

I can see the sinister smirk from below his bird-like mask. I notice a small golden vile on the Tsaritsa's desk. Weird, I'll need to remember to mention this to Diluc. 

"Well, as you only have prepared three bottles, I will hold off on excepting until we've narrowed it down to three suspects. Or I suppose until the month it takes you to make enough servings has past." 

"The truth potion is a guaranteed success, so if none of my collogues can find anything in a month I will gladly sample this to the whole palace," he says with a small chuckle. 

The Tsaritsa also smiles, her thin, pale lips pressing together. She gives him a nod and he takes his leave. I feel him watching me as he exits. I straighten, remain impassive. Once Number 2 is out of ear shot the Tsaritsa's face bursts into a grin. 

"Oh, isn't this lovely! The culprit will be found in a month!" she practically cheers. 

"It's wonderful," I say with a smile. Wonderfully terrible. 

"Why don't you bring me a celebration wine from the kitchen before you have to go back to Childe." 

"Of course," I say, before leaving the room again. 

I speed walk down to the kitchen. The idea that the Doctor has made a successful truth potion is horrifying, I can't think of a way to get around it. I dig my nails into my palms, trying to think. I grab a random bottle, stopping in the small library on my way back up. 

I send one quick message to my ally: Diluc, the Doctor is making a truth potion and I'll have to drink it in one month at the latest. Think of a way to get me out of this, please. I'm freaking out a bit. Don't send word back, the bird will evaporate once he's given you the message. Please, help me.

I send the bird, hurrying back to the Tsaritsa's room so she doesn't get suspicious. 

I place the bottle of dandelion wine onto her desk, pouring her a glass. She smiles approvingly at me. 

"Have you and Childe found anything?" she asks sweetly. 

"No ma'am, but we plan on investigating until late. Finding our traitor is top priority." 

"Good, now go get back to him, I'd really prefer not to wait a month for the Doctor to prepare 400 servings of truth potion." 

I nod, "Agreed, the sooner they're executed the better." 

She lets out a soft chuckle, "I completely agree, I want to watch their blood pool at my feet."