Thread by @SetsuYomi

#Childe #Tartaglia+Tsaritsa (Implied #ZhongChi #鍾タル)

"Tartaglia."

"Ah, Your Majesty."

Hastily bowing and down to his knees, Ajax gives respect to the image of his Queen. They're in his dream, because he remembered retiring for the night with his (secret)husband before this.

"Rise, Tartaglia. Make yourself comfortable. I have something to discuss with you." The cold yet gentle voice of his Queen resounding through the dreamscape. Ajax rises slowly from his place as the white area around him turn into a garden full of white flowers he can barely name.

It's an exact replica of the Royal Palace's garden, her Majesty's favorite place and few has seen what's inside.

Seated before the round table filled with tea and pastries, Ajax (despite the hammering of his heart) keeps silent while watching his Queen sips her tea elegantly.

A moment passed before her Highness speaks, "How have you been, Tartaglia? You were last stationed in Liyue, correct?"

"I'm well, thank you for your concern your Majesty. And yes, all according to your order." Ajax pats himself mentally for not letting his nerves get into him.

Her Highness hums softly behind her cup of tea. Her piercing eyes look at him in a way that Ajax could barely deciphers, before she sighs and puts the thing down with a gentle 'clink'.

"I am glad to hear that, my youngest. I have read of your report, from your first stationedー

and all the way to the current ones."

Something in her tone catches Ajax' attention, it makes him wants to flee but he has nowhere to go. Rooted to his place like him accidentally getting frozen by a pesky cryo slime after swimming in one of Liyue's lake.

"Yet, despite your complete report, tell me, dear child, why did you omit the detail about your relation with the Warrior God, Morax?"

Ajax pales. His heart feels like leaping out of his ribcage.
'Of course she knew. She's your Archon, stupid Ajax!'

Oh, he's done. He's so done.

"Y-your Majesty! I-i deeply apologizeー" Ajax almost shoots up from his seat to grovel on the ground before the Goddess stops him with a motion from her hand.

"Breathe, my child. I'm not here to punish you, nor do I need your apology. I just need to clarify something to you.ー

Do not forget that while I rule this land with iron fist, I was known as the Goddess of love in the far past. I had seen the way his greedy eyes shone in the rare times we talked about /your/ progress in Liyue back then. The way his tone changed slighty when you're the topic."

Ajax feels his eyes widening at that, mouth moving but no voice coming out in his disbelief.

"Moreover," the Tsaritsa continue her rants. "How would I not know the moment *He* claimed one of mine as his and your acceptance to his devotion for for you in turn?"

She raises one of her brow to question him. Meanwhile, Ajax face is so red he rivals the ripest Jueyun chili and could only wish to melt in the spot and become one with the marbled tile just to avoid her Majesty's words.

Looking at her Vanguard who stammers in his apology,

the Tsaritsa sighs yet again.

"That's enough, my Eleventh. I know you too well to ignore someone like him. I know your ambitions and your attraction with danger. I'm more exasperated at the old dragon's shamelessness of courting you in the midst of your mission.

Also the way he just snatch you without my knowledge..." she trails of with a cold fury.

"Hah, I should visit him next to give him my piece of mind about this disrespect."

Ajax gulps nervously, he can't believe that her Highness is angry on his behalf...

It's rare for her to show deep emotions, though this proves how deeply she cares about Ajax and his wellbeing, Ajax can't help but pity Zhongli.

"Also, about you, my Eleventh. I have another thing to say about your current... ah, conditions."

Ajax grips his night shirt tightly, "M-my conditions, your Majesty?"

Her Majesty leans back on her seat with a wry smile, "You're aware of your status as Morax' bonded, yes?"

Ajax nods slowly. That's right, Zhongli explained that they're mates and bonded for life.

"In the past, when Morax still directly ruled his nation, your status would be his Empress. Also, as he *still* is the Prime of Adepti, you as his mate is titled 'the Bride', 'the Wife of the Prime Adeptus'."

"Ah.."

"As you're here, I can see how drenched you are with his marks

almost overriding my connection with you. And as angry I am in the notion of him taking you from me, I also see how much he cares about you. For the long time he lived and me knowing him, this is the first time I see this kind of devotion for him to another being."

Ajax could only keep silent, once again, at the statements from his Queen. They fill him with many emotions, embarrassed but warmth engulfed him.

"So, Tartaglia."

Ajax snaps his focus to her, "Yes, your Majesty."

"Congratulations on your status and please take care."

A small smile that grace on her usually cold and distant face brought tears to him. "Thank you, your Majesty."

Ajax really is lucky.

After gaining his bearings, they chatted for a while.

Not long though, he could feel the dreamscapes waver and he looks at his Queen in confirmation.

"Our time is up it seems."

Ajax nods respectfully, "Indeed your Majesty, thank you for your time."

"As you're about to wake up, another thing to tell you is that you're freed of your duties as my vanguard and you may continue serving me once your child is born."

Wait, what.

"I will discuss the rest of your employment as a Harbinger with your husband later in my next visit."

Ajax sputters in his (endless) surprise, "Wh? M-my CHILD?－"

Her Majesty ignores him though, while his surrounding keeps fading. In the end, all he could hear is:

"Farewell, Tartaglia and once again, congratulations. I wish you and your little family a lifetime of happiness."

When Ajax woke up, he panicked once remembering his dreams, accidentally smacks Zhongli in his face, waking him up and then drags his husband to Bubu pharmacy where Baizhu confirms Ajax' pregnancy.

Zhongli is overwhelmed with happiness, but also dreading the Tsaritsa's visit.

//end.

Lol time to face the Wrath of the Mom, Zhongli 🤣

Anyway, i just want motherly yet distant Tsaritsa who's frustrated at her senior for stealing her child(e) lmao