Morning.
Duke strolled leisurely back to the Crownguard estate, hands tucked in his coat pockets. His steps were light, and the gloom that had weighed on his expression for so long had all but vanished. He looked refreshed, his whole spirit lifted.
The moment he entered the front hall, he spotted Lux sitting on a bench in the corner, staring at him with bright, expectant eyes.
"Brother Duke!"
"What's this? Have you been waiting long?"
As she ran up to him, Duke ruffled her hair. Lux tilted her head up and asked, "Where did you go last night?"
"I stayed at Galio's place, working on some research. Nothing else happened, right?"
"No, nothing. But the invitations have all been sent out. Mother says the apprenticeship ceremony will be held tonight!"
"Hmm. In that case, I'd better pick up the pace."
"What are you up to, Brother Duke?"
Lux blinked her wide eyes, watching him without even a flicker. Duke just smiled. "That's a secret."
He rubbed her head again, then started upstairs, hands still in his pockets.
"Wait for tonight's surprise."
Lux tilted her head as she watched him go. "Brother Duke seems so different today… almost glowing."
"Three-six-seven… what happened to him?"
Upstairs, Duke headed straight to his room. From the stairwell's shadow, Vayne leaned against the wall, clad in her black leathers. Her eyes followed him, complicated and unreadable.
"Shauna."
"Hm?"
Vayne turned at the voice. Behind her stood Petyr Crownguard, smiling warmly. "I must thank you for this time."
"It was nothing."
She clearly didn't want to linger, but Petyr pressed, "Tonight is my daughter's apprenticeship ceremony. Would you honor us by attending?"
"No. I have more important matters to see to."
Vayne shook her head and left without hesitation. She hadn't succeeded in hunting that demon, but courtesy demanded she at least return to Crownguard estate and speak with Petyr before she departed.
Glancing once down the empty corridor, she walked away without looking back. Her mind was still in chaos, she needed distance.
Where should she go?
Standing at the estate gates, Vayne's gaze drifted westward, toward the capital.
Perhaps it was time to return home.
It had been so long.
…
Evening.
Duke withdrew the final piece from the furnace and plunged it into the quenching bath. As steam rose, he let out a breath, stretching his stiff shoulders.
Borrowing a storage room from Lux's mother, Ogsha, he had spent the entire day there, crafting a staff for Lux.
Now, three-quarters of the work was complete. All that remained was to assemble the parts, install the conduits, and mount the energy channels.
"Once the ceremony's over tonight, I can head to the capital."
He lit a cigar off the furnace flame, the smoke curling lazily as his thoughts wandered back to the night before. The moment Vayne's face surfaced in his mind, a restless fire stirred in his chest.
But then he remembered Miss Fortune, and the unborn child. At once, he crushed those stray thoughts.
"Ugh. Headache."
By the time he muttered this, the piece was cooled. He dried it carefully with a cloth, then began assembling Lux's staff.
It was just a meter long, inlaid at both ends with rhombic crystals that amplified energy. Along the shaft, three Hextech gemstones gleamed faintly.
At its base, the staff could unleash searing rays to cut down foes, project shields to block attacks, and even bend light itself to cloak the wielder.
It was also equipped with a sonic weapon module, an anti-gravity system, and enhancements for the human body, allowing static currents from the staff to augment its bearer.
Most importantly, it could channel Lux's own magic, seamlessly amplifying her abilities.
"Perfect."
He sealed the staff in a case, tied it with silk ribbon, and even shaped the bow into a neat little knot.
Just as he finished, a whirlpool of water rippled open on the floor beside him. Before starting, Duke had told Tahm to fetch their guests from the Ferros family.
Right on cue, the portal churned, and Tahm strode out, planting his feet firm. He tilted his massive head back and opened his mouth wide. One after another, figures tumbled from his gullet.
Among them were several attendants, but also one very familiar face.
"Why did you come yourself?" Duke asked with a crooked smile.
"Why shouldn't I? You're taking on a disciple, it's no small matter," Camille replied. Her bladed legs clicked lightly against the floor as she smoothed back her hair, folding her hands primly before her.
"You've done well," she said. "With the Crownguards and the Buvel family supporting you, the Hexgate project will proceed more smoothly than ever. The exoskeleton market too can be opened once more."
"Just yesterday, I secured the Duval family's support. In return, I promised them a place for one of their scions to study under us in Piltover."
"That poses no problem." Camille inclined her head, her eyes softening. "You've done exceptionally. Barely a month in Demacia, and already you've accomplished so much. Duke… you truly have done well."
"Enough with the flattery. Go get ready."
Duke scratched his head. Tahm had vanished again, off to guard Miss Fortune. According to him, her prestige in Bilgewater was soaring.
The Ferros family's aid, coupled with Duke's support, had given her the power to fully reform Bilgewater from top to bottom. With Warwick as her enforcer, her strength was unmatched.
Tucking the gift box away, Duke cleared the tools and led Camille and the others to the front hall.
The sound of steel legs scraping against the marble floor echoed. Petyr and Ogsha entered with Lux at their side. The moment such a gathering appeared, the Crownguards knew something was afoot.
But seeing Duke among them, they quickly guessed this was the "surprise" he had mentioned.
"Welcome to the Crownguard family!"
Petyr greeted them warmly, though his and Ogsha's eyes could not help but dart repeatedly to Camille's legs. Even without her winches attached, her blade limbs were striking to behold.
"We heard of the apprenticeship ceremony," Dakor stepped forward smoothly to speak on behalf of the Ferros family. "We came at once from Piltover, hoping our presence causes no inconvenience."
As form dictated, she handled the diplomacy. Duke led Camille away for now, while Lux peered curiously at Camille's strange legs, fascination written all over her face, though she dared not draw too near.
"What a lovely child. Duke, you've found yourself a fine apprentice," Camille remarked.
"Bright as they come. A true genius, she grasps things at once."
Duke did not hold back his praise. In his room, he presented Camille with a gown.
It was a gray, floor-length dress, embroidered with blue tassels. Its hem draped elegantly, hiding her blade legs completely. Her fitted clothes beneath would serve as the inner layer.
As Duke buttoned the gown for her, Camille asked softly, "Have you thought of a name for the child?"
For a moment, warmth flickered across Duke's expression before he masked it again. "We'll see whether it's a boy or girl first."
"I've had Dakor prepare a few suitable names," Camille said. "You can look through them later. Regardless, the child, boy or girl, must be trained from youth. They'll need to inherit Bilgewater one day."
"Isn't it too early to decide that? And what if they refuse?"
Duke untied her hair, then began brushing it anew. Sitting before the mirror, Camille smiled faintly. "Then will you run Bilgewater yourself?"
"I think it's better for the child to inherit it. If they refuse, then I'll make them accept it."
His quick correction drew a smile from her lips.
"Oh, by the way, the royal family of Ixtal reached out again."
Duke froze. "And?"
"They've proposed a marriage alliance."
"…What?"
The comb in Duke's hand slipped. A chill ran through him. "Don't tell me the intended groom is me."
"You're always so perceptive."
"Why me?"
"Because of your value. Your strength. Your intellect." Camille sighed faintly. "The gifted are never free of burdens."
"That doesn't include keeping a harem."
Duke's voice was grim as he pinned a hair ornament in place. Camille arched a brow at his expression. "Don't tell me you're…"
"You really do notice everything, don't you?"
"Darling, I'm over eighty years old. Near a century of life grants more than power, it brings absolute experience."
"Enough of that. Who's the match?"
Her tone was calm as Duke's hands rested on her shoulders. "Someone you know."
"Don't tell me it's that arrogant little runt!"
"You guessed it again."
"Damn it!"
End of chapter....
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