"ROAR!!"
A violent roar erupted from Duke's workshop, echoing across the entire Bluebell Estate. Even the distant streets could hear that primal, furious sound — a cry filled with wrath and the exhilaration of rebirth.
In the pavilion
Kiana's body trembled the moment she heard it. That roar brought back terrifying memories — memories of the time she had been utterly dominated by Duke.
Back then, it was amidst the mechanical dragon's earth-shaking roar that she fell in battle and lost everything — her pride, her arrogance, her self-confidence — all shattered to pieces.
"It seems Duke's found himself a new pet," Camille remarked coolly. Her hand holding the teacup was perfectly steady, like the hand of a surgeon — precise, unwavering.
"Hmm… maybe not a pet," Dakel teased with a mischievous grin, "more like an offspring, don't you think?"
Camille shook her head. "If he truly could bring descendants to the Ferros family, I would be overjoyed."
"But aside from Bilgewater's Sarah, have you seen anyone else carry his bloodline?"
Camille's tone softened, tinged with quiet melancholy. "The Ferros family has always been small in number — that's an undeniable fact."
"In my generation, there was only Steven and me. And now, in yours—only you."
She turned to Dakel. "That's not good."
"A powerful and prosperous family needs more heirs, more descendants to strengthen its roots. No matter how many weapons we build, they'll never replace a worthy successor."
"Yes, Grand-Aunt."
Dakel lowered her head in acknowledgment. As Camille said, the Ferros family might secretly control all of Piltover, but in truth—
They were few in number.
Among her generation, she was the only direct heir.
Now with Duke included — though not by blood — the bond they shared could fill that absence of lineage.
Camille had long hoped Duke's branch of the family would flourish, his bloodline spreading and growing strong.
Dakel, too, had already steeled herself to bear his children if it meant ensuring the Ferros legacy.
But the problem was… Duke himself. He was consumed by research and cared little for anything else — which, frankly, infuriated them.
"Kiana!"
Camille suddenly turned her sharp gaze toward her, startling Kiana so much she straightened at once. "Mother!"
As Duke's betrothed, Kiana naturally addressed Camille that way. It was a matter of formality.
"Although you and Duke were married for alliance, the engagement still stands," Camille said evenly. "I don't know what customs Ionia holds, but in Piltover, the young are bold and forward-thinking. Do you understand?"
Kiana's cheeks flushed pink. Though proud and a little arrogant by nature, she wasn't stupid.
Since leaving Ionia and seeing the broader world, her perspective had grown. She had learned much — though some of her old habits remained, she was no longer the same sheltered girl.
"I understand," she murmured softly. "I'll go to him."
Camille nodded in approval. "Good. The Ferros estate feels far too empty these days. A little more… life would do us well."
She lifted her teacup again, but before she could take a sip, her gaze caught a figure hurrying toward Duke's workshop.
"If I'm not mistaken, that's Jayce Talis, isn't it?"
"Yes," Dakel replied in a low voice. "I heard Mel's trying to bring him into the council. He's even got the Medarda family backing him now — apparently, something's going on between them."
Camille gave a light, dismissive laugh. "The hammer-swinging brat's come far, hasn't he?"
But she didn't dwell on it. To her, Jayce was just a craftsman — talented, perhaps, but compared to Duke in skill, intellect, or daring, he wasn't even qualified to shine his shoes.
"Kiana, go get ready."
"Yes."
"Duke!"
Jayce's voice echoed as he banged furiously on the door, jabbing the doorbell over and over — but Duke had muted it. No matter how hard Jayce pressed, there was no response.
"Damn it, Duke! Open up, now!"
He pounded on the reinforced door, his face twisted with a mix of urgency and frustration.
Inside the workshop
"Boss, Jayce is here — he's knocking."
Duke, in the middle of testing "Wrath" in miniature mode, blinked, then sighed and halted the experiment. The creature immediately disengaged from its tank-like configuration.
Whoosh!
As Duke and Wrath returned to normal size, the massive beast shrank further — transforming into a three-headed hound barely reaching Duke's waist.
"Let him in. Take him to the guest room — I'll be there soon."
The workshop had been remodeled again — ever since Dakel had once stormed in with a wall-breaking hammer, Duke had decided to add a reception room.
"Understood, boss."
Edith opened the main door, ushering Jayce inside and leading him to the guest room. Duke patted Wrath's head.
"Go find Pride and Gluttony to play with."
"Woof!"
Wrath circled once, growled softly, then bounded off.
Satisfied, Duke made his way to the guest room. The remodeling had paid off — the new Wrath was far more stable than before.
The only problem was, it didn't like talking — always expressing itself through barks, which was starting to give Duke a headache.
When he entered the room, he saw Jayce sitting on the sofa, arms folded, one leg bouncing restlessly.
"What's wrong? You look tense."
Duke sat across from him, separated by a coffee table.
"Would you like something to drink?"
Jayce ignored the offer, slamming both palms on the table as he glared. "Do you know why I didn't want Viktor to strike out on his own?"
"Because you're too controlling?" Duke asked dryly.
Jayce shook his head. "No — because I was afraid something would happen to him!"
"So Viktor's in trouble?"
Duke stopped trimming his cigar and looked up sharply.
Jayce nodded. "After you left Piltover, Viktor began preparing for his journey to Shurima — gathering funds, seeking investors. He worked on it for over a month."
"You're saying he went to Shurima and disappeared?"
"I'm sure of it," Jayce said firmly. "He and I had scheduled communication intervals, and he also promised to check in with Sky."
"But yesterday — he went completely dark. Neither of us can reach him."
"So you think I'm partly responsible for that, huh?"
Duke leaned back, crossing one leg over the other.
"Is that it?"
Jayce faltered, avoiding his gaze. He realized then how rash he'd been. When he first heard Viktor was missing, his grief quickly turned to blame — blaming Duke for encouraging Viktor to go independent.
Now, confronted by Duke's calm, he regretted it.
"Sorry, Duke… I just— I was too worried." Jayce let out a heavy sigh. "I shouldn't have lashed out like that."
Duke waved it off. "It's fine. You're worried, and I get it." He set aside his cigar. "So what's your plan?"
"I'm going to Shurima to find him," Jayce said immediately. "The situation there is getting dangerous. I want to reach him before it's too late."
Duke exhaled slowly. "I understand… but aren't you supposed to head for Demacia next?"
"You think I'm in the mood for politics right now?"
"You're going to Demacia," Duke said firmly. "Let me handle Shurima. Gather all the logs and messages between you and Viktor — every clue. Give them to me."
"…You'll go?"
"I'll look for him myself."
Jayce took a long breath, relief flooding his face. "Thanks, Duke."
"Don't mention it. Go home."
"Right."
When Jayce was gone, Duke stayed seated in silence, deep in thought.
Viktor's disappearance was serious. Shurima was becoming increasingly unstable, and though Duke's custom gear should've kept Viktor safe, surviving there was another matter entirely.
"Looks like I'll have to take a trip to Shurima myself."
Creaaak—
The door opened, and Duke turned to see silver-haired Kiana stepping in. He frowned. "What are you doing here?"
Her heart was already pounding, and his tone didn't help. "Can't I come?" she shot back, defensive.
"Heh. I remember someone crying after I scared her half to death once."
"You—!" Kiana huffed, but after taking a deep breath, she sat across from him, legs crossed.
"What are you scheming now?" Duke asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Mother said… the Ferros family needs more… heirs," Kiana muttered, her earlier confidence vanishing to a barely audible whisper.
Duke instantly understood — Camille had sent her. But he had no time for such matters right now.
"Forget it. You're not exactly the… 'heir-bearing' type," Duke said bluntly, waving her off. "Don't meddle in things you don't understand."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Kiana stood abruptly, glaring — but Duke merely loosened his belt with a smirk.
"You think you can handle it?"
Kiana bit her lip, defiant. Duke sighed and buckled his belt again.
"Go home, stop making trouble."
But before he could stand, she grabbed his belt, eyes fierce with stubborn determination.
"I… I'm not weak," she whispered. "Don't underestimate me!"
—
Half an hour later.
Bathroom.
"Ugh!"
Kiana clung to the toilet, dry heaving. Duke crouched beside her, patting her back.
"Don't push yourself."
"It's your fault for hitting my throat—"
"Ugh!"
End of chapter....
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