Late at night, at the Ninetails Serpent Tavern.
Main Hall.
"Tonight was all thanks to you!"
Sarah's signature tricorn hat had been casually tossed on the bar counter. Now, only one lamp lit the room, casting a soft glow over the empty tavern. All the guests, whether they'd come willingly or not, had long since left.
The attendants and butlers that Feros sent were already on their way back to Piltover. Raven had taken the remaining crew and departed as well.
At this moment, only Duke and Miss Fortune remained in the once-lively tavern.
Duke swirled the amber liquid in his glass, then gave a quiet chuckle. "Just used a few tricks, that's all."
"If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have been able to unify all of Bilgewater's factions so quickly. And if I had waited until after I sank Gangplank and his fleet, I might've been dragged into the chaos and killed before I even saw it coming."
"Don't say that. Fortune favors the worthy."
Duke tilted his head back and downed the rest of his drink in one gulp. Setting the glass down, he glanced at Sarah. "Pretty people get favored a little more often."
"You still know how to talk, don't you?"
Sarah leaned against the counter, resting her head on her arms as she stared at Duke.
"All the forces in Bilgewater used to listen to Illaoi. But you changed that."
"I only did what needed to be done."
Duke was nonchalant. Everything that happened tonight was just laying the groundwork for what was coming. Even if the methods were a bit underhanded, so long as the results were good, it was worth it.
"You've changed a lot though," Sarah said. "At the beginning, I remember you used to eat sweets."
"And now?" Duke raised an eyebrow.
"Now, you don't touch sugar at all!"
"Is that bad?"
Sarah laughed. "Not at all. You're more of a man than ever."
"Alright, enough of that. I should get some rest. I'm heading back to Piltover tomorrow. And after that, I've got to make a trip to Ixtal."
"More things piling up, less time to handle them. Honestly, I'd rather lock myself in the workshop and work on my research than be running around like this."
As Duke stood from the bar, Sarah reached out and grabbed him by the tie.
"Don't be in such a rush. The night's still young."
Duke looked down at her flushed, slightly tipsy face and swallowed. Then, he gave an awkward laugh. "It's getting late. I really should go."
"One last drink!"
Sarah pulled out a bottle from beneath the bar and placed it on the table. She clasped her hands together, pleading. "Just one more, okay?"
"You've helped me so much, and I've got nothing else to give you. So I figured... letting you try this bottle I've been saving for over twenty years is a decent way to say thanks."
She spoke while pulling out two glasses and uncorking the bottle, pouring until both were full.
The honey-colored liquid shimmered in the light. Its rich fragrance filled the air, drawing Duke's attention.
"Smells pretty good."
"Of course it does. This bottle's been aging for twenty-six years."
"Wait... You're twenty-six."
Duke raised an eyebrow as he picked up the glass. Sarah just smiled slyly. "Sometimes curiosity isn't a good thing, y'know?"
"Tch."
Duke gave the drink a gentle swirl. "Curiosity is the engine of human progress. Without it, how would technology ever move forward?"
"You really don't get it."
He took a small sip. The honey-like viscosity and sweetness were unexpectedly smooth and mellow.
"Not bad at all."
Sarah, meanwhile, hadn't touched her drink. Her elbows rested on the bar as she watched him closely.
"Not bad, right? Camille had your family's butler deliver this one to me."
"…What?"
Duke's smile stiffened. He looked from the glass to Sarah. "Camille gave this to you?"
"Yep. She said it's a tradition for newlyweds in your family. Said it's supposed to increase the odds of producing an heir."
"…The hell?!"
Duke cursed aloud. Why the hell would Camille be helping Sarah like this? That didn't make sense!
"You need an heir," Sarah said softly in his ear, "someone to help you manage Bilgewater. To become its next king."
Camille's lectures echoed in his mind again. Duke's eyes widened. "You set me up!"
"That's not fair," Sarah pouted, looking completely innocent. She bit her lip and whispered, "You're the one who kept playing dumb."
"I, "
Duke tried to stand, but his legs gave out. He nearly collapsed. The super soldier serum coursing through his body couldn't neutralize the effects of one drink?
"What the hell did Camille put in this?"
He leaned against the counter and shook his head, then tried calling for Tahm.
But there was no answer.
"Dammit, Tahm! You're gonna pay for this!"
Duke stumbled toward the door. He wasn't about to get dragged into something he couldn't get out of, not tonight.
Sarah calmly stepped around the bar and slowly approached him.
"Stop struggling, Duke."
"You've got two options tonight."
She grabbed him by the collar and smiled. "Option one: You give me what I want."
"I choose option two!"
Duke's mind was clear, but his body wouldn't listen. Still, he snapped back without hesitation.
Sarah giggled. "Option two is: you watch me bleed."
"Pffft, !"
Duke spat blood.
"No way! I want option three!"
"Too bad. There's no going back."
Dragging him upstairs by the collar, Sarah and Duke vanished into the shadows of the tavern.
All that remained was a single bottle of old liquor and two untouched glasses of honey-colored wine.
Two Days Later.
Duke staggered out of the tavern, dark circles heavy under his eyes. He leaned against the doorframe, exhaling deeply.
Looking up at the cloudless blue sky, he groaned:
"Boys really do need to take care of themselves…"
"If not…"
Just remembering what happened over the past two days sent a chill down his spine.
He didn't dare think too much more. If he did, he might just turn around and head right back in, and lose another few days in the process.
"…Tahm!"
A whirlpool shimmered open, and Tahm emerged.
"You're lookin' mighty refreshed, boss."
"You got airholes for eyes or what?" Duke growled. "Do I look refreshed to you?"
Tahm eyed him strangely. "The tavern was closed for two whole days. Looks refreshed to me."
Duke's face darkened. "I've been way too nice to you lately. Clearly, you've forgotten your place."
"That was Madam Gray's order!"
"Oh please. Like you ever obey her."
Tahm blinked innocently. "That's your mother we're talking about, boss."
"You know what they say: 'No one loves you like your mom…'"
"Shut it!"
Duke clenched his teeth. "Unless you want to end up in my soup pot, take me back to Piltover, now."
"Yes, sir."
Tahm zipped his lips and opened his mouth wide. Duke, still walking like he'd just fought a war, staggered in.
Tahm's smug grin returned. Finally, a win.
Watching Duke suffer even a little was his favorite thing in the world.
Of course, he could never do it openly, nor could he harm Duke, otherwise the pact would take over and drag him straight into the Void beneath Icathia.
With a burp and a glow, Tahm activated his power and vanished from Bilgewater.
From the rooftop of the Ninetails Serpent, Sarah peeked out the window. She watched the watery footprints outside the door vanish and smiled.
"You little rascal…"
Behind her, the room was an absolute disaster.
(End of chapter)
We're still in the early chapters fam! and to everyone who's joined the Patreon, thank you so much! 🙏Your support truly means the world. You're the reason this story keeps growing, chapter by chapter, world by world. I promise to give it my all! more content, more depth, more epic moments, to make sure your support is always worth it. You're part of the foundation that keeps this universe alive.
🔹 Hexcore Initiate – 15 chapters ahead
🔸 Arc Reactor Elite – 35 chapters
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