That night.
At the High Tower, temporary embassy.
In the back garden.
"Uroa's potion, huh…"
Looking at the documents in his hand, Duke fell into deep thought. Truth be told, he could brew enhancement potions himself, but without hundreds or thousands of clinical trials, no ordinary concoction could be considered safe for actual use.
Besides, Katarina had come all the way to Ixtal for the sole purpose of tracking down Uroa's potion, not to use it, but to destroy it.
That was Swain's order.
Swain believed the strength of an empire did not rest on the power of one or two individuals
but on the unity and cohesion of the entire nation.
That was why Katarina had followed the Noxian expeditionary corps here. Unfortunately, not long after their arrival, a foolish act by the beastmaster in their party had almost led to total annihilation.
When she discovered Duke's group, she had tried to "pit one tiger against another" , only to end up ensnared herself.
Now, she stood beside Duke in a maid outfit, serving him tea.
"What? Don't tell me you're tempted too?"
Balancing a tray, Katarina smirked mockingly. "I thought you trusted your precious technology?"
"That's true," Duke admitted, "but it doesn't mean I'm not curious about this thing."
"Just one drop can temper the soul for a thousand years, and make the skin as hard as antimagic stone."
Duke glanced over the research notes compiled by that blond brat Ezreal's uncle, then closed them and set them aside.
"I'm curious about its effects. You know…" Duke trailed off, winking at her. "Let's just say I could make use of it."
"Tch." Katarina clicked her tongue and looked away. She found Duke utterly insufferable, always dangling something in front of her to provoke her.
"Alright, stop glaring at me. Go get some rest."
He released his remote control over Qiyana and summoned her instead. With a casual wave, as though shooing a fly, he dismissed Katarina.
She rolled her eyes, clearly wanting to smash the tray into his skull, but one glance at the dragon-beast crouched nearby, rumbling low in its throat, convinced her otherwise. She settled for glaring daggers at him before leaving.
Once Katarina was gone, Duke waited for Qiyana's arrival while turning to Pride. "Get ready."
"Hm?"
Pride looked up from his seat.
"Your next sibling is about to be born."
"I'm the eldest. The big brother."
Pride muttered this under his breath. Across from him, Wally, who was studying with a book in hand, looked up, wanting to say that he was actually the first, but thought better of it, knowing Pride would just beat him down.
"This one will be special, different from you by nature. You'll need to guide them well."
"Brother or sister?"
"Who knows?" Duke shrugged. Even he couldn't control the gender of the life he created.
If he could choose, though, a daughter would be nice, someone to dote on.
Before they could speak further, Qiyana appeared at the garden gate. Her face pale with apprehension, she walked toward him.
Duke sat up from his lounge chair. "Want a drink?"
"What do you want from me this time?"
Qiyana tried to act composed, but her eyes betrayed her anxiety.
"What I want? Do you think you could stop me?"
Rolling his eyes, Duke said, "As far as the Yun Tal Council is concerned, you're already a traitor, an outsider's pet."
"And your claim to the throne? You're far down the succession line. You think you can inherit your father's crown?"
"I'm stronger than all of them!"
"True. But by tradition, you still have no real chance, unless you stage a bloody coup and pave your road to the Empress's throne with corpses."
"I…" Qiyana faltered, unable to answer.
"So I'm giving you a choice."
"What choice?"
"Work with me." Duke rose, grabbing a bottle of rum and circling her. He leaned close and whispered, "You've seen the memories I shared with you."
"What do you think of the outside world?"
"…It's wonderful." She tried to sound defiant, but in front of him, she had no secrets. She could only admit softly, "Far better than here."
"I can give you the chance to step outside, and I'll do everything I can to help you seize the throne."
"In return, once you're Empress, all I ask is that you protect my interests here."
"You mean… be your puppet?"
"You make it sound so unpleasant. I call it a win–win."
He bent to her ear. "Don't you want to be Empress?"
"I'll help you, and you'll help me."
"But…"
"No 'buts'." He ruffled her silver curls until they were a mess. "Go think it over. By the time I return to the capital, I expect your name on Ixaoken's diplomatic list."
He shoved the rum bottle into her hands just as his desk communicator began buzzing, Piltover calling.
"Think about it."
Seeing he meant to dismiss her, Qiyana pouted but said nothing. She left the embassy and returned to her quarters, a lavish mansion, though far from a royal palace.
Her mother was waiting there. Qiyana quickly hid the rum behind her back. "Mother, what brings you here?"
"Just to see you."
Her mother noticed her messy hair and gently fixed it. "You were just at Ambassador Duke's place?"
"…Mm."
"He is quite… charming." She helped Qiyana adjust her crown.
Thinking of Duke's face, Qiyana had to admit, he had the kind of dangerous allure that could captivate any woman.
"You've grown up, my child."
Qiyana stared at her mother in disbelief. Seriously? I meet that devil and you're happy about it? Are you even my real mother?
…
Back at the embassy's garden,
"That's the situation."
Duke recounted the day's events to Camille, then continued, "They'll be sending an envoy. I want Piltover ready, pull out the highest level of hospitality. Keep them so pleased they forget home."
"I know what to do. I'll have Dakal handle it."
"But there's something else you need to hear," Camille said, her expression turning serious.
"What is it?" Duke asked, matching her tone.
"The first partner for the Hexgate project has appeared."
"Which one?"
"Demacia."
Duke nearly choked on his cigar. "Demacia?!"
"Yes."
"I thought Noxus would be first!"
"Noxus is busy with another civil war. You know their temperament, until that's over, they won't commit. They'll build a gate eventually, but only after their house is in order."
"I'm not surprised by anything those war maniacs do… but why Demacia? The Hexgate is still magitech. Can they tolerate it?"
"Times have changed, Duke. Even the most rigid Demacians must embrace reform."
"Fine. Let Jayce handle it. What's it got to do with me?"
"Do you remember the Demacians who visited Colin's workshop on Progress Day last year?"
"The prince, you mean?" Duke recalled the trio, Prince, Garen, and Lux, whom Mel had brought to his tent.
"They've sent you an invitation, for you to join a diplomatic trip to Demacia."
"You've got to be kidding. I'm a mage! Everyone knows Demacians hate mages. I don't fancy getting my skull smashed by mage-hunters, or smashing theirs first."
"But it's an invitation from the royal family. You can't refuse."
"Ugh. Should've never gotten chummy with that kid…"
"Besides, you're always complaining about steel shortages. This trip is hosted by the Crownguard family, the prince's elder brother and younger sister. You could… procure materials for your experiments."
"Alright, alright. I get it."
"Good. The trip begins early next year. You still have time to prepare."
"Even better."
Ending the call, Duke set down the communicator and picked up the Uroa potion dossier again.
"Maybe I'll go look for it… think of it as sightseeing before the trip."
🔹 Hexcore Initiate – 15 chapters ahead
🔸 Arc Reactor Elite – 35 chapters
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