"Don't forget to keep your tablet communicator close at all times, oh Great Lord of Evil!"
Standing at the base of the tower, Duke smiled broadly as he looked up at Veigar—who now sat proudly atop the floating platform Duke had personally modified, the so-called "Iron Throne."
Veigar struck a dramatic pose, waving his staff with that trademark villainous flair. "Are you doubting my credibility, insignificant mortal?"
"Of course not," Duke said with a grin. "But if you do breach the contract, I'll make sure the guarantee recording gets sent across all of Runeterra—from the frozen north of Freljord to the sands of Shurima."
He added casually, "Naturally, Bandle City won't be left out either."
Veigar's face twitched slightly at that, but he quickly masked it with pride. "Pathetic mortal! Do not measure Veigar's integrity with your feeble imagination! I shall never break my word!"
"Then I wish you happy conquering."
Duke gave a polite bow, then turned to leave with Lux. From atop his throne, Veigar stared unblinkingly at their departing figures.
"Why do I feel… something's not quite right?"
He frowned, scratching his head. But the more he thought about it, the less sense it made—he hadn't really lost anything. All he'd done was talk to a strange machine and introduce himself briefly.
On the contrary, he'd gotten exactly what he wanted—his precious Iron Throne—and even more wonderful treasures from those traveling merchants.
"No one can outsmart the Great Lord of Evil!"
With a sharp laugh, Veigar clumsily steered his throne back inside.
"Hmm, I still need to get used to this thing…"
———
"Brother Duke… didn't you just dump all your unwanted junk on that Yordle and make him sign a contract?"
Lux tilted her head, looking guilty.
That… sounded an awful lot like tricking someone.
"One's willing to sell, one's willing to buy," Duke said indifferently. "Besides, didn't you see how happy he was?"
Though he had indeed unloaded his outdated stock on Veigar, those "scraps" were still enough to make most people fight tooth and nail to get their hands on them.
"And I didn't even take his money," Duke continued. "All I asked is that when the time comes, he lend me a hand in battle."
He turned toward Lux as they walked through the village streets. "Don't underestimate Veigar. He's been alive since before Noxus even existed. A millennium of accumulated knowledge and magic power—few could ever hope to defeat him one-on-one."
He paused, then added, "And as your own magic grows stronger, you'll need someone like that to guide you. I can teach you science and philosophy, but magic? That requires a proper teacher."
"So that's what you've been planning all along, Brother Duke!"
Lux's eyes lit up in realization.
Duke shrugged. "You always need to think several steps ahead. Whatever you do, make sure it aligns with your goals."
"You'll understand in time."
"Okay!"
"Enough talk," Duke said, smiling. "Let's buy some supplies. While we're still on land, move around as much as you can. The next few days, we'll be stuck at sea."
"Got it!"
———
Three days later, off the coast of the Twin Cities.
"Finally… heading home."
Standing at the bow of the ship, Duke stretched lazily as the distant silhouette of Piltover came into view. Relief washed over him.
His time in Demacia had been exhausting—mentally, physically, and politically.
Now that he was finally returning to Piltover, he could take a proper break—lock himself in his lab until the end of time, and refuse to come out unless the world was ending.
"Brother Duke, once we get to Piltover… do I have to attend classes at the academy?"
Lux stepped out from the cabin and joined him on deck, her hair fluttering in the sea breeze.
Duke nodded. "Everything's already been arranged. I'll set up a workshop for you too. Whatever you want to make, whatever you want to study—you'll have the freedom to do it."
He looked down at her and smiled. "And here, no one will judge you for being a mage."
"Get ready for a new life."
"Mhm!"
Lux nodded eagerly, her eyes filled with anticipation.
As the ship sailed into Piltover's harbor, dockworkers and Enforcers quickly took notice. They signaled the ship to approach, guiding it to an open berth.
Once the anchor dropped, Duke ordered Edith to lower the gangway. An Enforcer holding a clipboard stepped forward—only to freeze the moment he recognized the man stepping off the ship.
"Good morning, Officer."
"Ah—! Mr. Duke!" The Enforcer straightened immediately, tucking away his paperwork. He remembered the name well—the prodigy who'd won the Grand Innovator's Tournament without breaking a sweat.
"Just returned from Demacia," Duke said, rubbing his back with a wry smile. "That trip nearly killed me."
"Then you'd better get some rest," the Enforcer said warmly.
Duke nodded. "Yeah. Someone will handle the docking procedures. I'll leave it to you."
"Of course, sir. Safe travels!"
Duke waved in farewell and left with Lux, their footsteps echoing against the wooden pier.
The Enforcer watched them go, adjusting his hat.
"That's him, right?"
"The youngest master craftsman in all of Piltover," another replied. "The armor worn by that famous duo—his work."
"No wonder he's such a big deal."
"Even Jayce Talis looks second-rate next to him."
"Ha! You said it."
"By the way… what happened to Jayce's partner?"
"You mean that guy from the undercity? Who knows…"
———
Leaving the bustling port behind, Duke released Gluttony, his massive vehicle. Lux climbed in, and they sped toward the Blue Lavender Manor.
The roar of its engine echoed through the streets, and everyone who heard it knew—
Duke was back.
As Gluttony rumbled to a stop at the manor gates, they swung open automatically.
"Wow! A whole field of lavender!"
Lux's eyes sparkled as she gazed at Camille's meticulously tended lavender garden. Among the blossoms, Zyra was busy tending the plants—quiet and obedient for once, likely thanks to Camille's rather persuasive methods.
Duke parked in the courtyard and stepped out just as the butler hurried forward.
"Welcome home, sir."
"How's everything been?"
"All in order, sir."
"And Dakel?"
"The mistress is in the pavilion at the heart of the garden—with Madam as well."
"Got it. Send a few men to the port to handle my ship."
"Yes, sir."
After releasing Anger and Pride to roam freely, Duke took Lux along the stone path toward the pavilion.
But before they arrived, a familiar, imperious voice drifted through the air—
"I'm starting to break a sweat!"
That sharp, commanding tone could only belong to one person.
When Duke stepped into view, he saw a silver-haired little tyrant sitting across from Dakel—Qiyana—her servant Beal standing quietly beside her.
"Beal! Can't you focus for once?" Qiyana snapped.
Dakel sighed helplessly.
"Dakel," Duke muttered, "why is this short tyrant here?"
Qiyana's eyes flicked toward him. For a moment, she instinctively wanted to retreat—but then she remembered something, and her confidence returned.
"Ah, Duke," Dakel said quickly, glancing between them. "Don't forget what your great-aunt mentioned—the… engagement."
Duke froze.
Right. The political marriage between House Ferros and the royal family of Ixtal.
"Ugh."
He'd almost managed to forget about that.
"As your fiancée, I have every right to be here," Qiyana said smugly, her chin held high.
She had indeed wasted no time moving into Blue Lavender Manor the moment she heard the news. Compared to her small residence in Piltover, this place was a paradise.
Trying to defuse the tension, Dakel turned to Lux. "Have you arranged a room for Lux yet?"
"Not yet," Duke replied flatly. "Handle it for me later."
He sat down at the stone table, shooting Qiyana a dark glare that promised consequences if she pushed her luck any further.
"Dakel-sister!"
Lux greeted warmly, earning a bright smile in return. Dakel gestured for her to sit beside her.
Meanwhile, Qiyana eyed the newcomer curiously. She had heard of this girl before.
"You, little one!"
Pulling out a perfectly cut gem, Qiyana tossed it toward Lux with a haughty tilt of her chin.
"This is a gift. Since you're Duke's disciple, you should address me as Master's Wife from now on."
"Go on, take it."
Lux blinked, glancing at Duke.
Duke turned his head away, utterly done with this pint-sized princess.
End of chapter....
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