"Brother Duke!?"
Lux looked troubled as she glanced at Duke, then at the gemstone Qiyana had just handed her—a gem so valuable it could feed a family of three for generations.
Yet Qiyana had offered it as if it were nothing.
Duke cast a brief glance and said calmly, "Take it."
"The Ixtali royal family's lineage traces back to the Primordial Axiom—an ancient doctrine of elemental mastery. For them, cutting gems of this quality is as natural as a fish swimming, or a bird taking flight."
He added casually, "You might want to learn a thing or two from Qiyana when you're free. You're an elemental mage yourself."
Hearing Duke's words, Qiyana's proud little face lifted even higher, her smugness almost glowing.
Dealing with this pint-sized tyrant always gave Duke a headache. Give her a little praise, and she'd start acting like she ruled the world.
"Then… thank you…" Lux said nervously, taking the gem. Under Qiyana's eager gaze, she forced herself to add, "Master's wife."
"Good girl."
The gem gleamed softly in Lux's palm. Duke rose from his seat, turning to Dakel. "Dakel, help Lux prepare a room."
"I'm heading to Bilgewater."
"Alright," Dakel nodded. "Your great-aunt's there too—perfect timing for you to relieve her."
"Got it."
Duke didn't spare Qiyana another glance. Spending too much time with her made his blood pressure spike—and he couldn't even cancel the engagement.
That part was the real headache.
After all, the Ixtali Kingdom was willing to marry off their own princess to secure ties with Piltover. As the prime beneficiary of that arrangement, Duke couldn't simply refuse.
Besides, aside from being short-tempered—and short in general—Qiyana didn't actually have any other flaws.
As he'd mentioned before, though she was small, her proportions were flawless—everything was exactly where it should be.
But that personality… Duke sighed inwardly. He'd have to find a way to deal with her later.
For now, his priority was Bilgewater—he needed to see Miss Fortune.
He hadn't been able to break away while in Demacia, but now that he was back, not visiting her immediately would only make things worse later.
Back at his workshop, Duke summoned Tahm. The moment the giant catfish appeared, he knew exactly what Duke wanted.
Without a word, Tahm opened his enormous mouth.
A wave of dizziness hit Duke as soon as he stepped inside—his entire world spinning as if he'd been thrown into a washing machine.
Even though he'd used Tahm's express transport several times, each trip felt like a different kind of torture.
When the spinning stopped, light burst before his eyes. Water currents pressed around him, forcing him forward until—
He leapt out from Tahm's belly.
Landing lightly, Duke found himself right in front of the Nine-Headed Serpent Tavern. Its sign still flickered, though now with clear Piltover-style design—obviously a recent upgrade.
As always, sailors and thugs stood at the door, but the moment they spotted Duke, every one of them straightened instantly.
The man before them was no longer just a visitor—he was a legend of Bilgewater and Piltover alike.
Forget everything else—just the new ram installed on the bow of the Siren was his design.
And the new order in the city? Duke's doing. Nobody dared defy it.
Especially now—half the ships anchored outside Bilgewater's harbor belonged to him, and the skies were filled with his drones.
"Mr. Duke!"
One of the sailors hurried to open the tavern door for him. Duke nodded and stepped inside.
Compared to the old, rowdy Nine-Headed Serpent, the place now carried a quiet, almost solemn calm. A few patrons murmured at the bar, others whispered in the booths, while gentle music drifted through the air.
Everyone spoke softly here.
After all, the last drunk who caused trouble in this place… was still hanging at the Butcher's Dock, feeding the rats.
Moving through the hall with ease, Duke made his way upstairs. The familiar hum of a woman's voice reached him before he even reached the door.
Creak.
He pushed it open carefully.
There she was—Miss Fortune—sitting on a reclining chair, sewing tiny clothes with a needle and thread.
Her long red hair fell loosely down her back, and her maternity dress accentuated the gentle curve of her belly.
At just one glance, Duke could feel the bond between their bloodlines.
"Still standing there?"
Without even looking up, Miss Fortune clipped the thread with a pair of scissors. Duke walked quietly into the room.
"How have you been feeling lately?"
"How else?" she rolled her eyes. "The same as ever. Someone decided to vanish off the face of the earth—and didn't bother visiting even once. If I weren't strong enough on my own—ugh!"
Her words carried equal parts sarcasm and affection. Duke sighed helplessly. "I wanted to come, but you know how tied up I was in Demacia."
"Tied up?" She took his hand, gently tracing his palm with her fingers. "Or was someone else tying you down?"
Duke froze, then forced an awkward laugh. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh, don't play dumb."
Pulling him down to sit beside her, Miss Fortune leaned against his shoulder, refusing to let go of his hand.
"Tahm made a few trips between here and there. He might be gluttonous, but his nose works just fine."
Duke's face darkened. That damn catfish had sold him out. He was definitely sending it to the Void next time to feed Cho'Gath.
"Relax," she chuckled. "Don't look so scary."
Her fingers intertwined with his, voice soft but steady.
"You're a remarkable man, my dear. I knew it from the moment I met you. You were never going to belong to just one woman."
She smiled faintly. "I knew I'd have to share you someday."
"About that…" Duke began, but Miss Fortune pressed a finger to his lips.
"No need to explain. I know how men are—and I know how women can be."
Her expression turned serious.
"But remember one thing."
She turned his face toward her. "I was here first."
"My position as the first will never change. No matter how many women come after me, you remember—some things, some titles, will always belong to me."
Her voice softened, but her gaze was sharp as steel.
"Understand?"
Duke smiled and leaned his forehead against hers. "Understood."
"Good."
Then she asked, "So, how many did you find in Demacia?"
"Cough… well…"
Duke averted his gaze. Miss Fortune snorted. "Knew it. Definitely not just one."
"Forget it," she sighed, then smiled slyly. "But Bilgewater belongs to Beth."
"Beth?"
Duke raised an eyebrow. Miss Fortune caressed her belly, her expression tender.
"Of course. That's the name of our little one."
"Beth was my grandmother's name—and now, it's hers too."
"You've already confirmed the gender?"
"Of course. Unlike you, I didn't just sit around waiting. I had it divined long ago." She smirked. "The seer said her birth will bring eternal peace to Bilgewater."
"When Beth is born, this city will shed its chaos and become the greatest of all."
"In that future, our Beth will be Bilgewater's queen."
Looking at her hopeful expression, Duke smiled. "You're right."
"Beth Sanchez," he said softly. "Everything will happen just as foretold."
A quick flash in his left eye confirmed it—the child was indeed a girl.
Then so be it. She would become Bilgewater's queen.
If Miss Fortune's prophecy said her birth would change the city, then Duke would make it so.
Whoever dared oppose that future—he'd put a bullet through their skull himself.
Even if it started as talk, Duke would turn it into truth.
He'd deal with the Soul-Eater Night soon enough—purge it completely.
Then, he'd begin the reconstruction of Bilgewater.
This pirate city would become the greatest mercenary hub in the world.
Still, the name Beth made him think of another woman—blonde, with a drunkard for a father and a mad scientist for a mother.
He shook his head. No—his daughter would not share that woman's fate.
And he would not become a terrible father.
"By the way," Miss Fortune said suddenly, "I heard from Camille—you're a duke now in Demacia?"
"That's right," Duke grinned. "Not only did I become a duke, but I also beat the Twin Wings of Demacia into the dirt. That oh-so-proud woman didn't even know what hit her!"
Miss Fortune's eyes sparkled with excitement. "You'll have to tell me everything, darling!"
"Alright," Duke said with a smirk. "Where should I start?"
"Start with the dragonbirds," she said, tilting her head. "Those exist in Demacia, right?"
"Yeah," Duke chuckled. "Massive beasts with draconic traits. Demacia even trains knights to ride them. I modified one myself—and met a Yordle with a hammer, a demon awakened from a century-long sleep, and a titan powered entirely by magic."
Miss Fortune's lips curved into a smile. "Then you'd better tell me all of it."
End of chapter....
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