"Where do you think you're going?"
With a perfectly calm (and not at all innocent) smile, Duke hoisted Jinx — who was now tightly bound like a caterpillar — with one hand and began walking toward the academy gates.
"After all the pranks you've pulled, do you even realize what people think of you now?"
"I did it for science!" Jinx shouted defiantly, her voice full of indignation.
Duke rolled his eyes. "If that was science, then my research must be child's play."
As they walked through the academy, many students turned to watch — not in shock, but with a sense of smug satisfaction. It was clear just how bad Jinx's reputation had gotten.
Eventually, Duke arrived at the doors of Collin's Workshop, still carrying Jinx like a sack of potatoes. Standing at the entrance, welcoming guests, was Orianna.
"Orianna! Help me!" Jinx cried, as if she'd just seen her savior.
To her horror, Orianna simply let out a cold "hmph," turned on her heel, and walked back inside.
"No! Don't go, Orianna!" Jinx wailed miserably.
But Duke didn't slow down. He dragged her into the shop, where Orianna was already in one corner, carefully inspecting a customer's mechanical prosthetic. Watching her work, Duke was suddenly struck by déjà vu — this scene felt just like his very first day in this world.
That familiar feeling...
"Ahem," came a deliberate cough.
At the entrance stood Mr. Collin, holding a plate of cheesecake. It wasn't hard to guess who it was for.
"I'm back, boss," Duke said casually.
"Don't make a scene here. You'll scare away the customers."
"Got it."
After undoing Jinx's braids (which had been used to tie her up), Duke gave her a firm look and pressed her head down. "Go to your room and wait. If you run, you know what'll happen."
"Bleh!" Jinx stuck out her tongue, made a silly face, and dashed upstairs, her twin braids swinging as she went.
Duke turned his attention to the workshop floor, watching Orianna as she worked. Her current client was a brown-haired girl with freckles on her cheeks — her right leg replaced by a mechanical prosthetic.
Orianna was checking it with meticulous care.
Duke, now a near-master of clockwork engineering, cleared his throat and pointed out, "The knee's shock absorber is malfunctioning — spring's likely snapped. There's also wear on the synthetic materials at the joint, which would cause discomfort, and the ankle shock unit's failing too."
"For a leg prosthetic, shock absorption and structural support are everything."
Orianna puffed her cheeks and rolled her eyes. "You're always talking! If you're so good at it, then fix it yourself!"
She shoved the tools into his hand. Duke chuckled, rolled up his sleeves, and began disassembling the prosthetic like it was second nature.
Orianna covered her forehead with her palm and sighed, "Why do you always have to dismantle the whole thing? Can't you repair it without ripping it apart first?"
"There's extensive wear. It's faster to replace the damaged components and rebuild than to patch it piece by piece."
As he spoke, Duke was already replacing parts, and even made some improvements to optimize its function.
Once reassembled, he patted his hands clean. "Try standing up."
The freckled girl hesitantly rose to her feet — and gasped. The leg she'd been using for years now felt practically brand new. It moved smoothly, naturally — almost like her real leg had been restored.
"Sir, your work is amazing! It really feels like my own leg!"
"Just doing my job," Duke replied modestly. He set down the tools and began cleaning up. As he wiped his hands, he called out instinctively, "Orianna, charge the client."
Then he paused.
That was how things used to be — before the rift between them. It had been a long time since it felt this natural.
"I know. You don't have to tell me," Orianna replied, bumping his shoulder lightly. She led the girl to the counter to settle the bill.
After the customer left, Orianna returned — only to find the entire counter stacked with presents.
"You think giving me all these gifts will make me forgive you?"
"Well, you're free not to accept them."
Duke teased as Orianna picked up a small figurine, clearly unable to resist it.
"Why shouldn't I? If you're offering, I'll take them!"
"Want me to carry these up to your room?"
Duke carried everything upstairs for her. As they passed one of the rooms on the second floor, he spotted Neeko being pinned to a desk by Mr. Collin, clearly being forced to study.
She was counting on her fingers, trying to solve math problems.
"My gut tells me Neeko might be a natural at clockwork tech too. We could have another genius in the making."
"You're the real genius," Orianna said.
"I just got lucky," Duke shrugged. "Besides, Neeko's talent lies more in wild magic. I heard Mr. Collin almost had a heart attack when both daughters showed up at once."
"It wasn't that dramatic!" Orianna huffed, giving Duke a light punch and rolling her eyes. He smiled — seeing her back to her old self felt like a relief.
"By the way, I'm heading to Ixtal soon."
Orianna's good mood vanished. She had been planning a feast to welcome him home — and now he was leaving again?
She hurled a plush toy at him.
Catching it, Duke placed it aside, looking helpless. "I don't want to go either. But this is about the next ten years. The Hexgate is going to reshape Runeterra's economy. If we want to be ahead of the curve, we need to seize the market early. That means securing resources now."
"This trip won't take long though. A month or two, max."
Orianna's anger faded a bit. "They say Ixtal is all wilderness and jungle."
"That's a bit exaggerated. The coastal areas are developed. Harelport is a key harbor."
"You've changed... You're so knowledgeable now. I feel like we're... growing apart somehow."
Sitting on her bed, Orianna looked at Duke. Ever since her father hinted at passing the workshop to him, she'd known what that meant:
If Duke inherited the workshop, she would have to marry him.
Orianna, the original heir, had a single option left: tie herself to Duke — personally and professionally — to protect the workshop's future.
But all of that had shifted after the exoskeleton demonstration. Duke had joined some mysterious noble family and faded from her world. She thought he'd never return...
And yet, he always came back — unexpectedly, effortlessly — into her life.
And that complicated her feelings.
Duke shrugged. "I'm still me. I haven't changed that much."
"Want me to bring you back a jungle cougar from Ixtal? As a pet?"
"Who would want something like that?"
"Shadow wolf?"
"Too fierce."
"Razorbeak?"
"It pecks people!"
"Swamp toad?"
"Ugly."
"Then what do you want?"
"Poro."
"...Fine, I'll get you a poro."
"Now that's more like it," Orianna said with a smirk.
Duke let out a breath of relief — she was finally smiling again.
"Ahem!"
Mr. Collin suddenly appeared at the door, clearing his throat and drawing both their attention.
"Mr. Collin!" Duke greeted quickly.
"Duke, come with me. Orianna, go prepare some tea. I need to talk to him."
"Okay."
Duke winked at Orianna and followed Collin into his personal workshop. Looking around, Duke subconsciously compared it to his own.
Hmm... mine's a bit more luxurious now.
"How was Bilgewater?" Collin asked, gesturing for Duke to sit.
"Productive. We opened trade routes and formed connections. With the Hexgate being tested there, it'll become a strong hub. Also, they're interested in Piltover's crafts and imports."
"And what's next?"
"Scouting Ixtal. We want to prepare for the next era — and Pharos needs to be ready."
"I meant your future. Your long-term plans."
Duke froze slightly, sensing a shift in tone.
"My future? Um... Keep working on tech, turn ideas into products, build up assets..."
Collin nodded but didn't speak for a while. Duke fidgeted under the silence.
"You're almost eighteen, aren't you?"
"Next year, after my birthday."
"Time flies. Feels like just yesterday I found you near that bridge... and now Orianna's nearly a grown woman."
"Yeah."
Duke laughed nervously. He had no idea where this was going.
"You remember what I once told you, don't you?" Collin asked.
Duke nodded. "That I'd inherit the workshop."
"But you've forged your own path now — which is good. So I've changed my mind slightly."
"...Changed how?" Duke asked cautiously.
Collin looked him in the eye.
"I want you to marry Orianna."
Clatter!
The tray and teacups fell to the ground. Orianna, who had just reached the door, stood frozen. She looked at Collin, then at Duke, wide-eyed and stunned.
Duke smacked his own forehead.
"Why does everyone I meet try to force me into marriage?!"
(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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