"Tiana?"
Duke froze when he saw who had come in. To think it was Tiana Crownguard, Lux's aunt, standing here… this made the whole matter far more complicated than he'd imagined.
"Duke, I think you need to reconsider."
Tiana wore her usual attire: silver armor engraved with eagle-head pauldrons, a blue cloak draped from her shoulders. She looked every bit the unyielding general.
"Well now," Duke arched a brow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "This is getting interesting. Seems the great Marshal isn't quite as loyal and straightforward as she appears."
"Reconsider what, exactly?"
"Obviously, what you just said."
Tiana stepped deeper into the lounge and sat across from him. Her gaze was sharp, her tone calm. "I know why you're here. It's all about Piltover's Hexgate project. You came to see it built, and to see it succeed."
"That's right," Duke admitted, trimming his cigar with deliberate care. "But tell me, what does that have to do with this conversation?"
"Duke, you're not a fool, I can tell." She leaned forward, eyes locking onto his. "The moment my brother decided to entrust his youngest daughter to you, I knew it. Your talent, your intellect, your skill, they're all exceptional. Even my nephew, raised in the true Crownguard tradition, can't compare to you in those regards."
"Marshal, such praise almost makes me blush," Duke said with a mocking grin. He carefully toasted the tip of the cigar, letting the aroma bloom.
"I'm not exaggerating, just stating facts."
She straightened again, her voice level. "That's why I want you to reconsider your stance on the exoskeleton market. If you make some concessions, I can guarantee you won't lose a single coin that rightfully belongs to you. And in return, the Hexgate project will proceed far more smoothly."
"The Hexgate doesn't need your blessing," Duke replied coolly. He drew in a long, savoring pull of the cigar, letting the rich taste linger before exhaling a curl of indigo smoke.
"King Jarvan III has already agreed. The Hexgate will be built on schedule."
"That's your trump card?"
Tiana let out a soft laugh, and Dood Ayne, watching nearby, sneered openly.
"You're far too naïve, boy."
"What are you implying?" Duke asked, eyes narrowing. "Jarvan III is still the king of this realm. Do you really think you're above him?"
"You know of the Silver Council, don't you?" Tiana asked suddenly.
"I do," Duke nodded. "Piltover has its own council as well. At the end of the day, a council is nothing more than an alliance of interests, a cartel."
As he said it, his expression shifted. A sudden realization struck him, his eyes flickering with disbelief.
So… the Silver Council and Jarvan III aren't aligned?
It dawned on him: when Jarvan III pushed the Hexgate project through despite overwhelming opposition, the true pressure hadn't come from outside, it had come from within. From the Silver Council itself.
No wonder the king had been assassinated in the original timeline. His decision must have jeopardized certain vested interests, perhaps the entire council's. And so, Jarvan III fell, and the young, inexperienced Jarvan IV took the throne, only to be a puppet, his powers hollowed out and seized by the council.
"You're not entirely wrong," Tiana said, almost casually. "Military, nobility, treasury, mage-hunters, all are under the Council's command. From top to bottom, every affair of this nation is decided by us. And Jarvan III…" She shook her head slightly. "He is king, yes, but only that."
"So you mean to replace him?" Duke asked softly.
"No. Demacia needs a king. But it hardly matters to us who sits on that throne."
Duke exhaled a sharp laugh. "You people are terrifying, you know that?" He shook his head, smiling faintly. "And here you are, determined to make me bend, aren't you?"
"It's just negotiation," Tiana said gently. "Whatever Jarvan III can give you, so can we. All we ask is that you give something up in return."
"Sacrifice?" Duke chuckled, then suddenly broke into loud, rolling laughter.
"Hahahaha!" His laughter filled the chamber, baffling both Tiana and Dood.
"What are you laughing at?" Dood barked.
Duke slapped his thigh, shaking his head as if he couldn't believe it. "You Demacians must've been sitting too long in your gilded cages, you've all gone stupid! You think I have to sacrifice to safeguard the Hexgate? Wrong! It's you who should be laying your wealth at my feet, begging me to make sure it succeeds!"
"You fools don't even grasp what the Hexgate truly means! Wealth? Status? Influence? All of that pales in comparison to what lies ahead. When the world is connected through the Hexgate, endless riches will flow, unshakable power will rise, and future generations will prosper without lifting a finger. In that new order, the first to take the risk will be the greatest victor!"
He extinguished his cigar and fixed Tiana with a piercing stare.
"You don't have the courage Jarvan III has. He already saw the storm brewing beneath the calm waters. He already knew a world-shaking tide was coming. But you, you cling to your little patch of land, terrified of losing it. Pathetic. Childish. Laughable."
Duke stood, flicking the spent cigar stub at Tiana's feet. Looking down on them both, he spat:
"Compared to you, I prefer Jarvan III. At least he had the resolve to change the world. You? You're nothing but watchdogs."
He turned, storming to the door. Just as he pulled it open, he paused.
"Oh, I almost forgot." He glanced back with a cold grin. "I know you'll resent me for this. You'll come at me, in the light and in the shadows. Good. Do it. And when it's over, we'll see who has the last laugh. Until then… farewell, Marshal Tiana."
Bang! The door slammed shut behind him.
Dood Ayne struck his cane against the floor in fury. "Outrageous! How dare he?! I'll make him pay for this, "
"Enough, Dood." Tiana cut him off with an icy look. "Complaining now changes nothing."
"Then what do you suggest?" He paced the room like a caged beast.
"If it's war he wants," she said, her expression as cold as steel, "then war he shall have. Let's see who laughs last."
With that, she turned on her heel and strode out, leaving Dood alone.
Grinding his teeth, the old man finally barked, "Guards!"
A subordinate entered. "Yes, my lord?"
"Where are those Freljordian savages now?"
"They've already left Mithril City's borders. Our men are keeping close watch."
"Too slow. Give them a push, speed them up."
"Yes, sir."
"And awaken the Shadow network. The mages want chaos? Then let them have it."
"Yes, sir."
…
Outside the arena, Duke lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply. His eyes narrowed with thought.
"So the Silver Council is rotten to the core. Jarvan III's situation is precarious indeed. But no one will stand in my way. Anyone who tries…" His voice darkened. "I'll unleash the Sin of Gluttony and tear their precious capital down."
"Testing, probing, scheming?" He spat. "Screw that. I'll flip the damn table."
"You don't look too pleased," came a familiar voice.
Duke turned to see Vayne approaching. He tossed his cigarette aside. "What are you doing here?"
"Came to watch you, and maybe take you home. But judging from your face, things didn't go smoothly?"
"Nothing serious. Just a few small-timers wanting to play games with me."
He offered his arm, which she looped hers through, and together they walked away.
"What's for dinner?" she asked.
"Not the food here, I can't stand it. How about I cook something myself?"
"You can cook?" Vayne gave him a skeptical look. "I thought you only knew how to heat up canned food."
"Tonight, I'll teach you a simple but delicious recipe."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"And if it tastes bad?"
"If it's bad," Duke grinned, "I'll do a thousand push-ups as punishment."
End of chapter....
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