Arcane: Twin Cities Mechanic

Li Lin found Fiona's presence curious, especially since the king had permitted her to sit in Camille's designated seat. This marked her impending appointment as Demacia's Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

The Laurent family, renowned across Demacia for their elegant swordsmanship and centuries of prestige, had long been allies of the Crownguard royal family. 

However, a grave scandal four years ago tarnished their reputation, leaving the Laurents reviled by most of the capital's noble elite. 

At the time, the 18-year-old Fiona was arranged by her father, Sebastian, head of the Laurent family, to marry into a politically advantageous union with a branch of the Crownguard family. 

While marrying into the Crownguard, even a branch, was a dream for many noble daughters of the capital, Fiona refused. 

On her wedding day, she publicly declared that she would rather die than let others decide her fate. 

For the Crownguard family, such a public repudiation was a humiliating affront, especially to Fiona's intended groom. 

Yet, unwilling to escalate matters, the Crownguards chose a traditional Demacian resolution—trial by combat. 

As Fiona accepted the duel, even King Jarvan III could not overturn tradition. With no recourse, Sebastian invoked his authority to represent his daughter in the duel. 

Unfortunately, his opponent was a seasoned veteran from the Dauntless Vanguard, handpicked by Tiyana herself—a matchup with no hope of victory for Sebastian. 

To prevent his family's ruin and his daughter's exile in disgrace, Sebastian made a fateful choice the night before the duel: he attempted to poison his opponent with a concoction that dulled reflexes. 

Tragically, his clumsy attempts at subterfuge were no match for the Dauntless Vanguard's vigilance, and he was caught in the act. 

In accordance with Demacia's Code of Honor, Sebastian was sentenced to public execution by hanging, a punishment meant to disgrace him before the entire capital. 

Unwilling to see the Laurent family fall into ruin, Fiona spent an entire night conversing with her father before his execution. 

The next day, she personally petitioned the king, gaining permission to assume the Laurent family's leadership. She then challenged her father to a trial by combat, ultimately killing him with tears in her eyes to uphold their honor. 

Despite her efforts, the scandal of the Laurents' betrayal of tradition and honor remained ingrained in the minds of the people. 

Fiona made significant sacrifices to restore her family's unity, appointing distant cousins and skilled swordmasters to noble positions to quell dissent within the Laurent ranks and rally the family around her leadership. 

Since arriving in the capital, Li Lin had gathered information about the Laurents. Over the past week, he frequently visited the Buvelle estate to see Sona and listened to her recount the current political landscape as shared by Kahina and Lestara. 

The Laurent family's reputation among the nobility remained poor. Even Sona, who rarely concerned herself with external affairs, knew of Fiona Laurent's controversial rise to power, including rumors that she had usurped her elder brother's position as head of the family and that her actions would lead to further bloodshed in the capital. 

Today, Fiona's formal seating as Minister of Foreign Affairs shifted the focus of the gallery, drawing attention away from Li Lin. Murmurs filled the chamber as those in the audience whispered among themselves. 

Many of the rumors reached Fiona's ears, causing her brows to furrow. 

However, with the king, prince, and high-ranking noble councilors present, Fiona chose to ignore the remarks. 

"Ahem." Noticing Fiona's displeased expression, the king cleared his throat. 

Tiyana, understanding his cue, spoke firmly, "Silence! The meeting is about to begin." 

Her commanding voice quickly quieted the murmurs, bringing order to the hall. The chamber, crowded with over a hundred people, fell silent, so much so that even the drop of a pin could be heard. 

"Good. It seems everyone is present." Jarvan III straightened his posture, surveying the room. "You should all be aware of why I have called this council meeting today." 

The attendees exchanged knowing glances, each well aware of the recent events. 

Three of the Seven Great Noble Houses had been eradicated, along with four prominent second-tier houses. Their main and branch families, including dependents, had been captured and were likely to face exile or execution. 

The masterminds behind the rebellion, such as Eldred and the key conspirators within those families, had been sentenced to hanging. 

This leniency was due to Jarvan III's mercy. 

Had Tiyana's recommendations been followed, everyone with blood ties to the conspirators, regardless of their involvement, would have been executed to prevent future threats. 

"In recent days, Demacia has faced unprecedented internal turmoil since its founding," the king began, his tone icy. 

"Led by Eldred, head of the Mageseekers' society, with collusion from the Zachary, Carter, Omar, and other noble families, a conspiracy to ally with foreign enemies and incite rebellion was uncovered. This 'Capital Uprising' posed a dire threat to our kingdom." 

He continued, "After thorough deliberation with Grand Marshal Tiyana and Logistics General Barrett, we have decided to impose the following sentences: the primary conspirators will be executed by hanging, secondary accomplices will face execution by stoning and exile to Mount Targon, while uninvolved family members will be banished to the borderlands." 

The king's succinct yet powerful declaration left no room for dissent among the gathered nobles. 

Meeting the solemn gazes of the noble representatives, Jarvan III announced, "The vacancies within the Shield Council must not remain unfilled. After careful consideration, I hereby appoint Barrett Buvelle to oversee Mageseeker affairs, Pieter Crownguard to handle legal matters, Nick Geoffrey to manage land resources, and Fiona Laurent to assume the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs." 

Understood! I will begin by analyzing and translating the provided content into proper English, ensuring that the tone and context align with the original while using natural, novel-style English. Here's the translation:

The first three nominees were well-understood by everyone—Barrett and Pieter were trusted confidants of the king, and although the Geoffrey family had only risen to prominence in recent decades, they had earned the favor of the late King Jarvan II.

But the Laurent family...

A family that had discarded both tradition and honor—what right did they have? Still, given the recent troubles that had plagued King Jarvan III, no one dared to voice dissent.

Fiora, however, seemed to have anticipated the skepticism directed at her. At the king's approving glance, she rose to her feet and cast a commanding gaze over the murmuring crowd.

Wherever her eyes fell, the representatives of other families averted their gazes, their voices fading until the hall was silent once more.

Over the years, Fiora had engaged in more than twenty life-and-death duels with those bold enough to challenge her family's honor. These challengers, from various noble houses, had spread malicious rumors about the Laurents, treating such gossip as mere mealtime entertainment.

Everyone knew it was safer to target the weak. The Crownguard family, with their unshakable status, remained untouchable, but the nearly ruined Laurent family was seen as fair game.

Despite Fiora's relentless efforts, the rumors continued to spread like wildfire, impossible to stamp out entirely. This rebellion, however, presented her with an opportunity—a chance to restore the glory of the Laurent name by capitalizing on the removal of three great noble houses.

Though diminished, the Laurent family was still ranked among the mid-to-upper echelons of Demacia's nobility and had once enjoyed close ties with King Jarvan III. Fiora believed that if she sought a political role, the king might grant her a chance.

Several days ago, she had approached Jarvan III and pleaded for the opportunity to prove herself.

Initially, the king was hesitant. He saw Fiora as a warrior—a skilled duelist, no doubt, but too young and inexperienced for the administrative demands of land management or diplomacy. However, Fiora had articulated her views on the challenges facing Demacia, particularly regarding mages, and even proposed solutions that resonated with the king.

After careful consideration, Jarvan III decided to give her a trial run. She would assume the role of Minister of Diplomacy, a position with relatively lighter responsibilities due to the stability of Demacia's allied nations. This would afford her time to learn and grow into the role.

Still, when the council convened, the king made it clear that Fiora would need to address the skepticism herself—her first test as a leader.

As Fiora scanned the room and saw no one daring to meet her gaze, she spoke again, her voice devoid of emotion but filled with conviction. "I, Fiora Laurent, head of the Laurent family, accept the king's appointment and hereby assume the position of Minister of Diplomacy. I vow that my actions will be open to your scrutiny. Should I fail to fulfill my duties, I will willingly step down and withdraw the Laurent family from the ranks of noble houses in Demacia."

Her voice rang clear and powerful, echoing through the council chamber. "If anyone has objections, now is the time to speak. However, if you seek to insult the Laurent name, I will personally pay you a visit, invoking the name of honor to restore my family's reputation."

Her words hung in the air, sharp and unyielding. The gathered nobles remained silent, stunned by her boldness. Even Wallace, the Minister of Noble Affairs, wore an expression of surprise. He had witnessed Fiora's infamous humiliation of her Crownguard fiancé years ago, but the woman standing before him now was a far cry from her past self. She was as unrelenting as ever, but she had gained a maturity that commanded respect.

Having said her piece, Fiora cast one last sweeping glance around the room. Seeing no one willing to challenge her, she calmly took her seat. She had wagered the entire Laurent family's future, and no one was foolish enough to clash with her now.

After all, she had already made grand promises to the king. Should she fail, it would be her family that bore the disgrace.

King Jarvan III gave Fiora a look of approval, acknowledging that her approach had, at least for now, silenced the opposition. 

Then, adopting a more formal demeanor, he stood. "Aside from appointments, there is another matter of great importance to discuss. Today, we honor the hero of this rebellion, Li Lin, by granting him the title of Honorary Member of the Royal Household. Rewards for other contributors will be announced at a later time and communicated throughout Demacia."

There were no objections. 

Li Lin's contributions were undeniable. Without his specially formulated truth serum and his mechanical forces securing the capital, the rebellion might have dragged on for months, even years, with no guarantee of capturing Eldred, the mastermind behind it all.

The title of Honorary Member of the Royal Household was largely symbolic, given that Li Lin had already received royal privileges in a prior ceremony. However, it did mean that from now on, the nobles would be required to treat him with the same respect and etiquette afforded to Crown Prince Jarvan IV.

The king paused before continuing, his tone solemn. "One more matter of critical importance to the realm of Demacia must be addressed today."

Jarvan III took a deep breath, allowing the gravity of his words to settle over the room. "I hereby declare the abolition of the Mage-Seeker Codex!"

[End of Chapter] 

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