Marvel: Playing Iron Man, Falling In and Out of Love with Jinx

The next morning.

Miss Fortune stormed out of Duke's cabin, shouting furiously back through the door.

"You little brat! If you pull something like that again, I swear I'll feed you to the fish!"

"It's chilly this morning. Wear something warmer,"

Duke replied lazily, tossing a trench coat out the door, landing squarely on her head. Miss Fortune slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

Still fuming, she kicked the door for good measure, only to end up hurting her own foot. The door remained unscathed.

"Bastard! Messing with me like that? This isn't over!"

Limping down the hallway, she pulled the coat tightly around her. No way was she letting those scumbag sailors ogle her.

Last night, Miss Fortune had mentally prepared herself, ready to give Duke something she'd never given anyone before. But instead, that brat had her up all night... writing strategy documents and detailed plans.

And he had the audacity to say it was all for her own good.

Yeah, right.

If you really cared about me,

Then you should've acted more like a beast last night!

Miss Fortune eventually made her way back to her captain's quarters, only to run into Raven standing at the door. Her brows furrowed.

"Shouldn't you be working, this early in the morning?"

"That's why I'm here, Captain."

Raven, catching sight of the trench coat draped over her shoulders, kept his eyes dead ahead, he wasn't about to ask questions.

"What is it?"

"People in the Craig District are starting to stir, looks like a gang fight's about to break out. And there's trouble at the Bone Yard too. The mutts in Rat Town are provoking the Harbor King gang again. Want me to stir the pot a little?"

"Do what you think is best."

Miss Fortune tightened the coat around her, then scowled when she remembered who it belonged to.

"I need rest. Unless it's urgent, don't bother me."

"You're my first mate, not my damn son. If you can't handle this, I'll toss you into the ocean!"

"Yes, Captain!"

Hearing the door slam behind her, Raven scratched his chin and chuckled wryly.

"What a mess…"

He turned and got to work. The everyday grind aboard the Siren fell mostly on his shoulders.

Inside Duke's cabin.

"You know how she feels, don't you?" Janna said softly, seated on the windowsill, watching Duke bind their plan documents.

"I do," Duke replied, sealing the final folder with careful precision. "But it's not the right time."

Janna tilted her head. "I don't quite understand. That woman fits your species' definition of beauty quite well."

"I know," Duke said, placing the folder aside. "But what she's feeling… it's not love. It's fear. Insecurity."

Duke wasn't oblivious to Miss Fortune's intentions. He knew exactly what she was thinking, she just didn't know what else she could give him to repay all he'd done.

From the start, he had helped her without asking anything in return. Not just the power armor, but ending Gangplank's reign alone had earned her admiration. Now he was planning to make her the Empress of Bilgewater. And even take care of Soul Eclipse Night for her.

That terrified her.

She feared that everything she'd gained could vanish overnight. So, she wanted to tie herself to Duke, permanently. If she could bear him a child, even better.

"I only take what I've earned. I won't take advantage of someone's vulnerability."

He handed the sealed dossier to Janna.

"Besides, I've got too much going on. If I really did go through with something like that, her presence would just be a distraction."

"So, you're saying it's not the right time."

"You've grown colder, Duke."

"This isn't cold. It's called being rational," Duke said irritably.

Janna leaned forward, pressing her forehead to his, gently cradling his head.

"Just don't take too much on your shoulders."

"I know. If you help me finish this part, I'll be able to breathe a little easier."

Duke stretched, pulling out a square-cut cigar. Just then, Janna remembered something Camille had asked her to pass along.

"Oh, right. That knife-legged woman of yours asked me to tell you, the meeting's been moved to 10 a.m. I arrived two hours early, so you've got two hours to prep."

"Got it. Be careful on the way back."

"Later."

"Later." Duke watched her leave, then sank into his chair with a deep sigh.

"This really isn't the time to be thinking about that stuff. Not with Soul Eclipse Night coming up... and the upcoming expansion into Ixtal is going to be another massive headache."

"Ugh… what a pain."

Two hours later.

Zzz, Zzz, Zzz...

The Hextech communicator crackled with bursts of unstable energy. Duke sat at his desk, surrounded by the strategic plans he and Miss Fortune had drafted overnight, waiting for the signal to connect.

Soon, Camille's image appeared on-screen, graceful and composed as ever. Even through a communicator, her presence was unmistakable.

"Seems you're doing well in Bilgewater."

She set down her teacup, eyes scanning Duke from top to bottom.

"It's alright," Duke replied, waving her off. "Just been a bit overwhelmed lately."

"Don't rush. There's always time for tea."

"Shall we begin?"

"Yes. Tell me your thoughts on developing Ixtal."

"Based on scattered information I gained during my arcane awakening, I've gathered some insight on Ixtal."

Using "arcane awakening" as an excuse to tap into League lore was Duke's tried-and-true method.

"Go on."

"Ixtal is rich in forests and minerals, but it's also extremely dangerous. Not to mention the hidden kingdom within, Ixlocan, which will be our biggest obstacle."

"It's a kingdom that survived the Void War, with a structured magical tradition. Anyone with talent can master magic there, if they're willing to learn."

"A formidable opponent, then. No wonder you're so cautious," Camille noted, raising an eyebrow.

"But they have one fatal flaw."

"Oh?"

Camille straightened slightly, clearly intrigued. Duke tapped the table.

"After centuries of isolation and peace, Ixlocan's people have grown complacent. They cling to outdated customs and care little for magical power."

"Worse, their Pride has made them blind."

"Pride?" Camille echoed.

"They're so cut off that a single governor rules a plot of land no bigger than a village."

Camille's face twisted in disbelief. "How long have they been isolated?"

"No idea," Duke said, helplessly shaking his head. "They've squandered the blessings their ancestors left behind."

As for Qiyana, the so-called "Empress of Elements", that title was self-proclaimed. The girl had so little political sense that she exposed her own sister's territory to Piltover's scouts, right after those scouts suffered a heavy loss.

What happened next wasn't hard to guess.

This arrogant little princess? Even Neeko could beat the crap out of her.

While both were categorized under "Ixtal" in League's files, Neeko's innate gifts far exceeded Qiyana's. Qiyana only had the advantage of formal training.

"If things are truly as you say, they're all bark and no bite."

"Now we get to the real problem."

Duke tapped the desk again.

"What if there's something terrifying hidden within their kingdom? Something even they've forgotten?"

"You mean…"

"Back in the Void War era, a unique magical entity was born and sealed within Ixlocan. That's what I'm worried about."

"Is it powerful?"

"Huge. With just a few attacks, it could wipe out all of Piltover."

Only a few champions in the entire League lore could rival that thing's sheer size.

"That really would be a problem."

Camille smiled, not at the warning, but at Duke's insight and capability.

Taking him under her wing had been one of her smartest decisions.

"What's your plan?"

"You know what happens when an advanced civilization meets an isolated primitive one?"

Camille instantly caught his meaning.

Piltover, The City of Progress, was one of the most advanced societies on the continent, always evolving.

"I see where you're going. But how do you plan to handle it?"

"Once Bilgewater is secure, I'll personally go to Ixlocan as an emissary. I'll negotiate for your sake, for mine, and for House Ferros."

"Agreed," Camille nodded with a faint smile. "I'm pleased. That reckless boy I once met has grown into a fine man."

"I didn't have a choice." Duke massaged his temples. Camille sipped her tea without commenting further. Duke then briefed her on the rest of the Bilgewater plan.

"It's a sound proposal. I approve. I'll redirect Piltover's resources to assist in their restructuring."

"Thank you."

Duke exhaled, finally feeling some relief.

"But, "

Camille's tone shifted. Duke tensed.

"What now?"

"I heard you met a young lady in Bilgewater."

"Janna told you?" Duke groaned. "She's starting to sound like an old nanny."

"She told me a bit. She's a surprisingly agreeable deity, I'll be supporting her with more resources and gathering worshippers. But as for this young lady and your situation…"

"I understand you don't want to take advantage of someone. You want to earn things for yourself."

"But you're seventeen already. It's time you had a, " she raised an eyebrow, "girlfriend."

"Steven had gone through six or seven by your age."

"Mother, !" Duke blurted the word for the first time, clearly flustered.

"I know what I'm doing. I'll take what I want, but not by exploiting others!"

Camille looked genuinely surprised to hear him say the word "Mother."

"She seems like a good girl. Don't waste the opportunity. Ideally… bear an heir. Let him inherit Bilgewater's throne."

"That is your responsibility."

End of chapter...

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