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

Late night.

Blue Rose Manor – Duke's Room

Duke pushed open the door, humming a lighthearted tune. But the moment he stepped inside, the smile froze on his face.

In the dimly lit room, Camille sat gracefully in a chair. Her razor-edged legs were crossed, and in her hand was a delicate cup of red tea.

Her icy blue eyes were calmly fixed on him.

"Am I really that frightening?" she asked coolly.

"No, just… didn't expect you here so suddenly."

Duke quickly composed himself, flicked on the light, and dragged a chair over to sit beside her. Camille stared into the reflection in her teacup and spoke in a flat tone:

"You seemed to enjoy your time with that young lady from the Giromann family."

"W-Well," Duke rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, forcing a chuckle. "Young people need some fun and social life, right?"

"I don't care what you do in your spare time," she said evenly, lifting her gaze. Her eyes glinted with a faint blue light. "But don't forget your real task, Duke."

"Bilgewater is not Piltover. It's far more savage, far more chaotic."

"I'm well prepared," Duke replied confidently.

"You mean those terrifying weapons?" Camille said with mild amusement, referring offhandedly to '273', a number Duke clearly recognized. He rolled his eyes.

"So… you've been spying on me this whole time?"

"Not exactly."

She took another sip of her tea, then added calmly, "But you need to remember who you are."

"Yes, yes. The personal operative of the current clan head. The Ferros family's core of the core of the core. I get it."

"I just don't want to see your potential wasted," she said, setting her cup down. Though her expression was calm, her voice carried genuine expectation.

"You're better than me. In talent, in capability, you surpass me in every way."

"This journey to Bilgewater… I need you to take it seriously. It affects not only the Ferros family, but you as well. Half the profits from the cargo we're transporting? That's your research funding."

"Two million Gold Seals, right?"

"Is there a problem?"

"Nope."

Duke leaned back and scooted his chair a little closer. "So... can I go wild this time?"

"I'll stay behind in Piltover to monitor the Council. With Dakora holding the clan head seat, she can't make any bold moves. This time, you're going alone."

"So…"

"Even if you raze Bilgewater to the ground, I won't stop you. But one thing, "

"I know. Complete the mission, no matter what."

Duke leaned back, hands behind his head.

Only then did Camille say softly, "Be careful not to get hurt."

"If things go bad, just come back. No one will blame you. That cargo isn't worth more than you."

She stood and ruffled his hair gently. "Get some sleep."

As the sound of her blade-feet scraping softly across the carpet faded into the distance, Duke lowered his head, muttering under his breath:

"Tch… we could've just kept things transactional."

"Why pull the emotional card…"

But then, he looked up, a smile tugging at his lips.

"…Still, not so bad."

The next morning.

Piltover – Docks

"Careful with that, it's precision lab equipment! No bumps, no scratches!"

Jayce stood with a checklist in hand, overseeing the final preparations. The Council had been pressuring them hard. The victory banquet had barely ended last night, and today, they were already being urged to set sail for Bilgewater to begin experimental fieldwork.

He didn't mind doing it, but the way it was forced on them rubbed him the wrong way.

Nearby, Viktor moved back and forth across the deck and dock, leaning on his cane. Jayce, seeing this, quickly stopped him.

"Viktor, I'm the one going to Bilgewater. You're staying here in Piltover. Take it easy, you don't have to push yourself."

"I can't help it," Viktor said, tapping his cane with excitement in his eyes. "The ship, the crew, the gear, our dream is finally setting sail! And you want me to just sit back and watch?"

"You…" Jayce sighed. "Only Duke can talk sense into you."

"Speaking of which, where is Duke?" Viktor looked around.

"Probably still asleep. He slipped out of the banquet early last night with Caitlyn. Who knows what the two of them were doing?"

Jayce made a face full of gossip and jealousy. He and Caitlyn had known each other for ages, but in the end, Duke had swooped in and won her over. Still, thoughts of the Hexgate project quickly pushed his bitterness aside.

"Duke really has it all…" Viktor muttered, glancing down at his own crippled leg. "Talent, confidence… he's amazing."

"Next time you praise someone, try not to be so loud," came Duke's voice from afar.

He walked toward them in a grey trench coat, the ship's captain following behind.

The voyage had been arranged by the Ferros family. Every sailor and officer aboard, even the captain, was one of their own.

Officially, Jayce was leading the expedition with Duke as second-in-command, and the captain managing the voyage. In truth, Duke was the one in control. Jayce was just a decoy.

"Just speaking from the heart," Viktor said sheepishly.

Duke smiled and, with a flourish, pulled out a heavy case and handed it to Viktor.

"Here. I promised you this a long time ago."

"You made this for me?"

"Finished it the other day. It's an enhanced exoskeleton, boosts your physical strength, corrects posture, improves circulation. I integrated it with runic components and Hextech to gradually improve your condition over time."

"A scientist without a strong body won't last long."

He patted Viktor's shoulder, then shot the captain a subtle look. The man nodded, shouting commands as he boarded:

"Raise the anchor! Check the cargo! Roll call! All below-deck crew to the gear cranks, prepare for departure!"

Sailors responded in unison, picking up the pace.

Jayce watched the scene, glancing at Duke in thought.

Viktor, meanwhile, opened the case with trembling hands. Inside lay the folded exoskeleton, sleek, compact, and full of potential.

"Thank you, Duke."

"If you really want to thank me, protect our home front."

"Oh, and…"

Duke grinned and gestured subtly toward a nearby girl with a bun hairstyle and thick glasses, wearing a white lab coat.

"…Try not to be so focused on science all the time. You're not getting any younger. Time to think about starting a family."

"Career and marriage, you know. In that order."

Sky, noticing Viktor looking at her, quickly adjusted her glasses and pretended to be absorbed in her files, though she was clearly stealing glances.

Viktor, flustered, noticed her book was upside-down.

"…Be brave," Duke said, giving Viktor a final shoulder pat before turning and calling out:

"Hey, miss! Could you come give us a hand?"

"Viktor can't put the exoskeleton on by himself!"

"Eh?" Sky fumbled, dropping her book, and then her glasses.

Viktor sighed and walked over to help her.

"Here. Your glasses."

"Th-thank… thank you…"

Her voice was soft and stuttering.

Duke and Jayce exchanged looks, smirking like men who understood exactly what was happening.

"Hopefully when we're back from this trip," Duke said, "someone here will finally be in a relationship."

"Here's hoping."

Jayce bumped fists with Duke. The two grinned wordlessly.

Viktor's face turned bright red at the remark.

"Alright, time to board."

Duke clapped Jayce on the back, and together they stepped onto the ship. As the gangplank was pulled up, they waved down to Viktor on the dock.

"Keep the lab safe, Viktor!"

"We'll be in Bilgewater. Don't worry, just remember the comms schedule we agreed on. Stay in touch during those times!"

The captain raised his voice.

"Unfurl the sails!!"

White sails billowed in the wind. Below deck, crewmen stomped on the gear pedals, powering the spring-driven engine that began to propel the vessel forward.

"Set sail!!"

The captain's cry rang out with the wind as seagulls shrieked and circled overhead.

"Next stop: Bilgewater!"

End of chapter...

To be continued...

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