Song : Empires (Ruelle)
Progress Day was the symbol of Piltover’s prosperity.
Scientists showcased invention after invention, each hoping to catch the eye of a potential patron.
Airships drifted overhead while colorful balloons floated above the city.
The streets echoed with laughter, the hum of machinery, and the occasional explosion.
“Is Talis ready?”
The woman who asked the question had salt-and-pepper hair.
She sat behind her desk, reviewing a stack of documents, and let out a weary sigh as her assistant entered the room and promptly placed yet another pile of paperwork in front of her.
“He will be,” another voice replied.
“After all, everyone wants to see the inventor of Hextech and hear how he plans to usher us into a new era.”
The speaker wore a white gown that accentuated the golden markings adorning her skin.
Mel Medarda was renowned not only for her striking beauty, but also for her immense wealth.
“Especially once he realizes the whole world is watching.”
“I heard Caitlyn will be part of the security detail,” Mel added.
Cassandra Kiramman sighed.
“That child is convinced she’ll become a hero by becoming an Enforcer.”
“We all know what happens to heroes.”
“She needs to take her place as my heir.”
“That Council seat is the Kiramman family’s legacy.”
“She’s young,” Mel said with a faint smile.
“And she’s still a dreamer.”
“Let her face reality.”
“She’ll come back to you.”
“You have no idea how stubborn that girl can be.”
“No…”
“If she starts taking too many risks, I’ll have to take the appropriate measures.”
She looked toward Mel.
“I’ll see you at the ball?”
“Of course.”
“I wouldn’t miss the debut of that mysterious family for anything.”
“The Mikaelsons.”
“I was quite surprised when Caitlyn told me she knew one of their members and wanted to send them an invitation.”
“They’ve invested a great deal of money into this city,” Mel said thoughtfully.
“It’s time we found out what’s really behind their ambitions.”
“Before you go…”
“I received a rather troubling report from the Sheriff.”
“The prisoners in the Undercity mining camps have become increasingly restless.”
Mel frowned.
“How much longer are we going to keep turning a blind eye to Voss’s methods?”
“You know as well as I do that some of those prisoners are dangerous,” Cassandra replied.
“As long as they don’t rally behind a leader, we can leave things as they are.”
“Keeping Voss in charge of the prison was a decision we made.”
She turned toward the window, gazing out over the city.
“Very well.”
“I still have preparations to make for the celebration.”
“Keep me informed if the situation gets any worse.”
Mel took her leave.
“Even if the Undercity is nothing more than a haven for gangs and criminals,” Cassandra murmured to herself, “this policy of looking the other way is going to come back and bite us someday.”
“I have to protect Caitlyn before she gets herself involved in something truly dangerous.”
⸻
Out in the streets, the city was alive with celebration.
But above it, dark figures darted swiftly across the rooftops.
“Is everything in place?” one of them asked.
“These Pilties have guards everywhere, but we managed.”
“He won’t be pleased if we fail.”
“I thought he wanted to target the Chem-Barons.”
“He does.”
“So what better way to draw Piltover’s attention than with a grand spectacle?”
⸻
A few hours later…
Laughter mingled with music.
Piltover’s elite exchanged the latest gossip over glasses of champagne.
Each guest wore a mask more extravagant than the last.
The masquerade had begun.
In one corner of the ballroom, Mel Medarda and Jayce Talis found themselves surrounded, victims of their own success.
“So, Mr.
Talis,” one guest asked, “when can we expect another one of your inventions?”
Jayce forced an awkward smile.
He knew his speech had been disappointing.
He had spoken only of Piltover’s glorious future without unveiling a single breakthrough capable of surpassing his previous achievements.
Yet he did have such an invention.
Once again, Heimerdinger’s caution had stopped him.
The yordle saw only the potential for catastrophic weapons should Hextech fall into the wrong hands.
But Jayce believed the future belonged to Hextech.
Piltover’s economy had flourished because of their creations.
The Hexgates had revolutionized travel across the world.
If only Professor Heimerdinger had a little more faith in him…
…and in Viktor.
Jayce listened absentmindedly as another guest spoke.
He much preferred the quiet of his workshop.
At that very moment, a heavy silence settled over the ballroom.
Three figures had just entered.
Two women and a man.
Each wore a golden mask that, at first glance, seemed to have been stained with blood.
But what truly stunned the guests was the crest embroidered upon their clothing.
The Mikaelsons had arrived.
Hope POV
Hope watched Jinx from the corner of her eye.
She wasn’t going to let her out of her sight all night.
She could feel every emotion flowing through their bond.
Hatred.
Nothing but hatred.
When she saw Jinx clench her fists, Hope gently took one of her hands, carefully eased her fingers open, and laced their hands together before pressing a soft kiss against her knuckles.
“My love…”
“Ease your hatred.”
“Think about your sister.”
Jinx drew a slow breath.
Gradually, she relaxed.
“Where’s Cassandra?” she asked.
“Look.”
“She’s the woman watching us by the marble pillar.”
Sure enough, Cassandra Kiramman was observing them with open curiosity.
After a moment’s hesitation, she made her way toward them.
She was the hostess, after all.
“Clan Mikaelson,” she said with a gracious smile.
“Welcome to my humble home this evening.”
“We were delighted to receive your invitation,” Hope replied.
“This is our first opportunity to take part in Piltover’s Progress Day celebrations.”
“I hope you’ve enjoyed your visit.”
“Piltover has exceeded every expectation,” Hope answered.
“A city overflowing with brilliance…
and potential.”
“I’ve even come across a few inventions today that caught my attention.”
She smiled politely.
“Would you be willing to guide us through the evening?”
“I’d be terribly disappointed if I missed the chance to meet some of the minds behind them.”
“With pleasure,” Cassandra replied.
“Come with me before the vultures can no longer restrain their appetite.”
“My littlest wolf,” Klaus said with an easy smile, “I’ll leave the family business to you.”
“A bottle of wine has rather captured my attention.”
Hope nodded.
They had rehearsed this part.
Her father would play the role of the carefree Mikaelson who preferred enjoying himself while leaving responsibility to his daughter.
It also served another purpose.
People’s tongues loosened far more easily after a few glasses of wine.
“Your father seems to know how to enjoy life,” Cassandra observed.
“And I assume the young woman beside you is your wife?”
“She is the love of my life,” Hope answered, gently resting a hand against the small of Jinx’s back.
She felt Jinx relax ever so slightly beneath her touch.
“She is, however, rather shy by nature.”
“So please forgive her if she doesn’t say much this evening.”
Cassandra offered her an understanding smile.
“I understand.”
“My daughter has always hated social gatherings.”
“She’d much rather wander through the woods than wear a ball gown.”
“Caitlyn struck me as a free spirit,” Hope said.
“We found we had quite a bit in common.”
“And may I ask how the two of you met?” Cassandra asked.
“She never told me.”
A broad smile crossed Hope’s face.
“We spent quite some time talking during a hunting trip.”
Cassandra appeared satisfied with the answer.
Over the next several minutes, the Councilor introduced them to one inventor after another.
Beneath the hatred still lingering within their bond, Hope felt something else beginning to surface in her wife.
Boredom.
“My love,” Hope said gently, “would you mind bringing me a glass of wine?”
“My throat’s gone dry after all this talking.”
At the same time, she sent a wave of warmth and affection through their bond.
Jinx hesitated for a moment.
Then, with a quiet sigh, she walked away.
“May I be so bold as to ask how the two of you met?”
“I imagine you’ve already realized that my wife is from the Undercity,” Hope replied.
“I had only just arrived in this city, and I missed my homeland terribly.”
“I was standing alone, lost in thought, gazing out over this beautiful city…
when she appeared.”
She smiled softly at the memory.
“In that instant, I knew I would never love anyone else.”
“So I chased after her.”
“I never let her go.”
Cassandra smiled.
“Very romantic.”
“But perhaps we should rescue her from Mel Medarda’s clutches before too long.”
Hope turned in the direction Cassandra indicated—
—and immediately panicked when she saw her wife deep in conversation with Councilor Medarda.
Hope walked toward them as quickly as she could without appearing rude.
“The shores of Noxus are surprisingly beautiful,” Mel was saying.
“If you ever have the opportunity, you should see the waves crashing against the coast.”
“Noxus is still on your mind, Mel?” Cassandra remarked with a knowing smile.
“What can I say, Cassandra?” Mel replied.
“I may be far from the Empire, but it still has my heart.”
She turned to Hope.
“You must be the mysterious Hope Mikaelson.”
“Your wife hasn’t stopped singing your praises.”
Hope let out a silent sigh of relief.
At least Jinx hadn’t managed to offend the Councilor.
“She was telling me about your talent as an artist,” Mel continued.
“I was struck by how much we have in common.”
“Two artists living far from the places we once called home.”
She paused, studying Hope with quiet curiosity.
“Though I must admit, I find one thing rather strange.”
“We have no record of your arrival in Piltover.”
“Not by land.”
“Not by air.”
“Nor by sea.”
“All we know is that a young woman walked into one of our banks carrying enough wealth to finance several empires.”
“And a few days later, a new clan had been established.”
“With only three members.”
“You, Hope—the head of the clan.”
“Your father, Niklaus…”
Her gaze drifted toward Klaus, who appeared pleasantly drunk while laughing with Councilors Salo and Hoskel.
“…and your wife…”
“Jinx.”
“Jinx,” Mel repeated thoughtfully.
“An unusual name.
An ill omen.”
“I imagine it’s a name earned through some great tragedy.”
“And yet…
it’s a remarkably rare name.”
“One that happens to be quite well known in certain circles.”
This woman…
From the very beginning, she’d been trying to trap them.
Cassandra had undoubtedly played her part as well.
“A dangerous woman,” Mel continued, “associated with an even more dangerous man.”
“Tell me, Mrs.
Mikaelson…”
“Should we be concerned about your connection to the Chem-Baron Silco?”
Hope watched her wife carefully.
She had always known that coming here would expose their identities.
Neither of them had ever considered changing Jinx’s name when they founded the clan.
Jinx wore that name as a badge of honor.
And Hope would never ask her to abandon it, even if it would have made their lives much easier.
“I grew up in the Undercity,” Jinx replied evenly.
“A child from the Lanes does whatever she has to do to survive.”
“You know better than anyone how dangerous those streets are.”
“So I found someone who raised me.”
“Protected me.”
“A father.”
“But that doesn’t mean I work for him.”
Mel and Cassandra exchanged incredulous looks.
“Above all else…”
“I’m an inventor.”
At that moment, two small black devices appeared in Hope’s hands.
“What are those?” Mel asked, staring at them.
Jinx took one of the devices.
After a few quick adjustments, a sound came from the one Hope was holding.
“Hello, Hope.”
Jinx’s voice came through the second device.
“Hello, my love.”
Then Hope’s voice echoed from the first.
As the realization spread, a crowd of curious guests began gathering around them.
“What is this?” Mel asked, now just as fascinated as Cassandra.
“This,” Jinx said with a proud smile, “is the future.”
“A revolution in communication.”
“No matter the distance.”
“Whether you’re in Ionia…
or Noxus…”
“You’ll be able to speak to anyone you wish.”
She looked at the astonished faces surrounding her.
“Welcome to the age of the mobile phone.”