Inside Piltover's Central Opera House, the air was heavy with the scent of expensive perfu and aged wine. Councilor l darda leaned against the velvet-draped balcony railing, swirling a glass of deep red vintage while she waited for her guest.
"I say, Councilor l, what warrants a private summons during the opening act?" Kael asked as he pushed open the door.
"What, did I accidentally interrupt your date with the Kiramman heiress?" l teased, a playful glint in her eyes.
Kael didn't blink. At ten years old, his skin was already thicker than most seasoned politicians. "Since you know, how do you plan to compensate for the lost ti?"
l sighed, her amusent fading into genuine intrigue. "You don't act like a child at all. Are all geniuses this precocious?"
"I'll take that as a complint." Kael stepped up to the railing. Below, the stage was alive with color. Today was a big day for Orianna; she was performing in the children's chorus. She had practiced her harmonies by his bedside every night for a week—loudly. But since she was his sister, he had no choice but to be her captive audience.
"Let's be direct," l said, her tone shifting to business. "I want in on your operations in Zaun."
"Which ones?" Kael asked. He knew Mada Kiramman had already briefed him; these two were allies of interest. l held the mariti trade routes to Noxus, and Kael held the future of industrial chemistry.
In Zaun, Kael wasn't just making costics. He had acquired several alchemy factories to produce the "Shimr derivative" series.
Type C: A vitality booster for aging noble lords.
Type D: Muscle building and shaping for high-society ladies.
"All of them," l stated firmly.
"I have no problem with that, l. But my partner isn't just Mada Kiramman," Kael reminded her. He was referring to Vander.
"I am prepared to push for the Zaunite Human Rights Act," l countered. "I'll ensure they enjoy the sa legal protections as Piltovians. Convincing Vander to accept my involvent won't be hard if I offer his people dignity and rights."
l knew that a human rights act would only hurt the bottom lines of middle-tier labor companies—groups whose voices wouldn't even reach the Council chambers. For her, it was a small price to pay for a stake in Kael's alchemical empire.
"Then I welco your investnt," Kael said, clinking his glass against hers. He paused, a mischievous grin appearing. "By the way, how is your relationship with Jayce? If you ask , the direct approach is best: get him drunk and carry him to bed."
"Kael! That is a private matter!" l snapped, her face flushing slightly. Kael laughed and exited the box, leaving the powerful Councilor to curse Jayce's lack of initiative in her native language.
Kael returned to the front row, sitting beside Caitlyn. The young lady was visibly tense, her eyes darting between the stage and the balcony.
"Aren't you going to ask what l wanted?" Kael whispered in her ear.
"It was just business," Caitlyn replied, trying to ignore the ticklish sensation of his breath.
"Actually, she wanted to introduce to a 'potential partner'," Kael lied smoothly.
"What?! You're far too young for that!" Caitlyn's voice rose, nearly drowning out the music. "You should make your own decisions!"
"I did. I told her I couldn't accept because Mada Kiramman has already 'arranged' everything for ."
Caitlyn's face went from pale to a boiling crimson in a nanosecond. She began to stutter, her heart racing. "I... I didn't know about this?"
"I lied to her," Kael said, clapping as the act ended.
Caitlyn froze. She looked at Kael, then at her hand, seriously considering pulling her Banger Pistol right there in the theater. "You did that on purpose!" she hissed, pinching his thigh and twisting.
The next act featured Orianna's troupe. Twenty girls in white dresses took the stage. Orianna spotted Kael imdiately, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons.
Kael's gaze shifted to the girl standing next to his sister. She had long, flowing pink hair and a smile that seed born for the spotlight. Even at this age, she radiated an infectious energy that captured the entire hall.
After the show, Kael and Caitlyn went backstage. Most families were ignoring one particular group—a family of "New Piltoverians" who had recently moved from Zaun. Orianna, however, had taken the girl under her wing.
"Brother!" Orianna ran over, dragging her friend. "This is Seraphine."
"Hello," Seraphine said, her voice crisp and lodious. "Orianna talks about you all the ti."
"Your performance was impressive, Seraphine," Kael noted.
"Brother~" Orianna pouted. "Am I not the best?"
"Of course, you are," Kael laughed, ruffling her hair. "But Seraphine has a gift for the stage."
As Seraphine's parents called her to leave, she looked at Kael with a shy smile. "See you next ti, Brother Kael."
Outside the theater, Caitlyn watched Orianna position herself firmly between her and Kael. The little girl's wariness was obvious. Caitlyn didn't realize she was being viewed as a "peak to be conquered," but she instinctively knew that if she wanted to stay close to Kael, she had to win over the little sister first.
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