Angry, furious even, Jayce stormed out of the hall. Viktor was at his side, surprisingly fast for a man who was known to have a lame leg.

Like the two of them, there was something heavy in your stomach. The negotiations had not gone well. Perhaps you had gambled too high and given yourself too much credit, but you had hoped to change everything with this one meeting.

Shoola and Salo had stayed out of the voting. Heimerdinger and Bolbok had been predictable. But that hadn't given you a majority. Medarda had also opposed the cause.

Not entirely surprising, although you had to admit that she had reacted even more aggressively than expected. She had always presented herself as a woman with a bold spirit and a clear mind. Now it seemed as if she wanted to make your path to success as difficult as possible.

On the one hand, it was a challenge you would have liked to take. On the other hand, it was more than annoying. It only made things more difficult unnecessarily.

With each passing day, you could feel the discontent from the lower city washing over your bridges. The air stank when the wind shifted and the enforcers' missions became more and more brutal.

It was only a matter of time before they overran Piltover. You had been young during the first war for the bridges. Since then, they had evolved, become more brutal. The next war would be just that: a war.

And Piltover would not be able to rest on his laurels. Gold could buy many things, but it could not bring back lives. And there were far more of these lives in the Undercity than Topside.

It was time to negotiate.

Compromises had to be made to the common people. Trust in return for tools and quality of life. But for too long, the council had insisted on closing itself off. For defense, at least that's how they had always sold it. But destroying poverty meant losing cheap labor. And that meant less profit.

"We have to change.", you pressed out between your teeth as Salo gave you a cursory glance.

He stood rooted to the spot and looked at you.

"We.", he said quietly, holding his breath. "Does that mean we together? Or just us because you're better than the rest again?"

Inhaling sharply, you narrowed your eyes.

"I'm just trying to make honesty profitable.", you replied as you glanced around the large corridors.

He snorted.

"You've always been able to afford honesty."

You rolled your eyes.

"Don't talk like you're not the son of a rich man."

He looked at you. He actually had beautiful eyes, like a fox, narrow and bright. But they lacked that sparkle, that ambition. Just like you had found in Jayce.

"If I change...", he leaned closer to you. "What do I get then?"

His lips were dangerously close to your skin. The warmth caressed your cheek. Perhaps in another universe. Or another lifetime.

"You can have me if it makes you happy, Salo.", you said in a harsh voice. "My money, my name, my support in the Council. But we'll never be happy together."

A twitch ran through his face. First anger sparkled in the blue of his eyes. Then regret. Finally, he closed them, took a deep breath and sighed. A smile twitched across his lips.

"Honesty.", he breathed. "I've always envied you for that. And appreciated you."

Something inside you warmed. For a brief moment, your heart beat faster and you had to smile.

"You're hurt, I know you well enough for that.", you teased him and breathed a kiss on his cheek. "And resentful."

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Maybe I am. But even if I am, at least I'm not personally offended by the defeat.", he winked. "Like another council member."

"You never really wanted me.", you tilted your head.

"No... I don't think so. But it felt good."

"It did."

"And maybe I wanted to feel it for as long as possible."

You smirked.

"Then I can count you among my allies?", you asked.

He took a deep breath, shrugged his shoulders and then chuckled softly.

"I'm willing to consider it. If you, as a member of the council, help to represent my interests in a way that is not completely secondary."

Salo had a good network of business partners outside Piltover. He knew how to forge relationships and was charming. Manipulation was in his blood. Both were useful.

However, there was a small problem.

"I'm not a council member, Salo.", you let out a deep breath that almost sounded like a sigh.

All of a sudden he had to chuckle softly. He sounded so amused that you had to frown in confusion.

"Don't make fun of me.", you growled. "My patience is in short supply today."

He sighed in agreement and nodded.

"It really was a farce.", he admitted. "But maybe your day can still be saved."

You frowned again.

"What do you know?", it was impossible to hide the skepticism in your voice.

And he just smiled conspiratorially.

"I may not act as offensively as you, but I have eyes and ears everywhere.", he whispered to you. "So I would advise you not to stab me in the back."

With a wink, he said goodbye and left, leaving your question unanswered. Confused, you looked around. Apart from Salo, none of the council members had stayed behind.

They all had other business to attend to. Old Kiramman had enough to worry about with her daughter, Shoola was taking care of the construction of a new building for the academy and Heimerdinger had to attend to his responsibilities as a leading member of the council.

What Bolbok was doing was of no interest to you and Medarda had returned home very quickly to lick her wounds.

There were no winners that day. At least that's what you thought.

Suddenly, footsteps approached from behind.

"We need to talk, my son.", your father's voice sent shivers down your arms. "I think it's time."