Disbelief and a spark of anger burned in the eyes of the man who had helped Piltover to a power the likes of which had never been seen before.

Whenever you observed him, he failed to keep his opinion to himself. You could read it on his face, every single word, every single betrayal he felt.

He would be such easy prey, you thought to yourself and had to glance at Councillor Medarda. She loved to take what promised the most.

You respected her for that. Her foresight even surprised you at times and build business that could be described as transformative.

Although she was close  to you in age, she had something about her that even Heimerdinger didn't have. Now it was she who took the floor with a raised hand. She was truly royal.

"Councillors.", her voice was smooth and soft as she spoke, not a tinge of her true intentions audible. "It appears we are at an impasse."

Agreeing, you hummed.

"Truly, there is no perfect solution here.", you said and earned a nod of gratitude from her. "But if we could find one that fits best, please, councilor Medarda, share your thoughts with us."

It was best to stand on the good side of people. It was even better to forge alliances with them. There weren't many sitting at this table but if you knew with whom to go to gain the most it was either the old Kiramman or Medarda.

Either way, they both seemed to be connected through the same thing in this moment.

Jayce Talis.

Cassandra Kiramman had been and still was his largest benefactor. She had invested money into him far before the Hexgates had been proven to even work. Now she owned a good percentage.

And Medarda knew that there would come more. Talis was marked a genius, the father of tomorrow's dawn. Only a fool would have thought that he had reached the end of his inventions.

You needed to get on both council members good sides. At least for now until you got your own hands on him.

"If we shut down the Hexgates the city will suffer.", Medarda folded her hands. "But if we do nothing we leave ourselves vulnerable to malefactors. More lives may be lost. Perhaps the time has come to explore a more radical solution."

The members amongst the table frowned. Confusion spread but all you could do was chuckle silently to yourself.

Medarda was a smart woman indeed. And as backstabbing as she was beautiful. You had expected much of her but this surpassed your calculations.

Again, she managed to take you by surprise. It was impressive but you didn't like it.

"What are you suggesting?", council member Kiramman shook her head slightly, the blue crystals decorating her ear rings dancing with the movement.

Medarda looked around. Her eyes moved and as they locked with yours for the breath of a second you could see hesitation.

She had expected to get away with it. Now there was doubt in her mind. The tips of your fingers tingled. Every single hair on your arm stood up straight.

Even though this could tip the balance of the council you wanted to see what would happen if.

"Mister Talis has demonstrated his commitment to our safety.", a gust of adrenaline chased through your veins as Medarda continued. "He's willing to sacrifice his own enterprise and it seems to me only mister Talis has the knowledge necessary to secure the Hexgates."

Confusion with a hint of realisation started to grow within the green of mister Talis eyes. But that was not what caught your attention.

It was the sheriff who stood behind him. With his bushy, black eyebrows drawn together he let his gaze chase from one member to another. His brain processed information.

You could see his breathing falter for a second. After sheriff Greyson's unfortunate death he had taken her place. Perhaps with a little more time to learn what it means to be a protector of Piltover he would have been able to fill the footsteps.

But you knew him as a man who scowled all the time, someone who seemed unsatisfied with everything he had and everything he was.

You had no proof but if there was blood in the water it would be his doing. Or at least partially his fault. He was distrustful and you already had plans to exchange him for someone more qualified.

If only the old Kiramman wasn't so stubborn and would see the benefits that came with putting her own daughter in the seat. She was an enforcer already anyways and by her own choice too.

But that was an issue you would safe for another day. Now it was time to make a decision so great it would shake the council to its core.

"I propose that a new chair be brought forth and that house Talis be elevated to this august body.", Medarda spoke carefully but clearly. "As a councilor he will have the resources necessary to protect all our investments."

She was convinced her proposal was a good one. And you agreed it could be a good one. But depending on how Talis would turn out to play the game, how he would be manipulated it could mean the end of everything.

Now the Hextech wonder boy realised what was going on. It was obvious he hadn't gambled for this. And he was afraid he wouldn't fit the role.

"What?", he shook his head, his breathing burning inside his large chest.

"Councilor Medarda.", Shoola took the word. "This is... highly irregular. The council has held seven seats for generations."

"Does the boy have any experience?", the metallic voice of Bolbok scratched the back of your mind.

"Only that of a scientist.", Medarda's dark eyes moved to the seat next to her. "Like Heimerdinger."

A soft snort threatened to make its way up your nose but you swallowed it. That woman needed to be a different kind of insane to indirectly attack the one who had brought this council, this city and everything with it to life.

But to your surprise she wasn't shut down for her rudeness. Instead, Heimerdinger's blue eyes turned to look down on the tabletop. He thought for a moment before a sigh escaped that small nose of his.

"I believe councilor Medarda is right. Hextech security should be administered by a scientist.", he now looked at mister Talis, completely ignoring the man who once had been his apprentice. "I second the motion."

"Well then.", Medarda sounded pleased. "Shall we vote?"