A/N: Wowee. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has stopped by and given time out of your day to read this little fic I've dove into head first. I never expected to get so many views and visitors in such a short amount of time, but it honestly has encouraged me to keep going and it's one of the longest, most consistent stories I've written thus far. If you've made it this far to this chapter, I sincerely thank you with all my heart for sticking with me through this journey!

This chapter focuses less on Lux and Fiora, but more on what Nera's relationship is with Fiora. There's reasons for this chapter existing and it came to me as I was trying to figure the pacing on our pairing's development. I hope you guys enjoy!


When Nera woke that morning, her gut instinct told her something was awry. Normally the house would be quiet and still but she felt a buzz of energy in the air. Slipping out of the comforts of her bed, she tiptoed out into the hall and traced the source. Surely enough, someone managed to rise before her and the sight of Fiora fully dressed and leaned up against the counter in the kitchen surprised her. "Milady? What are you doing awake so early this morning?"

The raven-haired woman stopped reading the papers in her hand and set the mug of coffee on the table. Nera raised a high eyebrow at this. Usually she was the one putting the kettle on and making Fiora the coffee. "Business. I have zings I must attend to zis morning."

"Not that I'm aware of. I don't think I saw much in your schedule unless I'm mistaken." Not even bothering to pour a mug of coffee herself, the woman picked up Fiora's and took a small sip from it much to the duelist's chagrin. She hated sharing her utensils and food. "Are 'ou sure?"

"As much as I hate mornings, I'm not one to forget if you have something this early to get to and wake up after you." Fiora found this bit of information rather intriguing. She'd usually be awake long after most of the servants and Nera held a reputation of being awake long before them. "Who are you supposed to meet with?"

Fiora's eyes glazed over as she passed the papers over to Nera. The servant's eyes hardened and she stepped away from them like a curse. "When? Do your brothers know about this?"

"Non."

"..."

"..."

"...give me time to prepare. When is the soonest we must depart?"

Fiora motioned to the clock on the wall. "Precisely ten minutes."

Nera smiled, a confident one that the duelist would have gladly wiped off some other's face. "I need only seven."


The snowy-haired woman came from the stables, with two horses in tow and offered the reins of one to Fiora. "Are you not cold milady?"

Fiora ignored the inquiry. "'ou weren't wrong. Zat was seven minutes on ze dot."

"When you've grown used to living on a tight and busy schedule, things get easier to do." She offered a hand to the duelist, who accepted it and jumped up onto the horse. "Like this."

Fiora shook her head when Nera gave her a polite bow before mounting her own horse. The duelist pulled ahead of the other woman when they were both situated and headed down the path towards the main roads. The sun had yet to rise over the horizon, but its rays tinted the edge of the skyline a soft pink against the cosmos. Where she lived was actually a bit of distance from the main capital and they would have to pass some of the countryside before making it through the borders. The center of the kingdom included some outer lying towns and land, but encompassed a territory as large as Zeffira. Unlike Zeffira though, the current capital of Demacia held fewer residents than the previous capital. Out here in the open however, save their horses and a few early creatures, it allowed the duelist to drop her guard.

"Nera?"

The other woman replied somewhat distractedly. "Mmm...? Yes milady?"

Fiora sighed – more like shivered. "It is razer cold." She heard quiet clicking and the sound of swishing before something heavy and warm settled around her shoulders. The duelist gripped it close to herself and looked over at the now-bare Nera. She only had on a thin, cotton tunic. "What about 'ou?"

"I'll be fine." Nera didn't address Fiora directly, instead keeping her gaze straight ahead. "You're the one that needs to be in top condition, I'm just watching."

"Zat doesn't mean-"

"Fiora." The duelist went quiet and stopped when Nera did. Her heart racing nearly deafened her. "I'm only going to say this once, because I've not had an opportunity to do so before. You are my charge, and I swore ten years ago I would do anything I could to not only protect you, but help you. Because as I recall, your father tried to marry you off and your mother has not communicated with you since you bore the burden of Head of House Laurent."

Fiora's jaw locked as she willed herself to remain calm and poised, but Nera could see the turmoil swirling within her eyes. She reached out and and squeezed the duelist's hand gently. "You are my only family now Fiora. Of course I would do anything for you, and not just be another body in the house. Being lonely sucks."

They remained like that for what felt like forever...

…...

….until Nera sneezed.

"And you're right. It's bloody cold." Fiora laughed at the remark. It was one of those things she loved about Nera and her capacity to be unfiltered at times. Subservient when required but forthcoming when needed."Zank 'ou. Are 'ou sure 'ou don't want zis back?"

"It's just a sneeze or two. I'll get used to it. I believe winter is coming with the way the temperatures have dropped recently anyway." Nera's reassurances were always sound in her judgment and Fiora made no attempts to convince her otherwise.

With the tension finally unraveling between the two, they continued on their way into the capital in comfortable silence. It wasn't until they reached the gates to the main capital did they drop into low tones. "I don't like this challenge. I wasn't even aware you sent it, or even received a reply."

"I did so after ze day I met with Crownguard. Zey sent a summons and I invoked ze challenge." The morning soldiers guarding the gate allowed them to passed unchecked, seeing the crest on both of their horses. Neither of the women greeted them, too absorbed in their own conversation, and one of the patrolmen took notice. "Is House Laurent too pompous to even greet the hard working men and women of Demacia?"

Fiora stopped her horse and glared up at the young man atop the scaffold. She had half a mind to call him out on his insult, but Nera put her hand out to keep her in her saddle. She watched as the soldier came down before greeting him, voice level and kindly. "House Laurent is always gracious to the citizens and the service members that sacrifice their time to help the kingdom prosper at all times of the day. We would have not been so unkind to you this morning if not for the challenge that called for Mistress Laurent to appear in the Hall of Blades, which is preoccupying us this morning. Forgive our negligence."

Okay, that's impressive... Fiora mused as the man remained disgruntled.

"Tch, of course her lackey speaks for her."

Nera's smile was warm, but in a way that sent chills down anyone's spine. "Riddle me this, good sir. You are familiar with the laws abiding a royal family in regards to their respect crests, correct?"

He snorted. "'All royal family members must bear the symbol of their house on their person, whether embroidered on their clothing or engraved on an artifact he, or she, commonly carries. Those affiliated or associated with the royal family must bear the crest in a more humbling aspect as through a banner but never on their persons.' Yes, I'm aware of it." The snarky tone almost made Nera's composure break.

"Do you see the crest upon Mistress Laurent's cloak?"

"I do."

"Are you aware of the owner of said cloak?"

"Well, she's wearing it, so it must belong to her."

Nera's smile faded and she gestured to herself. "Wouldn't it seem odd, for someone like me to travel in the wintry mornings in nothing more than a tunic and without a cloak?"

The soldier stared at the snowy-haired woman, slowly unfolding his arms. "That cloak belongs to you?"

"Correct good sir."

He raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Then why are you wearing the royal crest upon your clothing?"

"What other reason would there be?"

"I've never even seen you before!" He cried indignantly. "All soldiers are required to recognize all royal family members in order to grant them passage within the city." The commotion drew out a few other soldiers in the vicinity as well as some citizens nearby.

Nera remained calm throughout all of this while Fiora tried to figure out what kind of labyrinth her servant was trying to lead this poor soldier through.

"Mistress Laurent here believes there is much honor in those who prove themselves loyal and faithful to the family name. Traditions and laws states as much, and while you may not view me as a true-blooded Laurent, she adopted and christened me under oath and vows not unlike marriages. I am to serve and give my life to House Laurent, present and future generations, never to besmirch the name and to always defend its honor. And I most certainly have for the last decade, and have no intentions of not doing so presently."

He shook with fury from being metaphorically knocked off his feet. His hand went to the scabbard at his hip while Fiora's went to the hilt of her rapier. If things would get ugly quick, she hoped and prayed she wouldn't have to get involved. But Nera – again – stopped her in her tracks. "This is blasphemy. You, claiming to be of royal blood, but have not a trace in your body. You are breaking Demacian law."

"If I am speaking untruly, then call upon your superior, your captain, to address me."

He growled and stormed off, muttering under his breath. "I'm gonna show you what it's like to be under true Demacian justice. Just you wait."

Fiora's anxiety nearly shot through the roof as people gathered around in the spectacle. It was just a small confrontation, yet here Nera was escalating it to the point of involving higher command. Was this absolutely necessary?

The soldier returned not long after with a larger man in tow, and the obvious difference in their armor indicated he was definitely higher ranked than him. Upon seeing Nera, the captain took off his helmet and gave a short bow. "Good mornings, Mistress Laurent and Madame Nera. Is there something troubling you this morning?"

The crowds murmured at the captain's polite greeting and the color from the soldier's face drained.

Please, spare the soldier Nera... "Good morning to you as well, captain. I was under the impression you've misguided some of your troops on certain observatory etiquette."

He looked astonished when he straightened back out. "My sincerest apologies. It is not often I hear of this. Of what misjudgment have they made?"

The snowy-haired woman offered a hand towards the soldier who looked like his soul had left his body moments ago. "I believe he can answer that question. Care to refresh us on that statue, good sir?"

The soldier cleared his throat and began once more, though this time with an added touch of fear with his words. "All royal family members must bear the symbol of their house on their person, whether embroidered on their clothing or engraved on an artifact he, or she, commonly carries. Those affiliated or associated with the royal family must bear the crest in a more humbling aspect as through a banner but never on their persons.' That is the law."

"Aye, that is correct. I'm afraid I do not follow Madame..." The captain looked at her, then his troop, and back again.

"He is under the impression I am illegitimately bearing the crest of House Laurent, as the cloak that my mistress is wearing belongs to me."

The captain put his hands on his waist and frowned. "I have seen you pass through these gates unbothered with the very same cloak. You gave oath and vow to your House, I've seen it with my own eyes." He turned to the soldier with a very clear frown on his face. "What did you say to offend these young women?"

"S-sir, I-"

"He is aware of our traditions, when one insults a family's honor, correct?"

The soldier fainted on the spot when he realized what it entailed, and crashed to the floor gracelessly. The captain looked over him before shaking his head with a deep, resigned sigh. "I apologize, on his behalf, for his behavior. He has been taking his duties a little too seriously and I've been looking for a reason to discipline his disorderly conduct for quite some time. I hope he did not inconvenience you."

Nera smiled, this time much more brightly. "Of course not. I was only acting to defend our honor. A common response for our family."

"But of course." He motioned for a couple of soldiers to drag the unconscious man away and waved his hand to the two women. "Please, carry on. I will see to it that his behavior is rectified."

With the crowds finally dispersing and the two women continuing their way through the city, it was Fiora who took the initiative to ask some burning questions. "What zat really necessary?"

Nera shrugged and kept plodding forward. "I'm just defending my honor. I am but a servant to you, but that does not make me any less a Laurent than you do."

"I could have settled zat much quicker-"

"Aye, but he insulted me, not you." They slowed their pace as they saw the Hall of Blades looming in the distance.

"He insulted ze family name."

"But I was the target, milady. You must save your strength and energy for the duel, not that you'd need to be concerned with it." The snowy-haired woman grinned cheekily. "Besides, I haven't been able to exert my power like that in a long time. You may be crafty with swords and words, but I am not inept. After all, one can only learn from the best, yes?"

Fiora rolled her eyes. "'ou dance with death far too much."

"As do you, milady." Nera sighed and rolled her head, popping a few joints in her neck. "It seems you are constantly having to fight for your honor, I thought it would be nice to show you have someone at your back."

Nera wasn't wrong – Fiora did appreciate it when she went out of her way to step up to the plate herself. And every time she did, no matter for things small or big, it just made her trust the other woman even more. "So about that challenge..."

"What of?"

When they made it to the entrance of the Hall of Blades, Nera dismounted first and once more offered her hand for Fiora to take. "Why is a Mageseeker calling you out?"

The duelist frowned as she came down. "I don't know, and zat is what worries me. But I will not have zem target us so openly without repercussions."


Lux pulled her hood a little more around her face, making sure to keep her hair hidden from view as she stood among the crowd gathered. Originally she sought to arrive at the Laurent estates with an apology in hand but upon discovering neither Fiora nor her servant were present, it became a game of cat-and-mouse to track them down here. She should have paid closer attention to the discussion she had with her mother a few days prior and after meeting with Fiora...

"How did things go with Laurent?"

Lux fiddled with the hem of her skirt as her mother pressed with that question. "Pleasantly enough. She does seem receptive to me, at least from what I could tell." Being threatened a number of times and verbally jostled felt like it was a plus in her book anyway. "We did not discuss much as it was our first time meeting."

Augatha watched her closely and Lux tried not to give the impression she might be hiding something. "I thought spending an entire day together would garner something. I was not expecting to run into you and her outside of the Buvelle's healing house."

"The crowds in the Commercia gave us a rough time. We were seeking shelter so we could speak in more private airs without discomfort."

"Is our home not enough?" Lux frowned inwardly. Of course it wasn't – she knew without a doubt the walls had ears if she wasn't careful enough. Hardly anyone could be trusted in her house. "I find this very suspicious of Laurent. I wanted to avoid involving the Mageseekers, but something came up that coincided a little too closely with House Laurent and their discovery. One of her businesses, a small florist, has been accused of using magic in altering the vivacity of his flowers."

Lux nearly snorted at the accusation. Had her mother really stooped so low as to taking a jab at a poor man selling flowers for a living? "Is there any proof of this?"

"Yes, actually." That did surprise Lux. "They found trace amounts of magic within a few of his wares. I'd deign to say it was in all of them."

"And what of his fate?"

"He is currently held at the Mageseeker's Complex for further questioning."

Lux filed that piece of information away for later. "I see..."

"If anything comes of it, I'm certain the Mageseekers won't sit by idly. If he is convicted of magic, House Laurent will have to answer."

The more she thought about it, the dumber she felt. She should have seen it coming, especially with how vindictive her mother was towards Fiora. What she didn't think was for them to openly challenge Fiora's name and her to respond, as she saw the duelist enter from one side of the room.

The room's murmur dimmed until naught could be heard except for the pair's footsteps. Fiora dressed differently, in a vibrant ensemble that hugged her curves and showcased the power brimming within muscles honed over years of practice. She brushed her drape back and let it hang over her left shoulder, proudly displaying the Demacian flag and her house's crest in an elegant showcase of fine craftsmanship. Lux wasn't the only one in awe of such confidence – the duelist practically commanded attention as she strode forth to meet her challenger.

Despite this, there was an emptiness in her gaze that the blonde found unnerving. A challenge was a challenge, and though rarer among houses of lesser influence and among common folk, Fiora seemed to invoke that statue so many times, it became synonymous with her name. How many times has she been through things like these...?

There was a small exchange between her and her servant, hushed whispers all but gibberish to the onlookers, before the other woman presented Fiora with her signature rapier. The woman tested its weight in her hand and held it loosely at her hip. Poised with grace, hand perfectly curled and rested behind her back. She was a master of her craft, and this was the first time Lux witnessed her in action.

"Good sir," she began, her voice clear and echoing within the hall. "I am Fiora of House Laurent."

The man at the other end of the hall rose to his feet, his sword slung across his shoulders. "Aye, and I am Kasim, sent here by the order of the Mageseekers."

Lux looked towards Fiora to gauge her reaction. Nothing betrayed her neutral composure as she stared at him head on. "It has come to my attention zat 'ou insult and injure ze good name of House Laurent zrough accusation of possessing businesses and properties affiliated with magic. Before I continue, do 'ou have proof of such?"

The crowds began whispering to each other. The blonde caught a few, all of them directed towards the woman standing front and center.

'Is that true? Laurent, harboring mages?'

'That seems such a stretch. None in their family have magic. Are the Mageseekers this desperate to imprison just about anyone?'

'Well her skill with the blade is a bit inhuman. I've never seen her lose a duel before.'

'That does strike me as a bit odd. Maybe they know something.'

"We don't need to tell you anything. All you need to know is that we have proof and we demand you answer for it." His callous attitude towards Laurent instilled a fear that gripped Lux's heart. She knew the Mageseekers were ruthless at times, but not to the point they would outright challenge one of the biggest Houses in Demacia. "Unless, of course, you're hiding something and delaying the inevitable."

"I have nozing to hide from you. If zis concerns me, zen I must know from where 'ou discovered zis magic. Or are 'ou falsifying 'ou're accusations under anozer pretense? It is my business 'ou are challenging."

"The Mageseekers do not answer to anyone but the Lightshields. You are stepping beyond your power and defying our ordinances. The question remains unanswered: are you hiding mages under your family name?"

Fiora stepped up to the duelist's mark and brandished her rapier. Two precise swings, held up at the ready. "I hide nozing. Zis is my right to challenge 'ou to a duel. I will restore ze honor of my House in 'our blood. We shall speak of zis no more."

Kasim spat on the ground in front of Fiora as he slid his sword off his shoulder. "You really aren't going to answer us directly, huh." He brandished it in the same manner as Fiora, though he held his weapon with two hands and pointed it right for her heart.

"'ou have come to 'our death," she began as his snide remark had no effect on her. "As per ze ancient code of honor, I will dismiss zis offense if 'ou yield and satisfy my demand."

Kasim gripped his sword tighter. "I refuse."

Lux saw Fiora's eyelids slide close as she took a moment to steady her breathing. When she opened them again, there was nothing but death in her eyes. "'ou know how zis duel will end. I do not wish to kill 'ou, but I must if you refuse. Zat is the conditions of zis challenge."

His stance shifted, ready to jump at any second. "I refuse."

"Zen it is done." Fiora assumed her stance, opposite of his and kept her rapier light between her fingers. "En garde."

Lux believed she witnessed all the wonders Demacia had to offer, but nothing came close to Fiora's waltz in the duel. With every blow she parried, she delivered a response in kind and countered his advances with swift dodges of her own. Compared to his clunky and heavy swings, the duelist was as her name implied – graceful, deadly, and precise. Every cut of her rapier, every stab through his defenses, every step she took was perfectly calculated and Lux could only feel her admiration for such skill grow with the passing seconds.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Kasim collapsed on his knees, his clothing all but shredded and broken while she stood above him perfectly untouched. Blood poured from his wounds and stained the ground, yet he still held onto his sword as his life depended on it.

"'ou are skilled with 'our weapon. I am sad I must kill you, ze Mageseeker has lost a skillful combatant."

Kasim grit his teeth and glared up at Fiora. "To hell you're gonna kill me today, bitch."

Everything felt like slow motion as the blonde watched him lunge at her. His sword came swinging down, but she saw the glint of metal as he pulled a dagger from his boot and aimed it for her ribcage below. There was no way she could deflect two blows at once, and Lux felt her heart skip a beat when they came close to the woman's flawless form.

Fiora maneuvered expertly around the oncoming sword and saw the flash of metal coming right for her side. With a powerful flick of her wrist, she sliced the tip of her rapier through his wrist and he howled in pain; the second weapon clattered to the floor as his grip vanished and he collapsed on the ground. He held his wrist in attempts to staunch the bleeding, but when the duelist kicked him onto his back, his screaming cut off.

Fiora ended his life abruptly with the point of her rapier through his throat.

Silence settled over the occupants in the hall. Nobody dared move an inch as they looked at Fiora standing over the Mageseeker's body, still warm in his recent death. The only person who dared break the stillness was her servant, and she came to Fiora's side with a cloth in hand.

"Zis is a warning to everyone here," she calmly stated, loud enough for the audience to hear. "I do not care who 'ou are or where 'ou come from. You disgrace ze good name of House Laurent, and I shall challenge you to death. Zis was a fair duel, and zis is the Mageseeker's determination."

Lux held her breath as Fiora's eyes landed on her. The sun finally crested over the horizon and flooded the room with a brilliance that just made her stand out even more among the others. Slowly, it felt like the room melted away until only they remained. "No one is safe from zeir reach. Not even royal families. And if ze continue to seek me out without showing proof of zeir accusations, I will continue to defend my family name."