Cursed Heir System: Revenge Against the Gods

"You know what you just did?" Anna's voice rang out with fury as stepped forward, her heels clacking against the cobblestone. "Alan, that was Paul Petersen. One of the Twelve! Do you understand what you've done by provoking him?"

Her crimson eyes flared with frustration, locking onto his blue eyes, as if trying to make some sense into him.

She'd been terrified that Alan would be crushed by the Fire Champion's wrath. But relieved after Janine cut that moment short before it could explode.

They were still near the entrance of the church, where they stepped down from carriages.

Alan rubbed the back of his neck, while his eyes drifted away from her eyes to a nearby bush. "...Sorry," he muttered, the word so low it barely reached the ears of those standing nearby.

"Sorry?" Anna's brows pinched deeper, her voice rising with disbelief. "You think sorry is enough for picking a fight with a Champion?! What if Janine hadn't stepped in? What if—"

"Oi," Moriko growled as she reverted back from her semi beast form. She stepped forward with a sharp glare. "Why are you yelling at him like he kicked your dog? He was trying to protect you."

Anna blinked, caught off guard by the beastkin girl's sudden intrusion. "That's not—"

"Enough," Janine said calmly as stepped between them with a sigh as she held out a pair of skewers. "Save your scolding for later Anna. And you kitty, take it."

The catgirl's ears perked up immediately as she snatched the skewers from the beauty's hand, her frustration vanishing in an instant. "Meat!" she chirped, biting into one with a purr.

Janine turned back to Anna. "I know why you're angry, that's fine. But at least hear the boy out before biting his head off."

Anna glanced between them, then back at Alan. Her arms crossed, eyes still hard. "Fine. State your reason, Sir Alan."

Alan hesitated for a second, then met her gaze steadily. His voice wasn't defensive, it's just quite clear. "I saw your face when he got close. You looked… uncomfortable. Cornered."

That simple sentence silenced the silver haired girl. Her anger faltered remembering Paul's unwanted touch, her fear replaced by gratitude.

"I know who he was," Alan continued, "But I don't care when he comes to you."

Anna's lips parted slightly. Her anger didn't disappear, it shifted into something. She glanced down for a moment, hand curling over her arm.

"…I wasn't cornered," she said softly, more to herself than anyone else.

But Janine's eyes were sharp as ever. "No. You were just enduring it, always."

Anna flinched at that.

Moriko leaned in close to Alan, smirking faintly. "Told you she'd get mad. But you still did it."

Alan gave a small nod. "I'd do it again and again and again."

The silence that followed was heavy.

Janine folded her arms. "We've drawn enough attention. Let's head inside. Paul's not the type to forget an insult, but I doubt he'll do anything when you're my student."

Before they moved, Janine turned to the Nocelle guards nearby. "No one is to approach Anna without permission. Not anymore."

"Yes, ma'am," the guards replied in unison, standing straighter.

With that they moved toward the Church building, Anna walked a few steps behind Alan. Her gaze dropped to his back quietly, unsure what to say.

"...Thank you," she murmured, barely reaching him.

Alan didn't turn, but his shoulder twitched, just slightly—as if he'd heard.

As they moved to the church, their silhouettes slowly faded.

From across the courtyard, the Verdelane delegation had already arrived, standing under the carved stone colonnade, flanked by lesser nobles and church scribes. Duke Danel Verdelane stood there while having a conversation with a few senior church officials.

Nearby, three striking figures stood who saw the entire confrontation in silence.

Zoe stood straight in polished silver knight robe, the sigil of House Verdelane emblazoned over her cloak. Her long smooth-black hair was tied into a high, no-nonsense ponytail, and her piercing icy-blue eyes were fixed on Alan's retreating figure.

He's the key, her key to her brother's freedom. And she couldn't afford to let him loose again.

She's here as Verdelane's official knight, not as K'Night Queen assassin persona. Passersbys stole glances at her striking beauty, her sharp features and lithe frame rivaling even Janet's allure.

Beside her, Janet let out a low whistle with her arms folded under her ample bust. Her fitted gown fitted her curves which drew more than a few admiring looks.

The blue-haired beauty cocked her head with her lips twisting into a slow grin. "So that's Alan, huh? Honestly, he's kind of average-looking and short. But the attitude?" She gave a low seductive smirk. "Damn, I like it. Wish I had a knight with that kind of fire."

Louis, standing next to her in his crimson half-cloak and flamboyant buttons, gave an exaggerated groan. "Ouch. That hurts, Janet. I'm right here and objectively better-looking than some scrawny upstart, don't you think?"

Janet smirked. "Oh, really? Can you bark at the Fire Champion like that without flinching?" she asked with a teasing tone but pointed.

Louis blinked. Then paused. "I mean… I could, technically."

Janet raised a brow. "Would you?"

"…"Come on, I'm not insane like him," he said, his voice half-laughing, half-defensive. "There's bold, and then there's suicidal."

Their banter grew louder that drew a few amused glances from nearby nobles, until a low voice cut through the levity.

"Enough."

Duke Danel didn't raise his tone, but his voice froze the conversation. He turned slightly from the church official beside him, his dark green eyes glinting with curiosity more than irritation.

"I was watching the entire exchange. That boy… that knight. His audacity was impressive." He tilted his head. "No hesitation, no fear, not even when facing the Fire Champion."

Louis muttered, "Maybe he was confident because Janine is backing them."

Danel shook his head slowly. "No. He stepped in before she arrived. That wasn't borrowed courage." He narrowed his eyes as he watched the last of Alan disappear inside. "That was something else."

Zoe's gaze didn't move from Alan despite their banter. Her voice was calm. "He's different."

Janet chuckled. "Is that why you've been staring holes through his back since he showed up?"

Zoe didn't rise to the bait. "He's the kind of man who stirs storms without realizing it. And survives them when others wouldn't."

Danel hummed thoughtfully. "Then perhaps… we need to know what wind brought him here." He looked back at Zoe. "Keep an eye on him, try to get him on our side."

Zoe gave a small nod as her blue eyes turned to him. "Yes, your Grace."