Cursed Heir System: Revenge Against the Gods

'Help me and I'll make sure you'll get what you always wanted, Zoe.'

The voice echoed in Zoe's mind as she sat on the bed in Verdelane Manor's small room, her face tired and her long black hair cascading freely. She looked aside, her icy-blue eyes fell on the black mask on the table and shifted to a glass of water and a small plate of food, which was brought by the maid a few minutes ago.

She gasped quietly, steadying herself before taking a sip.

She remembered the nightmare she had been accidentally trapped in. The presence, the aura, and Alan—standing atop his own corpses—had spoken to her like he knew her better than anyone. His last words were full of temptation, making her consider his offer.

The door opened with a noise, making Zoe flinched, pressing against the headboard. Her heart pounded until she saw the broad-shouldered, middle-aged man in a neat noble's coat standing in the doorway—Duke Danel.

Behind him was Louis, leaning casually against the doorframe.

"Well, well, Zoe, the K'Night Queen," Louis teased, stepping into the room with a sly grin. He pulled a wooden chair from the corner and sat beside her bed. "I've only ever seen you scare others. It's fun to see you jump for once."

Zoe narrowed her eyes, but she relaxed a little. Louis leaned closer with a grin widening.

"Gotta say, you look even better without that mask," he said, his tone playful yet with real admiration as he looked at her striking face without the mask for the first time in three years. "Who knew the K'Night Queen was hiding such a face?"

Zoe muttered, "Quiet, you idiot," in a soft voice that didn't match with the persona behind her mask.

Duke Danel stepped closer to the bed with a stern face. His eyes locked on Zoe, not warm but demanding. "What happened to you, Zoe?" he asked. "What became of the mission I entrusted to you?"

Zoe looked down at the bedsheet. "I tracked the escaped slaves as you ordered, Master," she said quietly. "But something unexpected forced me to abandon the mission."

Louis leaned forward in curiosity. "What could possibly be important enough to make you bail?" he asked, half-teasing, half-amazed.

"I encountered Anna Nocelle. She was under attack by our mercenaries."

The words made Danel pause, his brow creasing as he thought.

"They captured our mercenary leader and tried to interrogate him. I stepped in to silence him and tried to eliminate Anna Nocelle as well, but the Earth's Champion arrived at the last moment. I had no choice but to retreat."

Louis let out a low whistle, eyes wide. "You fought Janine? The Earth's Champion?" He shook his head, impressed. "And you're still in one piece? That's a miracle."

Danel's face stayed blank, his fingers brushing his chin as he thought. He had sent those mercenaries to take out Anna, a careful plan to eliminate rivals in the monarch competition. He'd planned everything—her route, her guards, her weaknesses. Now, their silence made sense.

"I believe you," he said slowly with suspicion in his voice. "But who could have taken out all our mercenaries?"

Zoe gripped the bedsheet as she remembered Alan's smug face. "I don't know," she admitted softly. "Some… wandering knight, I think. He was smart. Took down the mercenaries single-handedly."

She lied to him despite knowing he's the slave that made chaos.

Danel's eyes narrowed, doubt deepening the lines on his face. "And the slaves?" he pressed.

"I lost their trail," Zoe confessed. "But I can pick it up again. Just… give me a little time."

Danel studied her for a moment and gave a curt nod.

"Get well and return to work as soon as possible," he ordered. His heavy boots made a loud sound on the wooden floor as he turned to go.

Louis got up while giving Zoe a playful wink and followed the duke.

Zoe's voice broke just as Danel reached the door. "Can I see my brother?" she asked desperately.

Danel paused, glancing back. "Only this time," he said, then left, leaving Zoe alone in the quiet room.

---

A moment later, Zoe walked through dimly lit corridors of its underground prison. The noise from her heels clicking is echoing through the silent hallways.

She reached the room's rusty iron door and pushed it open. She went inside, her cold blue eyes softening as they met a young boy, barely fifteen, who lay motionless on a thin cot. Ralf, her little brother.

Zoe stepped closer quietly, gently brushing his forehead, smoothing his tangled hair.

He had been in a coma for nearly three years, ever since his rite of ascension revealed he was unblessed which means a death sentence in the kingdom's eyes. Zoe had begged for his life, but no one cared except for the Duke Danel.

But Duke, who needs Zoe's rare blessings as a weapon, made a deal with her; he made sure Ralf is in a coma created by magic, avoiding his execution, and in return, Zoe has to work for him.

The duke, seeing her Rare blessing of Dark Goddess, had made a deal: Ralf would be spared, kept alive in this coma, but only if Zoe became his weapon. She had no choice but to agree to keep her brother alive.

Her heart aching with the desperate hope to see him awake, to hear his voice, to see him run free under the open sky.

The same haunting words echoed in her mind again and tempting her.

Her lips moved, and she whispered a single name into the quiet cell. "Alan."

**************************************************************************************************

Meanwhile, at Nocelle Manor, Alan and Moriko, freshly cleaned up, walked through the grand hallways, led by Janine. The tanned beauty was taking them to meet Duchess Sharra Nocelle, the ruler of the South Nocelle Dukedom.

Alan glanced at Moriko, wearing a simple white gown, and seemed happy after three days of care at the manor. Then he looked at Janine, who walked ahead of them. Her tight leather shorts caught his eye with every step.

Janine glanced back as she caught his stare. "Well, well, kid," she teased with amusement. "Staring at my back a bit intensely, aren't you?"

Alan chuckled. "Sorry, not my type," he shot back with a smirk, making Moriko giggle.

"It's just… it's been years since I saw a Champion up close," he added, his tone softer. "You know, I was kind of your fan when I was ten."

Janine raised an eyebrow, her grin growing as she slowed to walk beside him. "A fan, huh? Didn't take you for the hero-worshipping kind," she said, squeezing his neck into her embrace in excitement, causing his head to bump against her chest playfully. "Good to know I've still got fans."

They reached the Duchess's office, and Janine pushed the door open with a flourish. "Duchess, your VIPs have arrived," she announced.

Alan and Moriko stepped inside, pausing at the entrance.

Behind an elegant desk sat Duchess Sharra Nocelle, her smooth green hair falling over her shoulders, her amber eyes moved from Janine to the pair, studying them with quiet curiosity. Alan froze for a second because of her presence.

He was sure she was over forty, yet her beauty was stunning, with an effortless grace.

"Hello, madam!" Moriko chirped, waving with no care for proper manners.

Sharra's amber eyes softened, a small smile on her lips as she stood. "So, you two are the ones who saved my Anna?" she said with a calm voice. "Come, let's have a talk."

She gestured to a soft couch across the room, and Alan and Moriko sat as a maid quietly placed a tray of teacups. Sharra sat opposite them.

"Please, have some tea," the Duchess offered kindly.

Moriko grabbed a teacup eagerly, muttering a quick "Thank you!" before having it in one big gulp. Alan looked at his cup cautiously. He sighed and took a small sip.

Sharra's red lips curved into a sly smile while her amber eyes gleaming with amusement. "How's the tea, young man?" she asked playfully.

Alan set the cup down, leaning back with a smirk that matched hers. "Sweet," he replied, his tone dry. "It seems the poison enhanced the flavour."

Sharra's smile grew, a spark of interest in her gaze as she leaned forward, clearly enjoying his boldness.