Cursed Heir System: Revenge Against the Gods

Three days after the duel.

Nocelle Manor's grand hall gleamed, marble floors shining under crystal chandeliers. Red and gold banners with the Nocelle crest adorned the walls. Nobles in velvet, soldiers, and servants filled the hall as they awaited the new knight.

Duchess Sharra stood on a raised platform with elegant authority. Anna sat beside her, her silver hair pinned neatly and dressed in an elegant white gown while her crimson eyes glowing with joy and quiet pride.

Alan stood in the center, his grey hair trimmed neatly, wearing his new knight's robe, a deep blue with silver edges. Bandages still stuck on his face from Janine's beating, but he stood straight. 

In the crowd, Moriko's golden eyes shone with excitement.

Janine stood near the platform with her arms crossed, her violet eyes fixed on Alan with a grin mixing pride and amusement. 

Sharra raised a hand and the hall went quiet, every eye drawn to her strong presence. "We gather today to honor an extraordinary feat," she began with clear authority. "Three days ago, Alan faced the Earth's Champion in a test of skill and will. Against all odds, he drew blood from Janine, proving himself not just a fighter, but a protector worthy of my daughter, Anna Nocelle."

The crowd stirred with whispers of awe mixed and some doubt. Sharra looked at them, silencing any disagreement with one look. "Today, we name him Anna's personal knight—a guardian sworn to her safety and honor as she faces the trials of the Monarch's Competition."

She stepped forward and accepted the ceremonial sword from a waiting servant.

The blade etched with the Nocelle crest. Her crimson eyes met Alan's, and a shy smile formed on her lips. 

"Alan," she said with a clear, soft voice that resonated through the hall, "you risked your life for me when you had no reason to. You saw strength in me when I doubted myself. It's… an honor to call you my knight."

Alan knelt before her and bowed his head, though his blue eyes looked up to meet hers. "Lady Anna Nocelle," he said, "I swear to be your shield, your blade, and your strength. Whatever challenges come—be it man, beast, demon, or god—I'll stand by your side."

Anna lifted the sword with her steady hands and touched the flat of the blade to his shoulders, first the right, then the left. "By the authority of House Nocelle and the blessing of the twelve Gods, I name you, Alan, Knight of Anna Nocelle," she declared. "Rise, Sir Alan."

Alan stood smoothly, despite the faint ache from Janine's hit. Anna stepped closer, pinning a silver knight's brooch, engraved with the Nocelle crest, to his robe. Her fingers lingered briefly, her smile warm.

The hall filled with applause, though some nobles clapped with tight lips with suspicion. Moriko whooped loudly as she pumped a fist, earning amused looks from nearby servants.

Janine stepped forward, grinning widely as she clapped Alan's shoulder, nearly knocking him over. "Not bad, grey-hair," she said, excitement brimming. "You're one of us now, but don't think this gets you out of training. I'm gonna drill you and that cat-girl until you're begging for a break."

Alan smirked, steadying himself. "Bring it on, Champion," he said, tone light yet bold. "Next time, I'll do more than just nick you."

Anna stifled a giggle, cheeks pink as she met his gaze. Sharra's lips curved in approval. "The ceremony is concluded," she announced. "Let us celebrate Sir Alan's ascension and House Nocelle's strength."

As the crowd headed to the banquet hall, Anna lingered, stepping closer to Alan.

"Thank you," she whispered, crimson eyes soft with gratitude. "For believing in me. I… I hope I can be the leader you think I am."

Alan's face softened, though his true goal was to use Anna's rise to destroy those who hurt him. "You will be," he said in a low voice, hiding his plan. "I'll make sure of it, Lady Anna. You'll rise to rule Midia, and I'll be your shield every step."

Anna's breath caught, her smile brightening as she nodded.

Moriko pounced from behind, tackling Alan playfully, nearly toppling him. "Knight in shining armor, huh?" she teased. "Look at you, grey-hair, you got what you want!"

Alan chuckled, pulling her off with a mock groan. "Easy, kitty."

After a moment, the people enjoyed the banquet with quiet music and food. Alan stood at the corner of the hall holding the glass of drink, stirring it slightly as he looked at Moriko eating along with Janine in excitement.

Alan's fingers tightened slightly around the glass as he glanced at faint rippling reflection of his in the amber liquid. 

"You seem to avoid crowds," he heard a soft voice and calmly glanced aside to see Sharra stood beside him with her own glass of wine held with effortless grace. "Not one for celebrations, Sir Alan?"

Alan's lips twitched into a small smile while his gaze was still on the glass. "I prefer watching from the sidelines, Your Grace," he said politely. "Crowds make it harder to see what's coming."

Sharra's eyes flicked to him with a glimmer of amusement. "A cautious mind. Wise, for one so young." She took a slow sip of her wine as her gaze returned to the crowd. "I expected you to win against Janine, even hoped for it. But to surprise the Earth's Champion herself? That's no small feat. You're an extraordinary young man."

"Thank you, Your Grace," Alan replied with a slight nod as he took a sip.

"I heard you promise to my daughter," she said. "You vowed to make Anna the next monarch, no matter the cost. That's a bold claim, Sir Alan. What gives you such confidence?"

Alan's gaze shifted to her, meeting her piercing amber eyes. He knew better than to underestimate Sharra, her Blessing of Judgment could see through any lie, and her cunning had built House Nocelle into a powerhouse. 

He had to choose his words carefully. "Confidence comes from seeing what others don't, Your Grace," he said. "Anna's not like the other candidates. She doesn't crave power, which makes her dangerous to those who do. The people love her for it, and the Church can't ignore that. With the right moves, she's the one they'll crown."

Sharra's lips curved into a small smile, though her eyes remained sharp. "You speak like a strategist, not a knight. Yet you're a former slave, by your own admission. Where does a boy from the mines learn to read the game of thrones so well?"

Alan's smile didn't waver as he balanced truth and evasion. "Being a slave doesn't make me stupid," he said, his tone light but edged with steel. "Politics isn't so different. It's just a cunning game, people who have cunning strategies always win."

Sharra chuckled softly. "Cunning game, indeed," she mused while swirling her wine. "But you didn't answer my question. Why stake your life on my daughter, when you could've asked for gold, land, or freedom to walk away?"

Alan glanced at Anna across the hall as she spoke quietly with nobles. "Because she's worth it, she cares about people, not power. That's rare. Midia needs someone like her to rule. And I…" He paused, showing her flicker of vulnerability with a calculated disarm. "I know what it's like to have nothing. I won't let her fail."

Sharra studied him and her smile deepened. "You're either a visionary or a schemer, Sir Alan," she said, her voice a velvet blade. 

"Either way, you've tied your fate to Anna's. She will attend the Concerda's new bishop's ceremony in a few days, as her knight it's your duty to protect her. You know that it's more dangerous in Teranese with that new terrorist cult...." She let the word hang with an unspoken warning.

Alan met her gaze without a flinch. "I won't let anyone touch her, Your Grace," he said in a calm resolute tone. "Not when I've made a promise."

Sharra raised her glass, a silent toast. "Then see it through, Sir Alan. For Anna and for Midia." She turned back to the crowd, leaving him with the certainty that she'd be watching his every move.

Alan looked back at the drink in hand, watching his blue eyes in reflection. "The cult of unblessed huh? I got business with them too," He said and sipped the alcohol. 

"They won't play with me this time."