Cursed Heir System: Revenge Against the Gods-Chapter 42. Lady Anna’s concerns

The night covered Teranese in a warm golden glow from the festival lights outside, but inside Alan’s small room at the Concreda Church headquarters, everything felt quiet and heavy.

Alan lay on his bed, staring at the cracked ceiling with hands behind his head while remembering today’s events over and over in his mind.

Moriko sprawled on his bed like a discarded doll. "Ugh, so boring," she groaned like a restless sibling. "Thought Teranese would be fun, but fancy people yelling about some dead guy."

Alan smiled a little but said nothing, thinking of his younger brother who swore in front of everyone that he’d hunt him down and drag him before a god.

Alan wasn’t surprised by his shit talk; he already knows about Kaelen.

Being hunted should’ve scared him. But instead, it excited him. Let’s see who hunts whom.

But the bigger question is: why did the gods want him alive? Was it his connection to Return by Death or because he’s tied to Vanzoeath?

A soft knock at the door broke his thoughts.

Moriko yawned, stretching like a cat before hopping off her bed to answer it. She swung the door open, revealing the silver-haired lady she’s serving standing in the hallway, her crimson eyes wide with surprise at seeing the cat-girl in Alan’s room.

"Uh, hi, noble lady," Moriko said with a toothy grin. "What brings you here?"

Anna’s smile faded as she remembered this cat lady tried to push Alan toward Sofia’s offer. She opened her mouth to snap at Moriko but bit back her words, her expression settling into a cool, controlled glare that made Moriko’s tail twitch nervously.

"I need to speak with Alan," Anna said.

Alan sat up, brushing a hand through his grey hair. "Come in, my lady," he said calmly by gesturing to the small room.

Anna sat gently in the wooden chair Alan had pulled out for her. Moriko was already back on the bed, arms behind her head like a sleepy kitten pretending not to care.

Alan stayed on the edge of his bed, watching the innocent girl quietly. Her silver hair shimmered softly in the glow, and her crimson eyes were focused downward, like she was thinking deeply about something but didn’t know how to say it.

"You’re thinking about him?" Alan asked slowly, almost teasing. "Alane?"

Anna looked up quickly. "No," she said firmly, a bit too fast. "I’m not the kind of person who can fight people. Especially not someone like him."

"Then what’s really bothering you?"

Anna hesitated, and her eyes moved to the side, away from his blue eyes. "Are you... really going to accept Dubost’s offer?" she asked.

Alan blinked at the sight of Anna, who’s so vulnerable and worried, thinking he’d abandon her for gold, which was almost endearing. Then slowly, his serious expression cracked. A small chuckle escaped him, and then he laughed, warm and amused.

"You really think I’d leave you?" he asked, shaking his head with a grin.

Anna’s shoulders relaxed slightly as the tension in her body eased.

Moriko groaned. "What, you’re giving up all that gold?" she muttered.

Without looking, Alan flicked his fingers, smacking her lightly on the forehead.

"Ow!" Moriko yelped with her tail puffing up.

Alan turned back to Anna with a softer voice. "Do you not remember the promise I made to you?" he asked.

Anna looked at him, confused, and then her eyes widened as she remembered what he said before his battle with Janine.

"I told you I’d never leave you," Alan said. "And I told you that I’ll make you the next monarch. You think I asked about the Truth Seeker for fun?"

Her heart skipped a beat at his words. The way he looked at her and the way he said it—it made her chest feel tight. She couldn’t tell if he was just being a loyal knight or if he was flirting. But deep down, she didn’t want to know the answer.

Suddenly, a bright light exploded outside. A pop! followed, and the room flashed with the colors of red, blue, and gold with firecrackers.

Anna stood immediately and paced to the window like a child. Her eyes sparkled in the glow. "The festival looks.....incredible," she whispered.

Alan walked up beside her. Moriko rolled onto her stomach, peeking too. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Have you ever been to a festival?" Anna asked, her voice soft and wistful.

Moriko shook her head. "Never seen anything like this before..."

Alan, though, remembered how Toby took him to the festival for the first time.

"Yeah," Alan said quietly. "With someone important years ago."

Anna didn’t ask who, as she kept her eyes on the glowing sky.

"I’ve never been," she said finally. "When I lived at my uncle’s estate, everything was strict only for me. I wasn’t even allowed to watch from the windows. And now, even as the Duchess’s daughter, protocol says I’m not allowed to join the commoners."

Alan gave a faint smile. "Then why don’t you go now?"

Anna blinked and turned to him as if he’d said something insane.

"You mean... go out there?" she asked.

Alan grinned with his teeth. "Why not?"

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On the tenth floor of the Concreda Church, two women leaned casually against the wide corridor railing, as they looked at three figures sneaking out from church.

Janine tilted her head, her silver-pink hair swaying as she squinted. "Look at that," she said with a soft chuckle. "How cute that the noble lady, the stray cat, and the knight sneaking out like kids skipping curfew."

Sharra crossed arms with her usual stern expression softening just a little. Her amber eyes followed the three figures below—Anna in a light cloak, Moriko’s tail swishing under her hood, and Alan walking calmly in front.

Janine raised a brow. "Should we stop them?"

Sharra shook her head. "Let my daughter enjoy the festival, just this once," she said quietly. "I trust that kid. Mostly."

"Mostly?"

"I said what I said," Sharra replied flatly. "You follow them from a distance. No direct contact unless something goes wrong."

Janine grinned, already pushing off the railing. "Alright. I’ll babysit them for tonight."

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Outside, the warm golden lights of the festival lit up the streets of Teranese.

High above, on the roof of a church, a figure dressed in black watched the streets quietly. Her face was hidden by a hood and a black mask with gold lines, but her body shape says it was Zoe.

She’s looking at Alan, Anna, and Moriko as they step into the busy crowd below.