Forced to Sell Myself to the Female Lead After Killing the Male Lead

"What I want to ask about is Bernard."

As those words left Fengling's mouth, the expression on Xue Tianao's face changed slightly. After thoughtfully glancing toward the distant window, he once again wrapped an arm around Fengling's shoulders.

"My dear little sister, this isn't the place to talk."

As soon as he finished speaking, waves of pale golden light rippled around him.

The next moment—

Amid a burst of magical fluctuations, both Xue Tianao and Fengling vanished from the room.

—

?!!

"W-What?!"

The sudden change made Fengling cry out in surprise. But when she regained her bearings, the scenery before her had changed completely.

To her astonishment, Xue Tianao had brought her to the rooftop of Falling Leaf Palace.

After glancing at the vast and magnificent capital below, Fengling turned toward her brother with annoyance. Naturally, she didn't dare look directly into his eyes and instead fixed her gaze on his sharp eyebrows.

"Why did you suddenly bring me here?!"

"Haha, nothing. Just admiring the scenery. We siblings haven't had a proper chat in ages. Why don't we talk today?"

"Sorry, Imperial Brother. I have nothing to talk about with you."

"Is that so? What a pity."

Xue Tianao let out an exaggerated sigh of regret.

Then, the handsome and carefree man sat casually on the rooftop, crossed his legs, and leisurely gazed over the imperial city.

"Brother Bernard? Ah, poor fellow. Killed by the Blood Butterfly just like that. Don't worry, little sister. I will avenge him in the future."

"Hmph."

Hearing his words, Fengling snorted coldly.

"Imperial Brother, stop acting. Bernard might have been foolish, but he was very good at escaping. In that situation, he definitely would have used spatial teleportation to return to the palace. And the blood I found earlier in the imperial garden belonged to him."

"Oh? According to that, are you saying there was an assassin in the palace? Someone who murdered my dear little brother?"

"Heh, isn't that assassin you? My dear Imperial Brother. Besides you, who else would attack Bernard?"

"..."

The two silently stared at one another for several seconds.

"Hehe~ Hahahahaha!!! As expected of my little sister! You're really clever! No wonder I've always thought so highly of you!"

After a brief silence, Xue Tianao burst into unrestrained laughter.

He wasn't worried about being overheard. He had casually set up soundproof magic around them. Besides, even if someone heard, it didn't matter. Everyone near Falling Leaf Palace was his confidant.

After laughing heartily, he looked at Fengling with amusement.

"That's right. I killed him."

"W-Why?! Why kill him?! He's your brother!"

"But he never treated me like an elder brother, did he? Have you forgotten how he bullied me when we were children?"

"That was when you were young! You didn't understand things!"

"Haha, perhaps. But whether he understood or not never mattered to me. Even if we excuse his childish behavior back then, what about now? He never respected me. For the sake of the Crown Prince position, he constantly joined forces with Father to undermine me."

"And I didn't kill him for no reason. I gave him two warnings. You know me, Fengling. I never give anyone a third chance."

Feeling the coldness in Xue Tianao's eyes, Fengling forcibly calmed herself.

"What... did he do?"

"Haha, quite a lot while I was abroad. Helping Father weaken my influence in Sky Dome, sabotaging my mines, sending assassins, poisoning me, and even acting on his own initiative by using a Magic Energy Fission Bomb against the Child of Destiny."

"Bernard... attacked the Child of Destiny?!"

Fengling's eyes widened in shock.

After all, after seeing the Child of Destiny once, Bernard had become utterly infatuated with the holy and beautiful girl. He had constantly spoken about her and longed for her.

How could he suddenly attack her?

Seeing her confusion, Xue Tianao laughed toward the sky.

"Hahaha, don't think too hard about it, little sister. He simply had the foolish mentality of 'if I can't have her, I'll destroy her.'"

"So you killed him?"

"If he didn't die, how would we explain things to the Asumos Church? Besides, anyone who dares lay a hand on my woman deserves only death."

Hearing this, Fengling was furious, but she didn't dare openly rebuke him.

If this man truly dared kill Third Brother...

Then he must already have the confidence to oppose their father.

However, she frowned.

"Y-your woman? Xue Tianao, you've only met the Child of Destiny twice, haven't you? How has she become yours? And your harem already has five women including Lilia, doesn't it? Isn't that still not enough for you?"

"Hehe, don't sound so unhappy."

Xue Tianao waved his hand dismissively.

"I'm a man destined to save the world. What's wrong with marrying a few more women? As for the Child of Destiny, she's fated to be with me."

"Fated? Heh. Where does your confidence come from? Why do you think she'd really be willing to stay with you?"

"Why wouldn't she?"

"She's the Child of Destiny, the most noble woman spoken of in prophecy. Why would she willingly share a man with other women?"

"Heh, I've already considered that."

"You have?"

"Of course. I've already reserved the position of my principal wife for her. Even if she refuses, it doesn't matter. No one can resist my Eyes of Destiny."

Those words caused Fengling's expression to change.

"Eyes of Destiny?"

"These eyes allow me to perceive the thoughts and emotions of others through eye contact. They also subtly increase people's affection toward me. As long as I wish it, there's no one I can't conquer."

A confident smile appeared on his face.

In an instant, he flashed to Fengling's side and, before she could react, pulled her into his embrace.

Speaking with his magnetic voice, he slowly said:

"And not just the Child of Destiny."

"My dear Fengling, one day you'll belong to me as well."

"Y-you!! Stop dreaming! Father would never allow something so absurd!"

"Heh, that old man can't stop me. But don't worry, I won't force you. You can think about it slowly."

"..."

Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar man before her—

A man who now even made her afraid—

Fengling unconsciously clenched her fists.

Indeed...

Mengxi absolutely could not be handed over to this stallion...

—

(P.S. By the way, how do you guys think the male lead should die? I'm gathering opinions~ I'll consider whichever suggestion gets the most likes, hehe~ Just don't make it too inhuman, otherwise it probably won't pass review 0-0...

Also, please stop shouting that he'll die immediately! Yumo and Mengxi haven't even met him yet! Give the story some time to develop, okay? qwq)

—

At the same time.

Inside the small wooden house deep within the eastern Great Winter Forest.

In Yumo's room.

The sleeping Mengxi suddenly trembled violently, her brows tightly furrowing. She seemed to have dreamed of something terrible, or perhaps had inexplicably sensed a chill. Her delicate body began to shiver.

Seeing this, Miss Yumo, who had been sitting beside her for quite some time, revealed a worried expression.

'Did she have a nightmare?'

Thinking so, Yumo gently patted the silver-haired girl's back and spoke softly in the tone one would use to comfort a child.

"Don't be afraid~ Don't be afraid~ Big Sister is right here with you~"

"No one can hurt you~"

"If anyone dares touch you, I'll kill them, okay~"

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid~"

...

...

With Yumo's soothing, Mengxi gradually calmed down. After letting out an adorable little "Mm~," she hugged the giant teddy bear tighter and returned to peaceful sleep.

"Phew~"

Yumo sighed in relief.

For a moment, she'd thought the medicine might have caused side effects.

Thankfully, it seemed Mengxi had simply had a nightmare.

Still...

Why had she suddenly had one?

Forget it.

Better check again.

Thinking this, Yumo slowly closed her eyes.

Gentle waves of Shadow of Silence Power spread outward, enveloping Mengxi's body as Yumo carefully examined her condition.

Mmm~

Looks like the results are pretty good~

After sensing for a while, Yumo revealed a sweet and satisfied smile.

Another treatment tonight...

And after the heroine completely recovers...

She should reach the early stage of the Sixth Tier.

Hehe~

That means she'll be one step closer to the Eighth Tier.

Alright, that's enough for now.

After nodding silently and patting Mengxi's little head, Yumo quietly left the room and carefully closed the door behind her.

"Then, now..."

The black-haired girl softly muttered while thoughtfully looking toward the distant mountain.

It was the place where White Yama was imprisoned.

That Heavenly Apostle...

Emm...

It was about time to think about how to deal with her.

Come to think of it...

How are female knights who fall into enemy hands usually dealt with...?