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

Within the Sadik Empire,

On the outskirts of the western metropolis of Sabelius,

Where the Black Rose Family's main estate was located,

The imperial Foreign Minister, Herson—personally dispatched by the emperor from the capital—was kneeling in the beautiful garden, trembling from head to toe.

Only after several uneasy seconds did the suffocating pressure around him finally dissipate.

Slowly raising his head, he looked toward the man leisurely enjoying afternoon tea inside the pavilion.

A handsome black-haired man whose elegance was matched only by his overwhelming dignity.

The head of the Black Rose Family—

Xiao Black Rose.

At this moment,

Feeling the terrifying pressure radiating from Xiao's body and the bone-chilling coldness surrounding him, Herson finally understood why His Majesty feared this man so deeply and obeyed virtually every one of his wishes.

The man before him was simply...

Too terrifying.

Too unfathomable.

More importantly...

His strength was monstrous.

Judging from the aura Xiao had casually used to suppress the imperial envoys moments earlier, the Duke had likely already reached the Peak Eighth Tier.

Within the entire Sadik Empire...

There was probably no one capable of defeating him.

Taking a deep breath, Herson forced an awkward smile.

"Then... Duke, what are your intentions?"

"Hmm..."

Looking at the document Herson had delivered from the capital, Xiao's lips slowly curled into an amused smile.

"As expected..."

"The invitation from the Snow Night Empire has arrived."

"Y-Yes."

"The Emperor asked me to seek your advice, Duke."

"How should the Imperial Family respond this ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) time?"

"Who should represent us at the coronation ceremony?"

"The Imperial Family doesn't need to worry."

"They won't be going."

"...Huh?!"

"N-Not going?"

"This is a diplomatic event of enormous importance! The Imperial Family won't send anyone?"

"Correct."

Xiao smiled gently.

Yet his tone carried overwhelming authority that permitted no disagreement whatsoever.

His deep black eyes swept across Herson before another warm smile appeared on his handsome face.

"However, Mr. Herson, there's no need to worry."

"The Black Rose Family will attend the coronation in place of the Imperial Family."

"You mean..."

"The Black Rose Family will send representatives?"

"Exactly."

"The Imperial Family has been working very hard recently."

"They deserve a proper rest."

"As loyal subjects, we'll gladly handle such exhausting long-distance travel for them."

"You understand... don't you, Mr. Herson?"

Xiao narrowed his eyes politely.

Faced with that overwhelming pressure,

Herson could only shiver and nod obediently, completely incapable of resisting.

"I understand, Duke."

"I'll immediately convey your wishes to His Majesty..."

...

After a black-armored knight dragged away Herson—whose legs had nearly given out beneath him—

Xiao's personal secretary, Luowei, spoke with a helpless sigh.

"Duke, some of the ministers still don't seem to understand their place."

"They're actually suggesting severe punishment for the Black Rose Family."

"It seems they haven't realized who's really in charge."

"Should I send someone from the Nightingale Organization to have a friendly little 'conversation' with them?"

At his secretary's suggestion,

Xiao casually shook his head.

"There's no need, Luowei."

"If absolutely everyone obeys my orders, this puppet government would become far too obvious."

"Sometimes they need to make a bit of noise."

"As long as they're monitored and prevented from causing any major trouble, that's sufficient."

"I understand, Duke."

"I'll notify the Nightingale Organization immediately."

She turned to leave the garden.

However,

Xiao chuckled softly.

"That won't be necessary."

"The Nightingale's leader returned today."

"You can speak with her directly."

"...Hm?"

"Lady Zhong Xizhi has returned?"

Luowei couldn't hide her surprise.

After all,

The Nightingale Organization—

The Black Rose Family's intelligence and assassination network, considered the strongest on the continent—

Had a leader who spent virtually the entire year carrying out missions abroad.

She usually returned to the estate only briefly at the beginning of each year.

And now...

This was their busiest season.

"That's right."

"She's back."

Understanding Luowei's surprise, Xiao smiled helplessly.

Then,

He looked toward a massive fruit tree not far away and waved with an amused expression.

"Xizhi."

"If you're already back, stop hiding over there."

"Come say hello."

"..."

Following Xiao's call,

A figure cautiously peeked out from behind the tree.

Only after confirming there was no one else nearby did she timidly step into view.

"My apologies, Duke..."

Walking out from behind the tree was a young woman wearing a white dress beneath a black military coat.

A cascade of beautiful black hair flowed behind her.

Gracefully arched brows framed a pair of captivating orange-red eyes.

Though they carried a hint of shyness, they were still mesmerizing.

She possessed a delicate nose, slightly flushed cheeks, lips like ripe cherries, and a jade-like oval face.

The skin visible beneath her military coat was as flawless as polished snow-jade.

Her figure was elegant and slender.

An extraordinary beauty.

Most striking of all...

Two dark emerald dragon horns protruded from the top of her head.

Clearly,

The young woman named Zhong Xizhi was no ordinary human.

She was one of the exceedingly rare dragon-human hybrids.

It was precisely because of that bloodline that she had been abandoned by dragonkind and eventually wandered into the Great Winter Forest.

Having endured countless looks of contempt since childhood,

She had become painfully withdrawn.

Despite already possessing Peak Seventh-Tier strength and standing only one step away from the Eighth Tier,

She still appeared timid and lacking confidence.

Seeing this,

Xiao sighed helplessly.

"Xizhi."

"You're the leader of the Nightingale Organization now."

"You're practically the boss."

"Could you please act a little more imposing?"

"Otherwise, how are all the new girls supposed to respect you?"

Incidentally,

Most members of the Nightingale Organization were also orphans brought out of the Great Winter Forest.

The boys generally joined the Black Rose Knights,

While the girls usually entered the Nightingale Organization.

Together with agents secretly cultivated by the Black Rose Family, they formed this incredibly powerful intelligence network.

If the new recruits ever discovered that their legendary leader behaved like this...

Their worldview would probably shatter.

However,

Hearing Xiao's words,

Xizhi helplessly twirled a strand of hair around her finger.

"I-I can't help it..."

"It's broad daylight."

"I hate sunlight."

"But don't worry, Duke."

"When I'm around the girls..."

"I'm actually very good at pretending."

"...Fine."

After making a brief comment, Xiao didn't continue the subject.

After all,

Whenever this woman actually needed to put on an act...

She never slipped up.

"Duke..."

Seeing that Xiao had no intention of scolding her further, Xizhi asked curiously,

"You specifically called me back this time..."

"Is there an urgent mission?"

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"The Duke Family has been raided by the Snow Night Empire's Royal Knights."

"The pink-haired girl Lady Yumo is portraying has been imprisoned inside a prison wagon and is being transported toward Sky Palace."

"You and Qiu Mingtong are to rescue her once the convoy leaves the northern border."

"...Understood..."

"...Hm?"

"W-Wait?!"

"A prison wagon?!"

The instant those words reached her ears,

Xizhi completely lost her composure.

All traces of timidity vanished.

In their place surged overwhelming killing intent.

Even her orange-red eyes transformed into the vertical pupils unique to dragonkind.

The next instant,

She charged straight toward Xiao,

Grabbing both of his shoulders without the slightest regard for etiquette.

"Duke!"

"Did you just say Lady Yumo has become those little bastards' prisoner?!"

"Damn it!"

"I'm going to slaughter every last one of those idiots!"

"Then throw all of them into the forest to feed the Abyss Demons!"

"Those damned trash!"

"F***ing bastards!!"

"Damn it, I'm going to kill them all right now! F***!"

Watching Xizhi suddenly explode into profanity and transform into an entirely different person,

Xiao could only smile bitterly.

"All right."

"I know you're angry."

"Kill the ones who should be killed."

"Leave the ones who shouldn't."

"Understood?"

"...Yes..."

After Xiao reminded her,

Xizhi barely managed to calm herself.

However,

The very next second,

Her eyes suddenly sparkled with excitement.

They practically glittered.

"S-So..."

"Are we bringing Lady Yumo to Sabelius?!"

"Can we?!"

"Please!"

"Duke!"

The moment those words left her mouth,

Even Luowei looked at Xiao with eager anticipation.

Likewise,

The knights standing guard nearby all poked their heads over, staring expectantly at their Duke.

To outsiders,

The Hall of Ten Thousand Demons was a nightmare.

But to them—

The people whose lives had been saved by Lady Yumo and who now possessed everything they had because of her—

She was nothing less than a second parent.

A benefactor whose kindness could never truly be repaid.

If given even the slightest opportunity,

They desperately wanted to return that kindness.

Unfortunately,

Years of endless duties meant almost none of them could travel to the Great Winter Forest,

Much less repay their debt.

Therefore,

When they learned Lady Yumo had assumed human form and could now leave the forest,

Many within the Black Rose Family began secretly hoping that one day she would visit the Sadik Empire.

If that day ever came...

They would ensure Lady Yumo enjoyed the finest life imaginable.

At this moment,

Everyone silently watched Xiao,

Waiting for his answer.

"...Sigh."

Letting out a helpless sigh,

Xiao smiled bitterly.

"Not yet."

"...Ah..."

"No, Duke..."

"Waaaah..."

"If all goes according to plan..."

"I'll invite Lady Yumo afterward."

"Huh?"

"Afterward?"

"Xizhi."

"You haven't forgotten our plan..."

"Have you?"

Hearing that,

Xizhi froze briefly.

Her expression gradually turned serious.

That's right.

Compared with indulging themselves,

Eliminating every threat surrounding Lady Yumo was infinitely more important.

"I remember, Duke."

"Good."

Xiao nodded with satisfaction.

"Then don't mess it up."

"I understand."

"I'll protect Lady Yumo."

"I won't allow those filthy insects anywhere near her."

"And..."

"I'll make absolutely sure..."

"Lady Yumo gets to witness the Empire's true ugliness."

As she slowly stood,

A chilling smile spread across Xizhi's beautiful face.

One cold enough to make anyone's blood run cold.

"Please rest assured..."

"I'll make sure the plan proceeds perfectly."