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

Mengxi first met Xue Tianao half a year ago, inside the headquarters of the Asumos Church.

At that time, she had only recently been brought back to the Church by White Yama and had just become the Substitute Saintess—a title everyone envied, though in reality it carried very little authority.

During the banquet celebrating her appointment as the Substitute Saintess, Xue Tianao attended as the Snow Night Empire's ambassador visiting the Crimson Leaf Empire and participated in the festivities.

—

"Congratulations on becoming the Substitute Saintess, Miss Mengxi."

Taking advantage of the brief moment when White Yama had stepped away and was no longer guarding the silver-haired girl, Xue Tianao seized the opportunity and appeared before her in an instant.

He quickly displayed his refined and elegant demeanor.

After exchanging the customary greetings, Xue Tianao followed traditional etiquette by gently taking Mengxi's gloved hand and placing a light kiss upon the back of it.

Then he led her directly to the center of the ballroom,

where the formal dance began.

At the time, Mengxi knew almost nothing about noble etiquette or banquet customs, and she still understood very little about this world. Before she realized what was happening, she had been completely led along by Xue Tianao, dancing with him in the center of the ballroom.

Amid the applause of the guests, the dance between Xue Tianao and Mengxi came to a flawless conclusion.

Afterward,

Xue Tianao continued holding Mengxi's hand, skillfully avoiding the numerous "rivals" around him before leading her out onto the balcony, where hardly anyone else was present.

"Miss Mengxi, your dancing was wonderful. Was that really your first time?"

Now that they were alone, Xue Tianao once again revealed his elegant, gentle smile and naturally began chatting with her.

As the saying went, you don't slap a smiling face.

Faced with such a refined blond gentleman, Mengxi chose to politely cooperate.

...

...

"Would you like to see snowy scenery? It's not difficult at all. If the opportunity arises, may I invite you to Skyvault? The Long Ice Lake on a winter night is among the most beautiful sights in the world."

After chatting for some time, believing the moment had come, Xue Tianao smiled as he extended the invitation.

However...

Listening to his endless conversation while looking at the handsome, considerate man dressed in the traditional attire of the Snow Night Empire,

Mengxi gradually frowned.

She was exceptionally sensitive to people's expressions and tone.

Whenever someone around her tried to deceive or manipulate her, given enough time, she could usually discern their true intentions through careful observation.

And during her time with Xue Tianao, after becoming familiar with his habitual expressions,

she gradually noticed the insincerity hidden within his smile.

Clearly,

this foreign Crown Prince, who wished to become her friend,

was no different from all the others.

He was approaching her with an ulterior motive.

What did he want from her?

Fame?

Power?

Or...

her body?

Mengxi didn't know.

But instinctively,

she no longer wished to continue talking with him.

In the end...

Another one trying to get me to go with him...

Seriously, we've barely talked at all. Where does all this confidence come from...?

Mengxi silently complained to herself.

Still, considering he was the Crown Prince of the Snow Night Empire, she maintained a courteous smile and politely declined.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. I need to focus on my cultivation right now, and there are still many things I need to learn. I don't have time to travel to the Snow Night Empire."

However,

Xue Tianao had clearly expected her refusal.

Remaining perfectly composed, he displayed another handsome smile.

"Miss Mengxi, I understand how you feel. Cultivation is certainly important."

"But... devoting yourself entirely to cultivation without any rest can easily become counterproductive. Sometimes, it's necessary to relax."

"Your Highness means... you want me to come to Skyvault to rest?"

"Not merely to rest."

Xue Tianao shook his head.

A faint golden radiance slowly flickered within his eyes.

"The training methods you're currently receiving within the Asumos Church are far from ideal."

"I suggest you come to Skyvault."

"Here, I'll personally teach you how to cultivate efficiently."

"I'll also teach you anything you wish to know."

"And at the same time, you'll experience a kind of happiness that's impossible to find within the Asumos Church."

"You should know..."

"I am the Child of Destiny."

"The only person in this world capable of truly understanding you."

"I won't be affected by your power, nor will I fear the power sleeping inside you."

"Come to Skyvault with me."

"The two of us—two Chosen Ones—can work together, save this world together, and fulfill our destiny together."

As he spoke,

Xue Tianao slowly raised his hand and gently brushed a strand of Mengxi's silver hair beside her cheek.

The gentle, dependable, confident smile upon his face—

the smile capable of captivating countless innocent young girls—

grew even warmer.

He also gradually leaned closer.

That captivating smile.

Those gentle words.

His overwhelming strength.

And the mysterious power hidden within his eyes.

Relying upon these, Xue Tianao had long been an undefeated veteran on the battlefield of romance.

However...

this time,

things did not unfold as he had expected.

The moment Xue Tianao's fingers touched her hair,

a wave of revulsion suddenly ran through Mengxi's body.

The Power of the Holy Spirit was a gift bestowed upon her by the Goddess.

It caused those around the Child of Destiny to unconsciously develop affection for her.

But Mengxi had never liked this power.

She deeply loathed the idea of subtly twisting another person's will without their knowledge.

Yet...

at this moment,

she was shocked to sense that very same power emanating from Xue Tianao's eyes.

Clearly,

the man before her was attempting to use that power...

to influence her own will.

Without realizing it,

Mengxi clenched her fists tightly.

The way Xue Tianao's gaze sought to peer into her heart—

to completely control her—

combined with the seductive power hidden within his eyes,

made her utterly unable to tolerate him.

Seeing him reach out further, intending to caress her cheek,

the volcano inside Mengxi finally erupted.

For f**k's sake...

The next instant—

"Don't use that disgusting power on me!"

Before Xue Tianao could react,

the silver-haired girl let out an angry shout and violently drove her foot straight into his crotch...

—

Back in the present—

Mengxi had never expected Xue Tianao to appear here.

She had assumed that even if they met again, it would be after arriving at the guest residence.

Normally, the welcoming ceremony at the city gates was presided over by ministers, not the Emperor himself.

What shocked her even more was that,

after exchanging only a few polite greetings with the Archbishop,

Xue Tianao actually walked directly toward her...

in full view of everyone.

Remembering the extremely awkward ending of their very first meeting,

then looking at the blond man before her, who still wore that confident smile,

Mengxi felt as though countless alpacas were stampeding across her mind.

How does this guy still have the nerve to come looking for me personally?

"Your Majesty..."

For one of the rare times, an awkward smile appeared on Mengxi's face.

However,

facing her peculiar expression,

Xue Tianao maintained his trademark handsome smile as always.

Politely placing a hand over his chest, he bowed toward her.

"Honored Child of Destiny, welcome to Skyvault."

"I knew we would meet again."

"Hehe... yes..."

"It's been a long time, Your Majesty Xue Tianao..."

"I heard you've recently fought against the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church."

"And that you were injured?"

"How are your wounds now?"

"Do they still hurt?"

"If necessary, I can immediately summon the royal physicians for you."

Xue Tianao looked at Mengxi with a face full of concern.

Every word...

every syllable...

overflowed with apparent sincerity.

The countless young women watching nearby couldn't help directing jealous looks toward Mengxi.

In response to Xue Tianao's concern,

Mengxi answered with an equally elegant and beautiful smile.

Although she smiled outwardly,

inside,

she could only sneer.

Heh... what an act...

After becoming accustomed to the genuine warmth and heartfelt concern in Sister Yumo's words,

hearing Xue Tianao's fake, perfunctory expressions of worry now only made her feel nauseated.

Please... stop pretending already, would you?

That was what Mengxi truly wanted to say.

But for the sake of the bigger picture,

she naturally couldn't.

"There's no need for Your Majesty to worry. My injuries are nothing serious."

"Ah, that's wonderful. That's wonderful."

Xue Tianao appeared visibly relieved.

"Now that you've finally come to the Snow Night Empire, I can fulfill my earlier promise to show you the snowy scenery. Later, if you don't mind—"

However,

just as Xue Tianao was about to invite Mengxi to spend time with him,

Archbishop Nick suddenly spoke from atop the carriage nearby.

"Your Majesty Xue Tianao, Mengxi has traveled a long way and requires rest. Afterward, she must accompany me to report to His Holiness the Pope as soon as possible. I'm afraid she has no time to enjoy the snow with you for the moment. I hope you'll understand."

Did Nick know Xue Tianao had designs on Mengxi?

Of course he did.

If it weren't for those weapons, the Church would never have agreed so easily to let Mengxi come to Skyvault.

But now that she was here,

there was no way they could allow the two of them to be alone together so easily.

The Child of Destiny must remain within the Church.

We absolutely can't let Xue Tianao steal her away.

Seeing Nick intervene,

Xue Tianao said nothing further.

After all,

now that Mengxi had arrived in Skyvault,

he would have plenty of opportunities in the future.

There was no need to rush.

"Ah, my apologies. I wasn't thoughtful enough."

As he spoke,

Xue Tianao turned toward Mengxi and looked at her apologetically.

"Miss Mengxi, please get some proper rest."

"I'll see you tonight at the welcoming banquet in the guest residence."

Mengxi: ...