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

Inside Wind Facing City, in the northern borderlands of the Snow Night Empire.

A few days earlier,

with Welt-Sislov’s defeat and retreat, along with the timely intervention of the Black Rose Family, the crisis engulfing Wind Facing City had finally come to an end. Once the remaining forces of the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church had either been wiped out or fled the city, peace and tranquility finally returned to the great metropolis.

However,

after enduring that devastating battle, the vast city of Wind Facing City had been left riddled with scars. Nearly one-third of the city had been reduced to ruins, especially the central district where the Eighth-Tier powerhouses had clashed. Although those experts had fought primarily in the skies, the aftershocks of their battle still transformed the city below into a blazing inferno, reducing the entire area to complete devastation.

Tens of thousands had died during the conflict.

Hundreds of thousands had been injured.

Over a million people had been displaced.

Without question, the largest city on the northern frontier had suffered damage unlike anything in its history. The entire city was shrouded in an atmosphere of grief and oppression.

Fortunately,

even amidst such despair,

with the assistance of Sikta, commander of the Blizzard Knights, along with several other capable members of the Duke Family, reconstruction of the city and the resettlement of refugees were proceeding in an orderly fashion.

The only major problem was that both transportation and communications had suffered catastrophic damage. After all, the Heavenly Punishment Holy Church had deliberately sought to completely sever Wind Facing City’s ability to request reinforcements from the outside world.

Rebuilding roads and communication networks required enormous amounts of money, making the already impoverished city treasury even worse off.

However,

the reconstruction costs and compensation for the citizens’ losses—issues that should have given the Marquis’s family endless headaches—had surprisingly ceased to be a concern.

That was all thanks to the Black Rose Family’s generous financial support...

Of course,

there was no such thing as a free lunch.

As payment, all profits from mining the northern Ice Crystal Mine would belong entirely to the Black Rose Family for the next ten years.

Still, despite the significance of such an agreement, the Duke Family simply had no energy to concern themselves with it now.

The entire family was already overwhelmed by the disaster Benjamin had left behind. At the same time, the Marquis and his wife, the pillars of the family, were both severely wounded and unable to participate in managing affairs.

The atmosphere throughout the Marquis’s residence was even more oppressive than the city itself.

But...

that situation seemed to have improved somewhat this morning.

—

At this moment,

early in the morning, inside a relatively intact house on the edge of the Marquis’s estate near the city center, the emotional sobbing of a woman suddenly echoed through the room.

”Xia’er... Xia’er! Thank goodness you’re alright... You’re really alright... I was so worried... I thought they’d taken you away...”

Inside the room,

under the tearful gazes of numerous servants, the newly awakened Avnora tightly embraced the adorable pink-haired girl, tears streaming continuously down her cheeks.

Only after holding the girl for a long while and savoring her warmth did Avnora reluctantly loosen her embrace.

”By the way, Xia’er... are you hurt anywhere?”

Faced with Avnora’s concern, Miss Yumo—once again disguised as ”Xia’er”—could only shake her head helplessly.

Her emotions were incredibly complicated.

Yumo understood very well.

That gentle voice...

Those affectionate eyes...

That warm hand caressing her...

None of it belonged to her.

It all belonged to Xia’er.

But...

Sigh...

I’ll just keep playing along a little longer.

They’ve already suffered so much.

Telling them the truth right now would probably be too cruel...

”I’m fine, Grandma.”

Yumo smiled sweetly, perfectly portraying the innocence and cuteness of a little girl, while subtly mixing in concern for her family.

Upon hearing those words—especially that long-awaited ”Grandma”—Avnora was so overwhelmed with emotion that she couldn’t help hugging Yumo once again.

”Xia’er... you finally... finally called me Grandma...”

”...”

Yumo simply smiled softly, quietly leaning against Avnora’s embrace, enjoying this strange yet comforting affection from an elder.

In a sense, she truly cherished this feeling.

After all, she hadn’t experienced this kind of familial warmth once in the more than five hundred years since arriving in this world.

”Mhm. Don’t worry, Grandma. I’m really alright.”

”Xia’er...”

Just as the two were savoring this warm moment together, the doctor standing nearby spoke with a somewhat helpless smile.

”Miss Xia’er, Madam has only just awakened. She still needs to undergo several examinations. Could you give us a little space?”

”Mhm, I understand, Doctor Luolin.”

Yumo obediently nodded.

”Then, Grandma, I’ll be going now. Please get plenty of rest.”

”Mhm. Go ahead, Xia’er.”

Though reluctant, Avnora slowly released the little girl from her embrace.

She then quietly watched as the girl walked out of the room.

—

After leaving Avnora’s room, Miss Yumo leisurely wandered through the badly damaged garden.

Looking into the distance at the countless temporary tents and wooden shelters, along with the crowds tirelessly working among them, she couldn’t help sighing.

They’ve really had it rough...

They’ve been working day and night recently.

They probably haven’t gotten much rest at all.

Maybe...

I’ll have Xiaotong and the others prepare some care packages for everyone later.

Just as Yumo continued strolling while pondering various matters, a little black cat with two tails suddenly darted through the crowd like a bolt of lightning before rushing to her side.

Without another word, it affectionately rubbed itself against her little feet.

Making her raise an eyebrow.

”You little...”

Naturally,

this cat sticking out its tongue while shamelessly trying to look adorable and earn her favor was none other than Lei Jie, the Duke Family’s Guardian Beast possessing Eighth-Tier strength.

”So? You’ve recovered already?”

”Thanks to Lady Yumo’s blessing, this old one is no longer in mortal danger. I’m currently recovering slowly.”

After making sure no one else was nearby, Lei Jie lowered his voice.

”Then shouldn’t you be resting? Why did you suddenly come looking for me?”

”Well... actually...”

The black cat suddenly became rather hesitant.

”What is it? Just say it.”

”Lady Yumo... this old one fought so desperately to obey your orders and protect Miss Mengxi before... so I was wondering if...”

”You want a reward?”

”N-No! Absolutely not!”

Lei Jie frantically shook his head.

That only caused Miss Yumo to frown in confusion.

”Then... what do you want?”

”Well... actually... I was hoping... that my previous disrespect toward you could simply be forgotten... if that’s possible...”

”Hm? Attacking me? Didn’t I already say I didn’t mind?”

”Uh... n-not just you. I also hope... your children... Lady Liyu and the others... won’t come looking to settle the score...”

”Hm? Liyu and the others?”

Yumo raised an eyebrow oddly.

Those girls don’t even know about it yet.

But why...

Why is this cat even more afraid when talking about Liyu and the others than when it talks about attacking me?

Looking at the trembling little cat staring at her with hopeful eyes, Yumo couldn’t help finding the situation rather strange.

Liyu and the others are obviously such kind and well-behaved girls...

Why does he talk about them like they’re some terrifying monsters?

I don’t like that...

At that thought, Miss Yumo became slightly displeased.

Of course, she had no intention of arguing with Lei Jie.

Perhaps there had been some misunderstanding between him and her children in the past.

Besides, this cat had kept his promise.

She had asked him to protect Mengxi, and he truly had.

Even when Welt-Sislov had nearly killed him in the end, he had still continued protecting Mengxi.

He had honored his promise.

In that regard,

this cat had conducted himself far better than many humans.

”Alright then. They won’t come after you.”

”Really?! Thank you so much, Lady Yumo!!”

After receiving Yumo’s promise, Lei Jie immediately let out several excited meows, even hopping around happily on the spot.

”Then, Lady Yumo, I’ll head back to continue protecting Miss Mengxi!”

”Oh, right. There’s no need to keep protecting her.”

”Hm?”

The little cat tilted its head in confusion.

”Lady Yumo... have you changed your mind?”

”Mhm. Something like that. I’ll personally protect Mengxi for the time being. As for you, just return to your original duty.”

”My original duty?”

”Mhm. Protect this family.”

As she spoke, Miss Yumo looked toward the room where Avnora was resting, her expression carrying mixed emotions.

”I understand. This old one will protect them with everything I have.”

Lei Jie respectfully lowered his feline head.

Then,

as though remembering something, he slowly turned toward another large tent nearby.

”Oh, Lady Yumo. The Marquis came out of that tent a little while ago.”

”Mm... I know.”

—

Several minutes later,

under the respectful gazes of two members of the Blizzard Knights, Yumo slowly stepped into the Duke Family cemetery, where Xiumu-Duke was currently staying.

The moment she entered,

she spotted the elderly Marquis leaning silently against the trunk of a giant tree, staring thoughtfully across the cemetery.

The Marquis looked even more haggard than before.

His eyes were dull.

His face was pale.

Nothing remained of the energetic man she had first met.

Sensing Yumo’s arrival, Xiumu-Duke slowly turned his weary gaze toward her.

”Xia’er... you’ve come.”

”Yes, Grandpa. What’s wrong? You seem completely drained.”

”Xia’er... I think... I’ve done something unbelievably foolish...”

Yumo: ...

”I... actually attacked Yuan’er...”

Yumo: ...What??