Liquorice Ryland, daughter of Baron Ryland of Rye Valley, that's what the people of this land knew about her.
However, in the mansion of Baron Ryland, she was called the bastard.
Her mother was…
"Alright, come in," Fletcher's voice, followed by the sound of the door opening, pulled her out of her wandering thoughts about her childhood.
Liquorice looked at the door. A woman walked in. She wore a standard maid's uniform, but from the first glance, Liquorice was almost certain she wasn't a maid.
Her brown eyes were always forward. Her gaze was as sharp and cold as the ground during extreme frost.
Maids never had such confidence; they always lowered their heads when serving their masters.
She walked without making a single sound, her steps firm and agile, approaching them.
She stopped five steps away from them, glanced arrogantly at Liquorice, then bowed to Fletcher, "I am always ready to serve you, milord."
Lord?
Liquorice's pupils dilated upon hearing it.
In this world, only those with official titles were called lords, and Fletcher was not one of them. Her father, Baron Josh Ryland, hadn't even granted him the inheritance yet.
Liquorice stealthily glanced at her brother, a bold thought arising in her mind.
Fletcher wanted to take the baron title from their father rather than wait.
Or Fletcher's ambition was even greater… like the Duke of the Santjord Empire… and maybe even…
"My dear Lili, this is Mary. From today onwards, she will be your personal maid," Fletcher pulled her out of her speculations.
He took her hand, placing a kiss on it, "I don't feel comfortable with you going to Jadeherb alone. The Barlows are bloodthirsty beasts; they would tear you apart. She will protect you."
"The best protection for me is to get away from you, you asshole Fletcher," a tiny Liquorice screamed in her mind, but outwardly she remained Fletcher's obedient little sister. "I'm very grateful for your concern for me."
"I will protect you well, Lady Liquorice," Mary respectfully said to her.
Liquorice looked at Mary, forcing a weak smile on her lips. Mary saw it and responded with a mocking, disdainful look. Her smile froze.
Mary had no respect for her, but she was used to it. No one in this mansion respected her. She could have a materially full life because she was under Fletcher's wing; in return, she became a pawn in his political game.
She would rather live a poor but free life.
Fletcher said sadly, "Jadeherb is hell; I don't want you to go there. I've told Father my thoughts, but he's too cowardly in the face of Duke Truman's power. I couldn't keep you because I have no power. And even if I inherit his title, it will still be difficult. Over the years, Duke Truman has gradually stripped the Ryland house of its power, and Father has done nothing about it."
His voice grew more urgent and agitated with each word. Liquorice clearly saw the anger in Fletcher's eyes, but it disappeared as he calmed down.
He looked at her affectionately, "I want to protect you and our peaceful life, and you want it too, but only if I have real power. Lili, help me become Baron Truman and more, and you will be safe."
"I never said I wanted you to protect me or our stupid, peaceful life. Only lies and manipulation come out of your mouth, asshole," tiny Liquorice spoke for herself what Liquorice couldn't speak publicly.
She would be killed instantly if Fletcher heard that.
"Please tell me what I need to do," Liquorice begged urgently, and Fletcher smiled in satisfaction.
"Go into Jadeherb and bring me valuable information to awaken the mystical dragons," Fletcher said.
Dragons?
They were mythical creatures that disappeared after the King of Dragons, the only one who unified the seven empires, died.
Could it be that Fletcher had found the dragons, Liquorice speculated, but that was impossible, no one could hide the presence of dragons. If dragons really appeared, a war would break out right now instead of a wedding.
Fletcher saw the curiosity on Liquorice's face even though she hid it very well, but he had no intention of satisfying it.
Someone knocked on the door. Mary stepped aside, bowed, and acted like a real maid. Fletcher seated her on the sofa, then went to open the door.
The Duke of the Santjord Empire, Klay Truman, was standing right behind the wooden door. When he saw Fletcher, Klay's old face lit up.
"Good morning, Duke Truman," Fletcher bowed, performing the proper etiquette for a duke.
As the duke of one of the seven empires, Klay Truman never held back his smile.
"I didn't know you were with your sister," Klay responded with a smile and said.
"Liquorice has always wanted to receive your blessing before walking down the aisle," contrary to his earlier ambitious words, Fletcher was extremely respectful to his duke.
As Klay walked in, Liquorice stood up from the sofa. With Mary's help, she performed the greeting ritual to Duke Truman despite the cumbersome wedding dress.
A year ago, Klay Truman had become her godfather. After the ceremony, he had requested she stay at his mansion. He told everyone he wanted to take care of her and enjoy the pleasure of having a daughter.
Klay Truman didn't have a daughter in his life, and he was always envious of fathers with daughters, so no one doubted what he said.
Only Liquorice knew what really happened to her in the past year. Duke Truman had trained her as a spy.
Klay assigned her a mission, to use this marriage and destroy the Barlow family.
"Are you ready, my goddaughter?" Klay lovingly stroked her hair.
"Yes, father," she said.
"Alright, leave us, I need space to give Liquorice my blessing," Klay waved his hand.
Fletcher frowned, he looked at Mary, but Truman's assistant had asked everyone to leave the room, including himself.
Only when the room was left with the two of them did Truman said, "Go into Jadeherb and destroy it from within, do you remember what I told you when you came to my mansion last week?"
"I remember, father," Liquorice replied.
Klay was pleased with her submissive attitude, he handed her a jewellery box.
Liquorice received it with both hands and opened it, inside was a necklace with no-the-Truman-crest emerald pendant.
"I requested it from my witch. Every month, on the full moon night, the emerald will absorb the moonlight and connect with my magic orb," Klay said.
"Yes, I will report to you the situation of Jadeherb and the progress of the plan."
Immediately after that, Klay Truman approached her even closer. When their faces were only a few inches apart, he stopped, stroked her beautiful face, then suddenly squeezed her mouth, "There is one thing you must know. After entering Jadeherb and meeting Vance, find a way to fuck him. Do not hesitate, spread your legs and serve his cock. Only when men fall into the pleasure of sex do weak women like you have a chance. Remember?"
Klay Truman's rough and sudden action scared Liquorice, her pupils dilated, she nodded with difficulty.
Klay removed his hand from her face and sat down on the only sofa in the room.
"Lady Liquorice, I know it is hard for you to sacrifice your marriage, but you are fighting for the Santjord Empire, you are a hero. Rye Valley has always been the most important land of the Empire, and those born in this land are not ordinary, especially when that person is the only daughter of Baron Ryland. So I trust you," Klay's eyes were always fixed on her, like a fox calculating its careful steps to catch its prey because it was too old to be reckless.