Alys POV:

The next time I "woke up," I was on a reasonably soft bed.

The room was sparsely furnished, with even a few patches of mold in the corners. This was the chamber of mine. It was a world away from the memories I had of Henrietta's luxurious bedroom, with its dragon-fire patterned curtains and velvet carpets.

A white-bearded doctor was examining me. His touch was gentle, but his brow was furrowed in a deep frown. I recognized him as the Hays family's physician, a Dragonless man who didn't dare offend his masters.

My second brother, Sir Edmon Hays, stood by the bed. He was dressed in a well-tailored riding suit, bearing the subtle twin-headed dragon crest of House Hays. His face wore a mask of perfectly measured concern.

"Alys, how are you feeling?" he asked, his voice gentle but distant. "Clement was too impulsive. I've already reprimanded him."

I didn't answer, just watched him silently. A repressed memory surfaces in my mind with unusual clarity at this moment: when Clement was beating me, it was Edmon who burst in and caught hold of Clement's raised leg. "Enough, Clement! Do you want to kill her?" he had roared. He had stopped Clement, not for my sake, but because "Father's order was for her to be married, not for her to be dead."

Henrietta was also at my bedside, having changed into a simple white dress. Her eyes were red, as if she hadn't slept all night.

Seeing me awake, she immediately grasped my hand, tears streaming down her face. "Sister, you're finally awake! You scared me to death! It's all my fault. If it weren't for me... you wouldn't have..."

Her hand was warm, but a chill ran down my spine. I didn't pull my hand away, needing to conserve my strength, but I offered no response.

The doctor finished his examination and turned to Edmon, reporting in a low voice, "Sir Edmon, the young lady's injuries... are severe. Broken ribs, and her internal organs have suffered a shock. She needs complete rest, and absolutely no more... agitation."

Edmon nodded and waved the doctor away. The man left as if granted a pardon, quickly grabbing his medical bag.

The room was now occupied by just the three of us siblings. Edmon's gaze fell on me, scrutinizing. "Alys, you said earlier... you had conditions to discuss?"

I finally spoke, my voice still hoarse. "Yes. I'll wait until Father and Mother are here."

My calm, direct tone surprised Edmon. He was used to my silence or tears, not this business-like manner.

Henrietta interjected, "Sister, whatever conditions you have, just tell our brothers. Don't make Father and Mother angry again. They've been worried sick about your marriage."

I turned my head to look at her, enunciating each word. "My marriage? Henrietta, are you sure this is my marriage?"

My question was like a slap, and the color drained from Henrietta's face. She never expected me to be so blunt.

She immediately let go of my hand, taking a step back as more tears flowed. She turned to Edmon for help. "Brother Edmon, look at her... she's still blaming me."

Edmon's brow furrowed. He turned to me. "Alys, don't be like this with your sister. She feels terrible. This was a family decision, for the future of House Hays."

"The family's future is built on sacrificing the future of a 'Dragonless' daughter?" I asked softly, my tone devoid of anger, merely stating a cold fact.

The term "Dragonless" was a brand of sacrifice in this world, a stark reminder of its cruel hierarchy.

Edmon was at a loss for words. He opened his mouth, but all he could manage was a stiff, "This was a joint decision by the Elder Council. This alliance will solidify our position in the capital."

I stopped looking at them and closed my eyes. Arguing with them was pointless. Their deep-seated selfishness and prejudice couldn't be changed with a few words.

My silence, to them, was probably another sign of submission. Edmon's tone softened slightly. "Get some rest. Father and Mother will see you when you're a little better."

He left, taking the still-sobbing Henrietta with him.

After their footsteps faded, I opened my eyes, my gaze clear.

I needed to recover quickly. I tried to channel the energy within my body but felt only a dead stillness. This was the body of a "Dragonless," unable to resonate with the draconic energy that flowed through this world.

But that didn't mean I was helpless. An unprecedented clarity of understanding washes over me, and I suddenly realize how best to save myself.

I asked the maid, Maeve, who stood outside my door, to bring some clean water and cloths. Maeve was one of the few people in this house who had never mistreated the original Alys. Her eyes always held a hint of sympathy.

Maeve quickly brought the items. Seeing my pale face and the cuts on my lips, her eyes reddened, but she didn't dare ask questions, just kept her head down.

I dampened a cloth and carefully cleaned my wounds, my mind rapidly reviewing my plan.

First, survive and regain my strength. Second, get what I deserve. Third, leave this disgusting home for good.

As for revenge... that could wait. The best revenge against this family was to let them watch as the "useless" daughter they despised lived a better life than all of them combined.

A set of footsteps approached the door, these ones heavy and authoritative. I knew the main players in this negotiation were about to make their entrance.

Alys POV:

The door swung open, and my father, Lord Beaumont Hays, and my mother, Lady Annelise Hays, walked in. Clement and Henrietta trailed behind them.

My father wore a dark green velvet coat, his slight paunch straining the fabric. Several large, gaudy rings adorned his fingers. He looked more like a prosperous merchant than an honorable dragon-kin noble.

My mother, Annelise, wore an expression of pure fury and disgust. The exquisite Dragon-fire pattern embroidered on her skirt seemed to frost over with her icy glare. She looked at me not as a daughter, but as a piece of trash that had stained her reputation.

Henrietta immediately ran to our mother's arms, sobbing, "Mother, sister... she won't forgive me."

Annelise hugged her younger daughter tightly, then shot me a venomous look. "Alys! How long are you going to keep this up! Look how you've scared Henrietta! You heartless, ungrateful wretch!"

I ignored her curses, my gaze calmly settling on my father, the master of this house—Lord Beaumont.

Lord Beaumont cleared his throat, speaking in the unquestionable tone of a patriarch. "Alys, I heard from Clement that you've agreed to the marriage. Good. That's how a daughter of House Hays should behave. If you had done so earlier, you wouldn't have had to suffer this pain."

I looked at him and suddenly smiled. The movement pulled at the wound in my chest, making me dizzy with pain, but I smiled nonetheless.

"Father," I said softly, "I agree to marry him, but not 'unconditionally'."

Lord Beaumont's face darkened. "You want to negotiate? Alys, don't push your luck. Marrying Lord Kensington is the greatest fortune for a Dragonless like you!"

I ignored his anger and continued, "First, as a daughter of House Hays, my marriage requires a dowry befitting my station."

My words stunned everyone into silence. Annelise looked as if she'd heard the world's greatest joke. "A dowry? A substitute being sent away by the family, and you want a dowry?"

Clement cursed out loud. "Are you insane? The family is being generous by not tying you up and shipping you over directly!"

I turned to him, my eyes like ice. "Brother Clement, watch your tone. I am about to become Lady Kensington. Do you wish to provoke a dispute between our two houses by speaking to me this way?"

I deliberately emphasized the title "Lady Kensington." Clement's face turned a shade of purple. He wanted to argue but was rendered speechless.

I turned my gaze back to Lord Beaumont. "Father, I represent the face of House Hays. If I arrive with nothing, what will people say? That you are cruel and heartless, unwilling to provide a decent dowry for your own daughter? That, I'm afraid, would bring more shame upon the family than a 'Dragonless' daughter ever could."

Lord Beaumont's eyes flickered. He was a man obsessed with appearances, and I had struck his weak point.

Henrietta grew anxious, tugging on Annelise's sleeve. "Mother, how can sister do this? She's blackmailing the family!"

I cut her off coldly. "Be quiet, Henrietta. This is not your place to speak. Or would you rather take my place and marry that 'cursed' lord?"

Henrietta's face went white. She immediately hid behind our mother, not daring to utter another word.

For the first time, my entire family was silenced by me. A sick sense of pleasure rose within me. This was the feeling of being in control.

Lord Beaumont pondered for a long time before finally speaking. "Fine. You can have a dowry. But it must be within a reasonable limit."

I sneered internally. He had agreed. But I wasn't finished.

"There is a second condition," I said calmly, dropping another bomb.

"What more do you want?" Annelise shrieked.

I enunciated each word. "I want to sever all ties with House Hays."

The statement was a hundred times more powerful than the request for a dowry. The room fell into a dead silence.

They all looked at me as if I were a madwoman. For a noblewoman, severing ties with her family was tantamount to social suicide.

Clement was the first to react, his anger reaching its peak. "You... you traitor! The family raised you, and you want to betray us!"

He roared, charging at me like an uncontrolled beast. Ignoring everyone's shocked cries, he threw a heavy punch into my abdomen.

A sharp, agonizing pain shot through my entire body. I could clearly hear the crack of a rib breaking. A mouthful of blood erupted from my lips.

But I didn't scream.

I just stared at Clement, my will clearer and more resolute than ever amidst the extreme pain.

Good. I'll add this to your tab.