Jasmine stepped down from the carriage, her numb legs touching the solid ground; the smell of earth and grass filled her nose, making her finally feel a sense of reality about this strange world. She did not resent the Holy Knights for coldly abandoning her; on the contrary, she felt a sense of relief. After all, without those prying acquaintances from the Capital, no one would know that Jasmine's soul had been replaced; she could freely be herself.
Jasmine still remembered that on the way, they passed through a bustling small town where a poor woman was considered a witch by the fanatical crowd just for talking to a black cat. The woman was tied to a stake in the middle of the square and burned alive amidst the cheers of the people. Hearing those heart-wrenching screams, Jasmine had constant nightmares and tossed and turned for several days. If her cruel nominal half-brother in the Capital knew that Jasmine had been replaced, he would likely immediately use that as an excuse to arrange a no less magnificent burning for Jasmine.
That was the first time Jasmine directly faced the cruelty and superstition of this world. So even though the marriage was no different from exile and the partner was a Dragon Egg with unknown chances of hatching, Jasmine was still very grateful for the opportunity the old King had arranged for her. At least here, no one knew her past, and as a Lord, she had the highest control over this territory. As long as she did not seek her own death, she could live very well in this world.
Jasmine took a deep breath; the humid air filled her chest, causing her motion sickness symptoms to ease slightly. Then she frowned, beginning to wonder. Her driver had already run off with the Holy Knights; although the silhouette of the castle was visible to Jasmine, there was still a significant distance, and the road ahead was muddy and full of gravel. How was she to control the carriage to get there?
But she did not have to wonder for too long.
From afar, a silver-haired old man riding an old horse so thin that every rib could be clearly counted came trembling toward her. The sound of hooves striking the ground was sporadic and lifeless, just like its owner. Arriving before her, without waiting for Jasmine to speak, the old man clumsily dismounted. His limbs were stiff, making Jasmine worry whether the old man would fall straight from the horse's back to the ground. The old horse beside him also snorted, bowing its head to graze on the withered grass beneath its feet.
The old man wore a tailcoat that had been washed until the color faded; the cuffs even had several frayed spots, revealing loose threads. He smoothed back the messy bangs on his forehead. Although he had used water to fix his hairstyle before leaving, the wind had long since dried it during the journey. Now the old man's hair stood on end, disheveled, making him look somewhat downcast—more like a fallen noble from the previous century than a dignified butler.
The old man seemed not to notice his disheveled state; after standing firmly and smoothing his lapels, he still respectfully bowed to Jasmine: "Greetings, Lord Winchester. Welcome to the Black Dragon Territory. I am your butler, William."
Jasmine's name in this world was originally Jasmine Winchester, but not long after the old King breathed his last, her nominal half-brother had revoked her surname. According to what her half-brother said, an illegitimate child was not worthy of the noble Winchester surname, and her existence was a stain on the family. At that time, Jasmine had already left the Capital and was sitting in the jolting carriage. Seeing the special knight who chased after her to deliver the King's decree with a cold face, Jasmine was also speechless. It seemed her half-brother truly hated her, to the point where he could not wait for her to be further away before rushing to cut ties.
But it was fine; Jasmine decisively used her old name again. However, the King's decree had clearly not been sent to this remote Black Dragon Territory; the old butler did not know about this, so William still called her Winchester.
"William." Seeing someone come to receive her, Jasmine was still very happy; at least she did not need to lead the carriage on foot to the castle. "Do you know how to drive a carriage?"
The old butler was dazed; his gaze swept over his old horse and then toward Jasmine's carriage, but William quickly reacted, bowing slightly to Jasmine: "It is my honor to serve you, respected Lord Winchester."
If it could be said that before arriving at the Black Dragon Territory, Jasmine was full of expectations and beautiful illusions about this place—hoping for a peaceful rural life—then standing before the Black Dragon Castle, Jasmine felt she had been painfully deceived.
Before the marriage, the old King, with a meaningful smile, told her she could take over all the massive assets of the Ghost Dragon, but who could tell her that the Ghost Dragon's assets were located inside a towering mountain that could rival Mount Everest, the peak of which was covered in clouds all year round, separated by a gloomy Dry Forest that no one dared to enter. It was said that some reckless adventurers had searched for several hundred years and still could not find the entrance to the Ghost Dragon's lair, eventually perishing or disappearing mysteriously.
She could also take over the Ghost Dragon's subjects. It sounded very grand, but besides the aging butler, the entire territory only had three hundred slaves who were so hungry they were just skin and bones. The clothes on their bodies were only tattered, patched rags, and their eyes were sunken and soulless.