Dryden is the son of one of the oldest – and richest – noble merchant families of Asturia. His father, Meiden, is one of King Aston's most trusted advisors. Dryden is mentioned early on in the series when Hitomi first reaches Palas. It is at this point that King Aston reveals (perhaps merely to spite Allen) that he has arranged the betrothal of his daughter, Princess Millerna, to Dryden.