Born: 2988
Affiliation: Free Capellan Compact
Profession: Duchess of St.Ives, Mechwarrior
Parents: Maximilian Liao, Jasmine Liao
Sibling: Romano Liao, Tormano Liao
Children: Kai Allard-Liao, Cassandra Allard-Liao, Kuan-Yin Allard-Liao, Quintus Allard-Liao
After the surrender of the Capellan Confederation at the end of the 4th Succession War, Candace Liao was officially the leader of the St.Ives Compact, which had negotiated independence from House Davion outside of the terms of the Capellan capitulation. During the Andurien War of Independence, her brother Tormano who was put in charge of the Capellan puppet-state but went against the will of Hanse Davion and was deposed. Candace being given control over the new Free Capellan Compact, which was less of a puppet state than before but in no shape to oppose the full power of the Federated Commonwealth. With her husband being the head of the Davion Intelligence, Candace is generally regarded as nothing more than a figurehead, but her work in turning what remains of the Confederation into a freer, more humane state is well-regarded by most.
Candace Liao was opposed to the Wolf Dragoons from the very start and distrusted them even before the Mercenary War and Clan Invasion. Being far from the front, the Free Capellan Compact was happy to provide military assistance to the new Star League. The factories of St.Ives, Sian and Capella churned out war machines for the now ever hungry SLDF, which led Candace to increase the fortune of her realm significantly.
She is very wary of the machinations of Hanse Davion, and now of his widow Melissa Steiner. Her daughter Cassandra, who was engaged to Victor Steiner-Davion at first, is now engaged to Peter Steiner-Davion. She sees this as positive for her nation, securing their position. Discussions have been opened as well to have her son Kai marry Theodore Kurita’s daughter, Omi, as well.