Chapter 4: No Good Deed
Two weeks later, Ashley was walking back from her art room when she saw Andros's belongings being moved from the bedroom. "What's going on?" she asked. Andros looked up from a datapad in his hand.
"I had a room made up for myself, it's a custom on KO-35," he replied.
"How is this custom?" she asked.
"Our rooms will be connected by an adjoining door," he replied.
"Is that really necessary?" she asked.
Andros was silent for a minute, looking at her. "Did you want me to stay in the same room?" he asked. Immediately she was quiet again, looking at the floor. Andros nodded silently looking towards the servants as they continued with their task. "I also would like to inform you that Senator Gowan has invited us to a gala on Fenix," he explained, "Do you wish to go?"
Ashley swallowed, it would be her first public appearance as not just a wife but the future Queen. "You're not forced to go if that's your wish," he added.
"It wouldn't look right if I denied the invitation," she answered, still not raising her eyes from the floor.
Andros reached out and gently rested his thumb and index finger under her chin, tilting her head up. "I can handle the politicians and the people wondering where you are if you truly don't want to go," he told her.
"I will go," she answered.
"Is this what you want?" he asked.
Ashley nodded her head slowly and Andros released her chin. "Then I will have your handmaidens help you prepare for tonight," he replied. Ashley stared back at the floor as he walked by her.
That night, Ashley was sitting silently on the transporter ship taking them to Fenix. She had on a red gown that had one shoulder to it, the bodice had flowered beads sequenced, the skirt was flowing, there was a gold belt around her waist with the Karova System crest in the middle, and she had on a pair of gold strapped heels underneath her dress. Her hair was straight and around her shoulders, but she had two braids around the sides of her head, and on her head was a simple crystal tiara.
Andros sat beside her going over his work silently wearing black boots with a dress uniform with the pins on his lapel showing he was a General and royalty. His long hair was pulled back in a ponytail and he had a gold circlet around his head. "Zhane, what is this proposal?" he asked the man next to him, bringing Ashley out of her thoughts.
Next to Andros was a man that Ashley had only seen a few times and normally when she saw him he was around Andros. He had platinum blond hair with white peppered through his hair, brown eyes, he was wearing an identical dress uniform but on the lapel of his jacket was a pin for Commander and a Governor. The man took the datapad from his friend. "Who sent you this?" he asked, turning the datapad around as if to find a name on the other side.
"That's from Enar on Gratha," Andros replied.
"This is a joke right?" Zhane asked.
Andros was silent as Zhane read over the data on the card. "He's trying to negotiate our energy resources?" Zhane asked.
"I guess, that's what it looks like," Andros replied.
"We have already sent them more than their share of the resources," Zhane pointed out
"Exactly," Andros replied.
"I would just answer saying his planet has more than enough energy resources to sustain his people for the next millennia," Zhane told him.
Zhane read over more of the information. "Did you read this? He wants more access to the mines on Serac," he added.
"I already told him 'no' about those," Andros replied.
"Well keep denying him because he keeps asking," Zhane told him.
They looked up as one of their men walked over to them. "My Prince, we are arriving on Fenix," he informed him.
"Thank you," Andros replied.
Andros put the datapad away as the man walked away. "I can bet you that he's going to be there tonight," Andros added.
"Most likely, when does Enar ever miss a party?" Zhane replied
Ashley looked beside her to see Karone putting away her own book. Her blond hair was neatly curled with a single purple flower clipped into her hair. Her dress was off the shoulder and dark purple with a black belt with the Karova system crest. She had a thin black jeweled circlet around her head instead of the usual tiara. Karone looked up and smiled at Ashley. "Well, we're almost there," she commented.
"Your parents don't come to these functions?" Ashley asked.
"No, daddy isn't too fond of traveling anymore so he has Andros come and do all of the pleasantries with our allies these days," Karone replied.
Karone looked over at her brother and the two siblings smiled at each other. "It also gets him ready to be King one day," she added.
They landed, Zhane stood up first, fixing his jacket. "It's showtime," he quipped, making Andros chuckle lightly and shake his head.
"What exactly does Zhane do?" Ashley asked.
"Zhane is the Governor's son, he's getting ready to take over so his job is to do the royal introductions," Karone explained.
Zhane and Karone shared a smile before he walked down the ramp first. Andros stood up, holding his hand out to Ashley. Ashley slid her hand into his, standing up. "You look beautiful," he told her honestly. Ashley just put on her best acting smile for him. It was a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Thank you," she replied.
Andros walked over, helping his sister up as they walked down the ramp.
Zhane looked over at the ramp and smiled. "Ambassador Hawthorne, Senator Gowan, I would like to present Andros, the Crown Prince and Heir of the Karova System, his new bride, Ashley, Crown princess and the future Queen, and Karone, the Princess," Zhane stated happily. Hawthorne smiled as he stepped in front of them.
The Ambassador had jet-black hair with yellow, snakelike eyes, his skin reminded Ashley of a snake with the barely visible scales. He had on gray boots, gray pants, a white shirt, a gray vest, and a gray jacket. Around his neck was a pendant, it was long and gold, it almost looked like a pendulum. "My Prince, welcome back," Hawthorne greeted. He pressed a clawed hand to his chest and bowed deeply to Andros.
"It is an honor to be back, Ambassador," Andros replied, taking a closed fist he pressed it against his chest and bowed deeply back to Hawthorne.
The Ambassador smiled with his sharp-toothed smile, he stood in front of Karone next. "My Princess, it is always a pleasure to be the presence of such beauty," he added, taking Karone's hands in his claws. Ashley watched as he pressed his forehead to Karone's hands as she curtsied at the same time.
"Ambassador, you always have a way with your words," Karone answered, smiling.
Hawthorne chuckled lightly before he took his place in front of Ashley. "I have to say, when I had received the news my daughters were all quite heartbroken to hear that someone has caught the future King's heart," he commented, smiling at Ashley.
"Fate has a way of playing games," she answered.
"That it does, welcome, my Princess," he agreed.
He took her hands in his, resting his forehead against her knuckles as Ashley curtsied at the same time. Hawthorne froze for a second, and Ashley saw his smile falter. The smile returned as he stepped back. "Come, let us enjoy this beautiful night," he insisted. Ashley slid her arm through Andros's as servants escorted them towards the gala.
Andros caught Hawthorne's eye, his friend showed concern. They entered the gala, the entire room was in gold and crystals with paintings done right on the walls and ceilings. The floors were a gray marble. Guests danced, laughed, ate, and drank. The room was filled with so much energy.
Hawthorne watched as Karone and Ashley were off to the side talking before he approached Andros. "My friend, could I have a word?" he asked.
"Of course," Andros replied.
Andros turned toward his sister and his wife. "I'll be a minute," he informed them.
"Take your time, we'll be okay," Karone replied, "We have Zhane."
Andros smirked before following Hawthorne through the crowd.
They entered a conference room and Hawthorne let out a deep breath. "Well, if I that girl doesn't have the saddest soul I had ever felt then I don't know who would," he told Andros. Andros was silent as he pressed his knuckles to the mahogany table. "What happened?" he asked.
"I made a choice to save her from the monster who gave birth to her," Andros replied.
"Was there any other option?" Hawthorne asked.
"War, they give her to someone else who would treat her like a common whore," Andros replied.
Hawthorne let out a deep breath. "Honorable," he answered, "But what price do you pay for that kind of honor?"
"I hope she and I can work it out, we might never be in love, but I hope that there will be a time that she will care for me," Andros stated simply.
Hawthorne sighed, shaking his head slowly. "What you did is something a King would do, but I am worried about what this could do to you," he answered.
"I hope to at least make it so she can stand being in the same room with me," he answered.
"Andros, I have known you since you were born. I knew your mother when she was a little girl, you and her are alike in so many ways," Hawthorne stated.
The Ambassador let out a deep breath. "You both would throw away happiness for the sake of others," he added.
"I made a choice," Andros replied.
"To save another person, you are a hero Andros for making that choice, but I'm afraid of what that choice will do to you in the long run," he insisted.
Hawthorne walked up to Andros. "Do not let this tear your own bright soul apart," he added. The Ambassador shook his head slowly. "After all as the saying goes 'No good deed goes unpunished'," he stated. With that, they returned to the party.
Andros walked back up to Ashley, Karone, and Zhane. "Having fun?" he asked as he rested his hands on Ashley's shoulders. He felt every single muscle in her back tighten up and the grip on her cup turned her knuckles white. Clearing his throat, Andros removed his hands from her shoulders and she relaxed again.
"We're having a great time," Karone replied.
"In fact, shall we dance?" Zhane asked.
"Let's," Karone replied.
Andros and Ashley watched as they went out onto the dance floor as a slow song began to play. "I need some air," Ashley murmured, walking by him and heading outside. Andros let out a deep breath, clearing his throat again. He would follow her, but he knew she didn't want his company. So, he just stood there, watching his sister and best friend dance and smile at each other.
They returned home that night, Ashley entered her room, pulling off the tiara and placing it on the pillow on her vanity. She got out of her dress and shoes, slipping into her pajamas. Crawling into her bed, she closed her eyes feeling disgusted with herself. All he did was put his hands on her shoulders and she acted as though he was about to throw her down and take her in front of everyone. Then she just left him there in the middle of the gala hiding outside. She let out a shaky breath as the tears fell down her face again and she ended up crying herself to sleep again.