Chapter 4- Part 3

Reaching the bottom of the staircase Ashley laughed.

"What?" Andros turned with a curious look.

"I was just thinking on your twenty minute comment."

"Still on that, are you?"

"Well, I'm wondering if you can even do your hair in twenty minutes!"

"Minx." He muttered and shook his head. With an evil glance, he took her arm a bit more firmly and marched them both into the drawing room. With a grand voice that Ashley thought was quite regal he addressed the small group gathered.

"Hello everyone, I hope your journeys were safe and pleasant."

A female voice spoke up. "Safe yes, but pleasant? If the damn roads would have had signs I think our coachman could have found the castle in record time!"

Andros smiled. "Ah Tori, welcome my dear. You are as vibrant as ever."

"Oh stuff it."

If there were a few gasps and raised eyebrows at the pretty blonde who spoke up to the king, none of them were as great as her uncle's.

"Please forgive my niece, Andros. I fear she had a rough journey and is not feeling very well."

"Billy, I could never find any fault with your niece. She is the epitome of charming." Andros smiled wickedly at the young lady with flashing green eyes. "I shall have to provide her with a tour of my castle."

"I feel terribly sorry for her then." Ashley mused, not knowing she spoke out loud.

Tori looked up at her and laughed. "Oh yes Andros, you were right, t Ashley and I will get along splendidly." She stood up and walked over to where Ashley stood, blushing. "I am so glad to find another young lady who is not afraid to speak her mind to Andros."

Andros frowned down at her, but his eyes were smiling. Ashley wondered if he felt more than friendship towards the young woman. She wasn't sure why, but Ashley was afraid she would have to dislike Tori very much if he did.

"Tori, please, don't embarrass Ashley."

"Of course." She smiled. "I was simply excited to meet a female my age, or at least close." With a wink she whispered in Ashley's ear. "I'll be 22 next month."

Ashley gasped, and then looked at her sideways. "Fibber."

Tori laughed. "True! Well, since our friend is lax in introducing you to his guests allow me to do so." She walked over to where the rest of the guests were sitting. "This is Lord Brightly, a highly skilled doctor who tends to all of KO-35."

"How do you do? I have heard many things about you from Trini, but even her praise of your beauty was far underestimated." The man stood, smiling. Younger and more handsome than she expected, Ashley smiled and took his hand.

"It is a pleasure to meet one of Trini' colleagues."

"And this is Lord and Lady Oliver, from the western kingdom."

Ashley smiled at Lady Oliver. "Kim, it is true.  I heard that you and Tommy moved here."

Kim smiled, her brown eyes twinkling. "Yes, it is true, and we are very happy here."

"I heard that you grow award winning roses."

Tommy laughed, "I wouldn't say they are exactly award winning but they are great thanks to my wife."

"Then perhaps you might help me, for I have been trying to bring a rose garden back to life, and it is more difficult than I had planned."

"A rose garden?" A delicate eyebrow lifted. Kim shot a quick glance in Andros's direction, but turned back as Ashley spoke.

"Yes, there is one on the south side of the castle. It's been dormant for a while, but both Andros and I believe it might be salvaged."

"Oh do stop being polite Ashley; you know Andros told you it was impossible." The voice from the doorway caused Ashley to smile and everyone turned to see Zhane standing there.

"Perhaps slightly improbable." Ashley shrugged.

"Allow me to welcome all of you as well." He walked further into the room. "Ah Billy! It has been too long." Shaking hands with Billy he turned. "And Tori, you are even lovelier than I remember."

Ashley noticed with surprise that Tori's gaze dropped and she seemed almost shy as she answered him.

"You flatter too much."

"No more than you deserve." Was his swift reply, then he moved on to the next guest.

 Kim walked up to Ashley and started to talk. "About the roses..."

While talking, Ashley couldn't help but glance over at Tori. Could she perhaps have a crush on Zhane? Her whole demeanor had seemed to change when he entered the room. She resolved to ask Andros what he knew.