Chapter 2: Trying to Change

Ashley was walking down the hall towards Andros's office when she ran into her husband's secretary. "Tayla, is everything okay?" She asked.

"Yes, it's just that Emperor Andros is a little busy today, empress," Tayla replied.

Ashley rubbed her forehead. "How busy?" She asked. Tayla saw the look on her face and nodded her head slowly.

"Not busy enough to keep you out, milady," she replied.

Tayla walked back to her desk and opened the intercom. "Emperor Andros," she called.

"What is it, Tayla?" Andros asked.

"Empress Adora is here to see you," Tayla replied.

"Send her in."

Ashley went in and saw the frustrated look on his face. "Hey," he greeted.

"Hey, is everything okay?" She asked.

Andros rubbed his forehead and shook his head slowly. "Not really," he replied. Ashley walked over and placed her hands on his shoulders.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"I'm still having a hard time convincing the rest of the council to agree to having the marriage age changed. If I don't change the age soon, our son will be married at fifteen like we were."

Ashley rubbed his shoulders and pressed her forehead against the back of his head. "We're one of the very lucky ones out of this custom," she commented. He nodded his head slowly.

"Yeah, I know, but fifteen is way too young. You and I had our lives planned out by fifteen, but the rest of these kids, they don't know what they want yet at fifteen," he pointed out.

She let out a sigh and continued to rub his shoulders to try to rub the tension out. Andros placed his hand over hers and kissed the top of her hand. "I don't want our son to have to be as confused as some of these other children," he answered. Ashley wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his neck. Andros tilted his head back with a smile.

"Haven't seen you at home for a long time," she murmured.

"Sorry, I've been so busy trying to convince the council to change the marriage age custom that I haven't had time to come home."

Ashley let out a sigh. "Is everything okay though, Ash?" He asked. He turned in his chair to look at her. Ashley forced a smile.

"Yeah, everything's just fine," she replied.

She held his hand with a smile. Andros kissed the top of her hand. "Remember we have that banquet to go to tonight," he reminded. Ashley let out another sigh.

"That's right, I almost forgot," she answered.

She sat in her husband's lap and stroked his face. "I'll be home tonight so be ready for the banquet," he instructed. Ashley nodded and kissed him. She got up and left the office.

That night, Ashley spun around once in front of the mirror looking at what she was wearing to the banquet tonight. She hated going to these things, especially the way they kept treating her like she was a piece of glass that could shatter at any moment. "Ashley?" Andros called.

"Coming," she answered.

Ashley sat on the bed and started to put the buckle on her high heels. Ever since she and Andros came to KO-35, Andros had allowed Ashley's fashion designs go through KO-35. And everyone's loved her fashion designs and became a hit.

She stood up and looked at the mirror. Her hair was tied up in a bun with small flowers surrounding the bottom. Her dress had the half bare back look, the dress had no straps, but it fastened around the neck. It had floral print, showed off all her curves, and the dress was gold. She was wearing the gold chandelier earrings that Andros gave her for her birthday and she was still wearing the necklace Andros gave her.

Ashley bit her lip as she looked at herself in the mirror. She grabbed her handbag and went downstairs.

Andros was wearing black boots, black pants, a white button-down shirt, a red tie, a black jacket, and his hair was tied back in a half-ponytail and the ponytail part braided.

He looked up when Ashley came down the stairs and his eyes widened in disbelief. "Wow! You're beautiful," he whispered. Ashley smiled and came to the bottom step. "Karone meeting us there?" She asked.

"Yeah, she, Zhane, and Drisana are meeting us there," he replied.

Ashley nodded and looked over at the nanny that Andros had hired to help Ashley out. Even though Ashley didn't want to have a nanny in the house, but it was for the best. "Thank you for watching our son," Ashley stated.

"Of course," the nanny answered.

Ashley walked over to Alastair and kissed his forehead. "Mommy will be home soon," she murmured. She kissed his forehead again before leaving with Andros.

(Banquet)

Ashley was looking around, watching as she was treated once again like a piece of glass that one would shatter at anytime. "Empress Adora," a voice called. Ashley looked over to see Karone standing there.

"Very funny," Ashley murmured.

Karone stood next to her sister-in-law/best friend as they watched everyone. "I really hate these things," Ashley commented.

"You and me both. Did you know that I keep getting setup with some guy since I wasn't able to marry at fifteen?" Karone asked.

"Seriously?" Ashley asked.

Karone nodded her head and Ashley let out a sigh. She started to play with her ring. "You okay?" Karone asked.

"What? Oh yeah! Yeah, I'm fine," Ashley replied.

Karone looked at her with a quizzical look. "I'm fine, Karone, I just have a lot on my mind," she assured her.

"Okay, you know where to find me if you ever want to talk," Karone pointed out.

"Yeah, thanks."

Karone saw the off look in Ashley's face and saw that the light in her eyes were fading. She bit her lip and went over to talk to Drisana, leaving Ashley to her thoughts.