Chapter 3: Wanting More

Ashley came into the nursery to see the nanny walking around with Alastair in her arms. "It's alright, milady, I can take care of the boy," the nanny assured her. Ashley bit her lip.

"Um, thanks," Ashley answered.

Ashley went down to the library that was next to Andros's study. She looked over some books and she tried to get her mind off everything by drawing her outfits, but she seemed to lose interest in it. She felt alone and empty. That was the worse part. She loved her husband and her son dearly, but all of a sudden, she felt old and unwanted. "What am I thinking? I'm only eighteen," she mumbled. She looked down at her ring on her left hand and let out a sigh. "I'm eighteen but I'm acting like I'm forty or something," she told herself.

After a few minutes, Ashley went back upstairs, she wanted to hold her baby. The nanny looked up when Ashley came back in. "Oh, milady, the boy just fell asleep," she informed. Ashley smiled and looked at the nanny.

"Could I have a minute alone with my son please?" She asked.

"Of course, milady."

The nanny left the room and Ashley walked over to her son's crib. She placed a hand on her his stomach with a smile on her face. She didn't care if her son was asleep, she picked him up from his crib, and sat in the rocking chair in the corner holding her year old son. "You know, mommy used to be so happy sweetie. She used to love her life, but now she's not sure," she murmured. She kissed his forehead and let out a sigh. A tear fell down her face as she held her baby's hand.

That evening, Ashley was walking around trying to get Alastair to stop crying when the nanny came in. "My lady, you don't need to do this. You should be resting," the nanny insisted. Ashley shook her head.

"It's alright, I want to take care of him tonight," Ashley answered.

"But milady…"

"I want to take care of him tonight."

The nanny nodded before leaving the room. Ashley kissed the side of her son's head and started to calm him down. Andros came in and saw the look on his wife's face. "Ashley, are you okay?" He asked.

"Yes, I'm fine," she replied.

"You sure?"

"Yes, Andros."

Andros saw that the more he asked, the angrier she got, so he decided to leave her be. Ashley rocked back and forth in the chair and finally calmed down a bit after the baby went back to sleep. She kissed the top of her son's head with a heavy sigh. Ashley got up from the chair after a few more minutes and placed Alastair back into his crib. She placed the red blanket over her son and kissed his soft forehead. She turned on the mobile that was hanging over her son's crib and left the room.

Andros was sitting in his study when he heard Ashley walk by. "Ashley," he called. Ashley stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Could you come here for a minute?" He asked. Ashley let out a sigh and walked into his study.

"What?" She asked.

Andros stood up and looked at her. "Ashley, are you okay?" He asked. Ashley nodded her head.

"We went through this already, Andros. I'm fine," she replied.

Andros saw that the Ashley he had once loved was gone. The light in her eyes was gone, her face looked stone cold, and a frown seemed to be plastered to her face. "Have you been able to talk with the council?" She asked.

"Yes," he replied.

"Well?"

Andros rubbed the back of his neck with a sigh. "I can't convince them to change the marriage age," he informed. Ashley closed her eyes. "I'm trying as hard as I can, Ashley," he added.

"But it's not good enough. By the time the age is changed, our son will be married by now," Ashley insisted.

"I'm working as fast as I can, Ashley."

Ashley shook her head and left the room. Andros stood up and followed her. "Ashley, what are you doing?" He asked. Before he could do anything, Ashley slammed the bedroom door in his face. He let out a sigh as he went downstairs.

A few minutes later, Andros watched as Ashley came down the stairs. "Ashley, what are you doing?" He asked.

"I'm leaving," she replied.

"What? Why?" He asked.

Ashley set her bag down and looked at him. "I'm eighteen-years-old and I feel like I'm forty-eight-years-old. I have no life, Andros. It's all been planned out for me," she replied.

"You wanted to stay on KO-35," he pointed out.

"I know and I know this is my home and everything, but Andros. I feel like I need something more."

Andros was stunned by her words as she turn to leave. "Ashley, you have a duty here as a wife and a mother," he insisted. Ashley stopped and looked at Andros.

"I need time to myself, Andros," she answered.

She let out a sigh as she opened the door and left. Andros stood there like an idiot not sure of what to do.