The grand hall was bathed in soft light, with chandeliers made of golden and silver crystals hanging from the high ceilings. Flowers from both Heaven and Hell adorned every corner, their fragrance swirling through the air in a harmonious blend of sweetness and spice. Every inch of the room was carefully arranged to reflect the union of two realms—two very different worlds that, today, would become one.

Ash stood beside the prince, her heart racing as she gazed out at the assembled guests. Lords and ladies from both Heaven and Hell filled the seats, their eyes focused on the royal couple, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Heaven's golden-robed dignitaries stood next to the deep-red-clad figures of Hell's nobles, a strange yet beautiful blend of light and dark. The air was thick with anticipation, and every moment seemed to stretch forever.

The prince, standing tall and composed beside her, smiled gently at her. His eyes held warmth and confidence, his strong hand resting lightly on hers. Though their worlds were colliding today, he seemed at peace. He squeezed her hand softly.

“You look breathtaking, Ash,” he whispered, his voice low and full of adoration.

Her heart fluttered in her chest, and a warm smile spread across her face. “I don’t think I’ve ever been more nervous in my life.”

“You’re not alone in that,” the prince replied with a soft laugh. “But remember, we’ve already made it this far. Today is just a formality.”

She nodded, but her nerves remained. As she glanced at her mother and the Queen of Hell sitting among the guests, she realized how surreal this moment was. Her parents, after everything that had happened, were sitting together. They had come to accept her choice to live in Hell and to marry the prince. They may not have understood everything, but they had respected her decision. And that meant the world to Ash.

Finally, the soft chime of bells echoed through the hall, signaling the start of the ceremony. Ash and the prince turned their attention to the front of the room, where the high priestess of Heaven stood, cloaked in shimmering silver. She was known to bridge the divine worlds—able to speak the words of both Heaven and Hell, bringing unity where there had been division for centuries.

With a graceful gesture, the priestess lifted her hands and began to speak. Her voice echoed through the hall, firm and clear.

“We are gathered here today to witness a union that transcends both realms. A union of Heaven and Hell, light and dark, hope and redemption. Today, the Prince of Hell and the Queen of Heaven's daughter, Ash, are joined as one. Together, they shall rule both the celestial and infernal realms. And through their bond, the worlds will find balance.”

Ash felt the weight of the words settle in her heart. She was about to give herself fully to this man, to the realms they would rule, to the future they would build together. A sense of peace washed over her as the priestess spoke of love, duty, and destiny, her words connecting the promises they were about to make.

As the ceremony continued, Ash couldn’t help but glance at the prince, feeling her love for him grow with every passing moment. She had thought about this day for so long, but now that it was here, it felt like she had never known anything else.

When the priestess turned to them, asking for their vows, Ash took a deep breath. She could hear the soft rustle of the crowd, the slight shuffle of robes, but all of it seemed distant, as though the world had fallen away.

The prince looked at her, his eyes soft but determined. “Ash, I stand here before you not just as a prince, but as your equal. I promise to honor you, protect you, and support you in everything you do. I will stand by you as we rule together, through the trials and the triumphs. You are my heart, and together we will build a future no one can break.”

Ash’s heart beat faster as the words resonated within her. She had always known the prince was her partner, her other half, but hearing his vows made it real, made it something unshakable.

When it was her turn, Ash took a step forward. Her voice wavered at first, but as she spoke, the words grew stronger.

“Prince of Hell, my love, my partner. I promise to stand beside you as we rule, to bring light to your darkness, and to embrace the shadow you walk in. I promise to love you, in every form, through every challenge, and to build a future where our two worlds are united. You are my soul’s equal, and together, we will carve a path that no one can erase.”

The words hung in the air, and for a brief moment, Ash felt as if the entire hall was holding its breath. She could feel the weight of her promise, but also the immense love she felt for the prince. She had never been more certain of anything in her life. They were meant to be.

The priestess nodded and turned to the gathered guests. “By the power vested in me by the realms of Heaven and Hell, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

In that moment, the world seemed to pause. Ash’s heart raced, her mind overwhelmed with joy and relief. The prince reached out and cupped her face in his hands, his touch gentle but firm. Without a word, he leaned in, and as their lips met in a soft, tender kiss, the crowd erupted in applause.

Ash felt a flood of emotions surge through her—the overwhelming love for the man who stood beside her, the weight of the union they had just made, and the promise of a future that was both uncertain and thrilling. The kiss was everything she had dreamed of and more. It wasn’t just the joining of their lips, but the joining of their lives, their destinies.

As they pulled away, their foreheads resting against each other, the prince smiled, his eyes bright with joy. “This is just the beginning,” he whispered.

Ash smiled back, her heart swelling. “Yes. This is only the beginning.”

And as the prince helped her step away from the altar, the crowd cheering around them, Ash couldn’t help but feel the weight of the world on her shoulders, but in the best way possible. She had chosen this path—this man, this life—and she would walk it with him, side by side, as they ruled both Heaven and Hell. Together.

The celebration that followed was grand, with music and laughter echoing through the halls, but Ash and the prince shared only a quiet moment together in the garden later that evening, away from the pomp and circumstance. Their hands found each other once again, and they stood there in the moonlight, just as they had so many times before.

But now, it was different.

Now, they were no longer just Ash and the prince. They were rulers, partners, and equals.

And together, they would rule both realms, side by side.