The battlefield lay in an eerie stillness, the echoes of the war fading into silence. Ash stood in the center of it all, her form transformed—half-angel, half-demon, a radiant contradiction of light and darkness. The remnants of her celestial glow mingled with the flickering shadows of her new demonic essence. Her parents, the King and Queen of Heaven, faced her with a mixture of awe and apprehension.

Ash took a deep breath, her voice steady but thick with emotion. “You wanted me to be a queen,” she said, meeting her father’s gaze. “But you never asked if I wanted it. You never cared about what I needed, only about what you thought was right.”

Her mother flinched as if struck, her hand rising to her chest. “Ash, we only wanted what was best for you. For Heaven.”

“For Heaven,” Ash repeated bitterly, her wings trembling behind her. “Not for me.”

Her father stepped forward, his expression softening. “You’re right. We failed you as parents. We pushed too hard, and we didn’t listen. But Heaven still needs a leader, Ash. The people need you. You’ve proven your strength today, not just as our daughter but as someone who can bridge both worlds.”

Ash hesitated, her heart warring with itself. She couldn’t deny the truth in his words. Heaven needed her, but could she truly return to a place that had never felt like home?

Her mother’s voice broke the silence, softer this time. “We see now that you’ve found something here, Ash. A part of yourself we never understood. If living in Hell is what makes you happy, we won’t take that from you.”

Her father nodded. “But we hope you’ll consider ruling Heaven still. Even if it’s from afar.”

The weight of their words settled on Ash like a mantle, heavy but not unbearable. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could speak, a familiar voice rang out from behind her.

“She doesn’t have to choose.”

Ash turned sharply, her heart leaping at the sight of the Prince of Hell striding toward her. He moved with his usual confidence, though his battle-worn armor and the flicker of vulnerability in his dark eyes made him seem more real than ever.

“She can rule both realms,” he said, his voice steady yet laced with an intensity that made Ash’s cheeks flush. “Heaven and Hell don’t have to be enemies. Not anymore.”

The King of Hell leaned on his trident, a smirk playing on his lips. “The boy’s not wrong,” he drawled. “You’ve already won Hell’s loyalty, Ash. And making Heaven bow to a queen who walks both worlds? That’s a victory I’d pay to see.”

The Queen of Hell chuckled, her gaze flicking between Ash and her son with knowing amusement. “It’s bold, I’ll give you that. But I think our prince might have more than politics in mind.”

The prince’s face darkened with a deep blush, but he stood his ground. “It’s what’s best for everyone,” he insisted, his gaze fixed firmly on Ash. “And... I could help. If you want me to.”

Ash blinked, caught off guard. “Help?”

He stepped closer, his expression softening. “What I mean is... if you’ll have me, I could stand by your side. As king.” His voice faltered, but he quickly recovered, his confidence returning. “Together, we could unite both realms. I could give you the power to make it happen.”

Ash’s breath caught, her heart pounding in her chest. The prince’s words hung in the air, laden with meaning. She glanced at her parents, who stood stunned but silent, and then at the King and Queen of Hell, who exchanged amused smirks but said nothing.

Her gaze returned to the prince. His usual bravado was tinged with vulnerability, his dark eyes searching hers for an answer.

Her cheeks flushed, her wings quivering slightly as she struggled to find her voice. “I... I don’t know what to say.”

The prince’s lips curved into a small, nervous smile. “Say you’ll think about it.”

Ash laughed softly, the sound breaking through the tension. “Okay. I’ll think about it.”

The King of Heaven cleared his throat, his stern expression softening. “If this is the path you choose, Ash, we will support you. But it won’t be easy. Heaven will always demand much from its ruler.”

Her mother stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Ash’s shoulder. “We trust you, my daughter. Whatever you decide, we’ll stand by your side.”

The Queen of Hell clapped her hands together, her grin widening. “Well, it seems we’ve got a plan. And perhaps a royal wedding in the works?”

Ash’s eyes widened as her face turned crimson, her gaze darting away from the prince, who was no less flustered.

“Mother,” the prince groaned, dragging a hand over his face, though his lips twitched with the beginnings of a smile.

The King of Hell barked a laugh, his booming voice filling the space. “Relax, boy. It’s not a bad idea. Might even make a decent ruler out of you yet.”

Ash bit her lip, unable to suppress the smile creeping across her face. Despite the enormity of what lay ahead, a sense of warmth settled in her chest.

For the first time in what felt like forever, she didn’t feel trapped or alone. She felt free. She felt ready. And maybe, just maybe, she wouldn’t have to face the future on her own.