Chapter Twenty-Eight: Audrey

The soft light of morning bathed the royal nursery in a warm, golden glow as Ash sat cradling her newborn daughter, Audrey, in her arms. The tiny princess’s soft breaths filled the room, the peaceful rhythm bringing a sense of calm to the chaos of the past few days. The overwhelming rush of love she felt for her daughter was enough to fill the entire realm, but today, she was fully immersed in the quiet moments of motherhood, enjoying the stillness before the world outside came knocking again.

The room was filled with the soft whispers of her family as they marveled at the baby, each person taking a turn to hold her or simply stand by Ash’s side, offering words of encouragement and support. The royal chambers were quiet for the most part, with the usual hum of activity from the kingdom replaced by a rare and precious moment of peace.

Ash’s heart swelled with love for her daughter, but it wasn’t just that love she felt today. It was the joy of finally having her family complete, of having her parents, both of Heaven and Hell, come together to support her, and of knowing that she and the prince would raise Audrey in a world where both realms would coexist harmoniously.

As Ash glanced over at her husband, the prince, who was standing near the window and gazing out at the horizon, her heart skipped a beat. He turned to her, sensing her gaze, and smiled—a smile that said everything she needed to hear.

"She’s perfect," he said softly, walking over to where Ash sat.

"She is," Ash agreed, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked down at Audrey, her tiny hand gripping Ash’s finger. "I can’t believe she’s really ours."

"She’s going to change everything," the prince said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "She already has."

Before Ash could respond, the door to the nursery gently creaked open, and a pair of nurses entered the room, each dressed in simple but elegant robes that denoted their station. They were part of the royal staff, skilled in the care of newborns, but today, their presence felt more official than ever.

"We’ve come to check on the princess, Your Majesties," one of the nurses said with a warm smile. "We’ll make sure everything is in order, but first, we must ask her name."

Ash exchanged a glance with the prince, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of naming their daughter. It had been a decision they had discussed many times before, but now that the moment had arrived, she realized just how important it felt to give Audrey the perfect name—a name that would carry the weight of both Heaven and Hell, a name that would represent both worlds.

After a brief pause, Ash looked up at the nurses with a soft smile. "Her name is Audrey," she said, her voice steady and sure.

Audrey.

The name felt right, fitting for the little girl who had already become the heart of both Heaven and Hell. Audrey would be more than just a princess—she would be the symbol of a new era, one where the two realms could finally find peace. It was a name that felt timeless, both strong and delicate, and one that would carry her through the challenges that lay ahead.

The nurses nodded approvingly, smiling at the new parents. "Audrey," the nurse repeated softly, her voice filled with reverence. "It is a beautiful name for a beautiful princess."

The other nurse nodded in agreement. "Indeed. A name fit for a future queen."

Ash felt her chest tighten with emotion at their words. To hear her daughter’s name spoken aloud by others, to know that Audrey was now truly part of this world—and of both realms—was a powerful feeling. It was as though, in that moment, everything was falling into place. The weight of the world was heavy, but it felt right.

One of the nurses gently stepped closer, offering to take Audrey from Ash’s arms for the standard checks, but Ash hesitated, not ready to let go of her daughter just yet. The prince, sensing her reluctance, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Let them do their work," he said softly. "We’ll be right here."

With a soft sigh, Ash nodded, passing Audrey over to the nurse. She watched as the woman carefully swaddled Audrey in a fresh blanket, gently checking her over with practiced hands, while the other nurse jotted down notes in her scroll.

"She’s perfect, Your Majesties," the nurse said with a smile, handing Audrey back to Ash once she was finished. "Healthy and strong, just like you both."

Ash took Audrey into her arms once more, feeling her heart swell with love. The nurses offered their congratulations once more before they left, leaving the royal family alone once again in the quiet nursery. Ash leaned back against the pillows, her gaze soft as she looked down at her daughter.

"Audrey," Ash whispered, the name now a part of her heart. "You’re going to be something incredible. You’ll make both Heaven and Hell proud."

The prince sat next to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "And we’ll be here to guide you every step of the way," he said, his voice steady and full of confidence.

Ash smiled, feeling the weight of the world slip from her shoulders. It wouldn’t be easy, raising a child who would one day rule both realms, but they had each other. And together, they could overcome anything.

Their daughter, Audrey, was their future. And they would do everything in their power to make sure she had the chance to become the leader the realms needed.

The future was uncertain, but for now, as Ash cradled her daughter in her arms, she felt only peace.

Their family—both royal and bound by love—was whole. And that was enough.

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