It had been a long time since Ash and her husband had enjoyed a moment of peace, just the two of them. Life in the royal palace was always bustling with the needs of their people, the expectations of both Heaven and Hell, and the demands of raising a newborn princess. But tonight, things were different.

Ash sat in front of her vanity, brushing her long, dark hair, a smile tugging at her lips as she glanced over her reflection. For the first time in a while, she was dressed not as a queen, not as a mother, but as a woman—her own woman. The light flowing through the window from the setting sun made her feel like she could almost breathe freely again.

It had been a challenging few weeks, balancing her new responsibilities as a mother, a queen, and the ruler of both realms. But today, she had taken a step back. Her parents had insisted on taking care of Audrey for the evening—giving Ash and her husband the chance to go out, to be together without the weight of their crowns and titles.

The prince, her husband, had arranged everything. A surprise date night, just for them. Ash’s heart fluttered with excitement. It felt like a small miracle, this chance to step away from their responsibilities and reconnect.

She finished adjusting the simple yet elegant gown she had chosen—a deep midnight blue that complemented her skin tone and the glow of her angelic and demonic sides. A small silver necklace with a sapphire pendant rested against her collarbone, a gift from her husband on their wedding day.

A soft knock on the door broke her from her reverie, and she turned to see the prince standing in the doorway. His eyes glimmered with that mischievous spark she loved so much.

"You look stunning," he said with a smile, his voice low and filled with admiration.

Ash blushed at his words, her heart warming at the sight of him. He wore a sharp black suit, tailored perfectly to his frame. His dark hair was combed back neatly, and the crown of Hell rested on his head—symbolizing his role as the king. But tonight, he wasn’t just the king; he was her husband. Her partner. And tonight, she was determined to enjoy every moment with him.

"Thank you," she replied, standing up and smoothing down the fabric of her dress. "You look... amazing yourself."

The prince grinned, walking over to her and taking her hand in his. "Shall we?" he asked, his voice laced with excitement.

Ash smiled, nodding eagerly. "We shall."

The two of them walked hand in hand down the marble corridors of the royal palace, their footsteps echoing softly. As they moved, they passed by the nursery where Audrey was resting peacefully under the watchful eyes of Ash’s parents. Ash’s heart swelled with love for their daughter, but she also felt a deep sense of gratitude for the rare opportunity to be alone with her husband.

When they reached the grand doors of the palace, a carriage was waiting for them outside. It was drawn by magnificent, winged horses—creatures that only existed in both Heaven and Hell. The prince helped Ash into the carriage, and they were whisked away into the night.

The city that sprawled beneath them was alive with light. From above, Ash could see the glowing streets, the bustling markets, and the grand temples of Heaven mingling with the dark towers and fiery pits of Hell. It was a beautiful, chaotic mix—a reflection of their lives and their rule.

As they rode through the streets, Ash couldn’t help but smile. For the first time in months, she felt light, free, and at peace.

"I’ve missed this," she said softly, gazing out the window as the scenery passed them by. "Just us. No politics, no duties... Just you and me."

The prince smiled warmly at her, his hand reaching over to take hers in his. "I’ve missed it, too," he replied. "Tonight is all about us. No one else. No kingdoms. Just you and me, Ash."

Her heart fluttered at the tenderness in his voice. She squeezed his hand, her mind racing with thoughts of the life they had built together. They had come so far—battled through wars, family struggles, and even the challenges of parenthood—but through it all, their love had remained unshaken.

The carriage ride was peaceful, the cool night air filling the space around them as they made their way to a secluded area just outside the city. As the carriage slowed to a stop, Ash could see the flickering lights of a small, romantic restaurant nestled against the edge of a beautiful, serene lake. The sound of water gently lapping against the shore reached her ears, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of calm settle over her.

The prince helped her out of the carriage, and they walked hand in hand toward the restaurant. It was small and intimate, with candles flickering on every table and soft, classical music playing in the background. The air was rich with the scent of roses and lavender, and the whole place felt like a dream.

As they entered, the staff greeted them warmly, leading them to a secluded table by the window where they could see the moonlight reflecting off the water. The prince pulled out Ash’s chair for her, and she smiled at the chivalry, something that never ceased to make her heart skip a beat.

Once they were seated, the conversation flowed easily. They talked about everything and nothing—reminiscing about their first meeting, laughing about the mishaps of their wedding day, and even discussing their hopes and dreams for Audrey as she grew older. They shared their thoughts on ruling Heaven and Hell together, about what kind of parents they wanted to be, and about the future they hoped to build for their daughter.

The evening was filled with laughter, and for the first time in ages, Ash felt like she could breathe freely. No more worries, no more responsibilities—just the two of them, enjoying each other’s company.

As the night wore on, the prince reached across the table and took Ash’s hand in his. He looked at her with a softness in his eyes that made her heart swell.

"I love you, Ash," he said, his voice low but steady. "I love you more than anything in this world."

Ash’s heart skipped a beat, and she smiled, her fingers tightening around his. "I love you, too," she replied, her voice filled with sincerity. "You’ve made my life everything I ever wanted. I can’t imagine doing this without you."

He leaned forward, brushing a kiss across her hand, and Ash felt her cheeks flush. In that moment, everything felt right. The future, their family, their rule—none of it mattered as much as the love they shared. It was everything.

As the evening came to a close, the prince stood up, offering his hand to Ash once more. "Shall we?" he asked, his smile wide and full of promise.

Ash took his hand, feeling the warmth of his touch. "Yes. Let’s go home."

And with that, they walked out into the cool night, hand in hand, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing they would always have each other.