Prologue
It had been seven months since Ariel and Eric married, a now seventeen year old Ariel walked through the town with Carlotte. It was a glorious April day and both were chatting happily.
"So how does it feel to seventeen?" asked Carlotte.
"It doesn't really feel that different from sixteen, it is only a month since my birthday though."
"It is, I am just glad you have the same calendar to us. Though I was surprised you have star signs."
"I've always known I was a Pisces. Before my Mother died, my Father used to take my sisters and I up to the surface to stargaze. He taught us the names of the constellations and told us stories about them, on our birthdays he would show each of us are sign."
"That sounds wonderful. William taught Eric how to stargaze, they would sit up late into the night in William's study, we often found Eric asleep in the sofa the following morning. It used to drive Grimsby made, Eric would keep nodding off in lessons the following morning. Often people saying they can read another person's future by looking at them, load of old nonsense in my opinion" Carlotte said as they arrived in the town centre.
"Eric wants to take me on a tour for the Kingdom in September. To celebrate a year of being human, and his 19th birthday."
"Well the kingdom is large and you have seen a lot of the coastal area, it will do you good to see in land."
"I am looking forward to it, I do want to see life away from the coast, these apples look nice" Ariel replied buying the apples from a grocers.
"They're fo an apple pie I take it?"
"Yes I promised Daddy I would make him one."
"That is a lovely thing to do, Louis is very pleased with your cooking."
"I was surprised that you and Louie were married, you clearly have him well trained."
"Only when we are at work, at home things are much more equal. At work he is below me, me being House Keeper an all. Well we fell in love with each other thirteen years ago. He is fine most of the time, just gets a little high strung over his cuisine" Carlotte replied as they arrived back at the castle.
Later that afternoon Ariel, Eric, his father King William and his mother Queen Sophia were sitting on the harbour wall. Like his son, King William V had black hair that was beginning to go gray , with a pair of hazel eyes full of kindness. Eric had inherited his eyes from his mother Sofia, who had dark brown verging on black hair, Eric had also inherited her excellent judge of character. All were talking to King Triton, Adella and Attina, who were also sat on the wall.
"This apple pie is lovely Ariel" King Triton said eating his slice.
"Thank you Daddy, how are rehearsals going Adella?" Ariel asked, turning to face her sister.
"Excellent, the show is amazing, everyone's worked so hard. Opening night is next week at The Piccadilly Theatre. I would love for you both to be there, as would Grandfather and Uncle Carmine" replied Adella.
"I would love to come Adella" Ariel replied.
"It would be fun if you both could come, besides I think it is time Eric saw Atlantica" said Attina.
"I would like to come, but Ariel and I are both human" replied Eric.
"That would be no problem, I could turn you both in merpeople" replied King Triton.
"Thank you Daddy, I would love to show you the world I came from Eric."
"I'd love to see Atlantica, you've told me so much about it" Eric replied.
"I think you should both go for a couple of weeks" said Sofia looking at the pair.
"As do I, it would do you good to have some personal time. It is also high time Eric saw Atlantica" replied William as Sofia nodded in agreement.
"Well that settles it, Adella, Ariel and I will be at opening night" said Eric.
"Excellent. I will meet you both in a few days" said Triton.