Eric stood, holding the book in shock. He'd found it. The sun was just peeking over the horizon when he discovered an amendment to the law. It only applied if the matter did not pertain to marriage. Should his judgment seem insufficient in matters other than his personal life, then his advisor had the right to stop it. A fact Eric was sure Grimsby knew all too well. His ancestors were not fools. Surely they knew who fools young people could be in matters of love? It didn't mean they could take all of his power away.
Snapping the book closed he marched determinedly to the guards stationed at the dungeon.
"Let me pass." He ordered.
"I can't do that, your highness." One guard said apologetically. Thrusting the book in his face, Eric pointed to the line about marriage.
"Oh yes, you can."
The guard grabbed the book and read it carefully. With a nod, he stepped away from the door and gave Eric his keys.
He sprinted down the steps shouting, "Ariel! I found it!" He burst into the dungeons to find her cell door open, "Ariel?"
Running into the cell, he saw a blanket sprawled across the floor, "Ariel!" Returning up the steps, he demanded, "Who else was down here?"
Startled the guard stammered, "Uh- someone mentioned that Marcus had entered, but he never came back up."
Realization hit him, and he quickly made his way to the only other exit in the dungeon.