Jessica's Point of View
We waited in the room until Benjamin, Marina's manatee assistant, let us know that our presence was requested in the throne room. King Triton sat on his throne. To my relief, he looked more sad than angry. We lined up next to each other. "You are all confined to the palace," King Triton said.
"Yes, father," Attina replied.
"Why don't you just lock us in jail?" Ariel huffed under her breath.
"Ariel, you are confined to the palace until you understand what you've done," King Triton added.
"What did we do? Tell me, Daddy," Ariel snapped.
"Ariel, leave it alone," Attina growled.
"No," Ariel refused before swimming closer to her father. "We haven't done anything wrong. All we did was listen to music."
"Which you know is forbidden!" King Triton reminded.
"But why? Why can't we have music?" Ariel questioned.
"This discussion is over," King Triton stated before swimming away.
"Just tell me!" Ariel begged.
"I do not have to explain myself to you," King Triton grumbled.
"I don't understand. We love music," Ariel tried.
"I will not have music in my kingdom!" King Triton shouted.
Ariel was stunned to silence before she continued. "I may not remember much about my mother, but I know she wouldn't have wanted this." Ariel swam back to the room, but we held back.
"You are excused, girls," King Triton sighed.
He didn't have to tell me twice. I rushed back to the room, grateful that I got little more than a slap on the wrist. The others followed me in. Ariel looked to us for support, but no one other than me matched her gaze. "Attina?" Ariel started.
Attina paused before turning to Ariel. "You just don't know when to quit," Attina huffed.
The girls swam to their beds. "It's over, Ariel," Adella muttered.
"But, we were finally happy," Ariel mentioned.
"Look around, Ariel. No one's happy," Attina said.
I hugged Ariel, and she hugged me back. "I would have backed you up if I wasn't so afraid of being imprisoned," I whispered.
"Thank you," Ariel sobbed. When we let go of each other, I swam to bed while Ariel gazed out the window. I shut my eyes and went to sleep.