The next day dawned bright and clear. Carlotta dressed Ariel in a beautiful, simple blue dress. She ran down the stairs, received Eric's compliments, and allowed him to guide her into a one-horse buggy. They waved to the staff, the gates opened in front of them, and they were off!
"Is that where we are going?" she exclaimed, pointing to the village.
"Yes," Eric confirmed,
Ariel's heart pounded as they drove into the village. There were so many humans, and they were so near her! There seemed to be a frenzy of activity in the middle of the village – some people were bargaining with other people, who were standing behind tables filled with all sorts of curiosities. Little humans ran around and called to each other. Everywhere she looked, there were buildings of all shapes and sizes.
Eric helped her down from the carriage and walked her through the marketplace, enjoying the spark in her eyes as they drank in the sights and sounds she was clearly unaccustomed to. She watched the puppet show more eagerly than any of the children, and if he had not stopped her in time, she would have interrupted it by grasping the cloth actors from the performer's hands. She smiled at chickens as if they were a novelty to her. Eric, remembering Grimsby's supposition that the girl had been raised in poverty, kept his surprise at her explorations in check. But there was one thing which he did not have to explain.
"They are dancing!" she exclaimed, pointing across the square, and promptly dragged him to the pavilion where several couples were waltzing.
Eric gladly obeyed. They spent over an hour on the floor, Ariel's smile growing brighter each time he picked her up and swung her around.
This is how dancing should be, Eric thought. It is so much preferable to those stiff, formal balls that Grimsby makes me host.
By the time the sun was setting, the Prince found that he had purchased Ariel a hat, flowers, and delicious rolls. They returned to the carriage, and drove to the lagoon. They got into a rowboat, and Eric gathered his courage.
"Ariel," he began, meeting the eyes of the girl who sat across from him, "I had a wonderful time today."
"So did I," she said joyfully.
"I have been to the village many times, but I feel I actually saw it today. Having you at my side made it different, and wonderful, and if you can make a simple village seem so special, I can only imagine what you would do with state dinners and my sailing trips on the ocean."
Ariel smiled, silently wondering what a 'state dinner' was.
"I know we have known each other for a very short while, but I feel that I know you better than I have known any lady before. You are a brave woman who saved the life of a stranger, and are able to appreciate the smallest things in life. I love you, and hope that you can one day love me."
The blue eyes across from him filled with tears.
"Oh, Eric!" she murmured. "One day? I love you already!"
"You do?" the Prince cried out, beaming. "Then will you marry me?"
"Yes, I will!" Ariel exclaimed.
Eric laughed with delight. He leaned forward, closing the gap between them. In the middle of the lagoon, as a thrilled Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle looked on, their lips met in a heartfelt kiss.