Eric was as good as his word. In about twenty hours, Ariel found herself sitting alone in a private dressing room aboard the wedding ship. Next to her hung the most beautiful dress she had every seen. She knew that in a few minutes Carlotta would come to help her don it. Excitement began to bubble in her heart, and with it, a little bit of grief. As a little mermaid, she had thought of her wedding day many times, and her father and sisters had figured prominently in her daydreams. However, present circumstances made it impossible for them to attend, and she knew that she would never see them again.
She got up from her seat and went to the window. As far as her eye could see, the ocean water stretched below her. She wiped away a tear and whispered,
"Goodbye."
A knock on the door startled her. Taking a deep breath and gathering her courage and resolve, she called out,
"Come in."
Carlotta entered the room, bustling with joy. She promptly began to dress Ariel, murmuring compliments all the while. Before she knew it, the former mermaid stood attired in her wedding dress and veil.
"Oh, you look marvelous," the loyal servant cried out as she stationed Ariel before the mirror. "Eric is a lucky fellow indeed."
"Thank you, Carlotta," Ariel smiled, turning and wrapping her arms around the woman whom, despite their short acquaintance, she had come to love as a second mother. "I am very grateful that Eric and I have you for a friend."
There was another knock at the door.
"Oh, that better not be the groom!" Carlotta exclaimed. "He should not see you until -"
"Ariel, may I come in?" Grimsby's voice asked from the other side of the door.
"Yes, of course."
The older gentleman entered the room carrying an ornate box.
"You look wonderful, my dear," he warmly said to Ariel as soon as he lay eyes on her. "But there is something that you are missing."
He put the box he carried down on the dresser and opened it. Inside was a sparking gold crown.
"Oh!" Ariel cried out, enraptured.
"You will be a Princess now; we must have you dressed like one," Grimsby said as he lifted the crown and placed it on Ariel's head.
The bride gazed into the mirror. Despite being King Triton's daughter, she had never worn a crown; that honor had been reserved for her father, mother, and eldest sister. As she was merely seventh in line to the Atlantican throne, she had never possessed one. As she felt its weight over her brow, however, she fully realized that she would be responsible for ruling a part of the human world.
"I…I…hope and pray that I will be worthy of it," she admitted.
"You shall, I am certain of that," Grimsby said as he kissed her forehead. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," Ariel answered confidently.
"Then let us go and attend a wedding."