*Witches and wizards can make potions, spells, curses, so why not do poisons as well?
(Ariel's P.O.V.) -On the 14th day-
"Princess Ariel, wake up! You're going to miss breakfast!". a voice called out, cutting into my dream, waking me abruptly with a moan of frustration, "Carlotta, I was getting to the best part!". I was actually walking as a human, with Eric giving me many surface flowers as a romantic gesture, and observing a hummingbird before I noticed that Eric has a intense expression, staring upon me. I asked of what's wrong, and he said the sweetest thing that I blushed at, then he was inching forward to gesture that he wanted to kiss me, and I was to meet up with that, leaning forward, but it was too late as I was awoken right there!
I heard Carlotta's voice speak warmly, "A really good dream, hmm?". I sighed lightly as I rubbed my eyes, stretched my body and tail, nodding, "One of the best so far.". I opened my eyes to see Carlotta smiling at me, her inky black hair floating in the water, with her warm brown eyes against her fair skin. I noticed that she has a crimson red bra this time. She usually switches between various shades of red for her bra.
Her very light blue tail shimmered in the morning light, with her medium red waist ring and fins. She used to live in Olympia once upon a time, but moved here to look for a better life, and she became a babysitter/royal kitchen maid. She's my dearest friend here in the palace. She has her copper pearl bracelet on, a old gift from me.
"Is that so? Princess Ariel, you got to hurry. Breakfast's ready by now!". Carlotta chuckled, then reprimanded me quickly. I winced at that, then gasped as I remembered something, "Oh, I cannot be late to meet with Flounder and Eric! I gotta go, thanks, Carlotta!". I swam out of my bedroom, my nerves on high as I headed to the dining room, and I made it in time as I saw that the plates were being placed on the table before my sisters, and mother.
Arista called out, "About time you woke up, Ariel! I'm so hungry as a dolphin!". I smirked softly as I landed upon my seat, "Oh, really, you sure it's not a whale?". Arista groaned lightly, "I swear that Eric taught you that!".
I laughed, "Eric? Oh, come on! What if I actually came up with it, hmm?". Aquata giggled softly, "She got you there. I am really starting to like the new Ariel.". I tilted my head at that comment, "New Ariel? What makes you think that, Aquata?".
Aquata smiled, "You were so quiet, and now you're so bubbly!". "Aquata's right. You are really curious now, listening to Eric's stories.", agreed Andrina. Attina cut in, "And you head out every day since Eric came, and I think it means that you're beyond brave.".
Adella moaned lightly, "Eric's so cute!". I glared at her, "He's not interested!". Alana whistled, "You really got heads over fins on this guy! No wonder as he's so nice and funny toward you, Ariel.".
I blushed as I groaned to myself, realizing that my own sisters is teasing me for being in love with Eric! Gratefully, my mother put a stop to it all, yet her comment made me upset on the inside and outside, "Girls, stop pestering Ariel. She's betrothed to the prince of Olympia, and that's final!".
"But mother!". I protested, and Mother glared at me, "Ariel, it's your duty to become future queen, and to do that, you must marry a prince.". I gasped at her tone, and I remembered my latest dream of attempting to kiss Eric, and I growled, "You cannot make me! I love Eric, and you can't stop that!".
"Oh, yes, I can! The prince is coming tomorrow, and you will spend the day with him, not Eric! I am the queen, and you must obey the law!". Mother ordered me loudly, and that made me more upset than before!
"Then I don't want to be a princess anymore!". I shouted at her before I left the table, hearing my sisters' gasps and I faintly heard Mother's voice calling out, "Ariel, please!". But I was well out of the palace seconds later, swimming swiftly as I could, sobs spilling as I hugged myself, realizing that I needed Eric's comfort right now.
I knew I was unconsciously heading to the grotto, for it's my and Eric's place to be alone or together. I calmed down as soon as I saw the grotto in the distance, and I saw the grotto door slightly open, realizing that Eric is already inside, and I smiled to myself as I heard his voice, but frowned in confusion to hear another voice, recognizing that it's not Flounder.
"Our master's getting impatient, boy, and you might as well steal the Trident today. After all, at the end of the month, your heart shall belong to our master, and you shall not be a merman anymore!". hissed the voice, and Eric spat back, "I won't do it, you monster! I won't betray Ariel nor her family! Ariel shall be safe no matter what.".
In shock, I peered around the corner to see Eric cornered by a large nasty eel, and the eel cackled, "Oh, really?", as its golden eye glowed. Suddenly, I screamed out of surprise as a slimy body grabbed me by the arms, recognizing it as another eel, and its teeth bared, too close for comfort.
Eric turned around, his face paling as he froze, "Ariel!". I called out, "Eric, help me!". But the eel's body squeezed tighter and tighter, causing me to fight for breath frequently as the other eel came swiftly toward me, something clenched in its tail, and with its teeth, he pulled out a cork or something, revealing it as a short bottle containing a purple liquid.
The eel around me then pulled my hair, causing me to shriek in pain, barely noticing the other eel as it forced down the liquid through my mouth, and I couldn't stop it, tasting it briefly. The taste twisted my stomach for I realized that it's actually fish blood mixed with other things I couldn't recognize.
Eric screamed, "What did you do to her?!". The eel who forced me to drink the liquid twisted around to face Eric, "Why, nothing. Just something to sweeten the deal. Our master realized the implications of using your mermaid as leverage to have the Trident, so he made a poison, a delicate slow-acting one, mind you, but she will die at the end of the month.".
Eric's face went white as I gave out a horrified gasp. "However, if you want to save her, you must bring the Trident to our master, and in return, he shall give the antidote to cure your mermaid in time. Don't take too long to decide for you have about two weeks left. Remember, your heart and human again if no Trident, but remain as a merman and save your princess if you bring the Trident.". The eel explained wickedly.
Eric looked torn, looking at me with love and dimming hope, and breathed, "Tell him that I will think. You must not be lying about the poison!". The eel cackled, "She will be sick starting from tomorrow, indicating that it's proof of the poison. Good luck, boy! Jetsam, let her go now, and let us return home to our master.".
The eel holding into me, Jetsam if that's his name, let me go, and I heaved, digging for deep breaths as Eric swam over to me, holding me tight against his chest, whispering, "Forgive me..I am so sorry, so sorry.", kept repeating his apologies as I realized that we are in real trouble.