Eric sighed heavily and rested his elbows on the railing of the balcony, missing the girls already.
Carlotta happened to be walking by at the moment, discussing with Grimsby what was going to be needed of her in the next couple of weeks.
While walking by, she noticed that Eric's door was open. She didn't think anything of it until she saw the king somberly staring out to sea, not realizing she was there. Carlotta frowned for seeing his royal highness so unhappy caused her a great deal of pain as well. She had always viewed him as a son, watching over his every move, making sure that Grimsby's pessimistic attitude didn't wear off on him. She pictured him as a toddler, his thick, black hair already taking control of his head. He refused to eat any of Louis' food and would only eat something that he knew Carlotta had made for him. To make sure she had made it, he would follow her around the kitchen, watching her dice onions or stir pots. Occasionally he would assist her by bringing the utensils she needed or helping her crack eggs into a bowl. Carlotta loved spending time with the young prince and after Eric's parents died, she sort of took him under her wing.
Eric sighed again and turned around, jumping a bit when he saw Carlotta in the doorway with Grimsby by her side.
"Go along now Grimsby." Carlotta shooed the man from the room and welcomed herself in, closing the door behind her. Eric smiled gently at the woman who had practically raised him, trying to wipe the worry off of her face. Unfortunately his plan failed.
Eric frowned again and sat down on his bed, placing his head in his hands. "I just miss them, Carlotta. And now with it being so close to Ariel and mine's anniversary, it just seems unfair."
Carlotta set down the pile of clothes she was holding and walked over to sit by Eric. Once she had made herself comfortable, she put a comforting hand on his knee. Eric turned to her and she smiled.
"Eric, I may not know much about the world that Ariel comes from," she began, "and I don't believe you do either. But Ariel knows everything there is to know about that world and Melody is quickly learning. If you ask me, it is a bit unfair that they leave you behind for so long and never invite you to come with them. But have you ever thought that you give off a vibe that says you don't want to go there?"
Eric took in what she said and ran his hand through his hair. "Ariel always talks about 'her world'… She knows my world, why can't I know hers? " The maid merely smiled.
"You've changed Eric," she said, patting his hand. "I recall knowing a boy, about eighteen or nineteen at the time, who, when asked why he was rowing out to sea, replied with, 'I've lost her once, Grim! I'm not going to lose her again!' That boy, a man actually, went to all costs to get the girl, to understand her. To love her." Eric's eyes widened, surprised that Carlotta had remembered that.
"Now, you seem to be… lazy!" Carlotta simply chuckled at the confused look on the king's face. "What I'm trying to say is, don't give up. In fact, why don't you surprise the girls? I'm sure King Triton wouldn't mind allowing you of all people into the sea if you told him your reasons why." Eric grinned and nodded his head.
"You know what, yeah, I think I will!" He stood up and hugged Carlotta, appreciative of every word that she had said. He kneeled on one knee and looked her in the eyes. "I love you, Carlotta. You've always been like a mother to me. I hope you know that."
Carlotta smiled back at Eric, picturing once again the handsome toddler running around the kitchen. Tears welled up in her eyes and she cupped her hand around Eric's chin. "I know that Eric. And you've always been like a son to me," she whispered. "Now, go surprise those two wonderful women of yours."