Eric's POV

"Da," Aria cheered as I walked into her room. The maid who was carrying my daughter smiled and set her down. She waddled over to me with her arms out wide.

"She's growing up fast," the woman spoke sweetly. I saw her smile faltered for a second before she recomposed.

"Yes," I sighed leaning down to pick up my beautiful little girl. I cradled her in my arms as she snuggled against my chest. "Yes, she is."

I made faces at her, causing her to burst into giggles. Her eyes sparkled as her toothy smile grew. Inside, I was beginning to worry again by her growth rate. She was easily a young toddler, at only nine months. Her mother saw it too. Everyone did, but no one said it.

Given the circumstances in which Aria came into this world, so fast and unexpected, no one questioned it. Ariel and I were thankful for the few questions we did receive. Grimsby had convinced us that Carlotta was someone we could trust. After she learned the truth about Ariel, and Aria's lineage, she helped to keep any whispers and curiosity at bay.

"Eric," my mother's voice spoke firmly from the stairs. I turned to face her and felt my daughter cling closer to me. "We have someone to take care of the child."

"I'm capable of taking care of my child." I stated, reminding her of the fact.

"She is your bastard," my mother snapped back. "She will never be inline to the throne. She will never have a crown or title. She will be nothing more than that seductive woman's claws in you."

"Enough," I barked, my hand immediately covered the ear that was out toward my mother. "You have no right to continue that battle. It is pointless and meaningless. By going forward, you are only pushing me farther away from what respect I held for you as my mother."

I watched as her jaw clenched not once, but twice before she spoke again.

"You have a responsibility to this kingdom. You are to inherit the crown in the next year."

"I intend to follow through with those responsibilities, but you have to accept that I have more now."

"You will need a wife to rule beside you," she continued ignoring me. "Now that this, well, it will make the choices more difficult."

Taking a single deep breath, I moved around my mother and turned my attention back to Aria as I carried down the stairs. I whispered to her, hoping that none of my mother's cruel words would reach her subconscious and taint any memories she may have of the woman who is her grandmother by blood.

"How's the young lady this morning," Grimsby asked as we entered the kitchen.

"Scared by her grandmother's ruthless words."

"Not this one. She was born during a storm. She was meant to weather anything the world throws at her." Aria called out to Grimsby waving her hand. He took her hand and kissed the top of her tiny hand. She recoiled shyly, bringing her hand to her chest and beaming at him.

"Where's Ariel?"

"Out on the shore," Grimsby tilted his head subtly. I nodded and made my way to the backdoor that lead to the garden. We wandered through the flowers and trees as we walked to the beach. After she reached for some of the leaves and failed, I hoisted her over my head to place her on my shoulders.

She cheered and grasped at the leaves once more, yanking some from their branches. As we emerged from the trees she sighed at the sight of the ocean. Much like her mother, she was entranced by the ocean. The blues and greens swirling and dancing as one, always pulling their attention away from this world.

"Mama," Aria called, patting my head, spotting her mother. Her bright red hair was braided and stopped short of her waist. Hearing her daughter, she turned around to face us with her hand shading her eyes from the afternoon's sun.

Just like the first time I saw her, my breath left my lungs and I was speechless. The yellow dress complimented her eyes and her figure. She had more curves now that she had the baby, but she was still stunning in every way.

We only had three more months to figure out what our next move. We needed to find a practicle solution.