Ariel walked down the long beach, in front of the palace, thinking about how Eric acted that night at the ball. He was obviously jealous she hugged and was talking to Danny. But why would he be jealous? It's not like he loves her or anything. Or does he? Ariel would straight up ask him but what if he doesn't? She'll just get embarrassed for ever thinking it and asking him.

Ariel saw Eric walking down the steps of the palace with his dog. Max ran over to Ariel to greet her and then ran back to Eric. He threw Max a ball to fetch and then walked over to Ariel.

"What are you doing out here by yourself?" He asked.

Ariel shrugged. "Just thinking... Just taking a walk and thinking."

"Thinking about what?"

"You actually."

"I'm worried then. Is what you're thinking about me good or bad?"

"I don't know yet." She said studying Eric. "Can I ask you something?"

Eric crouched down to pet his dog on his head. "Go right ahead."

"So I've been wondering this for a week now. It's just how you acted."

"How I acted?" Eric questioned, standing back up.

"Yes, at the ball to be more specific. It was when I was talking to Danny and then you came over to us. I sensed you were jealous when I told you we were very close and don't deny you weren't." Ariel said. "You wouldn't be jealous unless you, dare I say it, love me or at least like me a lot."

"Ariel, you're my wife." Eric said. "Of course I'm going to like you."

"I wouldn't be your wife unless daddy made me marry you. Just admit it, you fell for me in this short time of knowing me."

"You're acting as if it's a bad thing to fall for your wife." Eric said.

Ariel smiled and hugged her husband. "I'm happy you did because that's all I want. What I always wanted, to be loved."

Eric smiled and kissed Ariel on the top of her head. "Now I have a question for you." He took a long pause. "How do you feel about me?"

Ariel didn't immediately answer. She was unsure how she felt about Eric. She knew she didn't resent or hate him, but she also doesn't love him. "I don't know yet... But, I'm ready."

"Ready?" He repeated.

"I'm ready to try to make a baby."

"That would mean..."

Ariel nodded. "I'm ready."

Eric could hardly wait for night to come. But unlike him, Ariel was nervous about it. She wasn't sure what to expect, since it would be her first time. She wondered if this was Eric's first time or if he had had sex with a maid or servant just to get the urges out. Ariel wasn't going to ask him since it would be more awkward than just doing it. She's just going to assume he hadn't before.

Eric slowly took off Ariel's white night gown and threw it on the floor. Ariel felt shy being completely naked in front of him. It was the first time he or any man had seen her in her most vulnerable state. She felt like covering up immediately but knew she should get used to Eric seeing her unclothed. Eric threw his belt on the floor, followed by his pants. All Ariel could do was stare, but trying to not make it so obvious. Ariel was thinking, Oh my gosh, he's so big. Will it even fit? Will it hurt?

Eric kissed Ariel again and then slowly went in her. She let out a gasp of air when she felt it. He stopped and asked her if she was okay, which she nodded and told told him to continue.

Ariel lay on her side with her back towards Eric when they finished. She honestly wondered why people say this is something fun. To her it was nothing but painful. Maybe because it was her first time? Maybe once she gets used to it, it'll be fun. Ariel wanted to be done after ten minutes, but she wasn't going to tell him to stop. Especially when everyone is expecting news of a heir right about now. Ariel knew it was probably impossible to conceive after one time and would have to do it more. It scared her, just the thought, because what if it doesn't stop hurting? What if each time they do it, it'll hurt? Ariel silently cried until she fell asleep.

Ariel woke up the following say very sore. She got out of bed quietly, since Eric was still asleep, and picked up her white night gown off the floor, and put it back on. She wandered into the bathroom and started the water so she could take a nice warm bubble bath, in hope it would relax her sore parts. When she finished, she got dressed, seeing Eric had gotten up, and went down to eat breakfast. She was surprised when she didn't see him down in the dinning hall.

"Carlotta, do you know where Eric is?" Ariel asked, as the maid placed her plate of food down in front of her.

"Afraid not, dear." She replied. "Do you need anything else?"

"No."

As Ariel ate alone in the dining hall, she saw Eric walk in holding a bouquet of flowers. "There you are. Are those for me?"

Eric walked over to Ariel, giving her a quick kiss on her lips, and handed them to her. "Of course. Went into town this morning and got you them fresh."

Ariel smiled as she smelt them. "Thank you."

Eric sat down across from Ariel and Carlotta brought him his breakfast. "Last night was rather enjoyable."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."

"You didn't?" Eric asked.

"I'm a bit sore, that's it." She said, taking a sip of water. "But I guess you can't have a child without pain."

So I tried my best not to go into detail with the sex scene since it is rated T not M. Okay, thanks for reading. How about a review?