Eric was mostly silent, comforting her all the rest of the day, with convincing her to eat lunch so Melody can drink her milk from her mother, and eventually, Triton returned to see them as the small family stood on the shore by the palace.
Triton sighed heavily, looking at them, "We have searched all the Ionian Sea, and are barely starting on the rest of the Mediterranean Sea, but I'm afraid that he has hidden away extremely well since he has dark magic...".
"More than likely, he'll have fled very far from your reach. He doesn't have anything right now to use as a bargain to keep you from destroying him.", Eric said.
"Agreed. He might be heading for the vast ocean past the grand entrance.", Triton spoke thoughtfully. Grand entrance being the Rock of Gilbralter and the lands of the Moroccans.
"On to the New World perhaps. Certainly far enough away from your reach.", Eric scratched his chin. "No matter how far he goes, I'll find him and destroy him for what he's done to this family. For Tazio and Sebastian.", Triton firmly said.
"But you can't search for him and protect Atlantica and our kingdom at the same time. Meanwhile, he could be anywhere...", Eric sighed in thought... hating that the monster managed to escape in the first place.
Ariel spoke quietly since in a while, "Eric's right...I...I don't want to lose you, Daddy, if you go search for that...that monster...", and Triton sighed deeply, "Very well, Ariel...Still, I will ask for merfolk to volunteer to guard the Ionian Sea borders beyond Atlantica and Italy...It's something at least, and it will give me a sense of security that I will know that you, Eric, and little Melody are safe.".
Melody giggled, crawling up to the sea, wiggling her hands in the soft cresting waves before Ariel picked her up, and she nodded, "Melody needs to be safe...I...won't keep her like a prisoner, but she cannot go to Atlantica...Ursula somehow had eyes everywhere, and if she taught that man, sorcerer...he would have eyes everywhere too...".
Eric looked at Ariel, "But that would take away part of her...", and Ariel sighed deeply, "We will tell her everything when she's old enough, but I cannot lose her...".
Flounder spoke up as he had kept close, "Does that mean you're not visiting anymore?", and Ariel spoke, "I don't know, Flounder...".
"We might be able to work something out...", Triton said. "I don't want to say goodbye to you for who knows how long.". Ariel nodded.
"I know... and I guess I'm just worried that finding him will be like Ursula... so many years hiding away...", Ariel whispered.
"Othonoi?", Eric said as he thought aloud an idea. "Obviously would need to find a way to keep both sides of this family from being discovered there. Might be easier for us if we travel overland to, say, Taranto.".
Triton stroked his beard thoughtfully, "I think that might work...but we cannot make a pattern out of those trips otherwise he would notice...", and Eric replied, "We could do Christmas one year, Easter the next, my birthday the next year, Ariel's birthday the next, and so on...".
"We'll... we'll figure out something, Daddy. Right now... we just need the time to mourn for Sebastian, as well as recover from these recent events.", Ariel said.
"And Melody... you don't know how long to keep her heritage from her.", Triton reminded. "I know...", Ariel sighed. "But I don't want to worry her about that monster... she deserves to at least live a carefree life...".
"At least the best a princess can live. The storm clouds of war already are on the air... the Spanish are trying to recover Sicily; the Ottomans are on the verge of triumph over the Venetians. Tirulia might find itself at the crossroads with other kingdoms who might not wish for us to stay neutral from conflicts.", Eric said. "The usual attempts of usurping the throne for someone more agreeable.", Ariel nodded; knowing that was obviously the territory that came with ruling.
Triton said, "All the same, send a message to me when you have time.", and Ariel nodded, "Of course...I love you, Daddy.".
Smiling gently yet sadly, "I love you too, Ariel.", Triton replied before stroking Melody's cheek as she gurgled happily, drooling on her locket necklace, and glanced at Eric, "The shield will hold strong for some time before I'd need to refresh the power in the shield again.".
Eric smiled thankfully, "Thank you, Triton...", before glancing at the sun, "It's almost dark, let's head back to the palace, Ariel.", and Ariel nodded, holding Melody over her shoulder, resting her body as Triton and Flounder left, heading back under the sea, to Atlantica.
The couple spent a fairly quiet evening; basically, trying to at least help with Melody since it still was her birthday, but she obviously could tell something was off with her parents. After putting her to bed, the couple found themselves sitting on the balcony, their minds drifting to Tazio and his killer.
"Because of us... all this happened because we killed Ursula.", Eric sighed as he shook his head; his rage just couldn't be reached at the moment.
"Probably still would've been the same if Daddy was the one to destroy her... I just seem to be the perfect way to get to both of you.", Ariel replied quietly.
Eric exhaled softly, "You are my wife, and you'll always be my little mermaid no matter what...It would be the same here on the mainland...I know it's not a perfect world, but I really try to make it a better place for you, for Melody...You're my family.".
"I know...I...I feel strangely better by knowing now because that monster killed Tazio, yet I still feel upset that he got away and that if we killed him, we wouldn't still bring Tazio back...Does that make sense?", Ariel asked softly.
"No, I know that too well... killing him wouldn't bring Tazio back, of course... but I would feel a bit better that his killer would be brought to justice.", Eric said as Ariel nodded. "But as you said, it still wouldn't take away the pain of losing Tazio and Sebastian.".
Ariel sighed deeply as she leaned closer into Eric's chest, giving out a sob, "I wish Sebastian was here to see Melody grow, yet I feel like he's keeping company with Tazio, Mother, and your parents...".
"He probably is...", Eric gave a small smile. "He gave his life to save us... he wouldn't want us to be depressed and not live our lives..."
"You said the same thing about Tazio.", Ariel reminded him as she gave a small sigh. "I know, it remains the same.", Eric kissed her cheek.
"Thank you, Eric.", Ariel gave a small smile. Eric smiled tenderly, "You're welcome, Ariel. I love you.", realizing that Ariel is rebounding back some into the quiet, grieving, lost woman...just as she was so happy this morning, singing again, and he sure did notice that all of Tirulia and Atlantica were smiling in joy to have their Queen back...
Looks like he's back to comforting Ariel, not that he doesn't mind, but he was so looking forward to having his little mermaid in ravishing her beautiful body tonight with her so bold and playful again, but now it doesn't look like it, and she'd say no...
"I love you too, Eric.", Ariel said as she looked back to him. "I know you wanted us to have fun tonight... but...".
"I get it. Hard to really get into that mood after today.", Eric nodded in understanding. "We can make this up in a few weeks, but right now... I just want you to hold me tight tonight.", Ariel whispered softly.
Eric smiled gently, "Of course, I can do that, my love.", and Ariel smiled gratefully at him as he helped her off her chair, and headed back inside the bedroom, and just spooned up with Eric holding Ariel tight in his arms in their bed, with the balcony doors closed, but the curtains are open somewhat to bring a little peace to Ariel.
And so, throughout the weeks, months, years, Ariel mostly became better, not depressed per second which was a relief to Eric and the household staff, but she often had random bouts of breakdowns when she saw Tazio in Melody's smile and gestures, and almost always habitually found herself talking aloud to Sebastian when Flounder visited, as it was normally the duo, not only Flounder...
With Eric's idea, alternating between holidays and birthdays, with traveling overland to Taranto, with a quick ship trip to Othonoi, Melody grew up mostly carefree, with a streak of rebel childishness.
At the same time, Cetus still was nowhere to be found nor were his stingrays. It was frustrating on Triton's part as not once, could he feel both kingdoms to be truly safe as long as that wicked monster was still around. And Triton certainly was making sure to look, obviously checking Ursula's old lair first and foremost just in case Cetus was foolish enough to think that he wouldn't look there.
Over the years, Cetus didn't stay too long in one place as he had safehouses in every sea and lake beyond the Gates at the border of the Mediterranean Sea, often finding more ideas to increase his dark magic repository.
And of course, his dark magic aided him to look into the family occasionally, delighting in the heartbreaking looks of Ariel when she goes out either on the balcony or the island in the lagoon, the stricken-comforting looks of the human, Eric when he goes to join Ariel, and of course, the confused, concerned looks of Melody when she notices...
Melody herself grew up with a few stories, but not quite detailed enough to know, only knowing that she had a twin brother who died in infancy, and that Ariel had a lifelong friend who died as a hero, saving the king. She didn't know that her beloved magical locket has been locked away in a safe place from her hands as she grew up until she grew responsible enough or that her other family members are actually merpeople when they were human, visiting Eric, Ariel and Melody on Othonoi.
11, almost 12-year-old Melody finally had enough one day, frustrated after Carlotta told her that Ariel will be fine, just healing slowly with a missing part of her heart, and she walked to Eric's private office, knocking on the door.
"Come in!", Eric's voice called out, and Melody came in, "Dad.", and Eric looked up from reading one of the documents, "Oh, Melody! What's wrong?".
Melody sighed, "Dad, you told me that numerous times that there are things we cannot control, and that babies die in infancy, and that's normal, but why does Mom keep crying and breaking down when she remembers? I mean, Tazio died in infancy because he was smaller than me, right? I read that twins are not always the same size and all...".
Eric was hesitant to say anything before he finally relented; at least saying what hopefully would be enough for her for the time being until he could have a long discussion with Ariel, "Well, yes, he was smaller, but that was due to an... issue, in the womb when you and he were growing.".
"But why does she break down?", Melody asked as Eric sighed, "We thought that maybe Tazio could be strong enough to survive. He died in her arms which... it really affects you, especially being a mother. You might be the same, if, and I hope to God that won't happen with you, if you lost a child.".
"Oh...", Melody became quiet, having assumed that Tazio died in his crib or something, but never that..."You were there?".
Eric sighed deeply, closing his eyes in pain before opening his eyes, "Yes...I was holding you in my arms when I heard your mother cry out his name...When I turned around...I would never forget it when she screamed, collapsing into the floor...".
Melody felt something pang in her heart, realizing that she had witnessed it all, yet she wouldn't remember it as she was barely a newborn..."I...I'm sorry I asked...", and Eric shook his head softly, "Don't be...You are almost 12...Can you promise to wait a bit longer before I convince your mother that you're ready to know the truth? Or unless you don't want to...".
Melody looked at him odd. "The truth?", she asked as Eric nodded. "Melody... ", Eric sighed. "Your mother and I do so much to protect you; you've known some things for a few years that being a princess... obviously has its troubles.".
"Right... folks that want to take me away or hurt me as a way of hurting you and Mom...", Melody nodded, knowing the issues around Italy and Europe, through it doesn't seem so important to her when Tirulia has been pretty much peaceful, maybe too quiet at times, but it was home...
Eric nodded slowly, "That's right...Look, ever since...losing Tazio, you've been one of the reasons why your mother is trying to move on, but it's hard, so that's why I must ask you to listen without interruption when the truth comes out...I...I don't want to see you fight with your mother, okay? It's not like the times you snuck out to go swimming near the palace when you were allowed to do so on Othonoi.".
Melody ducked her head down, "You noticed, huh?", and Eric smiled sadly, "I don't blame you, Melody...You are too much like your mother...You know your mother will soon find out that you've been doing it behind her back...".
"Is making the rule part of the truth you're going to tell me?", Melody asked softly, and Eric nodded, "Yes, it is, and you will see why soon enough...Now, why don't you go play with Max or do music practice, okay?".
Melody nodded, "Alright...You're going to talk with Mom?", and Eric sighed, "I think I should, and besides, I need a break from all this paperwork...", getting up from his chair, going around the desk, and he leaned down on his knees, looking at Melody, squeezing her shoulder, "I'm so proud of you, Melody...You'll make a great queen.".
Melody smiled before sighing deeply as she fiddled with her fingers, "Daddy, what if I don't want to be queen when I get older? I mean, is there like a cousin of yours or someone who can rule instead of me?".
Eric pinched the bridge of his nose. "Melody...", he chuckled. "Spring that one on me, you just had to...", with a soft shake of his head. "Sorry, Daddy.", Melody blushed as she giggled. "Maybe not the best time to ask about that.".
"It's alright, just... not something I truly think of, but there are things in place should all three of us be unable to rule.", Eric replied. "Like how England got those Germans to be their king?", Melody asked curiously.
Eric nodded warmly, "That's right...Your royal lessons are paying off...And as for your question, if the worst case scenario didn't happen, I am sorry to say that you are the only direct heir to the throne...Of course, if Tazio had lived...he would have been in the standing as you were the firstborn before him, and if you gave him the throne...he would truly live up to his name...again...".
"Again?", Melody asked in confusion, and Eric smiled sadly, "Part of the truth, Melody...Now, scoot, find Max or play in the music room.", ruffling her bangs affectionately.
Melody smiled softly, "Okay, Dad.", before leaving the room to find Max who is in his senior years, but still somehow young at heart, never refusing an opportunity to play with his master or his mistresses.
Eric chuckled softly, sighing deeply with a pang in his heart as he realized that if Tazio was here, older like Melody, he would seek his father out with problems and such, and he nodded to himself, "Right...". as he got up, exhaling deeply, noticing the clock, and if he knew Ariel which he does, she would either be in the library or in the grand ballroom, arranging things with Carlotta and Louis for Melody's birthday ball which would happen in a few days.
As he guessed, it was the ballroom as Ariel was all alone, Eric walked past Carlotta and Louis before coming in. "Ariel?", he asked as he could hear Ariel sniffling. "Eric...", she wiped her eyes. "Sorry, I was just a bit weepy right now. It... it wasn't that bad this time.".
Eric exhaled deeply as he kissed her cheek, "It's alright...", his heart hurting to see Ariel sad like this, and Ariel nodded softly, "I...I just thought of how Tazio would be so handsome in his suit...maybe having a crush on one of the ladies...asking for a dance...".
"I bet he would be a spectacular dancer like us...Ariel...I...I need to talk with you privately...", Eric smiled gently before asking quietly. Ariel frowned before widening her eyes, "What is it? Is something wrong? Is Melody okay?".
"She's fine, Ariel. She's either playing with Max or playing in the music room...I promised her that I'd talk to you...Ariel...she came into my private office, asking questions, and...we have to tell her the truth...", Eric sighed heavily.
Ariel glanced away as Eric sighed in frustration, "Ariel, we can't keep putting this off. 'Just give her another year' 'Let her not worry for a bit longer', Ariel, she's just at the point where she's not going to accept anything but the truth from us.".