PART 2
Unbeknownst to him that he was under observation, the sailor removed the harpoon from the merman's back and attempted to guide him back into the water. However, his intoxication hindered his efforts, causing him to stumble over the merman's form and end up seated beside it, perplexed about his next move.
Simultaneously, beneath the waves, a young mermaid, emboldened to explore the surface, witnessed the entire unfolding with a mixture of shock and urgency. He swiftly darted back to the depths, his goal to alert the Sea King of the distressing incident. "These humans, they're mere agents of destruction," he exclaimed to any who would lend an ear.
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Inside the castle, the queen jolted awake as the emergency bell resounded through the air. Fearing another one of Eric's seizures, Selina swiftly rose from her bed, donned her robe, and hastened into the corridor. To her surprise, she encountered not only her son Eric but also Ariel and Sir Grimsby, their faces etched with concern.
"It appears something of urgency has unfolded on the shore to warrant such an early bell," Eric speculated.
"Indeed. Hurry, change into suitable attire. We must ascertain the situation promptly," Selina instructed, her voice edged with a mix of worry and determination. Turning to Sir Grimsby, she directed, "Summon the guards without delay. They ought to accompany us."
"Of course, Your Majesty," he affirmed, and the group dispersed, each attending to their respective tasks with a sense of urgency.
Upon the beach, a gathering had formed, comprising armed members of both land and sea. Together, they sought to uncover the cause behind the alarming occurrence. Amidst the crowd, King Triton seethed with rage, his eyes fixed intensely on the humans who were handling the deceased merman with a blatant lack of respect. Meanwhile, Princesses Indira and Caspia extended their efforts to provide solace to Senor Alejandro, who stood in a state of shock, tormented by the sight of his slain son.
"Who is responsible for this atrocity?" King Triton's voice dripped with fury, his gaze penetrating the ground. This marked the second instance where humans had ruthlessly claimed the life of a merman, fueling his growing concern for Ariel's safety.
"Oh no..." Ariel's breath caught in a gasp as they reached the scene. She instinctively buried her face into Eric's chest, her desire to shield herself from the heartrending sight before her evident. Tears streamed down her cheeks, leaving damp trails on her skin.
"Who is accountable for this tragedy? Can someone please explain what transpired?" The queen's anxiety was palpable as she sought information from those gathered.
"Your Majesty, a few hours ago, Miguel discovered this lifeless being on the shore..." a footman began to explain.
"Please, he was not just any being. He was my friend and deserves to be treated with dignity," Ariel interjected, her anger simmering.
In an unexpected turn, a commotion arose behind them as the prince collapsed to the ground, seized by yet another violent attack.
"Halt everything and aid the prince!" the chief of the guard barked. "Mr. Miguel, you will accompany us for questioning."
In a matter of minutes, the human crowd disbanded. The guards swiftly ushered Eric, followed by the Queen and Ariel, back to the castle. Sir Grimsby directed for Diego to be returned to the sea under careful supervision by his kin.
"Please inform the Queen that I insist on a meeting," Triton declared with solemnity, addressing Sir Grimsby.
"Your Highness, the prince is unwell once more, but I am confident that Your Majesty the Queen will engage in discourse with you shortly, Lord of the Seas."
"Then I shall await her communication," the king of the sea acknowledged before vanishing into the depths.
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Despite not having fully recuperated from his recent seizure and battling an excruciating headache, Eric was determined to accompany the chief of the guard during the interrogation with Mr. Miguel. After all, the tragic death of a merman had occurred, and given that the entire island was aware of Ariel's mermaid identity, he held deep concerns that whoever was responsible for the murder might target the woman he held affection for.
When asked about the discovery of the merman's body, Mr. Miguel recounted the entire sequence of events, starting from the morning when Eric reprimanded him for polishing a harpoon, to the hazy night at the bar. Throughout, he maintained a steady and serious gaze fixed upon the prince.
"And you never handled that harpoon again?" inquired Eric.
"Since you tossed it into the water, Your Highness, I haven't touched it," Mr. Miguel replied.
"Are you insinuating something about your prince?" inquired the chief guard, his tone stern.
"I'm merely reminding Your Highness that he discarded the harpoon into the water..."
"That's enough!" interjected Eric, rising to his feet. "I did indeed cast the harpoon into the water. If I'm accountable for anything, I'll accept the consequences. However, until there's concrete evidence, I won't depart from this palace. As for you, Mr. Miguel, you're forbidden from approaching the docks or any route leading to the sea. You, escort him away and ensure he steers clear of the coastline."
Once they were out of the library, Eric began to contemplate. If he were truly the perpetrator, even unintentionally, he realized he wouldn't possess the fortitude to meet Ariel's gaze any longer.
In Eric's chamber, Ariel sat in silence, grappling with the aftermath of the recent events she had borne witness to. As Eric's condition improved and he ventured to join the chief of the guard for the interrogation, Ariel recognized the moment had arrived to confront the sorrow over her friend's demise. Tears streamed down her cheeks as Lashana, with a compassionate touch, attempted to console her.
"My dear, my heart aches for what transpired with your friend," the queen's voice resonated as she entered the chamber, catching the two women off guard.
"His name was Diego... Diego de Malaga. He hailed from Spain, and his father, Senor Alejandro, serves as the Spanish Prime Minister of the Sea."
"Did you share a close bond with him?" the queen inquired gently.
"He was my closest companion throughout my upbringing. Diego vowed to shield me from any human threat and, simultaneously, he encouraged my curiosity about the world above," Ariel's voice quivered as she spoke.
"He appeared to be a person of great character," the queen concurred. "Fear not, my darling. We shall exert every effort to unearth the truth behind this heinous act."
"I'll assist; justice must be brought to my friend. He deserves that much," Ariel affirmed, her resolve unwavering, just as Eric entered the room.
"Eric, my love, you should be resting," she exclaimed, rushing to his side and helping him to settle into the nearest chair.
"Duty called, my dear," he chuckled softly. "I accompanied Captain Solomon for the interrogation."
"And what transpired?" the queen inquired.
"Mr. Miguel maintained his innocence. He claimed he was too inebriated to have been involved," Eric nodded wearily, looking up with fatigue evident in his eyes. "Oh, heavens... I fear I may have committed a grievous mistake."
"What do you mean, Eric?" the queen prodded, and in response, his gaze shifted to Ariel, his eyes heavy with guilt.
"Yesterday, during the ship's inspection, I noticed Mr. Miguel polishing a harpoon. I took it from him and cast it into the water, if i… if I…" he paused, his words halting as Ariel tightened her hold on him.
"You're not to blame, Eric," Ariel reassured, offering him a comforting smile. "You're incapable of causing harm to anyone."
"Boy!" Lashana's voice echoed, making itself heard. She was one of the few individuals, alongside the queen, who treated Eric as an equal. "How on earth could you have caused harm to that poor merman? You can barely keep your balance without your cane these days!" The governess scolded the prince, who responded with hearty laughter.
''Your Majesty, glad I found you!'' Grimby appear in a hurry.
''Yes Grimsby, what is it?'' asked Queen Selina getting up from her sit.
''it's the Sea King, he's requesting a meeting with you," informed the messenger.
"Naturally, I'll convene with him at the pier," affirmed the queen.
"Mother, perhaps it's wise for all of us to accompany you," Eric suggested. The queen concurred with his proposal, considering that Eric was overseeing the interrogations.
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Triton stood waiting as the small group approached. Upon reaching the pier, Ariel rushed into her father's embrace. After the queen offered her condolences, Eric proceeded to update the king, his father-in-law, about the outcome of the initial interrogation.
"Eric, for the sake of my daughter, I'm willing to give you and your family the benefit of doubt. However, that doesn't equate to me placing unwavering trust in all humans. Ariel is well aware that this isn't the first instance of a human harming one of our own," King Triton declared.
"I comprehend your concerns, Your Highness. Yet, please be assured that we are fully committed to uncovering the truth behind the murder of young Diego," the queen asserted resolutely.
"I hold hope for that, and in the meantime, I shall heighten security on the waters to prevent any further tragedies," King Triton affirmed.
"Rest assured, it won't be allowed to happen again," Eric agreed. "Grimsby, please send out a message to the sailors and anyone who was on the beach yesterday afternoon and evening. Request that they provide their testimonies regarding what they observed."
"Yes, Your Highness," Grimsby acknowledged, then left to carry out the task.
"Ariel!" Triton tightened his grip on her hand before she departed. "My Ariel, my apprehension for your safety upon the surface lingers. I urge you to return with me to the depths."
Ariel's smile radiated assurance as she responded, "I'll be safe, Father. Here, beside Eric, I feel secure. Please, don't worry. Moreover, I wish to remain here and offer my assistance."
The king of the seas smiled and vanished beneath the waves, respecting his daughter's resolve.
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After Grimsby had issued the order for testimonies to be written, the castle staff bustled back and forth, carrying boxes laden with deposition papers. Eric maintained his composure as he perused the accounts, methodically analyzing the movements of each citizen during the probable time of Diego's murder. Nonetheless, none of the statements seemed to hold significance. It was his personal physician however, who arrived with a piece of information.
"My prince, I was walking along the shore yesterday when I observed movement in the sand, near the water's edge."
"And what did you see?" Eric inquired with a touch of impatience.
"It was dim, Your Highness. I could only discern shadows. I felt that I might be disturbing something, so I departed."
"At what time was this?" Eric pressed.
"I'm uncertain, my prince. It occurred after dinner."
"Very well, you may leave," the prince responded, his frustration evident.
As Ariel sat at the piano, she engaged in an attempt to recollect the last moments she had shared with Diego. It had been a week prior when he had presented her with more of the seaweed extract potion that effectively managed Eric's seizures. Pondering intently, Ariel strived to detect any unusual details about him. Yet, her memories of Diego portrayed him as his customary self—warm-hearted and animated. During their encounter, he conversed with Ariel about the happenings in the depths, eagerly inquiring about aspects of the human world. He even whimsically contemplated seeking the king's permission for a pair of legs, envisioning the prospect of exploring the human realm at will. Ariel chuckled, unable to foresee the impending tragedy that would unfold the following week. From her vantage point, it seemed inconceivable that anyone would have a sufficient motive to take her friend's life.
''What would be the motive any human had to end your life, my dearest friend?'' Ariel whispered to herself.
"Maybe your friend's death wasn't a random event," Ariel jumped slightly, startled by Eric's sudden appearance in the piano room. He settled into an armchair adjacent to hers. "It's plausible that he was targeted to convey a message," he mused, prompting Ariel's bewilderment.
"Do humans resort to murder as a means of communication?" Ariel inquired, her confusion palpable. "And if that's the case, what was the message intended, and who might be behind it?"
Eric chuckled at his sweetheart's inquisitiveness. "No, these aren't messages akin to the ones myself, Grimsby or my mother might convey to the subordinates. These messages, involving deaths, are typically orchestrated by malicious individuals. They function as a form of communication, though a sinister one. Their purpose is to frighten others, to coerce or intimidate them."
"Intimidate for what?" Ariel inquired.
"Almost the entire kingdom knows about your true identity as a mermaid. They witnessed it on the day the sea witch appeared," Eric stated somberly. "My fear now is that your friend's death might have been orchestrated to send you a message. Someone might be trying to show you that you're not safe. The individual who committed this act could be targeting you, and that's what worries me the most."
"I feel safe with you," Ariel murmured, moving closer to Eric and finding solace as she rested her head upon his shoulder. They sat together in a wordless embrace for a moment.
"They've been saying that I'm a sick man," Eric's voice was a quiet whisper after a pause. "And in truth, they're right. I'm often tired and weak, these seizures drain my strength, and with each passing day, my confidence in my own body diminishes... and I'm terrified," he paused once more, his gaze meeting Ariel's. "I'm afraid that if you're truly in danger, I won't have the ability to shield you."
"But Eric..." Ariel began to respond.
"Ariel, I've been contemplating this. Maybe it would be best for you to return to the waters for a while... just for a week. That's the time frame I'll give them to locate the murderer. During that period, I believe you should go back to the sea, where you'd be better protected."
"But Eric, what about you? What will you do?" Ariel inquired with concern.
"I will exhaust every conceivable effort to ensure your safety, even if it means going to extremes. I'll strive to bring justice to your friend," he responded earnestly. Without hesitation, Ariel embraced Eric tightly, holding onto him as if she never wanted to let go.
"I love you," she whispered, her voice filled with genuine affection.
"Please take care," Eric implored, his words infused with sincerity.
"I'll be waiting, just as you will be. Stay safe," Ariel reaffirmed, and the two shared a passionate embrace, holding each other close in the face of uncertainty.
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As night descended, Eric and Sir Grimsby accompanied Ariel to the shore, where Triton awaited them. The impending separation weighed heavily on the lovers' hearts as they shared a lingering embrace, yearning for the day they could reunite.
After Ariel and her father vanished beneath the waves, Eric and the others made their way back to the castle, blissfully unaware that they were being observed from the shadows.