PART 4
As Ariel approached the palace, she noticed that her father was engaged in conversation with Senor Alejandro. The two mermen were discussing the recent events, with the king offering consolation to the Spanish Prime Minister of the Seas. When the princess swam toward them, she made her intentions clear.
"Daddy, I need to talk to you. It's important, and it's about... it's about the investigation," she stated candidly. The king couldn't help but chuckle.
"I thought Eric instructed you to stay here, to protect yourself, not to interfere in the investigations. The dolphins are already handling that. That's what I was discussing with Senor Alejandro."
"Well, I'm genuinely worried about my husband," Ariel defended herself. "Everyone is saying he's ill, though I don't believe it. But everyone knows he formed a bond with a mermaid. So, the killer might attempt to harm him through me."
"Where are you going with this, Ariel? Humans killed a merman. If they wanted to harm the prince, there would be easier ways," the king retorted.
"That's the thing, Daddy. I don't believe a human is the killer."
"Princess, are you suggesting that a merman, someone from our own seas, killed my son?" Senor Alejandro inquired.
"Near the pier, I found some rocks with blood on them, and it smelled like Diego," Ariel began, her voice fraught with concern. "And here, here, I found his necklace. I think he might have been injured there, and someone from here thrust a harpoon into him to..."
"That's enough, Ariel! Do not involve yourself in the investigations. Let Eric and the dolphins handle it!" the king growled.
"And what about Kassandra? She might have seen something," Ariel persisted.
"I wouldn't trust that mermaid, Princess. She lost her mind after the humans harmed her," Senor Alejandro cautioned. In response, Ariel swam away, feeling frustrated. She knew her father wouldn't readily consider the possibility of humans being innocent in this case. However, something in Senor Alejandro's words raised doubts within her. He had mentioned that Kassandra, the troubled mermaid, had lost her sanity due to humans. Perhaps this was a piece of information that couldn't be dismissed, and Ariel decided to investigate further.
As Eric listened to Mr. Miguel's story, he felt as if his head had been pierced by a harpoon. The sailor had just recounted how a mermaid had supposedly bewitched him, and in response, he had severed her fingers before being dragged to the depths of the sea.
"And when did this happen?" Eric inquired.
"Your Highness and Lady Ariel were on a voyage," Miguel replied.
"That was nearly six months ago!" Eric exclaimed. "Did you know Lady Ariel's true identity?"
"Yes, but this mermaid is different, Lady Ariel is kind and gentle, and the other mermaid is sinister... Not to mention, she was spotted, and Lady Ariel has dark skin..." Miguel continued, but Eric interrupted him with a stern look.
"So, you're telling me that a few months ago, you maimed a mermaid, and now she's returned to kill a merman just to frame you?" Eric questioned incredulously.
"Yes, sir," Miguel confirmed. "It's the most likely explanation."
"Do you know what I think, Miguel? I think you're intoxicated... Besides, think about it. Even before Ariel arrived, no mermaid or merman appeared here to commit murder. Why would a mermaid suddenly emerge, seemingly from nowhere, six months after you harmed her, just to frame you?" Eric reasoned skeptically.
"Your Highness, please, just hear me out..." Miguel implored.
"Listen, Miguel, let go of this tale about a mermaid who avenges sailors. That's nothing but a legend... Besides, I doubt the King of the Seas would condone such actions from the denizens of the sea. Thank you for saving me, sailor," Eric responded, his body aching intensely, and with great effort, he rose and made his way into the castle, leaning heavily on his cane.
_/_
The rest of the day found the prince sequestered in the library, lost in thought. Another seizure had ambushed him as he set foot in the castle, and when he regained consciousness, Grimsby informed him that the queen had conveyed a message: Ariel needed to return immediately, the case was closed, and the unfortunate merman Diego would serve as a reminder in their kingdom that violence was not a solution. With a dissatisfied sigh, the prince felt as though time was slipping away and began to ponder a solution.
As much as Dr. Plato's observations seemed plausible, he found it difficult to accept Miguel's claim that a mermaid was setting him up, six months after his own reprehensible actions, even though they had been deserved.
After a while, Eric rose from his seat and approached the window. Perhaps the sea would offer him inspiration, as it always had. Additionally, he deeply missed Ariel and longed for a swift resolution to this situation, so they could be reunited once more.
''…That finer girl than ten of me, will never see you again…''
Eric gazed intently toward the sea, and there, he spotted a figure—a mermaid—perched on a rock. She was gazing directly at the castle, singing that ominous melody once more. The prince felt as if his head were about to explode. Without a second thought, he made his way to the beach, disregarding his own condition. If this mermaid was connected to Miguel and Diego's murder, he had numerous questions and possibly an arrest to make. He cared little for his own well-being at this moment; all that mattered was Ariel's safety.
_/_
Ariel swam as swiftly as she could back to the pier, hoping to find Kassandra still there. However, there was no sign of another mermaid in the vicinity. Frustrated, she circled around, searching and sniffing the stone with traces of Diego's blood. Although the water had largely washed away the evidence, a faint scent of Diego lingered, piquing her curiosity.
Just as she was deep in thought, she was startled by a voice. Ariel turned to find herself face to face with an eel. She didn't particularly like these creatures, as she had encountered one before, and she instinctively bristled, scales raised and mermaid fangs bared.
"You're not going to eat me, are you?" the eel inquired, causing Ariel to relax slightly.
"I'm looking for another mermaid. Have you seen her? She has no fingers," Ariel asked.
"Oh, my goodness, that mermaid is crazier than you," the eel replied. Ariel's unease deepened.
"What do you mean?" Ariel questioned, still on guard.
"Well, a few days ago, she and another merman were here. Out of nowhere, she struck the poor guy in the head with a rock. They were preparing a surprise. After the merman passed out, she swam away with him. I can't say what happened next... She mentioned something about humans, but like I said, she seemed crazy," the eel explained.
Ariel couldn't believe what she had just heard. The eel had witnessed a murder and hadn't even bothered to inform the king or any other sea creature about it. Nonetheless, that deranged mermaid had killed her best friend and possibly others. Regardless of her motive, Ariel felt an overwhelming need to settle scores and bring Diego's killer to justice, both among the marine and human realms.
Without further hesitation, Ariel swam swiftly toward her father's palace to inform him of her discovery. On her way, Flounder approached her. He informed her that he had heard that the human queen had ordered Ariel to return to the human world, to the palace, where she now belonged. This news gave Ariel an idea.
"Flounder, I'm going to swim to the beach. Call my father and Senor Alejandro. Tell them that I've uncovered the murderer and they need to come quickly," she declared, not waiting for her friend's response.
_/_
In the pub near the beach, Miguel sat nursing another beer, his gaze fixed on the cove. He had just saved his prince, and in return, Eric had only insulted him, calling him crazy. Miguel felt a sense of betrayal creeping over him.
Suddenly, something grabbed his attention—the prince. Eric was striding purposefully toward the sea, approaching a figure perched on a rock. It was the mermaid, the one who had attempted to kill him.
Panic coursed through Miguel, and he swiftly replaced his earplugs. He knew he couldn't let anyone harm the prince. Without a moment's hesitation, he rushed towards the beach to intervene.
_/_
As Eric approached, Kassandra wore a sinister smile. In her twisted mind, all she had to do was kill the prince, and Ariel would no longer have any reason to return to the human world. That was her ultimate goal—to rob Ariel of the happiness she so desperately desired.
''Hello, Prince.'' she smiled.