Bringing her arm behind her, Ariel hurled the rock she was holding into the ocean with as much power as she could muster. It hit a far-out wave and was forced into the depths of the water. She watched each wave crash against the rocky shore as the sky darkened, her curly black hair flying back in the warm wind. Twilight was taking over, Ariel's favorite part of the day. No one managing nor pressuring her. She could be herself with no judgment. She picked up another rock and fired it towards the waves. It went further than the last, even though the wind had strengthened against her. She sat down on the rocks, suddenly exhausted. I wish I knew who I am, she brooded sadly. I want to be my own person, not a mirage of who my parents want me to be. Why do I feel so out of place? Depressed by her own thoughts, she stopped throwing rocks and stared at the waves as a single tear slipped down her cheek.

She was reaching for a piece of ocean-smoothed glass when the amethyst on her chest lit up. "What now?" she thought, tapping it three times to answer.

"Ariel! Where are you?! We're leaving in an hour!" Her mother's voice screeched through the jewel. Ariel rolled her chocolate brown eyes, grateful her mother wasn't there to see it. "Where are we going?" she asked lazily, tossing a pebble in the air and catching it.

"The ball of course! Did you forget? Get yourself here right away or I'll send Hans after you!"

"Yes Mother," Ariel sighed, touching her amethyst twice and the light from it faded. Though her threats were meaningless, her mother's anger was never something to be reckoned with. She faced the ocean and whispered goodbye. Conjuring strength from her mind, she disappeared into a cloud of dark blue, bringing her back to Dradevows, the castle she despised.

Queen Hera stood in her dressing room with her hands on her hips. The walls were adorned in all colours of silk, with two walk-in closets on each side of the room. The golden double doors were heavy to the touch, shining even through the twilight. It took almost all of Ariel's strength to push them open.

She was immediately overwhelmed by the blinding light. Blinking rapidly to adjust, she could just see the enormous frilly dress her mother was wearing. It tucked at the waist, then bloomed out at the hips. Each frill had a sprinkle of glitter, making the Russian violet fabric stand out even more. Ariel resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Hera always had to dress up fancy no matter the occasion.

Serafina was hosting a ball for all neighbouring kingdoms. There were four; each represented a season. In Serafina, it was always Winter. In Dradevows, it was always Fall. Queen Hera had been waiting for a chance to let go of all her stress and the ball was the perfect opportunity. Everything had to go according to plan, but unfortunately for her, there was a slight issue.

"That's what you're wearing?" said a voice from the doors. Hera turned to see Ariel crossing her arms and trying not to laugh.

Hera remained composed. She couldn't risk a fight with her daughter before the ball in case she fled and didn't show up. She smiled at Ariel and spoke calmly.

"Yes, dear, this is what I'm wearing. Speaking of clothing, where's your dress?"

"Oh, um..." Ariel stalled, before speaking. "I, uh, I thought I'd just wear this." She gestured to her black, thick-strapped tank top, tucked into army pants, complete with black, lace-up boots. Her black hair spilled wildly across her shoulders and down her back, her face was still flushed from the sharp winds of the ocean.

Hera went pale, horrified at the thought of her daughter showing up to a ball so undignified. "You will certainly not wear that!" she balked. "Whatever put such a notion into your head? Grab the dress I've laid out for you; it's hanging in your room. I expect you to dress yourself, fancy up your hair and meet your father and I at the door in no less than an hour."

"Yes Mother," Ariel sighed. She turned to leave the room when Hera spoke again.

"Oh, and Ariel?" she said. "Try to be kind. There will be young men there and it's never too early to start thinking about a husband. You're a princess, it won't be hard. What man in his right mind wouldn't want to marry a princess?"

Ariel smiled politely and quickly exited the room, making gagging sounds as the doors shut. Marriage was the furthest thing from her mind, though her parents brought it up constantly. She would never tell them, but she didn't even want to get married, let alone to some "young man" she had never met.