The pain didn't leave her legs and only got worse over the day. Ariel tried her best to ignore it but found herself wincing at the occasional stab of pain. She knew Eric was aware, and watching her every move. It was only when she took a sip of her tea did she truly realise just how serious her dad was.

Her mouth instantly went up in flames. She cried out, dropping the teacup on the table. The rest of the liquid oozed out, staining the white table cloth. "Ariel! Are you alright?!" Eric yelled, standing up and running over. She panted, desperately trying to rid the pain. As soon as she swallowed the liquid, the pain dissipated as if it were never there. Her eyes widened.

God, her dad had been really serious...

She forced a sheepish smile onto her face, thinking of a way to play this off. "Yeah, it was hot... very hot." Eric let out a breathy laugh. "You've never had tea before?" He asked. Ariel shook her head, the lie now partly forming into truth. They didn't drink tea under the sea... to be honest, they didn't drink anything! They didn't need to. Occasionally, they may have a royal drink, but that was only ever at coronations, births or weddings. Of which, Ariel had not attended any, or been the age to. You had to be 18 years of age to drink the royal beverage. Attina had done it a few times, what with being future Queen. Ariel found herself a little jealous of her eldest sister in that term of being able to travel to different kingdoms with her dad on business, while she stayed back with the others and her mom.

Her mom.

A sudden pang of anger shot through her veins, so much so, that it shocked her a little. If it wasn't for her mom playing tale tale tit, then Ariel wouldn't feel like her legs were splitting in two every time she walked, and certainly wouldn't make a scene like that again.

"Oh!" Eric's voice suddenly snapped Ariel's focus back. "I've managed to get the seamstress to see us at her daughter's boutique in town if you would like to visit?" Ariel nodded, vigorously. "Oh yes please!" Eric smiled. "We can get you fitted for a few casual dresses and some formal ones... maybe even get you some shoes while we're there."

And so, less than an hour later (with her legs aching in a not-insignificant amount of pain) Ariel found herself at the town's boutique. Eric had rapped on the door and waited for someone to answer. "Why did you knock on the door?" Ariel asked. "Well, this is Eloise's house, but the bottom floor doubles as her workshop. So, technically, you still need to knock." Ariel nodded. It made sense, but back home, people had their businesses but also had their homes, and had a very strict work/home balance. As in, when they were closed unless it were a real emergency, they were closed.

The door opened to reveal a heavily pregnant brown haired lady. She instantly dropped into a curtsy. "Oh, your majesty," She said. Ariel frowned, but then realised the lady was showing Eric a sign of respect. Nobody in Atlantica did it for her, in fact, more often than not, Ariel blended in with the normal folk. They always forgot she was still a princess, and, while sometimes it hurt, it was better in the long run. It gave Ariel more time to enjoy her life. "Oh, Eloise, we've been in business for many years, you do not need to curtsey to me now. I consider you and yours a friend." The lady, now identified as Eloise, stood back up with a smile. "Well, while I appreciate it, I was raised in a household where we respect and bow to royalty. It is our custom," Eric smiled nonetheless. "I was hoping you could set my lady here up with some outfits?" He said. It was then, that Eloise turned to face Ariel.

"Oh, my, you are very pretty!" She gushed. Ariel blushed. "Thank you," Then she brought out a tape from seemingly nowhere, and began holding it against Ariel's body.

She must be measuring her. Ariel and her sisters had to go through the laborious task of getting fitted for royal gowns back in Atlantica, and they always took hours to get done. "Oh, my dear. You are going to love the fabric we've got! Come come!" She ushered Ariel and Eric into the building, shutting and locking the door behind her.

"Eric, my husband will be out soon, and you two can natter about old Fisherman's tales, while my mother and I tend to your lady here." Eloise bustled by and lifted some fabric off of a chair. "If I knew you were coming, I'd have cleaned better," She apologised. Eric waved her off, and Ariel sighed wistfully. "I like it... it feels homey."

Ariel was pushed out back with another elderly woman. "Oh, my dear, it's slipped my mind to ask you your name!" Eloise breathlessly said. "Oh, my name is Ariel." She answered. "A very pretty name, for a very pretty face." The elderly woman said from behind her. "Oh, Lady Ariel, this is my mother, Rosa." Ariel dropped into a low curtsy. "Oh, it is not you who bows to us, my lady. It is quite the opposite." Rosa tutted, gently guiding Ariel to a risen bit of wood. "Could you stand on there for us my lady?" Rosa asked. Ariel took a step up. "And hold your arms out," Rosa instructed.

She began walking around with the tape. "Eloise, sweetheart, make notes of what I say,"

"I'm going to be measuring your legs, waist, hips, stomach, shoulders and breasts, lady Ariel. Are you ok with all of this?" Rosa asked, pausing. Ariel nodded. "Absolutely fine, thank you." Rosa smiled and began. "Legs, 25 inches tall, 10 inches wide," She said, moving up to Ariel's hips. "Oooh, hips, 24 inches. Good for bearing children in the future," Ariel blushed a little... somehow, this made her feel a little violated. Rosa must have sensed her discomfort, for she tutted. "Lady Ariel, the wider the hips, the easier the birth. I can assure you that much,"

"Good waist as well, 21 inches... very nice waist actually..."

"Stomach completely flat, no extra room needed... unless you are with child, lady Ariel?" Ariel's eyes bulged. "No, no, not with child," Rosa waved her off. "I didn't think you were, but I asked in case. Some ladies don't show for months. And if we made a gown that was too tight, we would risk harming the baby. That's the only reason we ask,"

Shortly after that, and all her measurements were taken, she found herself back with Eric in the front area, looking at fabrics and premade dresses. "So, I've pulled through the dresses here that match your measurements already, but it is completely ok if these are not your style," Rosa said as she straightened her dress. Ariel turned to Eric. "Which of these do you think?" She asked. Eric shrugged slightly. "I haven't the slightest idea... I think you look magnificent in anything," He complimented. Eloise awed and Ariel blushed. "Thinking on the practical side though, maybe 4 casual dresses and 3 formal? Maybe a ball gown as well, though we may have some of my mother's old ones back at the castle..."

Ariel tried on many dresses and found a few matches.

Her first casual dress was her favourite. It was a black and blue one, a simple dress. It had no figure hugging elements and flowed nicely around her body. The top was a black bodice, with pale blue sleeves going to her wrists, and a dark blue skirt falling to her ankles.

Her second casual dress was the same style, but in various shades of emerald green, her favourite colour. Her third dress was a baby yellow that (granted, was a bit uncomfy, but Ariel knew that was the fashion of the town) was a figure-hugging dress. The brighter yellow shades clung to her chest and waist, enhancing how small it actually was, followed by a slowly baby yellow skirt, falling just above the floor, hiding her feet. Again, with long sleeves to her wrists.

"I think I love the blue one the most, but the yellow one will be best for outings into the town," Eric smiled as she dramatically bowed in front. He'd laughed, and she giggled.

"Now for the royal ball gowns, my fair lady," He joked, speaking posh. Ariel sniffed and spoke in a high voice. "Oh, you know me so well, Sven," Eric chuckled loudly.

"Oh, Eric... I love this one," Ariel gushed, holding a pink one delicately. "May I try this one on, Eloise?" Eloise turned away, "Oh, that's just one I've made in my free time... you don't want that," Ariel shook her head, "No, I do! If you don't mind, of course," Ariel said back. Eloise smiled. "In which case, I'd love for you to try it on."

~

And that was how Ariel ended up walking out with her dresses, including the pink one Eloise had made herself. "If I ever get married, I'm having Eloise do my wedding dress," She proclaimed. "Oh, is that so?" Eric chuckled from the front seat. "Yup, non negotioiable." She stated. "Well, I was under the impression that we were to marry," Eric quipped. Ariel froze for a second. "Remember? When we were kids?"

Ariel laughed. "Yeah, but that was when I was a mermaid! What about now I'm human?" She questioned. A human who can't walk properly or drink water because of her dad's curse...

"Eh, potato potahto." Ariel felt her heart flutter and seahorses rush into her stomach. She blushed. Did Eric want to marry her? Nah, no way... surely he was just joking... he wouldn't want to saddle himself with the responsibility of Ariel's family, of which he knew very little of... he just knew she was a princess, but to which king, he didn't know. And she wanted to keep it that way.

Eric POV.

Eric spent the evening before dinner worrying about Ariel. She'd been off all day, wincing when she thought he couldn't see her, and not taking a sip of water all day. Perhaps she was still adjusting to human life? He waved the thoughts away. The carriage ride home from the boutique had been a little awkward. They'd jibed at each other and made jokes, but when Eric joked about marrying her, she'd gone quiet and lost her joking nature.

He wasn't joking though. Eric would love to have her by his side, to be married to Ariel for life was his dream... ever since he was 13. He didn't know if she felt the same but really hoped so. In fact, before dinner, he was going to ask her to be his partner. Eric had it all planned out.

He'd gotten Lottie to set her up in the new pink dress she'd loved, that he'd bought in secret. He'd sent Grimsby out after they'd returned to get the dress for her.

Then, he'd told Lottie to take Ariel to the garden to prepare to meet the guests.

Then, he'd sneak up behind and ask her to be his partner.

It was watertight.

Until he walked past her room.

Eric, clad in his dinner suit, was on his way down to the garden when he saw Ariel's door wide open. He couldn't help himself and looked in through the double doors. There was nobody to be seen, so he ventured in. A breeze of the sea air hit his face and he knew where she was. He wandered over to the balcony and wasn't surprised to see her. She was sitting on the chair, her arms loosely draped over the balcony edge, watching the sunset over the sea. He rapped on the door, alerting her to his arrival. She turned her head to look over her shoulder and gave a smile. "Sorry, I know I'm supposed to be in the garden, but I just couldn't help myself..." Eric stood behind her and hesitantly placed his hand on her shoulder. She didn't flinch away or make any other movements. "Do not apologise, I completely understand."

They sat in silence for a few beats. "The sunsets and sunrises are so much more vibrant up here... I would never get bored of such a view," She softly spoke. It was then, that Eric's plan fell through. He moved to the chair and grabbed Ariel's gloved hands in his own. She smiled but frowned. "Are you ok?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

It was now or never.

"Ariel..." He took a deep breath. "I want to ask you something," He let out the breath. Ariel's emerald green eyes reflected the sunset, and he was enamoured. "Yes, what is it?" She asked. He closed his eyes and opened them again, steeling himself. "Ariel, I like you... a lot... and I was wondering if..." He paused slightly, waiting for her to interrupt, to say no. But she didn't, she just kept smiling. "If you'd do me the honour of being my girlfriend... my partner?" He waited with bated breath, for her to go actually no, I'm going back home. Ta ta!

But no. She leaned over and kissed his cheek, freezing his movements. "Oh, Eric, I would love to,"

And they kissed by the sunset on the ocean.