Ariel tried to keep her composure during dinner. They were eating with the King and Queen of Glouerhaven, Ralph and Katia, and their two children Katerina and John. Ariel's legs wobbled dangerously as she tried to walk for two reasons: one being the wonderful curse her father had bestowed upon her, and the shoes she was made to wear. Carlotta had called them heels, why any woman would want to wear these astounded Ariel.

But alas, she could not walk around barefoot. Plus, the shoes were a gorgeous pink and matched her dress. She wore her hair down, Eric pleading to let it be its natural wavy state, but clipped up at the sides so it didn't cover her face. She also adorned a small tiara that Eric had gifted to her. It was only a small one, barely noticeable in her red locks, but the emerald stone in the middle stood out amongst her outfit.

She was giddy the whole way to dinner, her arm closely linked in with her new partners. Oh, it really was a dream come true.

They made it to the dining hall, only to find nobody was there yet. "Good, I can give you a quick crash course on our guests tonight," Eric said. Ariel walked over to the huge floor-to-ceiling windows. "The ocean is very pretty at this time of night." Eric soon joined her, holding her hand. "Indeed..." He quietly responded. "But not as pretty as you," He finished, spinning Ariel into his chest. She giggled and sighed contently. "Oh, I love being human."

The young couple were broken by the grand doors opening. "Ah, there he is!" Grimsby's voice echoed through the large eating hall. Eric playfully groaned quietly, and Ariel giggled again. "Oh! And he's blessed our evening with his lovely guest as well. Come, come you two!" Eric squeezed Ariel's hand before looping her arm through his. "King Ralph," Eric greeted bowing slightly. Ariel dropped into a small curtsy. "Queen Katia," He bowed again, Ariel followed suit. The King and Queen bowed/curtsied back. "It is good to see you again Eric, and I just want to give my condolences on your father's passing... it was a tragedy and we were so sad to have not attended his funeral," Ralph said, solemnly. Katia bowed her head slightly. "It was, and I appreciate it, friend. But, that happened many months ago, and tonight is a time of pleasantries, not my father's untimely passing." Eric closed the conversation off very professionally, just like a King would.

Her King... Ooh, the thought sent seahorses into Ariel's stomach.

"Who is this exquisite young lady here?" Ralph said, holding his hand out. Ariel knew from royal custom to follow what the man did. She placed her hand in his, and he brought it up to kiss. A small part of her felt uneasy, but this must be how other royal folks greet each other. Katia did a small curtsy and smiled. "This is Ariel," Eric answered. Before much else could be said, Grimsby walked back in with two other people. "Ah, I hope you don't mind our children attend the dinner?" Katia said, putting a hand on her daughter's shoulder. Eric smiled, "Not at all. The more the merrier."

Ariel smiled and dropped into a small curtsy. "My name is Ariel," She introduced herself. The son, who looked a little younger than the sister, smiled and bowed back. "My name is John. This here is my sister," The sister dropped into a low curtsy as well. "I'm Katerina."

~

Dinner started smoothly. Ariel tried to avoid drinking if only to not embarrass herself again. If this morning was any indicator, then any liquid will burn... just like her dad said. Unfortunately, when Ralph insisted on a toast, she had no choice but to grin and bear the pain, despite it feeling as if her tongue was being torn out. The pain in her legs faded slightly, but an unpleasant tingling was left in its wake. The food arrived, and Ariel felt even worse.

It was a seafood platter.

With fish and crabs and lobsters and... ugh. She shuddered quietly. Eric bumped her leg with his own, "Do not worry, Chef Louis is doing you something different, less seafoodie." He whispered. Ariel smiled at him. "Thank you," She whispered back.

True to his word, some of the servants brought up Ariel's dinner, and hers was a much better platter. It was... well... not seafood, and that was a start. Ariel bit into the meat looking thing. Her mouth lit up in flames but she forced herself to swallow, the pain disappearing down into her stomach. As a test, fearing for the very worst, she took a mouthful of yellow fluffy stuff (that tasted heavenly) and let it sit on her tongue. It burnt a little, but the burn was different to the burn she had when she had liquid in her mouth.

Her heart sank, knowing the full extent of her father's curse. She couldn't drink, nor could she eat. She'd die up here... surely that wasn't what her father wanted.... was it?

Then, as if her evening couldn't get any worse, Grimsby spoke up with: "So, has young Katarina found a prince yet?" She felt Eric stiffen next to her and repress a sigh. Ariel knew where this was headed. Attina and Alana were betrothed to men they hadn't even met yet, and probably won't until the day. Both for political reasons.

"No, but we're hoping soon," Katia answered. Ariel caught Katarina's eyes and knew this was a conversation that had happened before and was equally as unpleasant as the first time. "Well, our Eric hasn't found a princess either! How fortunate." Grimsby slid in. Then, Eric stood up with a tap of his glass. "On that note, Grim, I actually have something to say." Ariel caught Grim's proud eye and for a second, thought Eric might go: "HA! You thought I'd be with a mermaid! Please!" But he didn't.

Instead: he cleared his throat.

"I actually have found someone. And that someone I have known since we were young children, as young as 6, I think." Everyone around the table looked confused. Eric held his hand out, and with a blush, Ariel stood up. "This, is my girlfriend, my partner. Ariel Addams." She raised an eyebrow slightly but didn't say anything.

"Eric now is not the time for games, this is a serious time." Grimsby firmly said. Ariel felt her cheeks heat. "I am not playing, Grim. I love Ariel, and we are together." Eric finished, proud. Ariel let a small smile go onto her face but didn't make eye contact with anyone directly. She did, however, catch Katarina's eye. She was surprised to see that Katarina had adopted a more relaxed posture since Eric said he was already with someone.

It was very obvious that Katarina didn't want to marry Eric, and Ariel wondered why her parents hadn't picked up on it. Sure, Ariel knew Katarina had a certain duty to her kingdom to marry and produce an heir, but so did Ariel and her sisters... well... Attina and Alana more over the others, but they were allowed to choose who they wanted to marry out of a selection provided to them.

"Eric. You cannot marry a commoner. It is forbidden." Grimsby's harsh voice cut in through her thoughts.

Oh how very wrong he was... Ariel thought. "I was under the impression that my father said I was to marry whomever I wanted, so long as both myself and the kingdom like her and it was before my 21st. Does my memory serve me right?" Eric argued. Ariel wanted to hide. She slowly eased herself back into her chair, wishing she could disappear. "Well, yes... I suppose so. But she still needs to be at least a Lady." Ariel bit back her tongue. She desperately wanted to shout she was a princess in fact, but couldn't... not without either exposing her people or getting herself in serious trouble.

And dinner continued that way for the whole evening.

Time skip - 2 weeks later. (very short Ariel POV)

Ariel didn't really eat or drink much after dinner. The pain grew increasingly worse, leaving her increasingly weaker. She'd drink one glass in the morning, one at lunch and one in the evening. For breakfast, she would eat foods that didn't have juice in them. So, toasted bread, some cereal and a croissant. She wouldn't eat lunch, and for dinner would eat the same as she did for breakfast.

She knew Eric was getting worried and knew she'd have to tell him sooner or later.

But what she didn't realise: is just how soon that'd be.

~

Eric.

Ariel was beginning to worry him. She grew weaker and weaker, saying less and less, her hair becoming limper. Maybe she missed her family. But whenever Eric would ask her about it, she'd give a weak smile, pat his arm and assure him she was ok. Another part of him thought it was a bug of some kind. He had the flu last year and was very ill with it, and at one point, the doctors thought he was going to die from it.

Eric knew something must have happened when Ariel went back with her mom a little over 2 weeks ago. She always winced when she walked, and when she swallowed and even went she ate. The wincing with walking could be easily explained, as she went 15 years without touching the ground...

But, as a surprise 16th birthday present, Eric hosted a ball in her honour. He knew Ariel loved to have her makeup done, and her hair put up into braid crowns that Carlotta did. He knew she loved an emerald green gown his mother used to wear (or so his father told him) and frequently caught her dancing with it held to her chest. So, he gifted it to her.

And, on the night before her sixteenth, the ball was held. It was a grand night, and he was very pleased with how quickly his staff had put it together. The King and Queen of Glouerhaven were still visiting, so they were invited of course. Alongside Eric's councilmen and a few of the town's people.

Ariel had appeared at the top of the stairs (to the eye, nothing looked wrong, but Eric had known her for a decade at this point and knew she looked unwell) and the whole room stopped to stare. She radiated confidence as she glided down the stairs, taking Eric's hand at the bottom and spinning into a waltz. The room was silent as the young couple danced away, perfectly in time with the music.

Eric was pulled away by Katarina, while Ariel was pulled off by a townsman.

"I am glad you're happy with her, your highness," Katarina said as they danced. Eric raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I thought you'd be upset. Your parents have been trying to get us to wed since we were young," He answered. Katarina shrugged a little, "I have my eyes on another, in my own kingdom. I was actually thankful you were taken." Eric huffed a laugh. "Well, I'm glad my relationship has saved yours,"

He then found himself talking with Ralph. "For a common girl, she certainly looks like royalty." He commented. Eric smiled. "I know, doesn't she look a picture," They began talking about politics and trade, as kings/future kings do.

Or at least they were until Ariel quite literally bumped into him. He oofed and turned around, immediately grabbing her by her shoulders. "Ariel, are you ok? Do you need some air?" Before she could answer, Ariel passed out in his arms.

And that, somehow, was how they ended up arguing in her bedchambers a week later. "Ariel! You can't just drink or eat!! You'll die if you keep going!" Eric yelled, pacing. Ariel sat in bed, clutching the quilt tightly. "I can do whatever it is that I please! You are not my dad, nor my husband! You have no sway over what I want to do!" She yelled back. "You are my partner! I want you to live to see our wedding!" He yelled back. "What will I do if you die? Huh!? Do you think I'll just move on and find another!? NO! You are the one I want! And you're killing yourself!" He ploughed on, oblivious to her tears. "I WANT TO!" Ariel screamed. The tone of her voice froze Eric's pacing. "I want to eat! I want to drink! Contrary to what you think, I don't want to die either! I can't!" She cried. Eric took a deep sigh and sat on her bed. "What do you mean, you can't?" He asked. "My father put a stupid curse on me." She relented.

Eric frowned.

"A curse...?" He echoed. "In an act of retaliation for me being up here, he cursed me to never touch water for it will burn like fire, and my feet to feel like I'm on needles. It's unbearable to walk, and I want to cry when I drink or eat, but when I cry, the tears burn my face." She sniffed. "Happy?" She asked. "Wait, so ever since your sister brought you back to me you've been in constant pain?" He asked. Ariel didn't answer. "You need to go back," He stated. Ariel stared, wide-eyed. "Absolutely not. That's what he wants," She said. "Ariel, quite frankly, I do not care what he wants." He grabbed her hands in his own. "I just want you alive. And if that means you living in the water, I can make it work."

Ariel sniffed, and he inched closer. He cupped her cheek. "We can make it work..."