"Well, Eric. It appears that I was mistaken. This mystery maiden of yours does…in fact exist."

Ariel heard Grimsby speak as she rushed down the stairs to the palace hall. What she saw made her freeze in her steps.

It was Eric and with him was…a girl. The dark haired girl snaked her hands around his chest. She was uncomfortably close to him and made Ariel's blood boil. Who is she? Why is Eric with her!

She saw Grimsby take her hand. "Congratulations, my dear."

"We wish to be married as soon as possible." Eric spoke up. Ariel felt her heart breaking into a million pieces. Did she really hear that right?

"Oh, yes, of course, Eric, but these things do take time, you know…" Grimsby sound startled.

"This afternoon, Grim." Eric's voice was stern and demanding. "The wedding ship departs at sunset."

"Oh, very well, Eric…as you wish."

Ariel let the tears stream down her face. When did all this happen? Who is this girl with Eric and why does he want her? I thought he loved me!

She started to run towards her room. She slammed the door shut and jumped onto her bed, crying.

If Eric marries her I turn into a mermaid and then I am Ursula's prisoner forever! Why is this happening! Why didn't Eric tell me about her before! Who is this girl?!

Ariel knew something was off. She recalled so many things over the last two days with Eric and it didn't add up. She had so many questions. The Eric she saw this morning wasn't the Eric she knew all this time, all lively, cheerful and always with a warm smile on his face.

This morning he seemed so dull and his voice lacked life and luster. It's his wedding day…shouldn't he be happy? Why was he so still and why did he speak to Grimsby like that? Why didn't he look at that girl and smile at her...like he always smiled at me?

A knock on the door interrupted Ariel from her thoughts.

"It's Carlotta, dear."

She opened the door. The woman looked at Ariel with a sad smile, "You weren't at breakfast, so I brought it to your room."

Ariel looked at Carlotta with gratitude and took the tray, placing it on a table nearby.

"Oh, I never thought this day would come too, Ariel." The older woman noticed Ariel's tear-drenched face.

"Eric and you…you two were so perfect. You made him so happy. He also looked so happy to be spending time with you…until this morning he showed up with that girl."

Ariel's eyes lit up in curiosity. She gestured towards the direction where the hall was, where she saw Eric and that girl. She nodded her head vigorously. Who is that girl, Carlotta? Where did he find her?

If only the woman could hear the words in her mind. Confusion spread over her face as she tried to deduce what the mute girl was saying.

"What is it, Ariel?"

The girl! She gestured herself holding onto a man's arms, looking up at him. She ran her hands over her hair to indicate a girl holding a man. Then she pointed back towards the direction of the hall.

"O-Oh, you mean the girl Eric's going to marry?"

Finally! Ariel smiled and nodded her head vigorously. Then she mouthed, "Who is she?"

She repeated it several times before Carlotta finally picked it up, "That girl…she said her name's Vanessa, dear. Eric claims she's the one who saved his life a few days ago and when he was drowning in the sea."

Ariel's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. She felt so dizzy she almost tripped and lost her balance.

" A-Are you alright, Ariel?" Carlotta held her hand.

Ariel nodded. I am the girl who saved his life! She's a fake! I should be marrying Eric, not her!

"Where's Eric?" Ariel mouthed. "Eric!"

Carlotta couldn't quite pick her up this time. Ariel realised she was running out of time. She only had until sunset to prove Eric she was the one who saved him.

She gave Carlotta a quick hug and ran out of the room. I have to find Eric. I have to find him.

The palace was so big and she had only lived here for two days. She didn't know where to find him.

"This suit will fit his highness perfectly." A man holding a pile of folded clothes spoke to another man.

Ariel watched them closely.

"Yes, it's the same attire the king had worn for his wedding. Prince Eric will look charming and regal in this design" The other man admired the clothes.

Ariel's eyes lit up upon hearing Eric's name.

"I'm going to see his fittings right now." The man holding the clothes started to walk off.

He must be going to see Eric. Ariel followed the man, trying to stay out of sight. He soon stopped at what she guessed was Eric's room. He knocked at the door.

"Come in." A voice came from the room.

It was Eric's voice. Ariel knew that, but at the same time it didn't sound like him at all.

Ariel felt a little scared to face him. Was he mad at her for some reason? Is this why he decided to marry the other girl?

No! Ariel shook herself from her demoralising thoughts. Whether he loved her or not, he needed to know the truth. That girl named Vanessa didn't save him. She was lying and he had to know that.

She waited outside for the tailor to leave. As she was waiting she heard Eric's voice several times and he sounded so grim. He repeatedly cut off the tailor's suggestions, ordering him to hurry up. He kept reminding him of the sunset.

"I have to get married by sunset." Eric said with the same lifeless voice.

"Yes, your highness. It's just that-"

"This sunset. Hurry up."

Why does he keep repeating about the sunset? Ariel's suspicion grew by the minute. First he brings a girl out of nowhere and claims she saved his life, next he sounds so different and now he keeps reminding he has to get married before sunset?

The door to his room opened and the tailor walked out. Ariel hid behind a wall and watched him go. When he was out of sight she ran into Eric's room, finally relieved to have found him.

He was standing in front of the mirror, adjusting his cuffs. Ariel took a deep breath and approached him beside the mirror. He didn't even notice she was standing there beside him.

It startled Ariel and scared her immensely. She didn't know how to get his attention. She grabbed one of his arms but he returned back to dressing him.

Ariel wouldn't give up this easily. Eric, you have to listen to me! She shook him. He didn't even move.

Eric, what has gotten into you! She stepped in front of him and looked up at his face.

His face was completely expressionless. She shook him again and he remained silent. Then she noticed his eyes.

They didn't move or even blink. They were fixed on one place and that wasn't even her face. They were looking out to nothing. They were empty.

Eric! Eric, what happened to you! Ariel shook him with more force. She held his face and shook him. He remained stationary.

Ariel felt tears prick at the back of her eyes. Why isn't he talking to me? What happened to him?

She wrapped her arms around him and began to sob. She pulled away momentarily and faced him, he was in the same state as before. She held his face as tears streamed down her face. She mouthed. "Eric?"

He didn't move or respond in any way. It was like he lost all his feelings…or he simply didn't want to talk to her. Perhaps, his heart really did belong with Vanessa. Whether she saved him or not, there was something he saw in her that she had lacked.

Ariel looked out of the window, it was already midday. Soon it would be sunset and she'd turn back to a mermaid to spend the rest of her life under the darkness of the ocean as Ursula's prisoner. It was inevitable now.

But before she'd return to her pathetic life as a mermaid, there was something she really wanted to do. She had been dreaming of this ever since she laid her eyes on him.

She didn't know whether this was right, especially when Eric's heart belonged to another girl but she still wanted to. She wanted to let him know she had always loved him and forever would.

Ariel held his face and stood on her toes. Before she could think of anything else, she closed her eyes and kissed him.

His lips were still against hers but she kissed him deeper, pressing a hand against the back of his head. The very second, she felt him let out a sharp breath and his body slumped against hers.

Ariel pulled away in surprise. Eric was breathing heavily and he placed a hand on his head, trying to hold himself together. It took a few seconds for him to regain his consciousness and surroundings and then his eyes finally met hers.

"A-Ariel?"

"Eric!" She smiled and wrapped his arms around him. Eric, even though he was slightly confused at her sudden delight, returned the embrace.

They stayed like that for a few moments before Ariel pulled away, looking up at him with shining eyes. His eyes were no longer lifeless but fully aware and glowing, looking into hers.

He let out a nervous chuckle, "Do you have any idea why I'm dressed like this?"

The smile from Ariel's face dropped and she looked at him with confusion, Didn't you know?

"Why am I in a wedding suit!" He laughed looking at all the fancy clothing. "Honestly I can't remember anything. How did I get here? When did all this happen?"

The prince sat down on the love-seat beside the mirror. He ran his fingers through his hair as he tried to regain his memory but found nothing. All he could remember was hearing the same song coming from the ocean and after that it all went blank. But before that, he remembered he was standing by the balcony looking into Ariel's window. He was about to go to her and ask her…

Yes. What he couldn't ask her last night he was going to do now. The girl he saw at the beach didn't matter anymore, at least for now. He'd have to find and thank her later. He looked up at the mute girl and she looked so worried for some reason he didn't know.

He took slow steps towards and held her close. "Ariel, I…I was going to ask you this before but I didn't know what happened back there."

I also don't know what happened back there too, Eric. She looked up at him.

"But anyways...I, um, I wanted to tell you that the past few days I've spent with you-they were honestly the happiest days of my life, Ariel. And I…" He sighed, feeling slightly annoyed at how clumsy he sounded like he forgot how to speak.

"I just wanted to say...that,well-" He took a deep breath, he was going to say it this time.

"Ariel, I love you."

Ariel's eyes sparkled with tears. For that instant she forgot about the other girl he was going to marry. All that mattered was that he really did love her.

He held her face, "I love you, Ariel. I was hoping that…well, maybe you feel the the same way about me?"

Ariel nodded as tears streamed down her face.

"I'm so happy that you do." Eric smiled in relief. He caressed her cheek and then slowly leaned forward, pressing his lips on hers.

Ariel melted into the kiss and then she felt something happening...a glow started to surround her legs and it travelled all the way up to her nose. She felt herself being hoisted into the air and her legs lit up.

Eric moved several steps back as he watched the most bewildering thing happen before him. She was floating on air and had golden light and sparkles around her.

After a few seconds, she was gently laid down on the floor. Eric hesitated to go close to her but Ariel pulled herself to her feet and smiled at him. The kiss worked! I am human permanently now!

"Ariel, are you…what just happened-"

As soon as Ariel was about to respond, the doors of the room swung open and Vanessa ran into the room.

"No!" She cried. "I couldn't make it fast enough!"

"Who are you?" Eric spoke.

Ariel was confused but she recalled the voice of the girl as she spoke. It was so familiar...in fact it sounded like her voice! Her eyes then took hold of the glowing snail shell hanging around the girl's neck. She knew that pendant. And she knew where this woman came from.

She ran straight to the girl, her hand aimed at her neck. Vanessa was quick to notice but Ariel was quicker to snatch off the pendant and throw it to the stone floor, instantly shattering it to a million pieces.