Ursula [A Poor Unfortunate Soul]

17. Breach of Contract

Ursula set out to complete her true plan. She wouldn't have to say two words to her niece's prince, he'd hear the voice, and fall for her.

For reasons she didn't understand, Gaston's image intruded her thoughts. It made her want to turn back, and wait for him in his shack. But she knew what she needed to do.

Singing had always soothed her as a child. Using the shell to over-write her own, Ursula let Ariel's voice sing out. An honestly soothing sound.

Arriving at the prince's palace, Ursula didn't notice. Following the moon, letting the sound of her niece's voice lift her spirits.

Panic arose in her, when she heard the prince's adviser race to the balcony.

"Prince Eric!" Came the old man's voice. The prince had fallen into a slumber, and wouldn't awaken.

Walking toward the balcony, Ursula laughed to herself. "Wake up, you buffoon" she joked.

He awoke then, as if by her comand.

"The voice, Grim" the prince rose to his feet. "I heard it!"

"You hit your head."

"I heard it!" The prince shouted again.

"Well, who-" The prince's adviser noticed the witch perched in the gardens in front of the balcony.

She turned to leave, then realized. The prince's adviser must've heard the song, and assumed-

"Come, come" he said, out-stretching a hand to her.

"Thank you." She said, through her niece's voice, accepting his help.

He pulled her up to the balcony. "You must be this girl Prince Eric keeps going on about!"

"That's me." Lied the witch, with a sneer.

"Well, this morning then." The prince's adviser bowed. "Carlotta" He called the maid. "Do see" he stopped.

"I'm sorry dear, I didn't catch your name."

"Vanessa" she said, vindictively.

The witch took Carlotta's hand, while the adviser further attempted to awaken the sleeping prince. He wouldn't awaken, not without her permission.

The witch wasn't really sure why the song only bewitched her niece's prince. A man is a man. No different. Legs or fins, all the same. So why would it only affect this prince. Why this man?