𝔗𝔥𝔯𝔬𝔲𝔤𝔥 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔗𝔞𝔩𝔢𝔰 ✓

Eric Learns the Truth

I didn't even remember falling asleep when I got back to my room, but the next thing I knew I woke up. The first thing I realized was that it was darker outside. It was still light enough to see but the sun was on its way to completely setting. The second thing I noticed was that Ariel wasn't in the room anymore. I wonder where she could've gone.

Standing up, I brushed the curtains aside and cursed when I saw Eric and Vanessa leaning in to kiss each other. My heart almost skipped a beat. I had slept until the end of the wedding!

Dashing out of my room, I hurried to the beach front. Eric was already being congratulated by his family while Vanessa was already off somewhere else.

"Hello Mina," he greeted cheerfully.

"Hi Eric," I said quickly. "Have you seen Ariel?"

"No," he replied. "Vanessa told me that she regained her memory and went back to her family."

What? I thought. Ariel must've been captured then!

"But I haven't seen Eaton in awhile either," he added, making me freeze.

Wait. Where was Hunter? Was he the one who captured her?! After all, he was still Morgana's pawn.

"So...where's your lovely wife?" I asked.

"Vanessa? She went to change into a shorter dress," he responded, pointing to the ship docked by the boardwalk.

That seems super suspicious, I thought. Why wouldn't she just change in the castle?

"Come with me," I ordered, dragging Eric's arm as I headed for the boat.

"Wait Mina," he sputtered. "It's not proper for me to go in there while she's changing."

"Oh I doubt she's changing," I muttered. Besides, maybe Eric could see what a fake Vanessa was if I could show him.

Opening the door, I was surprised to see a portal opening and so was Eric.

"What in the world is this?" he asked, stepping away. It was obvious the prince was hesitant to go through, but I was set on saving Ariel.

I took his hand and practically jumped into the swirl of light, bringing a stubborn prince with me.

I groaned as I fell onto the floor with Eric landing on top of me. I felt someone pull me up and found myself looking right into those emerald green eyes that I just couldn't get away from.

"Glad you could join the party," Morgana smiled, back to her true body. She cracked a smile at us. Hunter still held me in his arms while Eric was trying to decipher what was happening.

"Vanessa?" he asked, confused. Eric went up to her and said, "You look different."

"That's because she's a crazy old woman," I answered. Hunter rolled his eyes and added,

"She's my mother Eric. And she's not Vanessa. Her real name's Morgana."

"Don't you see dear. You were played. There's no village girl who saved your life," Morgana laughed. "But this isn't my problem to deal with."

Slamming the door shut, they were all left alone.

"Are you alright?" he asked her. "How did she capture both of you?"

"Morgana didn't. I came in here on my own will," I answered, finally getting out of his arms. "And now we have this lunatic to deal with."

"Is she always like this?" Eric whispered to Hunter.

"I can still hear you. Oh and meet Hunter, who's not actually your cousin."

"Hey man," Hunter introduced. "I'm that crazy lady's son."

"I still don't understand what's happening," he muttered.

"Maybe I can help," a soft voice spoke, making all of them turn to the speaker.

"Ariel! You can talk!" I shouted, astonished. She gave me a sad smile.

"Yes," Ariel nodded. "After Morgana married Eric, the spell broke."

"But you're not a mermaid again."

"Because I fell in love with you all over again," Eric answered, giving her a loving smile.

"And the sun hasn't set all the way yet," I realized. "Guys! Ariel got her happy ending."

"Except we're all still captured," Hunter pointed, making my heart drop again.

"Well then I guess we have to find a way to get out," I sighed.

"It's the same situation as Cinderella except there's really no way to break down this door. Trust us, we've been trying."

"There's something I still want to do," Ariel told the others. "If you really think there's no chance to survive, I still want to marry with Eric."

I glanced at them like they were crazy, before seeing her pleading face and said fine.

"This is exactly what we need. A wedding while we wait for Morgana to kill us all," I said sarcastically.

"At least it'll help the princesses get in a better mood. Maybe when they are excited they'll figure out a way out," Hunter suggested. I gave him a look that said "Do you really think that?" He shook his head.

"Alright Hunter. Go 'marry' them," I said. He looked at me incredulously. "What? You're the one who wants this to happen. Remember? So they'll become happy again."

"I mean at least they'll die with a happy last memory," he joked, before seeing my "don't even kid" face and got up to recite whatever he needed to say to make them think they were actually married.

"Let's just get this over with," I told them. It might distract the others, but I wouldn't forget that there was a huge possibility this ridiculous scene might be the last one I watch.