The prince continued:
"The alliance between our two nations can still proceed as planned. I am overjoyed that my country can form an alliance with the Engeland Empire. But my marriage does not necessarily have to be tied to it."
The great hall fell silent.
Neither the nobles and ministers nor the King and Queen dared to be the first to speak.
Below the platform, Ariel covered her mouth and held her breath. Her eyes felt damp, hot tears swirling within them.
The Old Witch's face immediately darkened.
The King's eyes were filled with shock.
He could probably guess whom the prince loved—there had been too many signs.
But before this, before Eric said it himself, he had believed Eric's feelings for the girl he had brought back were merely a fleeting infatuation of adolescence, a restlessness that would gradually fade with time and would not affect the larger matter of marriage.
Gods! It seemed my father completely disapproved of my idea—I could tell from his expression. Why was that? Why did I have to marry a princess from a neighboring country? Wasn't Ariel a princess too?
Right, Ariel came from a kingdom beneath the sea, and the West Asia Kingdom bordered that sea. Ariel was also a princess from a neighboring country! But how was I supposed to explain that to Father?
The prince complained inwardly about the unfairness of it all.
He vaguely sensed what truly stood between him and the Mermaid Princess. He could clearly see a wall standing before him. He wanted to break through that wall—as the prince he was now and the king he would become.
"We'll discuss this after the banquet," the King said in a lowered voice.
Afterward, neither the King nor the envoys from Engeland mentioned the marriage alliance again. Instead,