11. ARIEL— " what are you trying to pull?

I seethed.

Why was this happening to me? Why?

One moment I was free to do whatever I liked as long as it was within the limits of southern law and the next moment, I was to become the wife of this angry-looking prince. Everything was happening so quickly and even though I did not want to, I couldn't help but feel hopeless sometimes.

The prince was not helping issues either. He was a handsome young man and he was bound to have a lover somewhere in the northern kingdom. Did he not feel any ounce of guilt when he agreed to this marriage? His demeanor told me that he was someone who would not be forced easily into doing something he didn't want to, so why?

"I know it wasn't a mistake." He said, dabbing on his trousers with a dry towel.

"Oh really?" I said but I did not deny it. It was great to know he wasn't so dumb.

"Princess Ariel, you know what I find puzzling?" He asked but he was not looking at me. A pronounced fold had formed on his glabella as he inspected the wet patch on his