Episode 4

The last plates had been cleared, and the echo of laughter from the lounge was fading as the royal families prepared to part ways. Queen Isabella clasped her daughter’s hands with a warm smile.

“Ariel,” she said casually, “you’ll be going with them tonight. It’s best you get used to Carl’s household before the wedding next week.”

Ariel’s jaw nearly dropped. “You don’t mean that, Mom! How could you even suggest such a thing? And you never told me about this before!”

Isabella’s tone was sweet, but her eyes held a glint of amusement. “Why such dramatics? You two already love each other—why the protest?”

“Love each other?” Ariel sputtered. “We barely know each other! And—”

Isabella cut her off with a wave of her jeweled hand. “Don’t worry. Margaret is a very good friend. She won’t let you suffer for even a moment.”

Ariel opened her mouth to argue again, but before she could, Carl stepped forward with a mischievous grin. “Allow me,” he said. Before Ariel could react, he scooped her effortlessly into his arms.

The room gasped in delight, and even a few maids at the doorway covered their mouths, trying to stifle giggles.

Ariel’s heart froze for a split second. Then, without warning, it began to pound wildly against her ribcage. The warmth of his chest, the strength in his arms—it was disorienting. Why is my heart… beating so fast? she thought, startled.

Carl glanced down at her, their eyes locking. For a moment, time seemed to pause. The world around them blurred. He felt it too—an unfamiliar, sharp thudding in his chest.

What is happening to me? he thought, the corners of his confident smile faltering.

The sensation overwhelmed him so suddenly that he panicked. He dropped Ariel—luckily, only a short distance to the polished floor—then turned on his heel and strode quickly out the door.

Gasps and laughter filled the hall.

Carl stormed toward his car, his cape swishing dramatically behind him. He yanked open the driver’s side door, slid inside, and slammed it shut. His hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

“Are you mad?” he hissed under his breath, pounding his chest lightly as if scolding his own heart. “Don’t you dare fall for her! She’s trouble.”

Inside the palace doorway, the two queens and kings exchanged knowing looks, their laughter bubbling up again. Even the palace maids couldn’t hold back their giggles—some nearly doubled over.

Outside, one of the maids carried out Ariel’s overnight bag, bowing respectfully. “Everything is packed for you, Your Majesty,” she said, offering the bag.

Ariel spun toward her mother, clutching her skirt dramatically. “Are you throwing me out of my own father’s house, Mom? How could you do this to your only daughter?”

Isabella’s lips twitched as she fought to keep a straight face.

“This is unfair!” Ariel declared. “Dad, please—stand up for me!”

King Zubrel exchanged a glance with his wife, then shrugged. “I’m on your mother’s side.”

“Stand by your man,” Isabella teased him, patting his arm.

Ariel gasped theatrically, placing a hand over her heart. “Dad! I’m truly disappointed in you.”

Zubrel tried to hide a smile but failed miserably.

With a huff, Ariel stomped toward the waiting car, skirts swishing like an angry storm cloud. Carl, now seated behind the wheel, watched her approach with a mix of amusement and dread.

The two families stepped outside to wave goodbye. “Drive safe!” Margaret called cheerfully.

As soon as the car door closed behind Ariel, the atmosphere shifted. Carl leaned slightly toward her, his voice low and edged with playful menace. “You’re a dead woman, wifey.”

Ariel, refusing to be intimidated, reached for his injured hand—the one wrapped from the glass incident. Without warning, she squeezed.

Carl yelped, a sharp sound escaping before he could stop himself. “Ah—!”

Ariel’s lips curled into a wicked grin. “Oh, you’re soup, darling,” she said sweetly, patting his cheek like a teasing cat.

Carl groaned. “You are insufferable.”

Outside, the laughter had quieted—until Carl’s sudden yelp echoed from the car. The parents exchanged curious looks.

“Do you hear that?” Margaret whispered, amused.

“Sounds like the honeymoon’s off to a great start,” Edward chuckled.

The two queens laughed openly now, and even the kings smirked knowingly. The maids whispered among themselves, their faces alight with amusement.

Inside the car, Carl stole a sideways glance at Ariel. She sat primly, a picture of fake innocence, gazing out the window as if nothing had happened.

Carl exhaled heavily, shifting the car into gear. She’s going to make my life hell, he thought grimly. But I’ll make sure she quits before I do.

Ariel, catching his reflection in the window, smirked to herself. You started this war, Prince Charming. And I don’t lose.

As the palace gates closed behind them and the stars glittered over the royal city, their uneasy silence was anything but calm. Beneath their annoyance and bickering, a spark was forming—a spark neither of them was willing to acknowledge.