~A Treacherous Bargain~ (Vanessa)
                 Eric trudged up the palace steps, eagerly anticipating lying on his comfy bed beside Ariel and sleeping the headache away. To say that the Council members and delegates ran âa little over scheduleâ, was an enormous understatement. He intended to finish the day early; to spend some quality time with his children. The delegates had another plan in mind; in matters of discussing war and which country was in or out. Remaining in the town for the entire day without his family, irritated Eric to his core. Â
                 He mused, however, that work was work; no matter how tedious or menial. He had a sworn duty to protect and serve Denmark and he deeply loved his country. Despite his drowsiness, Ericâs lips curved up in a warm smile; thinking about his family and the prosperous kingdom. An idea struck him. Maybe before retiring to bed, he should go wish Hayden goodnight.
                 As the sailor prince shuffled down the hallway, towards Haydenâs new room, he felt a pang of bittersweet loss. Eric felt somewhat glad that Hayden was growing older and was stationed into his new room, but he also felt a twinge of sadness. No more waking up to the crib right beside his bed. But it was surly nothing to grieve over. Little Redâs room was fairly close to the master bedroom, in case anything should happen. He shuddered a little at the possibilities as he stopped in front of his door.Â
                  Creaking the oak door open, he poked his head inside. A dimpled smile plastered on his face. The ever growing smile vanished as his eyes caught sight of another person looming over the crib. Eric heard Haydenâs whimpers. His grip on the door handle tightened as he swung the door open. âAriel?â he called cautiously, praying that it was his wife.â Â
Getting into the castle had been too easy. Honestly. Shouldn't someone have gotten a little curious as to why the prince's former fiancĂŠe had decided to drop by unannounced? Especially after that not-so-subtle reveal of hers. Or was the event kept a secret from most of the kingdom?
Well, then again, she had gone through the window. But that at least should have had a better locking mechanism. Honestly.
But no time to dwell on such things now. Vanessa had a plan, and she was mid-execution now. In the castle, in the proper bedroom, and yes, there he was, fast asleep in his crib. He was the spitting image of his mother, with his shockingly vivid red hair. She was in the presence of none other than Ariel and Eric's precious second-born, Prince Hayden of Denmark. Cautiously, she picked up the sleeping babe, holding her breath. But no, the movement awoke him. Stranger anxiety immediately kicked in and he looked as though he was about to wail and screech. Ugh. This was why she avoided children at most costs.
"Shh, shh," Vanessa argued with the little prince as she began to gently bounce him up and down. There, there, you whiny little boy. That's it. All we have to do is leave a nice note for your mommy and daddy, climb out the window, down the tree, and we're gone. Think you can manage not bursting into tears for a few minutes?
The warm air of the castle mingled with the cool breeze from the window as the door was opened abruptly. Vanessa blinked through the veil of night. His posture and body shape all betrayed his identity before he spoke. Eric.
"Well, look who it is, Hayden," Vanessa said, grinning at Eric triumphantly and at the same time daring him to come closer. "It's Daddy! I do hope he doesn't come near us; you're very breakable, aren't you, cuddlefish?"
