THE OCEAN CROWN

emere. His mission was twofold: to gather more information about Benjamin and to purchase s

instructed Ariel firmly. "We can't risk you

ly heeled shoes that Ruth had provided. The shoes were challenging yet another human invention that seemed des

y was bright and inviting, the sea breeze carrying familiar scents through the

iel asked. "Just for a short while.

ebastian was quite clear

eful," Arie

ound her neck had been recharged two nights ago under the moonlight, but she hadn't tran

t the position of the sun. "Sebastian won't return for at least two hours. A short wal

o appreciate and set off down the cliff path. The narrow trail wound its way to a

she had walked for several minutes that the sound of waves was growing fainter rather than louder. Looking around, Ariel realized she h

nto town alone. But curiosity always her defining trait, even beneath the waves pushed her for

gave way to larger buildings constructed of stone and wood, their purposes mysterious to her. People moved abou

had heard before. Following the sound, Ariel came upon a large rectangular building with tall, narro

ut the fact

r. A young boy, perhaps twelve years

eated, testing th

mere, aside from the fishing boats." The boy pointed to the bui

ed before remembering her pr

. You know, cloth. Fabric. F

the sleeve of her

thread, weave the cloth, dy

sted from special sea plants or traded from other underwater

side?" she ask

tant folk. The workers' entrance is around back, but the main doors are

e told her to turn back Sebastian would return soon, and Ruth would worry but

Ariel pushed open one of the

ir metal components moving in complex patterns. The noise was deafening clanking, whirring, thumping sounds t

nes with expressions of grim concentration. Their faces were pale, their clothing simple an

A stern voice cut thr

her with suspicious eyes. His clothing was fin

how textiles are made,"

epresenting a buyer? Or perhaps you're one of the social re

l faltered, unsure ho

ckwood's voice came from behind her, ca

g. He smiled at Ariel's obvious confusion. "I was on my way to discuss business with Mr. Harri

stern man was relaxed slightly at Benjamin's int

in moved to Ariel's side, not quite touching her but standing close enough to imply a

any friend of Benjamin's is welcome." He offered Ariel a stiff bow. Alexan

small curtsy Ruth had taught her. "Your factory i

never seen a textile mill before? Wh

. "Miss Ariel suffered an injury during her journey here that has af

sted more interest than sympathy. "Well, since you're h

"Yes, please. If it's

m deeper into the factory. "Benjamin, will you join

stry first," Benjamin replied, his eyes never leaving Ariel's f

cess with evident pride. He described how raw cotton and wool arrived at the factory, how it

oung women operating large mechanical looms. "This creates efficiency. One person performing

their movements mechanical. In Oceania, craftspeople sang while they worked, t

of doing the same thi

strial efficiency, Miss Ariel. The human mind is freed from having to

ecome... boring?

ey receive fair wages for honest work. Before this factory opened, many of them wo

assured him quickly. "I'm

ted vivid blues, reds, and yellows. Ariel couldn't help but admi

ced her interest. "We've developed techniques that produce more colorfast fabri

ed sincerely. "In my... home,

had displayed. "Few visitors appreciate the artistry involved in indu

," Ariel said. "Whether it's made by h

s transformed our kingdom, Miss Ariel. Twenty years ago, a simple dress like yours would have cost three mon

xander agreed. "Though there are

collecting stray threads and debris. One girl, who couldn't have been more than ei

" Ariel observed, unable to

ies. The alternative would be begging or worse." He checked his pocket watch. "I sh

like to wait in the showroom where we display our finished prod

ilding. Unlike the noisy, dusty factory space, this room was quiet and elegan

min and I shouldn't be more than half an hour. Then perhaps you would both do me the honor

Ariel began, but Be

hering at Tidemere Bay." He turned to Ariel with a pointed look. "In fact, shouldn't you be preparing

back and looking for her. "Yes, of c

rprised to detect genuine disappointment i

le aspects of the factory, she found Alexander intriguing a serious m

w Marlowe's cottage," Benjamin offe

iel. Your fresh perspective is refreshing. Most young ladies o

iel replied. Thank you for

ng. The rhythmic thumping of the machines continued unabated, and black smoke still poured from the chimney. She wo

marked as they walked back toward Ruth's cottage. "He's no

out his work," Ariel r

ay of putting it. Alexander lives for his

th?" Ariel asked, rem

ll weaving shop. Alexander transformed it into the operation you just saw through determination and a complete absence of anythin

stake. "I'm simply trying to un

things. Your... memory loss... has given you a unique perspective." He paused at a crossroads. Ruth's cottage is just up that path. M

el said, genuinely grateful for his

g. "Until this afternoon, Miss Ariel. I'm very much looking forward to showing you T

feeling that Benjamin Blackwood saw more than he revealed. Whether that

ut wandering off alone. Her morning adventure had yielded valuable insights into human society and introduced her t

ter in her quest to find a noble husband. The human world was proving far more complex than her lesson