Final answer:
Sebastian consoles King Triton by admitting that Ariel is in love, hoping to evoke understanding and compassion from Triton for her actions and absence.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Disney's The Little Mermaid, when Ariel is missing, Sebastian attempts to console King Triton by admitting that Ariel is in love. He reveals this to the king in the hopes that Triton will understand Ariel's feelings and behavior, suggesting that her infatuation is the reason behind her actions and absence. Sebastian hopes that by understanding the situation better, King Triton might be more compassionate towards Ariel's desire to be with Prince Eric, and thus be less worried about her safety.