The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbZ4fl5cel
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Golden pillars, carpets so soft I feel guilty stepping on them, and a chandelier big enough to crush a small car.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4G3YZbhuJ4
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxJmxZqTAq
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The man on the throne looks up — middle-aged, strong, with tired eyes that soften the moment he sees me. Then, before I can even blink, he’s out of his seat and walking toward me.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhs0nFo8aA
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6Bd2xheCf
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I freeze.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfFp9QuMFN
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L76BxtTOq
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He stops right in front of me, studying my face like he’s memorizing it. Then— suddenly— he laughs, pure relief spilling out of him. “By the gods, it’s truly you! My daughter!”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3eWSJ21Qm
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My what now?192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCyVeskHxS
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Before I can process that, he wraps me in a bear hug that smells like sandalwood and nostalgia. My body goes stiff. My brain? Blue screen of death.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbQdXmB2CP
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEOXFXg0SG
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Clara stands a few steps away, smiling that perfect smile again. But her hands are clasped too tightly — the knuckles white.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpVXpmKUa4
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDw7u4KB6O
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWDFxjJAoj
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The king looks devastated, like I just confessed to forgetting Christmas. “Oh, my poor child,” he says, guiding me toward a velvet couch. “You’ve been through so much. Rest now. We can speak of what happened later.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKne3uBRJ6
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo8QK9Ihi79
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3BYQ6O6J1M
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ST4BVUqPn
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Clara’s eyes flick toward me again — something sharp hiding behind her calm expression. “Yes, Father. I’ll make sure she’s… well taken care of.”192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRZO3SGh4u
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSOQ7uYICq
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As I’m led away, I glance back once more. The king’s still watching me like I’m his whole world.192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40hR4ccSlB
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?192Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZhtPILDAH
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection188ＰＥＮＡＮＡFqJxnpTriB 尼

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