The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPucXn4Cat
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yyZZEg3tr
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnA8pmPrZqU
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtXRZpP1Jv
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeIdlfvaFno
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I freeze.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIUWNWImmL
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvqnYz18hI
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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!”239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ2vnakucQ
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My what now?239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXeu6AeDlt
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdIi8ujQml
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk58Ioo10ws
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm6LksYfcv
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9FKSIn1yW
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7ItfWruTu
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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.”239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ojsI5EE5j
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPmyZ4MNOK
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxPI1ToABO
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmGWpbX8dr
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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.”239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgai9NTjQgA
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhm4i2VYsj
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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.239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV003snSRU
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?239Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDfBh0JRii
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection235ＰＥＮＡＮＡnalvHoKQvS 尼

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