The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNfV2equEF
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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.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVC3eJIJS3
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7fIzE4Nur
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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.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhrmbFutFh
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NJjWNRgOB
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I freeze.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53j2jVovpv
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlBWSM5jpaJ
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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!”221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXHMeomSrn
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My what now?221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZRzRRCozV
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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.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfC3v6Eey3R
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhLsQgQ38G
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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.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0GbXmCAzD
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbM5FLH3eN
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ckolDQfGV
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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.”221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6Jd1g6EDj
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAhrubP5t3O
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl6kSiq88J
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd36vOonYM
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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.”221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1PrrWDWfZ
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYEKtwPzEc
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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.221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ELe1FBqfU
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?221Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsoIaeLbSyj
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection217ＰＥＮＡＮＡcWkXlYn7CJ 尼

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