The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ7PLET5Vi
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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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzauMe3Bijk
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLdUmM37Va
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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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpdX7nCGqLd
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXPHPc2xWf
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I freeze.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2nLQs8vkF
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF1gBVOKCdi
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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!”222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ537U0CYkyW
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My what now?222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8VAU1IJM8
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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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs65vchozP
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1y2oFclJm
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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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLwjjDZ47z
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLY6fFFBSaH
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPGulCF3Gj
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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.”222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgj88mBNTOI
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNgBiwgcZN
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzOm9XbBP3
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yHMwgmoKX
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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.”222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BG4kpt9Gw
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0grGzY6u6P
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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.222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOOgl8vHwro
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?222Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRM9Eyp3V0Q
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection218ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsHCFHHEFQ 尼

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