The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmej4unUq7E
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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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE85OMbUBNw
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfiw9zg8HN
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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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadbZR1qdUD
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjNjSqeB3g
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I freeze.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfFmGzRfSe
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT3veEmSDi9
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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!”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6MazVWcL8
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My what now?225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZ3caJpfw2
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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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm55DtBgTLC
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBWDQYKwsu
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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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEj7w2ZWrRU
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP0bx2QQ0k9
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzo4Pc41cSu
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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.”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfqqXuOjKi
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4sL3sUyFs
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEmQ37jKmL
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLXpWTe4rBL
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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.”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw9mI60qaw
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsZK9t1OaO
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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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUQBqJBvzQ
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kczJB90sA
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection221ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWjtRQnNTY 尼

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