The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTWTej91el
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUWOwM2nwf
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYierPg8rr4
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaykVhXDyl
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUymjSUktbX
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I freeze.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3Oh4WzS0k
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi2bxpiLoq
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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!”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsJNRhLYj2
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My what now?226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3igGoBHzLU
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQK7pu4qtb
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy7Iy5hSto
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEarmdlEW7
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CM99XqeCj
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtePdBY97Rc
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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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwtUsVKQxc
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSCTXyekJ6R
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMhQtRH2mo
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQ37HEoQur
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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.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYOxpIW21J
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTdO056XmT
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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.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YM0TxSkRJ
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqmr0icYah
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1IYE6ME0f 尼

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