The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7rVtoLj7x
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcSnnm0N3m
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y7UKnz2wN
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfSXJKlWlo
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuAXJFpYB23
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I freeze.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoelEEIwcn
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciYg4irVfP
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4omXulott
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My what now?226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3xj9Vj51X
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyTx4teMbF
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBI7pZW3fJ6
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdjL6SvNPE
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YXTrwWDzR
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewKOdzYimg
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c0fi8kNug
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0rQFcxIxm
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qSBrnixQ9
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlERE1RQYPZ
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDwYBok6M5
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOm7Yt2e35
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXV9rIKWr1m
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?226Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgch13a3ztm
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection222ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUFZzKtJdB 尼

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