The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxlUDVNJRE
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCTpop0rYE
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVck1ld8ky
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenr0sHGRKq
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONCcYq9Kc4
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I freeze.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcnjOwbWlU
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPDW8o6Aq9
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RBv5NYF3J
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My what now?225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyD2fGK9ZGn
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpstNkOran
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnWCUXv2Lf
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QDX9u00Lj
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQOBaNKW2e
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwPfUFJUa4
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqFgVpnt7Z
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56bLLJIzr1
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01aWYW5C6g
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PbNmTButN
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86yIkP0VnP
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡByx6BbkeTR
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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.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg31w9pIWrT
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUW9ZNMNYV
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection221ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5Qv9cOKVM 尼

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