The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZs7Tj22vKB
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1z7WgAzf9
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIO9Gidkv3I
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rCBUNwVSH
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQBMDsmIYG
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I freeze.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77qiFZvUnZ
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dolh0TILC
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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!”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6aVeSmgbE
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My what now?56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPdgMfLNhN
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMNitah7h6Q
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYbekInuvt
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrHKnJYvHHU
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfVWfbx7Gr
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwrCPniUMP
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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.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBlbTLsoWE8
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8g8p6rABG
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW14plUnxet
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaCF9zmrIy
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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.”56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCREt6yVUG
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMGYCpSxYW
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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.56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHex0xVsHD
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?56Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR0SuJ8gU6
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection52ＰＥＮＡＮＡNntpw2x1hJ 尼

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