The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0Pyhxm7GP
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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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡESnGcebB4w
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD41nZjj2nG
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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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN58NBAESpP
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrr6TS6LEv
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I freeze.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡueK4bj292G
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3tdnU70Dt
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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!”161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmQ3eMw5X3
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My what now?161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIhHc8jdKJU
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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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJeCl3w8sI
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRVqeiIoD0j
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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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbK6pA1QcEP
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdVSFR0cdV
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPqtvuzLv5
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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.”161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9MJCGxsUuO
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlV5N5zRrm
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4MH5Cfg92
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsN9RTrEH2M
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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.”161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65chI836Y8
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2ZOQ3w4Ev
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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.161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1w0xBuaQBJ
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?161Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OGU2LXafK
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection157ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8ma4R8UDY 尼

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