The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvakG6EPem
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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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEGGjYL1UR
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo03te2iUtC
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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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVduf64rW6
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUUElNkViW
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I freeze.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fGisabPSV
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ontHrsjAT
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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!”113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9vN40gUg3
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My what now?113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmvgBz5qrN
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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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKsWkz5gV4
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3GCudYFupq
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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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ965ylm3qqP
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0SdzCrIAt
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY36vvO5b7F
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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.”113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4E7dzGF2v
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEURpA4clCy
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlumxOlogV
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvJgcqS1sV
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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.”113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5iIg6F9h4
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgfeOraJx0
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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.113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuKBOaCNQ9
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?113Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9W00A0UrE5
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection109ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KRaKhK1L7 尼

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