The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauhQH74fRY
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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.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4uBdsoSPL
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9oZjSNhwa
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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.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFUtXVGROd
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidtrLMrpXe
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I freeze.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlurgpIN6z
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9vx9kTCMd
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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!”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9M1YVjXlbn
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My what now?11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjm0YagImih
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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.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RbyTbF7yp
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9kbsLq0sr
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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.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZZielOqSM
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qUIV1pf9P
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZDreQuEbP1
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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.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7AQaezNLJ
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD4pOdrDF7
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zGgZzixCr
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPSjdZ7yDZ
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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.”11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkzpaTec4Ek
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP8JNnvqyq4
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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.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPqNWtroU0
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRwOk4ewbh
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection7ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLHsnBIfeP 尼

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