The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyoeK2iXqG
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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.205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwAm6pVdfX
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34P5Dr91Q6
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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.205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGEpOCVnzi
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfE2zgEsu2
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I freeze.205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02RmY2mUpq
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoTkiQB64z
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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!”205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfp5rfsF9x
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My what now?205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVKmtNZwge
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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.205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwDqn8zFSj
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDNvYBS9DF
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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.205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVto1HMp1S
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mGTb6dIMR
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBk6p5S409r
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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.”205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAjhByDCvu
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMZjagZzMf
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFlyGBkmWcy
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWasCeeuBsg
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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.”205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl4ztasoIg
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8ITi4Rknr
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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.205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA19Di6zPa
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?205Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8oUQGYSMp
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection201ＰＥＮＡＮＡccjxuDeO8S 尼

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