The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqUeQYAtiZ
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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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9xNluTVjA
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42Eakkvgrz
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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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf74dxyt2HP
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOo5ZHRPhbd
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I freeze.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWRae4xmxi
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFFjfT55HY
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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!”273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4FkBanuIF
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My what now?273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jpBzjQsOw
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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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwV3qRqJFD
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZim2bjqK5
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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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvHPIgvRR0i
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpVKs4Rvwe
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uNNTocEH1
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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.”273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8MQoIKYWR
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QJIkXXfPU
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNwqklv6qy
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr9ADAqZbP
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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.”273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡluEHagjDmE
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOzdYnWJYZE
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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.273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj5CqDhIqy
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?273Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9PRNAZatM
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection269ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3p3SSok3D 尼

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