The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwssiNYiPmv
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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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw3qpEf18q
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5mGwxfNIM
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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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrK038HXV55
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXXLNYlP3g
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I freeze.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxefI3STUq
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qIC3iMCGI
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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!”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPElf2Uc70z
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My what now?225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrBmOWpk6B
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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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ISNhp9Ejg
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xFt9lHR8D
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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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMliFHPqil
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GZmNh1szC
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCeoyI7d3T
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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.”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwTHhvGogE
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktEjySpCW4
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOiVvTbPZc
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6izHpzO1Ci
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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.”225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdIZV8J6iT
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4Ipo8qgNj
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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.225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEEIkq9Jp6
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?225Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO30WfHbmIQ
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection221ＰＥＮＡＮＡHntnux1DHc 尼

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