The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHni5WFHfT
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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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWrTUcsy8B
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoss9o6muef
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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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnJSXAYy79
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLe27NQcS88
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I freeze.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKutUiFcxIv
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjVTfNLIqe
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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!”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE1A6EGOQM
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My what now?206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9nQ9CbQPs
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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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNyjwp9qhs
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviTRwpJIvb
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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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HP4mN2f4H
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISYTGaybI2
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5kMVfr3ME
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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.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcm4g9aYH8
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4ZZlfhM97
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLPRlMZcE4
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJM7szlHijf
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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.”206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mS1FsYyqG
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIkuOaxpcO
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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.206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrDM7EqRRFt
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?206Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrsBRGlthq
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection202ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQ7wQpfXQa 尼

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