The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9axVMbWoPS
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92k4np57FB
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJauaRWmFl
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTWNrB1vHuz
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2Vp8aGkdE
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I freeze.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHHJidyQcB
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77SVYuqfto
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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!”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hVMrYs0AM
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My what now?227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFuKK1s87C
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VTDEAOkLm
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspXYxrZtEq
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP5RxP637m
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5tQ3gfUaE
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAbGXxKIPq
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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.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuuxqVYOI6
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7zrF2JbF9
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ6pljrjsDR
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1hB5XLBJD
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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.”227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6NTeGGdPY
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQerFyKR7FA
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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.227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1eataEp3a4
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?227Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUWM2DTHJsG
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection223ＰＥＮＡＮＡymC1SElhwE 尼

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