The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXr9kCKBOm
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjh1phbUqIe
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3pdY7J2m9S
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ivdQGzmbA
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAFd5bS1l1
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I freeze.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8o83OSwSs
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKNS3vkudo
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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!”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh09j3xhRYs
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My what now?223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1gWdYaDzC
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXcgCAFqA7
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbYyg4TNKd
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNhvjMf2hi
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf3Jmp6JtR
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3HxTeCviw
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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.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmFiU6e6Hr
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TK8Bu64NW
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZZvqRQxMt
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2COorygJ3
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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.”223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgB5VWlwcl
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WfXciKULn
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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.223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFy6PPD9Zc
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?223Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWnJiFSWVJ
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection219ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6snNm6N6Tz 尼

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