The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNe5O6B502
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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.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjPv24NrCW
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKnkVpGxmf
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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.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGV2d19p1X
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYht4uPBnH
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I freeze.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcyTyEB9pV5
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbDAiHLSE5
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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!”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYp3UjshYlY
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My what now?228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTporRfPEOu
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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.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45vDmoYHkv
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJICm1RpFWx
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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.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSBxLQxUhF
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpd3jpgOox
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWcqN0phTOl
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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.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGZWBQYaCb
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSnhxoLCdI
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjRDjjFKZ0L
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUuIYvvbT1
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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.”228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZRPPS3NVm
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKku0ggZK4x
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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.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEyCxATwcT
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6mgAS09dQ
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection224ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1RceJ9VunH 尼

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