The throne room looks like someone turned “rich” into a physical object.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWQJzg7nQG
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf7rpPamPI
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I stand there awkwardly while Clara glides forward like she’s auditioning for Royal Swan Ballet.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeFSzp6QvXY
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunmCZyfh0S
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“Ariana…” he breathes, voice cracking just a little.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjKkiUni2g
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I freeze.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEyJzHsGR3X
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Oh no. Not another emotional reunion. I’m running out of reaction faces.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7vkNKAE62
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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!”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrqKn3sFe4
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My what now?195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl48pMRRuiY
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKToq1F9IC
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“Uh… hi. Yeah. Totally your daughter,” I mumble into his very royal shoulder. “Big fan of your… throne?”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYVH5Npknv
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJKNFzi5ZD
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“She doesn’t seem to remember much, Father,” Clara says gently. “Perhaps the… ordeal affected her memory.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKsQOlrPhE
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“Memory?” I echo. “Oh. Yeah. Definitely lost that. Totally blank. Don’t even know my Wi-Fi password anymore.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDIAktdVb6
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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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl1AA3uXij
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“Cool. Rest. Great idea,” I say quickly, because honestly, my brain is melting.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBal5Kivy9
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He calls for servants, who appear instantly like ninjas in expensive robes. One of them bows and gestures politely.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlPtHtCmPY
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“Take Princess Ariana to her chambers,” the king says softly. “See that she’s comfortable.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XMKLKFDaG
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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.”195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9RhCNEWYQ
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The way she says it sounds sweet. The way it feels sounds like a threat wrapped in ribbon.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QXGtwhyr4
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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.195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgT3wp5Cfs
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And I can’t help wondering — who was the real Ariana?195Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBMfcKvuX9
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And why does it feel like she’s still here… somewhere inside me?1234 copyright protection191ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZHYyFPS5D 尼

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