Chapter 27
The Morning of Regret
In the depths of a heavy, drowsy slumber—like sinking into a bottomless swamp—Sena heard something weighty being pulled out, then bumping against something hard.
It was a strangely nostalgic sound.
Her subconscious recognized it instantly, and her awareness snapped awake.
The sound alone was enough to shatter even the most pleasant sleep.
For the past several years, she had spent most of her days working in this building.
She knew that sound—the timing of the pull, the quality of it—perfectly.
It was the sound of a door being opened and closed in the Royal Suite of this hotel.
She gasped and sat upright.
Sunlight poured in from the bedroom window, telling her exactly where she was.
And when she glanced at the clock sitting beside the bed, her heart froze.
The short hand and long hand pointed to 4 a.m.
One hour before her shift began.
“No way…!”
She groaned, a sound filled with regret, and tried to get up—
Only for a wave of dizziness to slam into her.
Her brain throbbed violently, as though hit by a hammer.
For a moment she wondered if she had been struck by someone, but then realized she recognized this pain.
And with that recognition came a heavy sigh of self-reproach.
“Was it… the wine from last night?”
If so, she was suffering from a terrible hangover.
She didn’t need to search for the cause—she remembered everything.
This was Robert’s Royal Suite.
She and he had shared an incredible night together.
And now, the fact that he wasn’t beside her felt strange.
She held her breath and listened.
From beyond the door—
From the kitchen—
She heard sounds of someone preparing food.
Likely coffee, maybe warming the provided breakfast.
So he was in the far room, beyond the living area.
He wouldn’t return immediately.
What should she do?
She had spent the night with him.
“Sena” was not a name on the guest list.
And even if it were, one quick check would reveal the truth.
Once the hotel traced her identity, she would be fired on the spot.
“I have to escape.”
Once she decided that, her actions were quick.
She used her holy magic as usual—first to cure the hangover—then began gathering the dress, underwear, jewels, and accessories scattered around the bed.
The dress had been neatly placed on a chair.
Her earrings, hair ornaments, and necklace were arranged beside the clock—placed there by Robert himself.
When she picked up the dress, she found his black trousers beneath it.
The sight pulled back the memory of Robert’s gentle yet passionate eyes.
“Ahh… seriously!”
The memories of the several times they’d made love stabbed into her mind.
Her cheeks burned red with humiliation.
Perhaps it was the champagne, or—no—
It was her being hopelessly captivated by him.
As if pulled by an irresistible gravity, she had simply surrendered to him.
Sleeping here until morning—after everything—was unforgivable.
She had never experienced intimacy before, and the full weight of her decision crashed down on her.
Her promise with Mia had only been to enjoy the ball, nothing more.
Sena compared the room’s interior with the outside scenery several times, tracing the floorplan in her mind.
She planned her escape route.
She needed to get out of this persona quickly and return to her regular self.
What was the best way?
He would return soon.
Heart pounding, she remembered that Mia’s room was located just across the hallway.
And she still had her master key.
Every housekeeper assigned to suites could summon it from the air with a thought.
There was no time to put on the dress.
Hugging it to her chest to hide herself, she waited for the right moment.
Soon, the early-shift cleaners would gather in the linen room down the hall—
If they saw her like this, it would be over.
Crossing the courtyard was an option, but security monitored every movement around the Royal Suites.
“No choice.”
Cursing her own foolishness, she checked that none of her belongings were missing, then grabbed her shoes in one hand.
She quietly opened the door connecting the bedroom to the dressing room—
Beyond that was the attendants’ resting chamber.
Passing through, she opened the door to the hallway.
Seeing no one, she hurried forward.
She crossed the corridor toward Mia’s room, located at the far eastern end.
As she passed a junction, she noticed a figure walking far down the hallway—but they hadn’t noticed her.
At last she reached Mia’s door.
With a touch of the master key, she unlocked it, slipped inside, and quietly closed the door behind her.
