"I'll stay a bit longer," I mumbled as Cora gave me a worried look. "Just need to rest my eyes."
Cora hesitated. "I can wait with you until your ride arrives."
"No!" I waved her off dramatically. "The Queen commands you to go home. I'll call... someone."
After several more minutes of protest, Cora finally left with Vera, who was barely steadier than I was. The door closed with a soft click, and suddenly I was alone in the private room, sprawled across the velvet couch, tiara askew on my head.
The silence felt strange after hours of music and laughter. I fumbled for my phone, dropping it twice before managing to unlock it. The screen blurred before my eyes.
"Who even cares if I get home?" I muttered to the empty room.
Or what I thought was an empty room.
"Hey, you're Hazel Shaw, right?"
I squinted toward the voice. Two young men stood by the bar, both in server uniforms. Had they been here the whole time?
