Early morning light streamed into the mansion as servants in simple white bustled about, preparing things for their masters' day throughout the mansion. Outside one door, two teenagers going opposite directions in the hall stopped beside each other as one called out to the other.

"Yoko," the blonde teenage boy said to the teenage Japanese girl. She struggled to turn her head to look at the boy around the large pile of linens in her arms. "Can you go into Triford's room and wake him up?"

Yoko's eyes widened in alarm before she quickly shook her head. "No! He would beat me if he caught me not serving Rose. Why not do it yourself, Teddy? You are his servant!" Yoko whispered nervously, beads of sweat starting to form on her temple.

The boy, Teddy, shook his head, a look of fear ghosting his own face. "I have a higher chance of being beat than you do, Yoko. Besides, if he finds his riding gear isn't ready by the time he reaches the stables…" Both shuddered at thinking of the consequences, memories of being at the receiving end of punishment sessions.

"Then who will wake Mr. Triford?" Yoko asked in quiet panic. "We both have our assigned tasks, but…"

Footsteps sounded at the far end of the hall, followed by a voice calling "I'll call on him, you two go. Don't worry." A middle age woman called from the end of the hall. Sighs of relief came from the two teens as they looked at her in thanks.

"Thank you Beatrice." Teddy said, nodding his head before continuing on his way down the hall. Yoko nodded her head in thanks and did a small curtsy to Beatrice before hurrying away in the opposite direction.

The woman watched the pair scurrying away in sympathy and understanding before taking a deep breath as she paused at door before smoothing her skirts down and knocking on the door as she entered. "Good morning Mr. Triford." Beatrice said timidly. She earned no reply, to which she was not surprised; but what did surprise her was the sight she was greeted with.

Beatrice screamed in terror.