William rubbed his eyes, still groggy, and glanced around his room, taking in the familiar surroundings with a confused frown.
"Hm, I'm back in my room?" he muttered, his memories hazy. "Last night... or was it afternoon? Wasn't I…"
Before he could finish, a cool, familiar voice cut through his thoughts from behind him. "You were, indeed," the voice said icily, "naked in the middle of the garden."
A chill ran down his spine as he turned slowly, meeting the gaze of a maid with a steely expression and strikingly cold eyes. "Hello... Amelia," he managed, trying to muster a smile, but the usual authority in her stare made him quickly sober.
Amelia, Mia's mother, stood with her arms crossed, her face unreadable. She gave him a slow, appraising look. "Did you enjoy your... night out, young master?" she asked with just the faintest hint of reproach, a raised eyebrow accentuating her usual composed demeanor.
