Ophelia explored the mansion with Thomas and Alice not far behind her.
Though the castle was grand, Ophelia preferred the mansion. It wasn't too spacious to make her feel lonely, and there were not as many servants around to judge her.
"How often does the Hastings stay here?" Ophelia asked, curious.
"Lord Hastings stays here whenever he visits the king, but there are other Hastings and their spouses to make use of it. Lady Cecilia used to frequent the capital often, so some consider it to be her home," Thomas answered.
"I see. There are no portraits of the family anywhere. How odd," Ophelia noticed.
"After Lord Hastings' father died, Lady Cecilia had all the portraits taken down. They have yet to put them back up."
"Is that what Lord Hastings wants? He seems to look up to his father. At least one portrait should be up," Ophelia said, but she knew it wasn't her place to intervene. "Has anyone thought to ask him what he wanted?"
