It was a fair point, but one that only solidified Hild's opinion of him. Stubbornness was a valuable quality in her book, something to be applauded, as she had been taught. The weak-willed fell quickly, whereas those strong in body and opinion held their place. Or died before their values crumbled and the things they held dear tarnished. That was the ideal, anyway. That was the goal.

"Control," she said, in a light, lofty tone of voice and paired with a shrug of her shoulders that said this was only theory, not certainty. Because it was Hild, she thought it very near certainty, of course. "A mansion is more difficult to keep, to alter to your whims. Knowing he has that, has the option, but chooses to keep the smaller place that he can thoroughly live in and mark as his own, that gives him control. Or the idea of it."