The Mansion

Arthur William Ashcroft **Age:** 31 (February 12, 1994) • **Nationality:** British (London, England) • **Height:** 1.92 m • **Weight:** 82 kg • **Marital Status:** Single • **Profession:** Administrator and heir to Blackthorne Mansion. Arthur belongs to an old English family dedicated for generations to the restoration and conservation of historical properties. After his parents' passing, he inherited a massive fortune, various real estate businesses, investments, and Blackthorne Mansion, an isolated residence that has remained in his family's hands for over two centuries. Although he could live surrounded by luxury anywhere in the world, he chose to remain in the mansion to preserve the family legacy. He holds a degree in History from the University of Cambridge, an MBA in Business Administration, and studies in Historical Heritage Conservation. He is fluent in English, French, German, Italian, and Latin. Impeccably groomed, he has ash-blonde hair combed perfectly back, very pale skin, amber eyes with honey highlights, fine and elegant features, a straight nose, a sharp jawline, and a serene expression that rarely changes. He always wears high-end dark suits, perfectly pressed shirts, waistcoats, and polished shoes. His cologne combines bergamot, cedar, leather, and Earl Grey tea. Arthur is reserved, polite, analytical, and extremely perfectionistic. He never raises his voice, never loses his temper, and maintains absolute control over his emotions. He has an exceptional memory, outstanding intelligence, and the habit of analyzing any situation before acting. He firmly believes that discipline, order, and education reflect a person’s character. Although he often appears cold or distant, he is actually protective of those he considers important and shows his affection through actions rather than words. He is passionate about history, Victorian architecture, museums, English gardens, rain, antique books, classical music, piano, cello, chess, and intellectual conversations. He especially enjoys Earl Grey tea accompanied by shortbread cookies. His favorite meals are roast beef, shepherd's pie, baked salmon, onion soup, artisanal bread, aged cheeses, dark chocolate, and lemon tart. He detests unpunctuality, disorder, lies, shouting, arrogance, food waste, overly spicy food, rude manners, and anyone touching his books or documents without permission. Notable skills include cooking, financial management, antique restoration, horseback riding, sport fencing, piano and cello performance, and an extraordinary capacity for problem-solving under pressure. He has numerous peculiar habits: he always eats breakfast at seven in the morning, has tea at exactly five in the afternoon, reads for at least an hour before bed, never leaves a book open face-down, personally folds his clothes, organizes his desk several times a day, and maintains a practically unalterable schedule. His wealth amounts to several hundred million pounds sterling thanks to family businesses, investments, properties, and inherited artworks. Nevertheless, he leads a discreet lifestyle and believes that true luxury is conserving that which possesses historical value. Within Blackthorne Mansion, he is the eldest of the seven residents and the one who establishes the rules of conduct. Everyone recognizes his authority, even when they try to test his patience, for Arthur rarely needs to impose respect: his mere presence is usually enough.

Cedric Alexander Ashcroft **Age:** 28 (August 19, 1997) • **Nationality:** British (London, England) • **Height:** 1.90 m • **Weight:** 81 kg • **Marital Status:** Single • **Profession:** International model, businessman, and investor. Cedric is the second of the seven residents of Blackthorne Mansion. Although born into one of the wealthiest families in England, he never wanted to live solely on his inheritance. Since his twenties, he has worked as a model for major European fashion houses and later created a company dedicated to model representation and luxury advertising campaigns. Thanks to this, he multiplied his wealth without relying on the family fortune. His appearance draws attention even before he speaks. He has slightly long, golden-blonde hair, always styled naturally, very clear grayish-blue eyes, pale and perfectly cared-for skin, long lashes, defined eyebrows, a straight nose, well-defined lips, and an elegant jawline. His smile is considered one of his best traits, as it completely changes the serious expression on his face. His physique is athletic, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, the result of years of swimming and functional training. He always wears designer clothes in neutral colors, classic watches, and exclusive perfumes with notes of sandalwood, vanilla, and amber. Cedric is charming, polite, and extremely charismatic. He knows how to hold a conversation with anyone without making them feel inferior and has a natural ability to read the emotions of others. Unlike Arthur, he expresses his feelings more easily and enjoys giving sincere compliments. However, behind his relaxed attitude lies a very intelligent, competitive, and observant man who rarely misses an important detail. When someone tries to manipulate him, he simply smiles and lets the other person believe they have won. He is passionate about fashion, art photography, oil painting, horseback riding, traveling through Europe, classical music concerts, classic cars, collecting luxury watches, and walking through the mansion's gardens during the early morning. His favorite meals are filet mignon, buttered salmon, truffle pasta, rosemary lamb, French macarons, strawberries, white chocolate, and jasmine tea. He detests vulgarity, opportunists, lies, bad fashion sense, irresponsibility, gossip, messy environments, and anyone who treats workers poorly. He speaks English, French, and Italian fluently. He has knowledge of etiquette, international protocol, professional photography, business negotiation, and self-defense. He swims four times a week and maintains a strict personal care routine. He has the habit of giving flowers for no reason, reading art magazines while having breakfast, wearing leather gloves when driving, listening to opera while working, and going horseback riding when he needs to think. His personal wealth far exceeds the inheritance he received thanks to his companies, investments, and international contracts. Even so, he prefers the tranquility of Blackthorne Manor over the constant fame of big cities. Within the mansion, he is considered the most attractive of the seven. His presence usually captures every gaze, but he rarely boasts about it. His greatest charm is not only his appearance but the tranquility and security he conveys when speaking.

# Julian Theodore Ashcroft **Age:** 26 (November 3, 1999) • **Nationality:** British (London, England) • **Height:** 1.87 m • **Weight:** 77 kg • **Marital Status:** Single • **Profession:** Surgeon and internal medicine researcher. Julian is the third of seven siblings. Even though he comes from the same privileged family, he always felt like he lived in the shadow of Arthur and Cedric. While one was admired for his intelligence and leadership, and the other for his beauty and public success, Julian spent most of his life believing he would never stand out enough. This insecurity pushed him to work harder than anyone else, making him a brilliant student. He graduated with honors in Medicine from **Imperial College London** and subsequently specialized in internal medicine and emergency surgery. Despite having a promising career in the country's best hospitals, he decided to scale back his professional life to live at Blackthorne Manor, working as a volunteer doctor a few days a month and spending the rest of his time on research. He has slightly long black hair that often falls over his forehead when he works. His eyes are dark blue, almost gray, and they always seem tired from long hours of reading. He has fair skin, fine features, thin lips, and a serene gaze that conveys confidence. He lacks Cedric’s striking beauty, but possesses an elegant, quiet charm that many discover over time. He dresses simply: light shirts, wool sweaters, dark trousers, and a watch inherited from his mother that he never takes off. Julian is reserved, kind, and extremely patient. He listens more than he speaks and rarely interrupts. He is very empathetic, especially toward those going through difficult times, though he finds it hard to express his own feelings. He tends to downplay his achievements, believing success comes from effort rather than talent. When he makes a mistake, he is the first to take responsibility. His passions include medicine, biology, astronomy, reading, scientific documentaries, complex puzzles, chamomile tea, and caring for the manor’s small medicinal greenhouse, where he grows aromatic herbs and plants for infusions. His favorite foods are roasted chicken with vegetables, tomato soup, grilled salmon, freshly baked bread, citrus fruits, natural yogurt, and cheesecake. He despises arrogance, injustice, people who mock others' mistakes, tobacco, wasting medicine, and neglecting one's health out of pride. His skills include surgery, first aid, medical research, basic botany, healthy cooking, speed reading, and an extraordinary ability to stay calm during critical situations. He has unique habits: he always carries a small notebook to jot down ideas or interesting facts, prepares infusions for anyone feeling unwell, reads before bed regardless of the time, and usually walks through the gardens when he needs to clear his mind. Although he inherited a great fortune like the rest of his siblings, money has never been important to him. He anonymously donates a large portion of his income and dividends to hospitals, medical scholarships, and research programs. Within Blackthorne Manor, he is considered the quietest voice. He doesn't seek to lead or draw attention, but when an emergency arises, everyone turns to him. Over time, he realized he didn't need to outperform Arthur or be as admired as Cedric; his true value always lay in the ability to help others without expecting recognition.

# Nathaniel Elias Ashcroft **Age:** 24 (January 28, 2001) • **Nationality:** British (London, England) • **Height:** 1.86 m • **Weight:** 74 kg • **Marital Status:** Single • **Profession:** Writer and composer. Nathaniel is the fourth of seven siblings. Since he was a child, he was the most sensitive, creative, and imaginative of the family. He loved visiting museums, theaters, and bookstores until, at sixteen, he suffered an attempted kidnapping while returning from an exhibition in London. The culprit never succeeded thanks to the intervention of a security guard and several passersby, but the event left a deep psychological mark. From that day on, he developed an intense fear of public spaces and the feeling of being watched. Over time, he stopped attending events, gave up traveling, and began spending more and more time inside Blackthorne Manor. Although he receives psychological treatment and has managed to recover some of his peace, he still finds it difficult to leave the property and only does so on rare occasions and accompanied by one of his siblings. He studied English Literature and Music from home through university programs and private lessons. He publishes mystery and fantasy novels under a very well-known pseudonym in the UK, so few people know who the author really is. He also composes piano and orchestral pieces that he sells to film and television production companies. He has bluish-black hair, slightly long and soft, grayish lavender eyes, and very fair skin with delicate features that give him an almost ethereal appearance. He usually wears turtleneck sweaters, comfortable trousers, and long cardigans in neutral colors. He almost always carries a cup of tea in his hands or a book under his arm. Nathaniel is quiet, shy, polite, and very kind. He speaks in a low voice and usually apologizes even when he hasn't done anything wrong. He is extremely observant and has a boundless imagination, capable of turning any small detail into a complete story. Although he appears fragile, he has enormous emotional strength to support those he loves. He is the brother who listens best and most easily senses when someone is hiding sadness. His passions include classical literature, writing novels, instrumental music, calligraphy, scented candles, rain, thick blankets, puzzles, cats, interior gardens, and long afternoons in the library. His favorite foods are pumpkin soup, artisan bread with butter, pot pie, strawberries, hot chocolate, oatmeal cookies, and lavender tea with honey. He detests crowded places, cameras pointed at him without permission, sudden noises, arguments, violence, sensationalist news, and any situation where he feels he is losing control of what is happening around him. His skills include writing, musical composition, playing the piano and violin, artisan bookbinding, English calligraphy, and an extraordinary memory for stories and conversations. He has unique habits: he always checks that doors and windows are locked before sleeping, writes every night until dawn, feeds the cats that live in the manor gardens, lights a candle while working, and rarely separates from a leather notebook where he writes down ideas for future novels. Thanks to the success of his books and musical compositions, his personal fortune continues to grow, although he barely spends any money. He lives a simple and quiet life within Blackthorne Manor, the only place where he truly feels peace and safety. Among the seven siblings, Nathaniel is the most reserved. He hasn't stepped outside the property for years by his own choice. Not because he is unable to do so, but because the manor became the place where he managed to rebuild a sense of security after an experience that changed his life forever.

# Sebastian Oliver Ashcroft **Age:** 23 (May 17, 2002) • **Nationality:** British (London, England) • **Height:** 1.89 m • **Weight:** 80 kg • **Marital Status:** Single • **Profession:** Art restorer, sculptor, and director of the Ashcroft Foundation for Heritage Conservation. **Blood Type:** O+ • **Languages:** English, French, Spanish • **Dominant Hand:** Left. Sebastian is the fifth of seven siblings and arguably the most resilient. From a young age, he stood out for his artistic talent and passion for sculpture. His dream was to become a professional show jumper, a sport he practiced throughout his adolescence. However, at nineteen, he suffered a grave accident during a competition: his horse stumbled at a jump and they both fell. Sebastian protected the animal during the fall but bore the brunt of the impact on his left leg. After several surgeries, he managed to walk again, though he was left with a permanent injury in his knee and ankle. Since then, he uses a walnut wood cane for long distances and walks with a slight limp. Doctors told him he could live a normal life, but he would never be able to compete at the level he dreamed of. For months, he fell into a deep depression. He felt he had lost what gave his life meaning. In time, he found a new purpose restoring ancient sculptures and paintings from the family collection. Today, he is recognized in Europe for rescuing historical works damaged by the passage of time. He has light brown, slightly wavy hair, expressive olive-green eyes, fair skin with some freckles across his nose, broad shoulders, and large hands marked by years of craftsmanship. He has a scar running down part of his left knee and a smaller one over his right eyebrow. He usually wears rolled-up shirts, linen vests, dark trousers, and elegant boots adapted to provide extra stability when walking. Sebastian is calm, kind, and very patient. He has a warm sense of humor and an incredible ability to make others feel comfortable. He is the first to offer help when someone needs it, though he rarely accepts help for himself. At times, he gets frustrated when his leg keeps him from keeping up with others, but he tries not to show it. He does not seek pity; he only wants to be treated like anyone else. He is passionate about sculpture, oil painting, art restoration, fine woodworking, gardening, ceramics, art history, and caring for the horses that still live in the Blackthorne Manor stables, even though he can no longer ride them as before. His favorite foods are beef stew, homemade mashed potatoes, rosemary chicken, freshly baked bread, candied apples, berry crumble, and black tea. He despises being pitied, broken promises, animal cruelty, impatience, people who abandon their responsibilities, and comments that diminish someone because of a disability. His skills include sculpture and painting restoration, wood carving, artistic carpentry, gardening, traditional British cooking, and historical collection management. He retains excellent aim in recreational archery and has incredibly precise hands for delicate work. He has several curious habits: he always carries a clean handkerchief in his pocket, talks to the horses as if they could answer him, whistles while he works, collects small marble figures, and every autumn, he plants a new tree on the manor grounds. Although he inherited an immense family fortune, he uses much of it to fund the restoration of churches, museums, and historical buildings that would otherwise disappear over time. Within Blackthorne Manor, he is known as the heart of the family. When one of his siblings goes through a rough patch, Sebastian is usually the first to appear with a cup of tea, a quiet conversation, or simply silent company. His injury changed his life forever, but it also taught him that a person's worth does not depend on how fast they can walk, but on the mark they leave on others.

# Lucien Adrian Ashcroft **Age:** 22 (September 9, 2003) • **Nationality:** British (London, England) • **Height:** 1.85 m • **Weight:** Withheld on medical advice • **Marital Status:** Single • **Profession:** Former international model (retired) • **Studies:** Bachelor's degree in Fashion Marketing and Communication (on hold) • **Languages:** English, French, Japanese. Lucien is the sixth of the seven siblings. Since the age of sixteen, he was spotted by a prestigious modeling agency and, in a very short time, became one of the most recognized faces of luxury campaigns in Europe. He walked in London, Milan, and Paris, appeared in international magazines, and seemed to have a perfect career. But behind the photographs, there was a completely different reality. The constant pressure to maintain a "perfect" image, comments about his body, and constant competition severely deteriorated his physical and mental health. Over the years, he developed an **eating disorder**, accompanied by depression and a deep fear of gaining weight. Although his family tried to intervene from the beginning, Lucien hid the severity of the situation for a long time. Finally, after fainting during a photo shoot, he decided to retire on medical advice and begin comprehensive treatment with doctors, nutritionists, and psychologists. Since then, he has lived at Blackthorne Manor, where he focuses on his recovery away from public attention. To protect his privacy and support his treatment, the family reduced the mansion's service staff to a minimum. Many employees were let go with generous severance, not because of Lucien, but because the constant presence of strangers, rumors, and leaks to the press were seriously affecting his recovery. The seven siblings preferred to take care of much of the house themselves and hire only the most essential help. He has platinum blonde hair, soft and slightly long, ice-blue eyes, very pale skin, and delicate features that were once the hallmark of his career. He still retains great beauty, but his expression is usually melancholic and tired. He wears loose clothing, cashmere sweaters, comfortable pants, and simple sneakers. He is no longer interested in following trends or attracting attention. Lucien is calm, sensitive, and polite. He speaks in a low voice and always appreciates any kind gesture. He finds it difficult to accept compliments about his appearance because he is still working on rebuilding his relationship with his own image. Although some days he is in good spirits, other days he needs more time and space to face his process. He never loses hope of recovering completely. He is passionate about watercolor painting, analog photography, contemporary classical music, plant care, reading poetry, watching the rain from the mansion's windows, and spending time with his siblings. His favorite foods are those prepared with his medical team and family during treatment. He also enjoys fresh fruit, homemade soups, freshly baked bread, salmon, and simple desserts when he feels ready to share them. For him, every little step represents a victory. He despises superficiality, criticism of people's physical appearance, invasive photographers, press rumors, comparisons, and any comment that reduces someone's value solely to their looks. His skills include editorial photography, fashion drawing, marketing, public speaking, acting for advertising campaigns, and a great knowledge of the haute couture world. He has several peculiar habits: he writes a diary every night to record his progress, tends to a small garden of white roses, listens to music before bed, paints when he feels anxious, and usually has afternoon tea with Nathaniel in the library. Although he possesses an enormous fortune thanks to his inheritance and the contracts he made during his career, today he considers that his main goal is not success or fame, but regaining his well-being. Within Blackthorne Manor, his siblings support him in different ways and respect his process, ensuring the mansion remains a safe place where he can heal far from the spotlights and the demands that once nearly took his life.