Chapter 6: The Plan

The night settled over the Frianmes estate, casting long shadows across the sprawling gardens and towering mansion. Inside, the weight of Lankes's warning lingered in the air like a thick fog, clouding the minds of the family. After dinner, the children retreated to their rooms, but none of them could sleep. The story of their family's legacy had taken a darker turn, and the innocence of their childhood felt fragile, like it could shatter at any moment.

Lankes sat in his study, the fire casting flickering light against the walls. Mary was beside him, her presence a comforting force in the silence. The events of the day played over in his mind—Alistair's visit, the growing danger, the secrets that had been kept for so long. The Frianmes family had always been good at hiding, but now, it felt as though time was running out.

"We can't keep this up forever, Lankes," Mary said softly, breaking the silence. "Sooner or later, someone will get too close. Julius won't stop. And now, with Alistair's warning, it feels like we're on borrowed time."

Lankes sighed, leaning heavily on his cane as he stared into the fire. "I know, Mary. I've been thinking about it all evening. We need to act, but I'm not sure how."

Mary looked at him, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "We need to prepare the children. They may be young, but they're part of this family now. They need to know how to protect themselves."

Lankes nodded. He had known this moment would come, but it didn't make the decision any easier. His grandchildren were everything to him—innocent, bright, and full of potential. But the world wasn't going to let them remain innocent much longer.

"I'll talk to them tomorrow," he said finally. "We need to make sure they understand the stakes. And we need to make a plan to protect the secret."

Mary placed a hand on his arm, her gaze steady. "We're not alone in this, Lankes. We still have allies. We need to reach out to them, to ensure that if things go wrong, we're not standing alone."

Lankes hesitated. The idea of involving others felt risky, but Mary was right. The Frianmes had friends—people who still owed the family favors, people who might be willing to help them if the worst came to pass. It was a gamble, but one they might have to take.

The following morning, Lankes gathered the children in the library once again. This time, there was no pretense of a simple story or lesson. The atmosphere was different—heavier, more serious. The children, though still unsure of what was happening, sat quietly, sensing that their lives were about to change.

"Children," Lankes began, his voice calm but firm, "we have some difficult days ahead of us. What I'm about to tell you may be hard to understand, but it's important that you listen carefully."

The children exchanged nervous glances but stayed silent.

"Our family's secret—the one we've been guarding for generations—is no longer safe. There are people who want it, people who will stop at nothing to take it from us."

"But Grandpa," one of the boys interrupted, "can't we just tell them? Maybe they'll leave us alone if they know."

Lankes shook his head. "It's not that simple. The secret isn't just about a technique or a business method. It's about power. If it falls into the wrong hands, it could be dangerous. That's why we've kept it hidden for so long."

The children sat quietly, absorbing the gravity of his words. Lankes could see the fear in their eyes, but he could also see something else—resolve. They were young, but they were Frianmes, and that meant they had a strength they hadn't yet discovered.

"We're going to make a plan," Lankes continued. "We're going to protect the secret, and we're going to protect each other. But to do that, you need to be prepared. You need to be ready for anything."

One of the girls, her voice small but steady, asked, "What do we need to do, Grandpa?"

Lankes smiled faintly. "You need to learn. Over the next few days, I'm going to teach you everything I can about our family, about the secret, and about how to protect yourselves. You may be children, but you're also the future of this family. It's time you learned how to carry that responsibility."

The children nodded, determination lighting their eyes. They didn't fully understand what was coming, but they trusted their grandfather, and they were ready to stand by him.

Over the next few days, the Frianmes estate became a hive of quiet preparation. Lankes and Mary worked tirelessly, reaching out to old friends and allies, ensuring that they had support should things go wrong. At the same time, Lankes began training the children—not just in the history of their family, but in the practical skills they would need if the worst happened.

He taught them how to observe their surroundings, how to stay calm under pressure, and most importantly, how to protect the secret at all costs. It was a strange, somber time for the children, but they rose to the challenge, their youthful energy tempered by a newfound sense of responsibility.

One evening, as the family gathered around the fire after a long day, Mary turned to Lankes. "Do you think this will be enough?"

Lankes stared into the flames, the flickering light reflecting in his tired eyes. "I don't know," he admitted. "But we have to try. We've survived this long, and we'll keep surviving."

Outside, the wind rustled the leaves in the garden, and in the distance, dark clouds gathered on the horizon. The storm was coming. The Frianmes family could feel it in the air.

But this time, they would be ready.