Chapter 5: The Warning

The days following Lankes's revelation felt different. The mansion, once filled with carefree laughter and games, was now steeped in a quiet tension. The children, though still young, had begun to sense the weight of their family's legacy. They watched their grandparents more closely, picking up on the subtle shifts in tone, the fleeting glances exchanged when they thought no one was looking. Something was coming. They all felt it.

One morning, as the sun barely crested the horizon, the children gathered around the breakfast table. The air was thick with a sense of anticipation, as though everyone was waiting for something to happen. The usual chatter was replaced by silence, broken only by the clinking of silverware.

Suddenly, there was a loud knock at the door.

The children exchanged glances, their faces filled with unease. It was early—too early for visitors. Lankes, seated at the head of the table, stiffened. He slowly set his cup down and gestured to the butler, who nodded and disappeared to answer the door.

Mary shot Lankes a questioning look, but he gave her a subtle shake of the head. They had both been expecting something like this, but the question was—who had come knocking this time?

Moments later, the butler returned, his face pale. "Master Lankes, there's a man here to see you. He says it's urgent."

Lankes stood slowly, his cane clicking against the floor as he pushed himself up. "I'll see him in the study," he said quietly.

As Lankes made his way down the hallway, Mary took the children's attention, offering them calm reassurances. "Finish your breakfast, children," she said gently. "Your grandfather will handle it."

But even she couldn't hide the worry in her eyes.

In the study, Lankes found the visitor standing by the window, his back turned. The man was dressed in a crisp black coat, his figure imposing and stiff. He turned slowly as Lankes entered, revealing a face lined with age but still sharp with purpose. His eyes, cold and calculating, settled on Lankes with unsettling familiarity.

"Mr. Frianmes," the man greeted with a nod, though his tone was anything but friendly.

"Who are you?" Lankes asked, though his voice carried the weight of suspicion. He didn't need the answer to know that this man wasn't here on friendly terms.

"My name is Alistair," the man replied, his voice smooth as silk but with an underlying edge. "I work for Julius."

Lankes's eyes darkened at the mention of the name, his jaw tightening. "I have nothing to say to him. You can tell Julius to leave my family alone."

Alistair raised a hand, his expression unreadable. "I'm not here to negotiate, Mr. Frianmes. I'm here to warn you. Julius is more persistent than you realize. He believes he's close to finding what he's looking for, and when he does, there will be no turning back."

Lankes's grip on his cane tightened, his mind racing. Julius was dangerous, but this Alistair... there was something even more unsettling about him. "I don't know what Julius is looking for," Lankes said, keeping his voice calm despite the rising tension in his chest, "but he won't find it here."

Alistair stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "You misunderstand me, Lankes. Julius isn't the only one after the secret. There are others—people who won't stop at a mere conversation. The world is full of those who would pay a high price for the knowledge your family guards."

Lankes's heart sank, a chill running down his spine. He had always known the family's secret carried value, but to hear that there were more forces in play—more people willing to do anything to uncover it—was a revelation he had not been prepared for.

"I've said enough," Alistair continued, turning back toward the window, his tone colder than ever. "Consider this a courtesy visit. Julius will return soon, and when he does, you'd be wise to have your answers ready."

Without another word, Alistair turned and walked out of the study, leaving Lankes standing in the center of the room, his thoughts swirling like a storm.

After a long, tense silence, Lankes finally moved to the window, staring out at the sprawling estate. His grandchildren were playing outside, laughing and chasing each other in the morning light, completely unaware of the shadow that was closing in around them.

He couldn't wait any longer.

That evening, as the family gathered for dinner, Lankes knew it was time to make a decision. He couldn't risk keeping his grandchildren in the dark any longer. The threats were becoming more real by the day, and now, with Julius growing more desperate—and others possibly closing in—he had to act.

When the plates were cleared and the evening lull settled over the dining room, Lankes cleared his throat and met the eyes of his family.

"Children," he began, his voice low but steady. "There's something more you need to know. The story I told you about our family's secret... it's not just about our past. It's about our future. We're not the only ones who know about it anymore."

The children looked at each other in confusion, while Mary sat quietly, her expression grave.

"Others are coming," Lankes continued. "People who want what we've kept hidden for so long. People who won't stop until they get what they're after."

A hush fell over the room, the gravity of his words sinking in. The children, though young, were old enough to understand the seriousness in their grandfather's tone.

"But Grandpa," one of the boys said, his voice quivering slightly, "what are we going to do?"

Lankes's eyes softened as he looked at his grandchildren, their innocent faces reflecting the same concern and fear he felt deep in his bones.

"We're going to protect each other," he said firmly. "No matter what. Our family has survived for generations because we've stayed together. And now, more than ever, we need to stand strong."

The family sat in heavy silence, the weight of their legacy pressing down on them all. And outside, in the growing darkness, the world seemed to close in just a little bit more.