The Fall of Lancaster's

Golden sunlight poured into the grand Lancaster villa, casting a warm glow over the polished floors and opulent chandeliers. The estate was alive with the hum of servants, the clinking of fine china, and the scent of freshly cut roses.

Today was no ordinary day— today, Seraphina Lancaster, the eldest daughter of the prestigious Lancaster family, was getting engaged to Alistair Blackwood.

In the grand hall, Henry Lancaster inspected the carefully curated gifts for the esteemed guests. His wife, Evangeline Sinclair, stood beside him, her sharp eye ensuring every detail was flawless. 

"Is everything set?" Evangeline asked, adjusting a silk ribbon on one of the golden-wrapped boxes.

Henry gave a small nod, his lips pressed in a thin line. Just as he reached for another item, his phone rang, the sharp tone cutting through the warm atmosphere. Glancing at the caller ID, his expression darkened.

"The leader?" Evangeline asked, instantly recognizing the source of the call.

Henry exhaled. "I have to go."

Her fingers tightened around the lace of her gown. "But Henry, it's Seraphina's engagement —"

"I know," he interrupted gently. "But if the leader calls, I must answer."

Evangeline's heart clenched, but she nodded. Duty came first— it always had.

A sudden gust of wind swept through the estate as a special forces helicopter descended onto the garden. The roaring blades sent petals flying as Henry strode toward it with purpose. Before stepping in, he turned back, his gaze finding Evangeline.

"Take care of Seraphina."

And then, he was gone.

Upstairs, in the lavish bedroom overlooking the vast gardens, Seraphina stood by the window, watching as the helicopter carried her father away. A pang of disappointment twisted in her chest.

She should have expected this—duty had always come first for him. Still, today was supposed to be different.

Her reflection in the glass showed a young woman of striking beauty, her dark waves cascading over her shoulders, her emerald-green eyes shadowed with unspoken emotions.

Juliette, her younger twin sister, stepped behind her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He'll be back, Sera."

Seraphina let out a small, bitter laugh. "Will he? Or will he send a letter with his regrets?"

Juliette squeezed her hand. "I know it hurts. But you have Alistair, you have me, and tonight… tonight is about you."

Seraphina turned, forcing a smile as she cupped her sister's face. "You always know what to say."

Juliette grinned. "Of course. Now, let's get you ready before Mother starts hunting us down."

The sisters laughed, the heaviness in Seraphina's heart easing—if only for a moment. As they helped each other style their hair and fasten delicate jewelry, the weight of the night ahead settled upon Seraphina's shoulders.

A new chapter of her life was beginning, but a small voice inside her whispered that something was coming. Something that would change everything.

And she wasn't wrong.

When they descended the grand staircase, expecting to be greeted by the excited hum of guests arriving, the silence in the villa was deafening. The staff had vanished. No chatter, no footsteps—only a tense stillness that sent a chill through Seraphina's spine.

At the center of the hall, near the towering pile of meticulously arranged gifts, Evangeline sat motionless, her face ashen. Her wide, unblinking eyes were fixed on the television screen.

Seraphina followed her gaze, dread pooling in her stomach as she saw the breaking news headline flashing in bold letters:

Henry Lancaster: Wanted for Treason.

The anchor's voice cut through the eerie silence. "Authorities report that Henry Lancaster, a high-ranking official, has been declared a traitor. In his last mission, he allegedly led the country's special forces into a deadly trap, resulting in catastrophic losses. He is now missing. A reward of $100,000 has been announced for any information leading to his capture. If found, he will face immediate execution."

The room swayed. Seraphina's fingers clenched into fists, her breath coming in shallow gasps.

Juliette dropped to her knees beside their mother, gripping her trembling hands. "Mom, what's happening?"

Evangeline flinched, snapping out of her trance. She turned to her daughters, her expression filled with raw fear. "Quick, pack whatever you can. We need to leave this place. Now."

Juliette's eyes widened. "Leave? But—"

A shrill ring pierced the silence. Seraphina's phone vibrated in her palm. An unknown number.

With shaky fingers, she accepted the call.

"…Seraphina."

Her heart stopped.

"Dad?"

Seraphina's fingers trembled as she gripped the phone. Henry's voice was steady, but she could hear the urgency beneath it.

"Go to my study and take the hard drive. Then leave for the secret base immediately. Do not tell anyone where you are—not even Alistair. And forget about today's engagement."

The line went dead before she could ask anything more.

Her breath caught in her throat as she turned to her mother, Evangeline, who stood frozen with fear. The dim lighting of the villa cast long shadows on her pale face.

"What's happening?" Seraphina asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Evangeline didn't answer.

Seraphina clenched her fists and spun toward her younger sister. "Juliette, pack whatever's necessary. We need to leave. Now."

Juliette didn't question her. She vanished down the hall while Seraphina rushed to her father's study. She found the hard drive exactly where Henry had left it, tucked inside a locked drawer. She grabbed it and ran back, pressing it into Juliette's hands.

"Don't let this out of your sight," she murmured.

Within minutes, the three of them were gone, the villa disappearing behind them as they made their way into the forest, toward the secret base.

The base was cold and unwelcoming, a stark contrast to the warmth of their home. Evangeline sat in the corner, her hands trembling as silent tears ran down her cheeks. Juliette busied herself in the small kitchen, trying to cook something to calm their nerves.

Seraphina stood near the window, raising her phone high, desperately trying to get a signal. Nothing.

She exhaled sharply. "I'm going outside."

Juliette turned from the stove. "Sera, it's dangerous."

"I need to contact Dad."

Juliette studied her for a long moment. "You're not just looking for a signal, are you?"

Seraphina hesitated. "I need to know what's happening at the villa."

Juliette's lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded. "Be careful."

Seraphina pulled up her hood, wrapping herself in thick layers, leaving only her sharp eyes visible. Without another word, she slipped into the night.

The Lancaster estate loomed in the distance, its grand silhouette barely visible under the cover of darkness. But the moment she arrived, her heart lurched.

Helicopters hovered over the grounds, searchlights illuminating the mansion like a stage set for disaster. Military vehicles lined the gates, and armed soldiers combed through the property.

Seraphina joined a small group of onlookers, adjusting her disguise.

"What's going on?" she asked a man beside her.

"Military raid," the man said in hushed tones. "They're saying the owner—some Henry Lancaster—is a traitor. They think he hid classified military secrets here."

Seraphina felt the blood drain from her face.

The police began pushing the crowd back, shouting orders. She turned to leave, but just as she did, a passerby bumped into her.

Her hood slipped.

For a heartbeat, there was silence. Then—

"That's Henry Lancaster's daughter!" a soldier shouted.

Seraphina bolted.

Gunshots rang out behind her, shattering the night. She sprinted into the forest, weaving through the trees, branches tearing at her clothes.

Pain exploded in her shoulder.

She gasped but didn't stop. She forced herself forward, stumbling into a dense thicket. Tearing a strip from her cloak, she bound the wound tightly, biting back a scream as pain flared through her arm.

Footsteps crunched nearby. Soldiers. Searching.

Seraphina held her breath, pressing herself deeper into the shadows.

Then, through the trees, she saw it—

A helicopter descending onto a nearby hill. A familiar emblem glinted under the moonlight. Alistair's crest.

Relief flooded through her.

She moved carefully, making her way toward the landing site. But as she drew closer, her relief turned to ice.

A woman stepped out of the helicopter, her heels clicking against the rock. She carried a cane, her posture regal, her expression unreadable. A man followed behind her, his face hidden beneath a mask and cap.

Seraphina froze.

This wasn't Alistair.

It was a trap.

She took a step back, then another—only to feel the sharp edge of a cliff behind her.

The woman smirked. "Seraphina Lancaster. I assume your father entrusted you with the hard drive. Hand it over, and I'll let you live."

Seraphina's eyes narrowed. "Or what?"

The woman tilted her head, amusement dancing in her gaze. "You really don't know anything, do you?"

Seraphina stayed silent.

"Such a shame." The woman exhaled. "Since you insist on being difficult…"