Codename Black: Rise of the Fallen Commander

Not Alone

A long, stunned silence filled the room as Alex stared at her, utterly speechless. "Me?"

"Yes, you!" Victoria sprang up from the couch, moving toward him. "You’re perfect for the role! You’re mysterious, confident, and no one knows anything about you. You’re already living under the radar—what’s one more disguise? You could easily pass as someone connected to the Lancastriels."

Alex blinked. His mouth hung open slightly as he tried to respond, but no words came at first. Finally, he found his voice. “Victoria,” he said, standing up, “there is absolutely no way I’m going to pretend to be Heinrich Lancastriel’s adopted son.”

Victoria pouted and quickly moved to block his path as he headed for the door. “Alex, wait—hear me out!”

"I’ve already heard enough," he shot back, shaking his head. "You can’t just ask someone to play a fake role like that, especially me."

"But you’re perfect for it!" she insisted, her eyes pleading with him. "No one would question it if it came from you. You’ve got that presence. People would believe it."

Alex raised his hands in protest. "I am not pretending to be anyone’s son. Least of all Heinrich Lancastriel’s."

Refusing to back down, Victoria stepped closer and grabbed his arm. "Alex, please. I can’t think of anyone else who could pull this off. I don’t want you to get involved in my mess, but this could help me break free…” She sighed, searching his eyes. “Besides, I saved your life, so you owe me a favor, right?”

Alex looked down at her, his gaze softening as he saw the vulnerability in her eyes. He let out a heavy sigh. "Victoria, even if I agreed to this—and I’m not saying I will—it’s only a matter of time before someone figures it out. You can’t build your future on a lie like this. Sooner or later, it’ll fall apart."

"I know it’s not perfect," she admitted quietly, loosening her grip on his arm. "But it’s better than doing nothing. Dorian won’t stop, my parents won’t listen, and I’m running out of options."

A heavy pause hung between them. With a deep sigh, Alex glanced at the door. After a long moment of silence, he turned back to her. "If I do this, you need to be ready for what happens when it all falls apart. This could blow up in your face, Victoria. And if it does…”

Victoria’s eyes widened. "So… you’ll do it?"

"I didn’t say yes. I’m urging you to think carefully. This could make everything worse."

A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips, relief washing over her. "I’ve thought about it. I know it’s risky, but I need this."

Alex rubbed the back of his neck, feeling himself getting pulled into yet another one of her schemes. He sighed, resigned. "Fine. But only for a little while. And only because I know you won’t give up until you get your way."

Victoria beamed, her face lighting up in a way that made it hard for him to stay annoyed. "You won’t regret it."

Alex gave her a pointed look. "I already do."

***

Victoria strolled confidently beside Alex, her arm playfully linked with his as they navigated through the bustling shopping district. Their first stop was one of the most prestigious tailoring shops, renowned for catering to the elite.

Alex felt undeniably out of place, but Victoria guided him toward the back, where rows of impeccably tailored suits awaited.

“Trust me,” she said with a wink. “You’ll thank me later. If we’re going to pull this off, you need to 'look' the part.”

She waved over the store’s head tailor, a slender man with silver hair and an eye for detail. In mere minutes, Alex found himself fitted with one of the finest suits he had ever worn.

The charcoal gray suit had subtle accents that emphasized his commanding presence. The jacket clung tightly to his broad shoulders, and the trousers were perfectly tailored to complement his athletic build.

When he finally stepped out, heads turned. The other shoppers paused, eyes widening as Alex’s tall, muscular frame filled the room. he tugged at the collar with mild discomfort.

Victoria’s eyes lit up as soon as she saw him. “Now that is the look,” she said, circling him to inspect every angle. “You clean up pretty well.”

Alex glanced down at himself and let out a resigned sigh. “It’s just a suit.”

“It’s the suit,” she corrected, smoothing the lapel. “You look like someone who’s ready to command an empire.”

They returned to the main floor, drawing even more attention. Eyes—especially those of women—followed Alex, their whispers filling the room. He ignored the admiring looks, but Victoria noticed every single one.

With a playful glint in her eye, she tightened her grip on his arm and leaned in closer. “Seems like you’ve caught the attention of every woman in the building,” she teased. “Too bad for them—you’re mine now. At least, for the time being.”

Alex raised an eyebrow, glancing at her sideways. “Is that so?”

Victoria nodded, giving his arm a playful squeeze. “Absolutely. You’re my temporary, fake adopted son of the wealthiest man in the country, remember? So that means, for now, you belong to me.”

A smirk tugged at Alex’s lips. “That’s quite the claim, Victoria.”

She laughed, clearly enjoying herself. “Well, it’s true. No one else can have you until this whole ridiculous charade is over.”

Her possessiveness earned them a few more stares, but Victoria didn’t seem to care. She was having far too much fun with the act.

When another woman sneaked a glance at Alex, Victoria raised her chin defiantly and flashed him a mischievous grin. “See? If I don’t keep an eye on you, you’ll be swept away by some adoring fan.”

“I doubt that.”

“Don’t underestimate your appeal,” she said. “But don’t worry. I’ll fend off your admirers.”

After the tailor completed their purchase, Victoria gave Alex’s arm one last triumphant squeeze. “Now you’re ready. Dorian Blackwood won’t know what’s coming.”

As Victoria drove them back toward her family’s estate, her fingers gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter than usual.

"Alright," she began, casting a quick glance his way. “Before we get there, let’s go over a few things. My family has no idea about your real identity, and for now, you’re Mr. Heinrich Lancastriel’s adopted son. Just remember, they’re in a pretty desperate spot with all the pressure from Dorian’s family."

Alex nodded. “And what exactly do you want me to say when we get there? Do I have to make a grand speech or just look intimidating?”

Victoria smirked. “Honestly, a bit of both. You just need to look like someone my family can’t afford to cross. The mere mention of Heinrich’s name nearly made my uncle faint before. The more mysterious and untouchable you seem, the better.”

She hesitated for a moment, biting her lower lip. “They’ve been leaning on Dorian’s influence to save their own business dealings. My father’s stressed out about losing the family’s fortune, and my uncle, Edward, well…he’s just hoping to swoop in and take control. They’ll be desperate to win back Dorian’s favor.”

“And you think showing up with me will scare them?”

"More like confuse them into submission," she replied with a slight smile. "The Lancastriels have a lot of influence. Just the association with you should make them think thrice about pushing me into this marriage."

Victoria took a deep breath. “My uncle Edward will be the biggest problem. He’s always looking for a way to undermine my father. Dorian’s family has already severed ties, and Edward is practically salivating at the idea of my father losing his shares in the family business. I need you to act like you have the power to make or break them. It’s the only thing that’ll make them reconsider.”

Alex leaned back in the passenger seat, processing her words. “And what if your uncle presses for details about me?”

Victoria chuckled softly. “That’s where the ‘adopted son’ bit comes in. Mr. Heinrich is famously private. No one really knows much about his family outside of business circles, and if they push for details, we’ll just be vague.” She shot him a sideways glance. “I know it’s not exactly your style to play pretend, but I have a feeling you’ll do just fine.”

Alex sighed, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. “Fine. I’ll try to play the role. But what’s your plan once we’re inside? You can’t just drop me in there and hope it all works out.”

Victoria turned serious as her eyes focused on the road ahead. “The plan is simple. Once they see who I’ve brought home, I’ll make it clear that Dorian Blackwood is no longer an option. They’ll have no choice but to accept that I’m calling off the engagement. I’ll give them an ultimatum. Either they let me live my life, or they risk their business crumbling.” She paused, her voice dropping slightly. “This is my chance, Alex. If they think I have someone as powerful as you on my side, they won’t dare fight back.”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “You sound pretty confident.”

“I have to be.” Victoria glanced at him with a smile. “This is my only way out.”

The car fell into a brief silence as they neared the estate.

“Just remember,” she said softly, more to herself than to Alex. “No turning back now.”

Alex looked out the window at the mansion coming into view. “Don’t worry, Victoria. Let’s just hope your family plays their parts well.”

***

Inside the grand hall of Victoria’s ancestral home, the Hale family was gathered, each expressing their frustrations about the looming scandal.

"This is a disaster!" one elder shouted, pounding his cane against the polished floor. "Victoria was supposed to marry Dorian Blackwood in two days, and now she’s nowhere to be found!"

Lady Meredith sat stiffly in a high-backed chair, her fingers wringing a handkerchief as the criticisms became louder.

"How could she embarrass the family like this?" another voice added. "The Blackwood family is powerful. They won’t take kindly to this insult! If Victoria doesn’t return, this family will greatly suffer..."

Sir Thomas could barely hold his composure. He hadn’t spoken much, but his face showed deep lines of worry. He knew the stakes. Edward had already made it clear what would happen if Dorian Blackwood withdrew his support.

"She was always a reckless girl," one of the older aunts muttered. "But this… disappearing before the wedding? It’s unforgivable!"

The room erupted into more heated discussions, fingers pointing at Sir Thomas and Meredith for their lack of control over their daughter.

Suddenly, the heavy doors of the hall swung open, and a servant rushed in. "My lords and ladies," she began, bowing hastily. "Miss Victoria has returned." The room fell silent instantly. All eyes turned toward the servant as she continued breathlessly, "And she is not alone."