Cantrell Chronicles RESET, Part One
The Shaking of Foundations, a Cantrell Chronicles RESET, Part One_ Chapter One [With minor revisions] The call came in the dead of night. Reaching an arm out from underneath the covers, Joseph g...
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A Secret Divulged, a Cantrell Chronicles Reset update- Chapter Twenty-Two
Christmas was a special time for the Cantrell family. Those who had classes went off to campus; Joey, Aaron, and Brianna. Erik found himself doing a photoshoot and a concert. He tried to get his homework completed before he went off, but as things would have it, he was just shy of the mark.
Upon the return of the four kids, the family kept with the tradition long-started on Vulcan. Joseph, now, King Joseph had to find a vendor who would ship an evergreen tree to their house. He certainly couldn’t find a suitable ligneous plant on the arid planet to substitute. After much research, and a serious consideration of purchasing an artificial one, he finally came across a small firm that promised to have a crated evergreen tree delivered to their doorstep in the Province on Vulcan. Problem is, it didn’t arrive until Christmas Eve. Ever since, the family made it a point to decorate the tree the day before Christmas.
This year was no exception. Still no time for Erik to complete his homework. The tree took what little time they had left. Shrugging, he departed with his family for the evening services, after they finished decorating, vowing despite the festivities planned, he would complete the last portion of his homework. Glad that Father James had permission to hold the Christmas Eve services earlier in the evening, surely he could fit it in somehow. Everybody was joyful, excited and ready to celebrate.
This year, another family would join in their merry-making. King Joseph had specifically invited Kayleigh’s family to join them. This pleased Erik to no end. Just days from turning eighteen, he was hoping upon hope there would be a way for the two to wed. He realized there was a lot of bureaucratic hoops he may have to jump, but she was worth it to him. In fact, if necessary, he’d walk barefoot over hot coals. Such was his resolve. He did realize they also had a year or so to wait. Certainly, completing their degrees was essential. And Kayleigh had just turned seventeen, too. They both needed a few more years under their belts, Erik decided.
He would gladly wait. Just securing her as his fiancée, would be enough for now. Then they could put their heads together and plan their wedding, their life together. Share their hopes and dreams for the future. So to say he was completely caught off-guard when their feast came to an end and they were called forth to the Grand Foyer to open gifts, with what was in store for him.
Captain Drake Golden had a gift for Erik. “Why thank you, sir. I hardly expected such. Please find a package from my family in your pile.” Then Erik, opened the gift.
Nicely wrapped, lined with colorful tissue paper, he reached inside to find an official-looking handwritten letter. Erik cast the captain a curious glance, Drake nodded that he should continue; Erik unfolded the missive and began to read the following:
“Your Royal Highness, Crown Prince Erik,
I write this to you, as my speech making abilities sorely lack. I wanted to express my heartfelt apologies for ever attempting to extort money from you, lest I divulge your secret. My only ambitions for doing this was to help you to possibly back away from my daughter and to save yourself from further grief. I have heard the murmurings. They are most unkind. Had you paid the money, I would never have kept it. Rather, it would have gone right back into the country’s treasury. Be assured the extortion is officially at an end.
I bear you no malice whatsoever. You are a fine young man. If you weren’t a royal, your affections for my daughter would be greatly welcomed. I am of the belief you two are a perfect match — well, as perfect as any human match can be, all things considered.
I would say further that I heard your speech when you called a press-conference. Something in your words struck me and I was immediately chastened and ashamed for my actions. I have gone to confession over it, and I was told to make things whole again. I do hope you can come to forgive me if not now, over time, perhaps.
If there is anything else I can do as recompense, just say it and I’ll do it. I am deeply ashamed of my actions. This will never happen again.
Sincerely,
Captain Drake Golden”
Stunned, Erik just stood there, having no words. Instead, he gazed over at Kayleigh, wondering if she was aware her father had been behind this scandal. If she knew, her expression bore no evidence. But it hurt, nonetheless.
Clearing his throat, Erik forced the words out he knew he needed to express. “Captain Drake, sir, of course I forgive you. In some odd way, I actually understand the why of it. I’m just hurt that you couldn’t come to me, or my father and simply give us a warning. Because that’s what you were attempting to do, to my best reckoning. And I do know we’ll get passed this. We have to. I am going to be in your life for a very long time.”
“Perhaps, we can talk more fully about this, in private, at another time,” Drake Golden said. “Your Royal Majesty, my family and I thank you for your very kind hospitalities this holiest of evenings. We bid you good night, sire.” Gathering his wife and four other daughters, they quietly left.
All for now, thanks for reading!
It was a big surprise for Erik and for us to discover who was behind the extortion! 🙁I hope that this will not cause issues into the future, with the relationship between Erik and Kayleigh, and each of them with Drake. He does though seem quite sincere in his apologies . It is very hurtful though for Erik. They may need to all talk it through more, after the first shock of learning about it passes.
Thank you. The popup I got simply said, "Drake is no longer extorting you." I sat there and thought, wow, just wow. It's almost as if the game is gearing things toward the difficulty between Erik and Drake, as they had early on in other iterations. Say, what?
At first, since Aaron is also being extorted, I thought the game had the wrong Sim. Aaron has already told the person "Do your worst." But, yeah, this threw me for a loop. And, yes, it is fodder for the story. I am certain several royal mouths were left open.
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