Chapter 10 - the threshold of sixteen
Three months later, the sun shone down brilliantly over the gardens of the Cross estate for the grand renewal of Gabriel and Claire’s wedding vows.
Hundreds of loyal syndicate leaders, political allies, and close friends filled the manicured lawn, cheering as Gabriel, dressed in an immaculate white tuxedo, stood beneath a floral archway beside Claire, who looked breathtaking in a cascading lace gown.
Standing beside them as mini best men were Ethan, Noah, and Lucas, all wearing matching miniature white tuxedos with gold bow ties.
Later that night, after the grand reception had quieted down and the stars filled the clear sky over the Atlantic, Gabriel led Claire and the three boys down to the subterranean vault wing beneath the manor.
They stood before a massive, ancient steel vault door embedded in the bedrock, featuring sixteen gold combination dials arranged in a circle.
"This is the Grand Vault of Geneva's regional vault," Gabriel explained, holding little Lucas in his strong arms while Ethan and Noah stood beside Claire. "It has remained locked for thirty years, waiting for the combined bloodlines of Cross and Bennett."
Claire reached into her gown pocket, pulling out the silver signet ring and a yellowed piece of parchment her mother had left inside her childhood diary. On the parchment were sixteen numbers: 05-10-15-20...
"The code," Claire said softly, smiling at Gabriel.
Together, Gabriel and Claire turned the sixteen gold dials one by one, their hands touching over the cold metal.
CLICK! CLANG! PNEUMATIC HISS!
The multi-ton steel door slowly unsealed, swinging open to reveal a breathtaking marble chamber illuminated by soft golden lights. Inside rested historical artifacts, royal seals, and legal charters governing territories across five continents.
In the center of the vault stood three ornate marble pedestals, each holding an iron box stamped with a gold eagle crest.
Ethan ran forward, looking at the first box. "Mommy! My name is on this one!"
Noah and Lucas ran up beside him, finding their own names engraved on the second and third iron boxes.
Gabriel walked over with Claire, opening the first iron box. Inside lay a royal decree dated eighty years prior, establishing that upon reaching the age of sixteen, each of the three boys would inherit sole governorship of one of the three international regional councils in Europe, America, and Asia.
Gabriel looked down at his three five-year-old sons, then over at Claire, a dark, brilliant smile spreading across his ruggedly handsome face.
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"It seems our boys have a vast empire waiting for them when they turn sixteen," Gabriel said low, wrapping his arm around Claire’s waist, pulling her close against his side.
Claire smiled warmly, leaning her head against his shoulder as the three boys happily explored the vault together... leaving the vast, thrilling future of the Cross bloodline wide open for generations to come...
