Seto was extremely grateful for Joey's bleeding heart, because the midget with big hair and the bucket girl were willing to become the eyes and ears for both Serenity and Seto as plans for saving Joey were being made.

Although Seto originally wanted to only use Yugi's (Seto had to ask his name again when he saw him) help, Seto found Yugi with Teá (Seto pretended to know her name until Yugi said it, because he was just a little bit scared of her.) The two upon recognizing Seto were told the truth. Teá looked both surprised and miffed with Seto. She went on to tell him that it served him right that Joey had ended things with him, if he would so easily dismiss Joey. Seto felt like throttling her, but he didn't for fear of repercussions.

Teá, was given a job at the castle so that she could inform them about Joey's condition. It was through this gossip that the rumor of Joey being fed only enough to keep him getting too thin was confirmed. It was also confirmed that the King was all but selling his son off in order to pays his gambling debts and continue to play at the tables. They learned the King had taken Joey with him to parade.

Yugi, living on the outskirts of the kingdom, watched out for the Royal Army's flags and harbored any Kaiba knight, prince, or King that came onto Wheeler territory.

Tristan wasn't supposed to be part of the plan, partially because Serenity didn't want to put another loved one in risk, and partially, mostly, because Seto still couldn't curb the jealously he felt towards Tristan. Tristan nonetheless demanded he be allowed to help Joey. Tristan was sent to Pegasus' mansion to keep let them know what was going on. Tristan left under the pretense that there had been important news about the Kaiba Kingdom's proposal. King Wheeler was immensely pleased, but pretended indifference in the returning letter. Tristan informed them in his own letter that plans for Joey's wedding with Pegasus, had at least been halted.

X-X-X-X-X

"Are you sure you're willing to do this?" Serenity appeared to be sitting serenely before Kaiba. Yugi's home had become a sort of 'war room' for them in the last week. They were currently in the Muto's living room.

Seto closed his eyes while rubbing his face. "I have no other choice, this is the only way to stop your father from marrying Joey off." He felt years older than he had only a couple of months ago.

Serenity's eyes filled with worry. "Joey might be very angry with you. He'll think you bought him."

"I'll explain myself." Kaiba wanted to kick something to let out his frustration, but he could only blame himself. "I should have told him the truth when I could."

"It's too late for 'what ifs' all you can do now is either marry Joey or not. Make a choice, but don't make the mistake and think this opportunity will come by once more." Serenity's voice was sharp and clear, not willing to partake in the pity party Kaiba so obviously was throwing. She understood his point of view, but someone had to be the voice of reason, today that fell on her.

X-X-X-X-X

"Get up, we're leaving!"

Joey was rudely shaken awake. "Wha-? Dad? What's going on?" For this Joey got a slap across the face.

"I don't need to explain anything to you. I told you to get up we're leaving. Don't question what we're doing just start moving." The man slapped Joey for questioning him.

Joey bit back a moan. That was the first physical blow his father had given him since accusing him of treason. Joey, who was still disoriented from both just waking and the slap, was roughly pulled off the bed. He noticed that it was still dark out. It didn't make sense; didn't his father want the pervert's money?

Looking at his father he saw that there was a slight glazed look to his eyes, as if the man was no longer fully there. 'Guess the years of drinking have finally caught up to him.' Thought Joey.

"We'll go back to the kingdom, yes that's right let him come to us. Isn't that perfect? Who would have guessed that you, my-good-for-nothing-son, would be such a wonderful blessing?" The man was seemingly talking to both himself and the blonde, while snickering throughout his speech. Joey didn't quite know what was going on, but fear of what his father would do out weighed his curiosity.

X-X-X-X-X

Upon their arrival to their land, they where met up by Tristan. Joey was ecstatic to see Tristan again, but was hurt when the brunette didn't so much as make eye contact with him.

The king roughly pulled Joey forward "Get this piece of shit into his bedroom and don't let him out. Have one of the maids start preparing his white suit. If all goes well, he will need it by tonight." Tristan grabbed hold of Joey as the king continued into the palace.

While Tristan led him inside, he side whispered, "I'll explain later, right now just don't put up a fuss. When we get to your room I'll explain, but I can't have the king knowing I am your ally." Joey's heart soared, he knew his best friend wouldn't desert him at his weakest time.

When they got into Joey's room, Serenity was there to greet him. They both cried and hugged each other tightly; it was good to know that Joey hadn't sacrificed himself for nothing. It was during this that Serenity told Joey the reason their father had come back.

His heart began pounding; hope lit within him, maybe Seto really did love him! Perhaps he had come back for him. Then his logic caught up to those thoughts and put them back in their place. This only served to make Joey angry. "So that lying bastard wants me now? Why? What do we have that he needs?"

A sad look crossed Serenity's eyes, "Joey, don't be like that."

"No, he had plenty of time to tell me something, plus he made it perfectly clear that I meant nothing the moment he marched out our door with his soldiers." Joey turned angry eyes on Tristan, "And you, you're on his side too?" Seeing that Tristan was at a loss for words, Joey sighed, and his shoulders sagged. He turned towards his sister, "Please Reni, we've already had this discussion, so there must be a reason why he wants the marriage."

Serenity decided a change in topic was needed, so she began telling him how there would be enough hands to work the fields this year.

Meanwhile in King Wheeler's office, both King Wheeler and King Kaiba, where coming to terms on the new marriage agreement. Provisions such as "united under one kingdom," "Governed by one," "all assets to be controlled by one," and a slipped in "to be decided by neutral third party, Prince Joey" where being put onto paper to be signed. The 'neutral' third party was chosen to be Prince Joey because he would be husband to one and was the child of the other party, therefore would be the neutral party since he would try to please both parties. King Wheeler could practically feel the other kingdom's gold in his hands, he knew how to control that pathetic dog, he'd do anything to keep that girl safe.

While King Wheeler was salivating his gain, Kaiba was undeniably happy, although this hadn't been the way he expected to be married to the blonde, he was glad that it was going to happen. They had been happy once, all they needed was to work out some problems, and they could live, for loss of better words, happily together until the end of their time.

"MAID!" A docile Tea scampered into the room. "Make sure that boy is dressed and ready in an hour, we're going to have a wedding. While you're on that bring out my best attire, and have my crown polished. Oh and do tell the priest, we can't have a wedding without him."

Had the King been looking at the servant he would have seen the maid sneer and bare her teeth. Nevertheless she curtsied and answered, "Yes your majesty."

Kaiba got up to leave, he hadn't left the room, before the other king began laughing and murmuring to himself. It was then that it truly dawned on Kaiba that this king was mad. The man slightly swayed, eyes never focusing on one thing, and his smile was so twisted, it unsettled Seto. This was the man Joey had come to fear. A shiver ran down his spine.