A/N: I've noticed that most of my reviews mostly praise the story, but although I want that as much as the next fic writer, I also want some constructive criticisms as well. So, I do hope those who are kind enough to review... please add suggestion(s) regarding my writing style, dialogue, etc.

Chapter 19: Rafael's Story

While Mrs. Kaiba asked her brother-in-law, Mokuba, about his new friend, Monte Cristo found himself at his destination: a town house. In the center of the building, was a courtyard, while a moderate-sized Japanese garden was located on the side of the main entrance and its owner, the count.

Valon, who was driving his master to his new home, made sure that the count's orders were instantly carried out. As such, the entrance gates had swung open as soon as the count's servants saw their master arrive. Once the vehicle made its way within the estate's grounds, the gates were shut no sooner than they were opened.

Upon reaching the main entrance doors, the count saw that his other right-hand man, Rafael, had appeared. The older man opened the count's door and offered his arm.

"Thank you, Rafael," said Monte Cristo, as he got out of his privately-owned limousine. "Now, where is the notary?"

"He is waiting in the parlor, Your Excellency."

"And did you send the calling cards to their appointed addresses?"

"Yes, Your Excellency. The first was sent to the home of Joseph Wheeler, Domino's most powerful banker. As for the others, they are placed in your bedroom."

"Good work, Rafael."

The Count then handed his gloves, hat, and golden cane to Rafael. The same man showed his master to where the parlor room was located. As soon as they entered the sun room, the count casually remarked, "Hmph! The statues in this room are of very poor taste; I do hope that they'll be taken care of."

Rafael understood his master's wish, and bowed. Meanwhile, the notary waited before his client. The count noticed him and started, "I assume that you're the estate sales agent of the country house I'm about to purchase?"

"Yes, Hakushaku."

"Is the Real estate contract with you?"

"Yes, Your Excellency."

"Let's begin then. Oh, and where might I ask, is the country house located?"

The notary, shocked, asked, "You mean, you don't know the location of the country house you're about to buy, Count?"

"Not at all."

"Surely, you jest? Haven't you ever been to Domino? Or at least, learn a little about the city?"

"I'm afraid that I did neither. This is the first time that I've been to Domino."

"I see. Well, the country house that you're about to purchase is in the Tohoku Region, which is famous for the countryside, mountains, lakes, and winters... an excellent choice, Count."

Like Téa, Rafael suddenly became pale, albeit for a different reason.

"And how far is it from Domino?" asked Monte Cristo.

The notary replied, "Probably a few hours at the most."

"Wonderful!" exclaimed the count, "Rafael, how were you able to choose such a house in the Tohoku Region?"

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency, but I didn't choose the country house. If my master would be so kind to remember..."

"Ah, yes. There was an advertisement in the newspaper, which I have taken an interest in, because of its title: 'country house'."

Rafael anxiously suggested, "Pardon me, Your Excellency, but if you'd like, if I were to look elsewhere, I shall find the very best for you."

"No, no, Rafael. This one will do."

With that, the count quickly signed the contract, but not before carefully reading the details first, as prudence is vital for these kinds of business deals.

Monte Cristo ordered, "Rafael, give this good man 60 million yen (around 508,000 USD)."

The right-hand man took out some banknotes, checked thoroughly, and handed them over to the notary.

"Now, then. Have we completed the formalities for this?" asked the count to the agent.

"Yes, indeed we have, Count."

"And where are the keys to the house?"

"They are in possession of the caretaker. And I've given him an order, so that he is to act as a guide for you once you get there. But, I'm afraid that you've given me more yen than what I expected."

"How so?"

"Well, the house that you just bought was only about 58 million yen, yet you've given me 60 million."

"Didn't you come from the Tohoku Region for this deal?"

"Why, yes, but--"

"Then you were paid for the trouble of coming here," said the count to the notary, "Now, since I have no further use for you, you may leave now."

He continued, "Rafael, please show this man out."

The servant did as he was told. About a minute later, the count summoned him again. He appeared before his master in a matter of seconds.

"Yes, Your Excellency?"

"You shall accompany me on my visit to the Tohoku Region; I wish to see my new country house today."

The American stammered, "What?"

Monte Cristo noticed Rafael's sudden hesitance. "I surely didn't see one of my right-hand men just become reluctant to follow an order of mine, did I?"

"No, master. Not at all."

"We shall depart at once then."

A few hours later, the two men arrived at the newly bought building in the region of Tohoku. The time was between 6:50-7:00 p.m. The honest estate agent claims proved to be true: the area was simply astounding. The stars sparkled nature's creations under the evening sky, mountains, lakes, trees, and the like.

Monte Cristo made the usual formalities regarding the purchase and owning of his country house. He met the caretaker and showed proof of the purchase. Once it was finally done, the count had Rafael take a walk with him inside the building. However, he noticed that his loyal servant seemed erratic. Wondering why, he asked him:

"Why, Rafael, what's the matter with you this evening?"

"Your Excellency... this is... a most awkward place for me to be here."

"How come? I order you to tell me the reason for your sudden change in character."

"Very well, Your Excellency. You see... many years ago, I came from a wealthy American family. My family and I celebrated my twelfth birthday on an cruise ship. But... a storm suddenly appeared and killed everyone on the ship except me."

The count, who secretly heard this story from Rafael during their first duel in Death Valley, asked, "How long ago did this terrible incident occur?"

"About twenty-six years ago."

"I see. Please, continue your story."

"As you wish, master. The next day, I found myself on some island, alone. Before I was rescued, I spent three years on said island--"

"Wait a minute, since what does this have to do with your sudden erratic behavior?"

"Ah, please forgive me Your Excellency, but I'm getting to that."

Monte Cristo sighed, and made a gesture for his servant to continue.

"But, before I was rescued, I met a man named Dartz, who was the Atlantean King. Now, I'm sure that this might make you think I'm crazy, master, but it's the truth; I swear."

"Don't worry, Rafael. Like you, I too, have seen some extraordinary things in life. Now, continue."

The American continued, "Dartz manipulated me into following his quest to save the world, by taking the souls of other people, so that he could amass enough power to do so. I was merely the first servant of this man; the others were Valon, Alister, and Mai. Of course, there was Gurimo, Weevil, and Rex Raptor..."

Feigning shock, the count exclaimed, "What?! Valon, too?"

"Yes. He was the one who brought Mai into Dartz's Doma organization. Apparently, Mai's lust for power, fueled by her fear of defeat, was the sole reason why she joined up with us. For her first mission, she was sent to I² (Industrial Illusions) to take the soul of Maximillion Pegasus."

When the count heard that name, he repeated it in his mind, with much fervent hatred.

"On Dartz's orders, I followed Mai, to see if she would carry the mission out. Apparently, she didn't notice me spying on her, and consequently, I discovered a dark secret."

"Which was?"

"I'm getting to that, Your Excellency. You see, in order to capture one's soul, one must defeat another in a duel that involved the use of a card known as The Seal of Orichalcos. As such, Mai challenged Pegasus to a game of Duel Monsters. During the duel, the two were reminiscing about their brief love affair that happened about six years prior to their deadly game."

"Which, I assume had occurred in this country house?" inquired Monte Cristo.

"Yes, Your Excellency. And the worst of it all is... that the result of their affair was the birth of a child."

Intrigued, the count exclaimed, "My God?! You can't be serious?"

"Unfortunately, I am serious. However, I didn't go any further, because the two believed that their love child was dead. Pegasus had the child buried in a small garden that's located on the right-side of this country house."

"Hmm... and did you go to some confessional or something?"

"Yes, I did. Once the whole Doma thing was over because of the three chosen duelists: Yugi Mutou, Seto Kaiba, and Joey Wheeler, I went through several years of reevaluating myself as a person. During my 'journey', I met a Korean priest named, Father Buu Soh Nii, some six or seven years ago."

"Yes, now I remember," the count said in an ironic tone, "He's an old acquaintance of mine. And he...?"

"He saved me from serving time in jail. When I was in Korea, I ended up being at the wrong place at the wrong time. When I was walking in the streets of Seoul, I resembled a serial killer. However, the priest paid my bail, as he claimed to have known me not to be a criminal. He somehow influenced the courts..."

"But?"

"In return, all I had to do was find a friend of his, and work for you, Your Excellency. In order to repent for my terrible act for capturing hundreds of souls."

The count then pardoned his servant. After inspecting the country house for about an hour, the two men returned to Domino. There, the count's visiting card was accepted from Domino's most powerful banker, Joseph Wheeler...