A/N: Man, did this chapter take long to make. I once again apologize for the late update, but the length of this chapter should be worth it, as well as the contents in it. I would also appreciate some reviews as well, given the strenuous efforts made for this.
Chapter 32: Kaiba mansion – The Ball
A few days have passed since our protagonist successfully manipulated those who wished to discover his secrets. It was now around six o'clock on Saturday, the appointed date for the summer ball. At the Kaiba mansion, servants were attending to the guests that had arrived. Everyone who entered the building were dazzled by the tasteful interior.
The reason for this was quite simple. Not one who finds himself much in social gatherings, Kaiba had his wife plan the evening events. Because of this, she had full rein over what would be done for the summer ball. Despite being more of a nouveau riche than her husband and brother-in-law, Téa managed to redesign the architecture's interior to better suit the needs of the upcoming guests.
In the ballroom, world renown musicians were playing some classical music. Naturally, many of the guests found themselves dancing. While Kaiba was getting a drink for his lovely wife, he saw his younger brother hitting on some recent debutantes nearby. At the same time, the Wheelers had arrived.
Téa greeted her old friends, Serenity and Mai, and immediately conversed with the latter; the former walked over to her fiancée and playfully teased him for his womanizing.
"Is Monte Cristo Hakushaku coming tonight?"
"Twenty-one!"
"What do you mean...," asked a confused Mai, "Twenty-one...?"
Téa replied, "Oh, sorry, what I mean is... of course he is. It's just that you're the twenty-first person to ask me if the count will be here."
"Please don't tell me that this is how you answered the others' questions, hon."
"Nope. It was just that I was on the spur of the moment, that's all."
"I see. Well, then, do you know if his American mistress will accompany him this evening?"
Téa was slightly unnerved by this question. However, her friend seemed to not notice that.
"I don't see why not. But her actual role has yet to be known."
Mai then parted from her friend and went over to her husband, who partook a considerable amount of the food being served.
Not long after, Mrs. Pegasus walked up to the younger Kaiba. Like his sister-in-law, he too was asked by others the same question: is Monte Cristo Hakushaku coming tonight?"
"Let me guess," said Mokuba, "you're going to ask if the count will be here, right?"
"Not at all. Instead, I was wondering when your other friend, Leon von Schroeder, will be arriving in Japan."
"Oh, well, in that case... he sent me an email yesterday. It read that he expects to be here within a week's time."
"Nothing else?"
"Nope."
"Thanks anyway," uttered Helena as she went over to Kaiba's spouse. When she appeared before the younger woman, Mrs. Pegasus said, "I don't know why, but you wanted me to get the information about him. Just know that I had to 'borrow' my husband's notes and digitally copy them in order to get this to you."
She discreetly handed Téa an USB flash drive.
"Why does your husband have notes about the hakushaku?"
"Hey, I don't question your motives, do I?"
"You know what? You're right. But, can you tell me anyway...?"
"Fine. Apparently, my husband used the police in order to aid his investigation on the count."
"Why would your husband investigate the count?"
"I don't know; perhaps to find out where Monte Cristo's wealth comes from?"
"Oh, so you don't know then..."
"If you want, I could tell you some things I do know about the count since he's due to arrive at any time now."
"All right."
She whispered into her ear:
'Did you know that his real name is...'
Yugi Mutou? thought Téa.
'...actually Sah Koh Nii?'
'No.'
'And that... he is half-Korean, half-Japanese?'
As far as I'm concerned, I believe Yugi was full-blooded Japanese.
'Not until now.'
'The son of a world-class martial artist?'
'Nope. But, does he know that his person was under investigation?
'Probably not.'
'Was he about to be arrested?'
'He might have been, had the evaluation on him was not in his favour.'
Meanwhile, Duke found himself pining for his significant other who was on the other side of the ballroom; the significant other shoots him a look back, acknowledging him. It is primarily because of the tension between Mr. and Mrs. Pegasus and Devlin that deprives the latter of publicizing his love for... Valentine Pegasus.
The couple engaged in several love affairs that remained a secret from the overprotective father that is Maximillion Pegasus. As for how and when the the two lovers met, well, that is another story (A/N: which I don't really intend to elaborate on).
As the clock struck exactly seven o'clock, the Kaiba mansion received a special guest, the Count of Monte Cristo. His entrance immediately drew the attention of everyone in the entire mansion. Suddenly, there is an eerie moment of silence, for even the musicians halted their musical performance once the dark figure appeared in the ballroom.
Unlike the rest of the male guests (and Mokuba) who wore black tie tuxes, Monte Cristo was dressed in a white tie tuxedo (which is the most formal form of dress code). His formal, plain attire consisted of a jet black tailcoat (with sharp silk facings) & trousers, white cotton pique fabric shirt, a stiffened white wing collar, a low-cut white waistcoat, black silk stockings, black leather pumps, and of course a white bow tie.
To many, there was something about the count that made him stand out. If not his aesthetically pleasing apparel, or his keen wit, then what was it?
It was in fact the count's physical features: his pale complexion, his dark wavy hair, his solemn face, his pensive & piercing black eyes, his perfectly sized ears and nose, and finally, his elegantly shaped mouth. In addition, the man is of peak physical perfection as well; that is to say, that his physical prowess is on a level higher than most Olympic level athletes.
As he continued his short journey in the ballroom, Monte Cristo's path was made by the parting of the sea of guests. As he walked toward Mrs. Kaiba, he could not help but notice the abundance of stares on his person.
Téa gave her special visitor a warm smile; the count bowed in turn. Strangely enough, neither one addressed the other. Perhaps, some sort of tension exists between the two?
Once the mute greetings were done, the dancing and music resumed from the awkward silence. Monte Cristo turned to his 'oldest' acquaintance, Mokuba.
"Apparently, you saw my sister-in-law first."
"Well, she did insist on my coming here tonight, my young friend. After all, I had to pay her my respects first. However, I did not see your brother."
"He's over there, Count, discussing with his peers about a possible successor to the current Duel disc system."
"I see."
The count felt a hand on his shoulder. He then turned around to see another familiar face, Wheeler.
"Ah, so it's you, Mr. Wheeler," said the count.
"Hiya, Hakushaku!" exclaimed Joseph, "Man, life is good! My firm has regained almost 150 percent of the money I've lost."
"You mean, you don't know what happened?"
"Wha? What... what happened?"
"The millionaires Fujiwara and Shinshaku have recently become bankrupt."
"Impossible!" cried Wheeler, as he went pale.
"I was lucky enough to learn of this unfortunate event by email in the late afternoon. I had about ¥11 billion (around $100 million) with them, and as a result, saved that same amount."
"Shit! They've invested in my firm for almost ¥111 billion (roughly $1 billion, which happens to be one-sixth of Wheeler's fortune)."
"In addition to the ¥111 billion lost, Mr. Wheeler, that would mean you have lost a grand total of..."
"Please, don't... especially not in front of him," said Joseph, pointing at Andre Colombo, who was standing a few yards away.
About two hours have passed. Although the mansion had its cooling systems currently in use, many of the guests found themselves dehydrated from the long hours of dancing and conversing with one another.
When one of the servants offered him a beverage, the count politely refused the offer. One after another, Monte Cristo continued to abstain from all of the various offers of food and/or drink. Mrs. Kaiba noticed this strange behavior.
"Mokuba, did you see that?"
"See what, Téa?"
"Monte Cristo Hakushaku has not taken any of the refreshments."
"Well, he is a very abstinent sort of man, I must admit."
"Mokuba, will you please go over to him and offer him the next tray."
"But, why, Téa?"
"Just 'cause, Mokuba. Please."
"All right, then," said Mokuba, as he went over to Monte Cristo.
As Mokuba made his way to the count, Téa watched the two very closely. When another servant came walking nearby holding a tray, Mokuba urged the dark figure to take anything; he even offered the older man a small ice cube. However, the foreigner persisted in his abstinence.
Just then, Mokuba whispered something into the count's ear. He (Monte Cristo) then turned around to see Mrs. Kaiba's gazing at him. He nodded, and took a very small bite of a hamburger that was laid upon another tray. Monte Cristo turned his head back, as if he was in bliss. Afterward, he whispered something into Mokuba's ear.
The young man returned to his sister-in-law's side shortly after.
"Well, what did you say to him and vice-versa?" asked a nervous Téa.
"I told him that you insisted on his eating. He then said to me that the hamburger brought back memories of long past."
"You mean to tell me that his partaking of the hamburger caused him to briefly reminisce?"
"Yeah. I'm guessing that because of his impressive physical physique, he had to abstain from foods high in fat and cholesterol."
"Oh, that's it?"
"Yes, because it would seem only natural."
When the clock struck ten o'clock, most of the guests were fatigued from the constant dancing and whatnot.
To reinvigorate the crowd, Téa thought that now was the time to dance with her husband, Seto Kaiba. Much to her surprise (or not), Kaiba was no where to be found; he shut himself in his secret underground computer room. Left with no other options, she went toward the Count of Monte Cristo.
"Monte Cristo Hakushaku, please do me the honour of giving me your arm."
The count nearly staggered upon hearing those words. The two glanced each other with intense emotion, albeit briefly. The 'couple' walked together to the center of the ballroom, and began slow dancing.
Inspired by this scene, the guests revitalized themselves, and as it happened, one couple after another surrounded the two (T & MC).
While they were dancing, Téa couldn't help gazing into the face of her partner. Seemingly concerned, the count asked her, "What's the matter, Mrs. Kaiba?"
"Oh, nothing, Hakushaku. It was just that you remind me of someone I knew long ago," replied Téa, "Someone who was very dear to me."
"I'm flattered; what happened to that dear person of yours?"
"He... died."
Abruptly, Monte Cristo responded, "I'm sorry, but I'm not that man."
Almost to tears, the woman said, "I know," as she departed the ballroom, leaving him alone.
It was almost midnight; the end of the summer ball was near. Téa found herself alone on the mansion's highest balcony.
"What an intoxicating aroma," said a solemn voice from behind.
"Oh, Count... these grapes," said Téa, pointing at the grape vine, "are of the Muscat berry-A variety. Would you like to have some?"
Monte Cristo bowed and retreated a step back.
"Are you refusing my offer? If so, I must apologize for wishing you to eat earlier tonight."
"Mrs. Kaiba," replied the count, "You don't need to apologize to me, for that hamburger was something I wanted to savor again."
"Hakushaku, there is a custom which states that those who share bread and salt under one roof are guaranteed to become eternal friends."
"That wouldn't be the Arab custom you are referring to, Mrs. Kaiba...?"
"Yes, it is. So, that means we are friends for eternity, no?" asked a frantic Téa.
"However, we are in Japan, not in Arabia; and in Japan, there is no such thing as eternal friendship than the sharing of bread and salt."
The foreigner continued, "But don't get me wrong, for the hamburger was exquisite; it was warm, yet nostalgic. Like a sea breeze blowing across the Pacific Ocean."
"Excuse me, Count, but are you very familiar with Japan?"
"I could be, for I have traveled in this country many years ago. But, in any case, I digress."
"Hmm... is it true that you have seen much, learned much, and suffered greatly?"
Monte Cristo closed his eyes deeply, and then he replied, "Yes. I have indeed suffered more than most people have."
"Are you happy now? I mean, does your current happiness outweigh your past misery?"
"No, Ma'am, for my present state of joy now equals my terrible past."
"Have you ever been married?"
"No, why?"
"Well, many people did see a young beautiful woman that accompanied you on the day of that tournament's exhibition match a couple weeks ago."
"She is merely an indentured servant whom I bought a few years ago from captivity."
"So, other than your servants, you live in solitude?"
"Indeed."
"You have no family?"
"Not anymore."
"How is it possible to live like that... with no one you cherish?"
"It was out of my hands; you see, when I was in Korea, I loved a transfer student, a Japanese girl, and planned to marry her, but she turned out to be faithless. As a result, I decided never to set foot in Korea ever again."
"So, you never saw her again?"
"Not even once."
"Not even once?!"
"That is precisely what I just said, Mrs. Kaiba."
"But, have you forgiven her for breaking your heart?"
"Yes..."
The two stared at one another in silence. During this moment, the clock struck midnight. Some of the guests below began to leave. It wasn't long that Mokuba found the two on the balcony.
"Why, Mokuba, what's wrong?" asked Téa.
"Maximillion Pegasus and his family are leaving."
"So?"
"I've learned that someone in the family recently passed away."
As the Pegasuses left the mansion, Devlin secretly followed suit...