A/N: Sorry for the long hiatus, guys! I've been real busy with school lately, and here's my Christmas gift to you all.

Chapter 33 — Secret of the Pegasus Family

Around midnight of Kaiba's summer ball, the Pegasuses are seen returning to their place of residence. Pegasus's father and mother-in-laws have recently arrived in Japan for the upcoming wedding of their granddaughter. However... as Mokuba mentioned in the previous chapter, someone in that family passed away earlier.

Croquet informs his master that his (Pegasus's) mother-in-law is resting in the guest room. He then thanks his right-hand man and pays his respects to his in-law. Soon after, Pegasus excuses himself to contemplate some important matters in his private study. Although he visited the Chinese businessman a few days ago, the American still had his doubts towards the Count of Monte Cristo.

For nearly half an hour, he continued sifting through his files on his political and financial rivals/enemies. Apparently, a handful of his peers took his foppish manner for arrogance, and as such, he unintentionally made some 'haters.'

As he went through several dossiers, Pegasus muttered: "No... none of these men would have taken the time to do this to me now. As far as I know, whoever saw me bury my supposedly stillborn child... is unknown so far."

Suddenly, Pegasus heard a knock on the door. "Yes?" he asked. It was his daughter, Valentine. The young woman said, "Father, Grandma requests for your presence."

"Very well; tell her that I shall be at her side in one minute," replied Pegasus as he put away his collection of papers. As a man of his word, he found himself seated beside his mother-in-law.

The elderly lady said, "Oh, Maximillion! I fear that I shall meet the same fate as your father-in-law soon."

"Why do you think so?" asked Pegasus. "Because... last night, when your father-in-law and I were sleeping together on this bed... I could've sworn that I saw a white figure move the glass on the table there.

"Forgive me for saying this, Mother, but I believe that for you, senility has finally set in." However, instead of giving her son-in-law a retort, she replied: "Perhaps, but in any case, I feel as if I will be gone soon. My last dying wish is to see my granddaughter, Valentine, married before I die."

"Don't worry, for my daughter shall and will be married to a very fine gentleman named Leon von Schroeder."

"TheLeon von Schroeder?"

"Yes, the very same time."

"But, isn't he the son of your father's political rival?"

"Yes, but he seems to have gotten over his late father's untimely death."

"I assume that the couple is well matched?"

"Yes, in every way possible, isn't that right, Valentine?" asked Pegasus.

The introverted young woman nodded silently.

"Good, then. If it is possible, I think it would be best if my dear granddaughter be married the day after her fiancée arrives in Japan."

Upon hearing this, Valentine went pale.

Oh... Grandma... if only you knew and accept my actual love... but because he's not born into money, that will never happen.

The man she's referring to is none other than Duke Devlin himself; despite the fact that he's roughly seven years her senior.

Valentine politely excuses herself to retire for the night. But before she goes to her bedroom, she visits her paralyzed grandfather, Maximillion Crawford Pegasus. Due to an unfortunate mishap, the old man is forced to live the rest of his life on a wheel chair, complete with several wires and the like.

"I don't suppose that you can save me from my fate, can you, Grandpa?" asked Valentine.

The elder Pegasus closed his eyes tightly, meaning yes.

"You do?"

'Yes.'

The young woman pondered for a moment, and asked, "Do you wish me to fetch my laptop to translate?"

'Yes.'

After about a minute or two, the old man is able to give his granddaughter his plan to prevent the upcoming marriage.

A few couple days later, Leon von Schroeder is picked up by Croquet at the airport. The German is told that his marriage with Valentine is to occur the following day. Later that evening, Leon and his friends have a makeshift bachelor party. Although some of the female escorts tempt him, Leon decides to be faithful to his soon-to-be wife; a paradox to his earlier trip in China some months before.

The next day, the marriage is to take place inside Pegasus's penthouse. The reason for this decision was due to the abrupt dying wish of Pegasus's dying mother-in-law; meaning that there would be no wedding to marry to couple.

Inside the drawing room, other than the Pegasus family, were the groom, a lawyer, and a notary.

The notary asked the young man in fluent German, "Are you Herr Leon von Schroder?"

"Yes, I am he," answered Leon.

"Herr Leon, it has come to my attention, that because of this marriage, your soon-to-be grandfather-in-law has recently altered his will regarding his granddaughter, your soon-to-be wife."

"The will has no effect on my person, sir. As you already know, I come from a rich family; and as such, money isn't a big concern for me now."

"So it would seem, sir. But, it is still my job to inform the groom and bride of any changes that will be influenced by this contract."

"I understand."

"Good. Now, sign here."

The German did as he was told. As he was doing this, he was unaware of the tears that flowed down from his fiancée's cheeks.

It was now Valentine's turn to sign the marriage contract. As the ink was about to make contact on the piece of paper... Barry, the personal servant of Pegasus's father, entered the room.

"Pardon the interruption, but my master wishes to speak with his future grandson-in-law, Leon von Schroeder."

"Barry... you do know that Leon cannot leave this room until after the marriage is completed, right?" asked Pegasus.

"Yes, but my master insists."

"Well, then tell him--"

Leon finished, "That I'm on my way."

The American sighed and gave into his father's whim.

As the group of people entered the elder Pegasus's bedroom, the younger Pegasus asked the German: "You do know why father opposes this marriage?"

"Yes, all because he was a rival to my late father some thirteen years ago."

Pegasus turned to his daughter and whispered: 'If your grandfather wants to tell you something that will end your marriage, I order you not to understand his request.'

However, instead of Valentine carrying out her grandfather's orders, it was Barry. On his master's instructions, the servant unlocked a chest that contained a letter of some sort.

"I assume that I am to hand this letter to Leon von Schroeder?"

'Yes.'

Barry then handed the letter to the young German. Pegasus attempted to snatch it away, knowing full well of the paper's contents. However, the exchange proved to be too quick for Pegasus to intervene.

Once Leon read the secret parchment, he immediately became upset, ripped up the marriage contract, and took his leave.

Naturally, both the notary and lawyer were disconcerted by this sudden act. But before they could learn of the reason, Pegasus dismissed the two.

"What was his reason for canceling the marriage?" asked Mrs. Pegasus.

"Hmph! Apparently, Leon discovered the true reason of his late father's death: that my own father was the one that killed him."

"What?! But, how? Why?!" asked Valentine (feigning her curiosity) and her stepmother.

"The two engaged in a deadly game of Duel Monsters. Since there were no witnesses, the police believed it was the work of some assassin."

While the family was in the midst of this confession, the notary was busy listening to the device that he secretly planted on Crawford as he removed his hat, wig, and beard in a discreet-looking vehicle...