Chapter 37: A Scandal in a Wedding
It has been a week since the police began their manhunt for the notorious criminal, "Benny the Devil," following the burglary attempt that took place at the Count of Monte Cristo's residence. The only events that people seemed more concerned with in the same week were the break-in at the Count of Monte Cristo' mansion (the act by itself, not the thieves) and the prospective wedding between Andre A. Colombo and Serenity Wheeler (Colombo had proposed earlier). The irony lost on most people was that "Benny the Devil" is masquerading as Andre A. Colombo, the son of a prominent Italian-American businessman, who formerly disgraced, was now retired. The young man often suspected that his benefactor, the Count, knew of his involvement in the breaking and entering on his mansion, but his relations with the Count seemed not to have suffered in the slightest.
As for why Serenity accepted the young man's proposal was due to her older brother's insistence (having suffered numerous financial losses and now on the verge of bankruptcy) as well as her sisterly love for her nii-sama (older brother). For obvious reasons, she still felt neither love nor compassion for her fiancée. The young man was oblivious to the fact that his love for Serenity was unrequited. Coincidentally, it was around this time that Seto Kaiba experienced a lack of respect from his company's Board of Directors. The billionaire promised himself that he would get to the bottom of this once he and his family attended the wedding between Andre and Serenity.
It is Sunday. The wedding ceremony of Andre and Serenity is about to take place inside a lavishly decorated cathedral. Joey Wheeler, despite being on the point of bankruptcy, asked Monte Cristo for his resources (party planners, decorators, caterers, etc) that he (Wheeler) would pay for himself. Wheeler had done such an otherwise ridiculous action for the belief that once Colombo marries Serenity, he'll have access to the young man's fortune. Among the guests included Joey and Mai Wheeler, Seto and Téa Kaiba (and Mokuba), journalist Kazuki Takahashi, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki III, and several major stockholders in the Wheeler's business firm. Essentially, the event was the "anyone's who anyone would be there" sort. Takahashi engaged in a conversation with Mokuba and Yasuhisa in order to pass the time.
"Well, it looks like your former future brother-in-law has outdone himself this time, Mokuba," remarked Takahashi.
Shiozaki added, "I agree. It's obvious that he's doing this in an attempt to show that his financial state has finally stabilized."
"And inviting his stockholders and you guys to help glorify the event." said Mokuba.
Andre was waiting at the altar, anxious for his pending marriage. The would-be groom saw the Count of Monte Cristo was among the guests and waved. Monte Cristo seemed not to have noticed the fake aristocrat's friendly gesture and after speaking with someone on his cell phone, made his way to the bride's dressing room (A/N: No, he was not going to do something perverted.). He looked upon Serenity's wedding gown and noted its elegance in its simplicity (it was a simple white dress with very few lavish decorations). After the last of the bride's assistants had left, the count said to the bride, "A lovely Sunday day, eh, Miss Serenity Wheeler?"
"Ah, what a surprise Monte Cristo Hakushaku. I was not expecting to see you here. In my dressing room," replied Serenity, turning around to greet the guest of honor, "But, yes, it is a lovely day. It is a shame that I won't be happy on this day."
"And why is that?" asked the count, who knew the exact reasons.
"For I am to be married to a young man, of course! A young man who I do not even love, no less!" answered the glum bride, who sat down on a nearby dressing chair, covering her face with her hands cupped.
Monte Cristo placed his right hand on the bride's shoulder. He said, "Believe me, I feel your pain, Serenity. Now, I have never been married in my life, however, I do feel that something MUST be done about your predicament."
"What can you do?" asked Serenity, looking up, "Even you can't stop the wedding ceremony."
"Fortunately for you, my dear, I can and will. That said, I have made arrangements for you. Ten minutes from now, to be exact."
Serenity faced the mysterious man before her, with a look of astonishment. "How and why?" cried Serenity.
"How and why is because of my generosity, unlimited resources, and devotion to true justice, my dear." asserted the count. "Now, continue with your wedding ceremony, and act as if nothing has happened. Before the wedding vows can even begin, you shall be saved. Oh, and tell your ride that I said, 'Arigato'." With these words said and done, the mysterious man left and seated himself among the other guests. The Count checked his wristwatch. It was now 2:54. Only six minutes left until the bride appears and his plan goes into action, thought Monte Cristo. He was seen by several of his "friends," (namely, the Kaibas, Wheelers, and the Pegasuses) who briefly engaged in a friendly conversation with him. Joey Wheeler excused himself midway, for he needed to accompany his baby sister for the aisle walk.
Six minutes had passed. The clock struck at three, and the doors opened, revealing Joey Wheeler accompanying his sister, Serenity (their father was nowhere to be found). Several photographers flashed their cameras at the bride and her nii-sama. The multitude of camera flashes hid Serenity's glum facial expression. As brother and sister approached the altar, Mai Valentine looked on at the prospective wedding couple and clearly showed her disapproval of the match by crossing her arms. When Serenity finally arrived at the altar, the priest stated, "Now, let us begin. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now—"
The priest's words were stopped by the sudden arrival of a police squadron, who stormed the church building. Joey went over to the leader of the police squadron and promptly asked, "What is the matter, officer?"
"I regret to inform you, Mr. Wheeler, that we have to interrupt your sister's wedding day today, however, as an officer of the law, I must uphold the law, regardless of the situation. For you see, we have a warrant to arrest Mr. Andre A. Colombo!" exclaimed the police captain.
"What?" cried Andre, startled at this unexpected turn of events. Serenity turned to face the Count, still seated among the now shocked guests.
Tetsuo Ushio, the police captain read aloud the charges found against the would-be groom. "You are under arrest for fraud, lineage falsification, larceny, rape, murder, among a multitude of other heinous crimes!"
Naturally, many guests found themselves in an uproar upon hearing these charges against the fake aristocrat.
"Now that I have revealed to the good people here of your true nature, young man, it is also time to reveal your true name as well! Ladies and gentlemen, this man is not who you think he is! This man's real name is Benjamin Benedetto! Better known as 'Benny the Devil'!" exclaimed Ushio.
Just about every guest threw an uproar even more tumultuous than the previous ones. Monte Cristo simply sat still, satisfied that his revenge against Joey was now closer to its conclusion. "Take him away!" ordered the police captain to his subordinates, who apprehended the wanted criminal. The captured criminal was now being walked across by the aisle by the lawmen. He was nearly blinded by the numerous camera flashes surrounding him. As he was about to exit the building, Benjamin vainly struggled against the police officers' hold on his person. He turned around and found the Count among the rioting guests and plead, "The Count of Monte Cristo! He can vouch for me! He's the one who got me everything!"
As the police and Benjamin were outside the cathedral, the police captain retorted, "I'm afraid that he has already supplied us with relevant information earlier, punk!" He has voluntarily worked with us so that we could finally find your scrawny ass and send you back to jail!"
"Son of a bitch!" cried Benjamin, as he was shoved into the back seat of a police car.
Serenity, as well as most of the riotous guests made their way outside the church building to oversee the wanted criminal being sent away to prison. She felt a tap on her shoulder and found the Count of Monte Cristo behind her. "Follow me quickly," ordered the Count, who along with Serenity, disappeared away from the clamorous crowd. The two found themselves on the backside of the cathedral, where a lone helmeted motorcycle rider was waiting by his motorcycle.
Serenity asked her savior, the Count, "Monte Cristo Hakushaku, is this man my ride you spoke of earlier?"
"Indeed, my dear. He is an old friend of mine and yours," replied Monte Cristo. "Why, take a look."
As Serenity turned her head to face the mysterious rider, the rider promptly took off his helmet, revealing a familiar triangular-shaped hair cut on the top-front part of the man's hair. This man was none other than...
"Tristan!" cried Serenity, as she hugged her old friend. "Serenity, it's been so long since we last met," replied brunette, having been reunited with his old long-time crush.
"I think that it would be best if the two of you depart as soon as possible," suggested Monte Cristo in a friendly manner, "We don't want your reunion to be short-lived, do we now?"
"You're right, Monte Cristo Hakushaku," replied Serenity and Tristan, who then blushed once they realized what had happened. "We'd better get going now." added Tristan, revving his motorcycle. "Thanks and goodbye for now, Yu—I mean, Hakushaku!"
"Take care of each other, you two lovebirds," said the Count, who waved as he watched his old friends go to parts unknown.
"Tristan, how do you know Monte Cristo Hakushaku?" asked Serenity, who was holding tightly onto her old lover.
The motorcyclist replied, "Well, we have a long history together, he and I. I'll tell you all about it later. Let's rev it up!"
And with that, the two lovers raced away from the city of Domino forever.