Chapter 39: Two Lovers, One Exoneration
The Count of Monte Cristo, like many other opera guests, took their leave once the performance of Tosca was over. But before the Count and his guest, Duke Devlin, parted ways for the evening, Monte Cristo asked, "I suppose that you enjoyed tonight's opera, Duke?"
"It was an interesting performance, Hakushaku," replied the Dungeon Dice Monsters creator, as they were walking down the steps of the opera house. "But, tell me, are you really going to go through with your duel tomorrow morning? Mokuba's too young to die at the ripe age of 27!"
"My friend, I'm afraid that death is not discriminate to anyone, regardless of their age, race, nationality, etc. You know as they say, 'You're neither too old, nor too young to die.'" said the Count. "You will accompany me at the Old Cemetery tomorrow at six o' clock, my good friend? As one of my seconds?"
Duke replied, "Yes, but as long as you give him a merciful death."
"That I can promise you, to the best of my ability, my good friend. Meet me at my estate at half-past five in the morning then. I bid you adieu for now." Devlin bowed and said his goodbye to his strange friend.
Monte Cristo, accompanied by his servants, Rafael and Valon, left the opera house and headed back to the estate. When they returned home, the Count removed his tuxedo and changed into a sharp-looking black suit with a white tie. He promptly made orders for Rafael to accompany him to the firing range room. Valon, on the other hand, was told to get some rest for the early morning drive to the Old Cemetery. The firing range room was largely sound-proof, so as to not disturb the servants who retire for the night. Rafael, on orders, brought his master a small box that, once opened, revealed a Colt 45 (Single Action Army) inside. It was obvious that Monte Cristo wanted to get some practice firing his favorite handgun for his upcoming duel. As Rafael set up several bulls-eye targets on the far-side of the room, he and his master heard someone was at the main entrance doors.
"Shall I answer the door, Your Excellency?" asked Rafael.
"Yes, but have the late-night visitor wait in the parlor." The muscular blonde servant bowed and left for the entrance. A moment later, he arrived in the firing range, after several shots rang out; the Count had emptied his revolver in the process of his sharpshooting.
Rafael informed his employer, "Your Excellency, the visitor... is Mrs. Kaiba. She is waiting for you in the parlor now."
The Count, after having reloaded his revolver, placed it back into the box, and returned it to a special cabinet, said, "Close the parlor doors and leave us."
"As you wish, sir."
Monte Cristo entered the parlor and indeed found Mrs. Kaiba waiting there, sitting on a divan in the center of the room. The world renown dancer was wearing a sleek black dress, as if she had come from an opera. "You wished to speak with me at this late hour, Mrs. Kaiba?" asked the Count.
Téa looked around the room and saw that the parlor doors were indeed fully closed. She promptly rose up from the couch-like furniture and knelt before the debonair gentleman. "Yugi, you must not kill Mokuba!" cried the brunette.
"Whose name did you say, Mrs. Kaiba?" asked the Count, who took a step back and expressed a startled reaction, "The name of the late former King of Games?"
"Your name! Your name, which I and everyone else who cared about you, had never forgotten about!" exclaimed the brunette, standing back up. "Yugi, I have come to you not as Mrs. Kaiba, but as Téa."
"My dear, I'm afraid you're mistaking me for someone else," retorted Monte Cristo, "Besides, Yugi Mutou was only five feet tall when you knew him. I, on the other hand, am 5'10''."
Téa replied, "Then, you eventually grew a lot taller somehow! Besides, I know you had your rivalry with Seto all those years ago, and realized that it was you who was behind his would-be scandal."
"You mean, Kaiba," said the Count, with a venomous hatred in his voice. "Since you know who I am, we might as well refer to our old peers by the names we often called them!"
Téa felt such anger and hatred emanating from the his voice and aura that she could scarcely believe that it was coming from her old friend, who originally devoid of such intense feelings. She again repeated her request, "You must not kill Mokuba!"
"Only the Count of Monte Cristo," said the vengeful man, "Can tell the Count of Monte Cristo what to do! And besides, I assume that you followed Mokuba to the opera, hence, your black evening dress?"
"Yes, Yugi. I saw, heard, and know everything."
Monte Cristo retorted, "But, do you know the circumstances in which I was separated from you and all those I cared all those years ago?"
"Because you were arrested and imprisoned, Yugi?" replied Téa.
The Count asked, "But do you know why I was arrested and imprisoned?"
"No."
"Of course you don't, Téa." said Monte Cristo, "I will tell you what had happened. Now, follow me to my room."
The old lovers fled to the master bedroom where the servants were told not to disturb them. Monte Cristo unlocked his private safe and took out a faded piece of parchment, which he then gave to Téa. The piece of faded paper was of course the collaborative letter Joey Wheeler and Seto Kaiba worked on to frame Yugi Mutou. Téa read the letter:
The local judge is advised by a loyal patriot that a certain Yugi Muto, the King of Games, arrived this afternoon in Japan, and was entrusted by a supposed dying acquaintance to deliver a letter that threatens the very existence of the Japanese government.
Evidence of the traitor's guilt can be found during his arrest, as the letter should be either with him, or at the Kame Game Shop.
Téa, after reading the dreadful letter, asked, "And you believe Seto is responsible for your arrest and imprisonment?"
"Not just Kaiba, but Joey and Pegasus as well."
Monte Cristo then explained to his old lover about his imprisonment and escape; how he was beaten senseless, raped, befriended a spy, learned various disciplines, learned about why and how he was arrested and imprisoned without trial, escaped barely with his life, among several other life-changing events. This allowed the Count to exonerate himself before his old friend and lover.
"My God..." uttered the brunette, after knowing the truth about everything. "Please forgive me, Yugi, for not being strong enough to handle loneliness and resist Seto's amorous temptations."
"He only wanted you because he couldn't have the title of the world's best duelist. So, he decided that with me out of the picture, he could have both." stated the Count, sternly. Despite this, Kaiba did eventually fall genuinely in love with his wife, but Monte Cristo obviously neither knew, nor care about this.
"But why kill Mokuba to get your revenge? He may not be related to me by blood, but he's still my brother!"
"Because, Téa, I must have my revenge! My revenge against the man who contributed to my seven years on an island prison! The man who helped in my separation from you! You, whom I had always loved, is now married to the monster you have for a husband!"
"Then have your revenge, Yugi," replied Téa, with tears in her eyes, "On Kaiba, Joey, Pegasus, and me! But not on Mokuba! He's like a son to me."
Monte Cristo retorted coldy, "The sins of the father are heaped upon the son. And since Mokuba has Kaiba has a father-figure, it makes no difference. Mokuba shall die tomorrow morning. By my hand."
"But Mokuba has done nothing wrong! I say this to you, I beg this to you: Please spare Mokuba's life!" cried Téa, kneeling before her old friend once again, and with the air of a mother-figure. "I may never know nor experience the amount of suffering you've endured unjustly. But, please... spare Mokuba's life..."
Just then, Yugi Mutou had suddenly reemerged from the cold, calculating man that is the Count of Monte Cristo. He turned his old lover's face up towards him and took pity. Téa was still beautiful as ever, having only barely aged in physical appearance. "Very well." said Yugi. "Mokuba will live, but I...will die."
Téa, standing back up, curiously inquired, "What...did you say, Yugi?"
"I said that Mokuba will live, but I will die."
"Whoever said that you had to die, Yugi? I thought that the duel would be null and void as soon as possible?"
"I can't cancel the duel, Téa. It's my hubris to win. I guess I inherited that from Atem during his duel with Rafael in Death Valley, which resulted in Atem's defeat and my soul being captured in the process. Similarly, I will forfeit my life to Mokuba."
Téa looked at her old lover with pity and remorse. She got in close and was about to do what she had always wanted to do for a long time. However, he refused her and pulled himself back. "No. I can't." said he.
The brunette quickly planted a kiss on his cheek and with the grace of a dancer, fled to the door. "Thank you, Yugi. And may God bless you. Goodbye, Yugi Mutou," said Téa, leaving the mansion.
Mutou simply nodded. He had Rafael escort his old lover out the mansion and saw her leave the estate in her corvette. The Count from his bedroom window, sadly said, "Goodbye, Téa. Forever."