BLOODY LOVE'S
Episode 111

The photo was colorless, but the woman in the portrait was indeed a face like Maria. His curly hair was tightly tied back in a netted bun. Her lips are sweet. His face is heart shaped. Even the shape of the eyebrows is the same. The girl leaned her shoulders on a man whose smile was so wide. Sir William's.

"This is Maria's necklace?" asked Rolan in surprise. "He ... is dating Sir William?"

"He's not Maria" Jose said. Stiff voice.

"Seeing from everywhere, it looks like Mary. Or maybe his family, 'cause this photo looks like it's been a long time."

Jose shakes. "Mary doesn't smile like this. His eyebrows are different, after all. Uncle's right, from the condition of the photo, it's old paper. I guess ...," he paused for a moment before continuing, "I think I understand now. Almost understood ..."

Rolan looked at Jose with a face of disbelief. He doesn't understand at all. "What do you understand? Please explain. How can you suddenly understand while I've been struggling to think about this even more confused?"

"I need to call Krip" Jose didn't talk to his uncle. "He wanted an Argent to call him, right? Let's see if he's coming."

Jose was just about to have Hans bring Krip, but a knock on the door teased him. For a few seconds there was only silence in the room.

Jose gave one head gesture, making Gerald rise from the floor to open the door.

The door leaf opened, revealing George who stood upright and impeccably polite. "Master, Doctor," he said as he nodded. He entered gracefully and got to Jose's front in just a few steps. "Master, Krip is coming to face Mister."

"Ihappily." Jose took a breath. He nodded once. "Take him here, George. Make sure no one comes near my room. Even if it's Dad, Mom, or Jacob."

"Sure, Sir." George nodded, then left swiftly.

Five minutes later, Krip was in the same room, sitting cross-legged on the carpet by Gerald's side. The man was still wearing his flour-stained white apron. He carried a glossy leather notebook, one that he kept under his pillow every time he slept.

"Seeing you come to the main house uninvited, there must be something important that you want to convey" Jose began. He sat on the edge of the bed, his left ankle placed on his right knee. Jose held his elbow, made his fist a head brace. He was actually sleepy, very tired. His head was still filled with the shadows of Gladys. But he tried to strengthen himself.

Krip confirmed Jose's allegations. "I'm ashamed to say it. Lord Greyland kindly sent a message, asking me to leave the store immediately as long as Mr. Marco is not in place. He didn't say anything else, but I felt a warning in his message. And it's true, I cringe myself. My wife and two daughters have been out of town since yesterday, I insisted on staying in the store so that it could be useful for Mr. Marco but lately the atmosphere in the store is not pleasant. The streets around him were always quiet. And at its peak, after Doctor Rolan left, I smelled it faintly .. the scent that Little Master said the last time he stopped by. It was a rose scent, but mixed with something that seemed to be burning."

Rolan shuddered, while Jose was silent.

"Then?" jose asked after realizing Krip had finished his story. "You mean, you want to leave as well, catch up with your daughter and wife?"

Krip raised both eyebrows. He shook his head in haste. "I just wanted to report that .. lest you find me, you know that I may have been a victim. But before that happens, I'll report all the things I know to you." Krip reached into his pocket, putting up his glasses with trembling pliers. It looks really shaken. Whatever was bothering Krip in his shop, the man was scared shitless.

Krip edged forward, handing the book to Jose.

"I'll read it" said Jose, knowing that the note must contain very important information. "If you don't intend to evacuate, there's no need to worry about where to stay. You can sleep here, I'll have the waiter prepare a room for you."

Krip. "What's? Thank you, Mister. I don't want to trouble Master!"

Gerald and Hans nodded in full agreement, ready to obey any orders from Jose.

Both Krip's eyes are glazed. Her bloated cheeks hinted red as it held back the crying of haru. He felt relieved, and the feeling spread throughout his body, making his shoulders and back relax.

He came to this house to say goodbye, in case he would die at night. Krip did not expect he would be given shelter. The nobles usually treated the subordinates as a tool that could be replaced at will, and the Krip actually did not mind. That's a natural thing. It should be. Moreover, he repeatedly refused to open his mouth when Jose needed his help. The way Jose treats him as a human makes Krip even more convinced he did not choose Mister wrong.

"There's a lot going on this week" Jose said tiredly. His eyes feel heavy. "Draw the mystery one by one, Uncle. My head feels bad."

Rolan looked around, then started. "Our first mystery, involving yourself, was when you found Higgins in a dry state."

Jose nodded. "The dried up bodies. Therehewas. The culprit is unknown. I saw a black shadow sniff a few times in this house, but still have not found any evidence that the creature has anything to do with the dried corpse."

Rolan nodded. "There was Sir William."

Jose closed his eyes for a long time, enjoying the dark feeling that enveloped. "He .. is not a human." Jose opened his eyes, now staring at Krip. "Really, right?"

Krip nodded slowly. "No, Mister. I'm sure it's not."

"And he might have something to do with Dave's disappearance." Jose thought. "I remember we talked about it. Dave says he's investigating Sir William for not knowing a Sir Bannet. He asked his friend for help. Who's friend? Can you help me find out, Krip? Maybe we can find a bright spot."

Krip nodded again. Eyes sad. "From the news I heard, Lord Dominic asked Mr. Philips Raynor for help. Mr. Phillips Raynor is also missing."

Jose clenched his hands in a frenzy. "more suspicious. What I can do, I'll send people to check out the Baronetage book as well as another list. I should have done this a long time ago."

The baronetage was a book from the palace that contained a genealogical list of the nobles.

"Actually, Mr. Stuart has already done it," said Krip softly, still a little confused as to what he should say and not say. But he decided to trust his instincts. "Mr Stuart is also investigating about that. As far as I know, Mr. Stuart asked to be reunited with Mr. Little, but Mr. Marco went missing before he could."

"Good," said Jose happily. He looked at Rolan. "Remind me to send an invitation to Mr. Stuart, Uncle."

Rolan nodded stiffly, noticing how his cheerful nephew had become more and more similar to Marco. The young man was even so used to commanding others now.

"Ah, I actually want to discuss this first." Jose reached out his hand forward and opened his fist, showing the opened medallion. "This is not Mary. You know who he is?"

Krip received the medal carefully. His eyes found a picture there. "Do you think Mr Marco knows what it is?" he asks.

Jose shook his head slowly. He could guess, Krip would give him an interesting story.

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