BLOODY LOVE'S
Episode 249's

Maria stunned. Smile fades. He could not say anything for the first few seconds. Jose's statement just now was like a thin needle prick in his heart. "What's? Go where? Want what?"

"Work," Jose replied lightly as if their separation was not a heavy thing for him. "I'll take care of Argent's fief in Cantana, prove to my uncle and father that I can manage our land, and expand my own trade network."

"Aren't you always dodging every time you're asked? Why suddenly?" Maria stop. Breath choked. "What ... did I make a mistake? You mad at me?"

"No! Of course not! Why are you so mad at you?"

"It's too sudden!" Maria felt her head hurt. His breathing started to get heavy, but he tried to stay calm, hoping Jose was just joking. "What are you looking for? The money? Not likely. Your money is plentiful, I am not poor either. We both have everything. If it's just a job, you have one too. The horse races in Redstone are yours."

"Just one" said Jose. His eyes looked embarrassed. "It was a small place and I took care of it playfully, not seriously like Adrian. I want to get serious from now on."

"We've just been together, all the problems are done, and then you suddenly want to go take care of the things you've always avoided?" Maria laughed bitterly. It doesn't make sense to him. He was afraid of his anxiety: Jose changed his mind. "Didn't you always say that you want to live as relaxed as the morning wind? That's why you have small businesses that make passive money."

Jose pulls Maria's hand, takes her to the balcony. They can see the greenhouse and the side garden from there. The scent of lavender smelled faintly in the wind. "I need to build my reputation," he explained, still holding the girl's hands together, "so that when I come to lend you a hand officially, you won't be ashamed to introduce me."

"You mean?" Maria frowned, pushing away the strands of hair that flew into her face. "Why should I be ashamed?"

"You forget I'm just a regular guy while you're Lady?" Jose's voice tone bounced bitterly. "Our status is not the same. I'm just a commoner."

"You're not an ordinary person" Maria refuted. "You're the hero of this city! Everyone saw how you obliterated the undead, then the devil, then Sir William! You collapsed last night, so definitely don't know ... " He stopped to catch his breath. His cheeks blushed as he continued, "But I know. I saw how the women were looking at you with a faint look as you were being carried past. Even that annoying librarian talks about you like he's so close to you!"

"Pustakawati? You mean Nina?"

"Yes, that's it!" maria's voice was rising. He pulled out a side of Jose's hand and squeezed it gently, as if afraid that the man would leave right now. "Why do you always humble yourself? I don't care if you're the fourth child or the seventh child—"

"Your father cares" cut Jose. His eyes were turned towards the greenhouse. "Community cares. And I care too. I don't want you to be looked at one eye for being with me."

"Who would dare to look one eye at an Argent?!" Maria is chasing fast. "You told my father that even if so many lords came to propose to me, you would still win because I would have chosen you, right? Where is that self-confidence?"

Jose opened his mouth to speak, but then stopped. Next to his eyebrows rose a little high. "Where do you know? Did you hear me yesterday?"

"Dad that story." Maria retraced one step closer and rested her forehead on Jose's chest. The man's heart rate radiates at him, making him breathe in the same rhythm. "He told everyone last night as if he was proud of his own son. Half the nobles in this town already know you proposed to me. Tomorrow morning the whole of Bjork will know. I love your courage and honesty. Mom too. You know my mother always tried to match us. You saved this town. What makes you feel you don't deserve me? I'm .. I'm also ..." Maria raised her face, trying to hold back that her voice did not sound too desperate, but impossible. "I love you, so don't leave me."

"I'm not leaving you ..." Jose tucked the strands of Mary's hair that the wind flew behind his ears. "I mean just went away for a while to study, not forever. Maybe a year. Two or three years, at most. I understand now why my brothers are leaving. If I stay here, I'll stay under the shadow of my great Uncle Marco. I'll still be ... spare." When he said that, his expression turned grim. "I don't mind the banter at first, but I can't imagine what if you were affected by it too. I ... want to be someone who deserves you."

"Who said you didn't deserve me? Say his name, let me give you a long lesson on speed!"

"No one, Mary," said Jose patiently. "It's my own decision."

"Are you not afraid I'll forget you if you leave?" Panic tendrils ensnared Maria, angering her and disillusioned. It's impossible, but he feels like Jose is making excuses to turn him down. "You're not afraid of another man coming to seduce me? I'm the only daughter of the Garnet family! Many lords came to seduce me and propose to me!"

"I believe you" said Jose calmly. He tilted his head in surprise, beginning to catch the meaning of the girl's anxiety. "Wait .. Is that what you're worried about? Are you afraid I might be tempted by another woman? Me?"

"I believe you, Jose. But I don't trust anyone else." Maria crossed her hands on her chest. Now it was his turn to throw his eyes out to the park. Cheeks heating. "You're too good. What if some bad girl uses you? How about you get framed?" He raised his face looking at the sky, preventing his tears from falling. "Many stories about village women target noble men off guard, trapping up having children with them. Most of the women were given a lot of money to keep their mouths shut or to become mistresses. But you're not that bad, so you're definitely going to choose to be with that woman because you feel responsible. I don't want that to happen. I'm. No. gabe. Want. If you go, I'll come, too" he said.

At first Jose could only gap without being able to say anything hearing Maria's scenario. Then the laughter exploded. He laughed back and forth until his stomach ached, until he needed to lean on the balcony ledge so as not to fall. "Who would set me up like that? In what way?" she still laughed hysterically, not offended at all. "What do you think I'm so naive as to be framed for marrying someone else?"

Maria clenched both her hands in annoyance. "That might happen! You don't see how the girls last night looked at you vulgarly! Everything is like a hungry wolf! Their burrows are dripping-netes!"

"You're exaggerating, but it's precisely because of that I need to break free from Uncle Mar—'s name"

"They're not after your family name!" Maria interrupted in frustration. It is difficult to realize Jose that he is attractive. Jose grew up too long under the great stories of his uncles, fathers, and older brothers; under the shadow of the greatness of his surname, his, so that any attention that comes is always considered by Jose as a consequence of bearing the name Argent rather than because he is personal.

Jose smiled faintly. He touched Mary's shoulder and lowered his head suddenly, sweeping his lips against Mary's lips in a gentle kiss. "I won't look at other women" he said firmly. "I just went for .. well, just say it to raise the name. I want to be known as me, not because of my uncle or father."

"Jose ... " Marya touched both of Jose's arms, still trying to persuade. His heart was racing, he did not know if it was because of the kiss just now or because of fear. Maria really did not want to be left, not now, not when she realized that she loved him very much.

Jose stared back softly. "You're so beautiful Mary" she whispered. "Very intelligent, brave, determined, very valuable to me. Sometimes I wish you didn't have to be this perfect so you wouldn't have so many rivals."

"Omong empty. I'm just plain." Maria swallowed the anxiety. Her tears are ready to spill. This is what he feared. He was afraid that Jose would use sweet seduction to distance himself.

"i'm serious. You are right, there will be many lords coming to propose to you as usual. You're Marquis Garnet's only daughter, even if your father likes me, of course the business will be different when it comes to status." Jose lowered his head, leaning his forehead on Maria's forehead. The man's eyes closed.

Maria held her breath. His heart was filled with both anxiety and hope.

"You're perfect. I don't want to be your only weakness, Mary. I want you to be able to stand by my side without anyone criticizing you" Jose continued. His eyelids opened, revealing a firm fixed look. "Once I have my own name—at least it should be at least the same as Jacob, I will definitely come back to you. Uh no, I'll keep coming back every season, anyway. I'll also send you a letter and call you until your electricity bill swells. You can be sure of that."

Relief ran through Maria's body, making her shoulders relax and pain disappear from her head. Jose didn't want to avoid it or part from it. That realization made Mary feel so happy that she wanted to cry. This was the first time he felt like living with a man forever, spending his entire life with that person. He didn't want Jose to leave. Maria knew that if she begged a little harder and cried, Jose would never leave her. But he doesn't want to do that. Jose's eyes panned determinedly, this was a matter of pride for him. After all, men have their own paths that should not be blocked.

Maria sighed, staring from behind her long eyelashes. "As soon as you have a name, you'll come right back for me?"

"Originally you bring it."

Jose laughs. "I'll buy you a ring like you want: with a five-carat diamond, a circular heart decoration around it, there are rubies and sapphires that are as blue as your eyes."

It was the kind of wedding ring that Maria dreamed of when she was twelve. "Now I don't want anything like that" he said shyly. "I want a simple one, with our names engraved on his side."

"Take it for granted, Princess." Jose took off his arms to look at Maria more clearly. The sapphire blue eyes stared resignedly, the kind of gaze that made him unable to breathe, like someone was punching him right in the heartwaters until he had trouble breathing air. They already know where this relationship ends, but Jose still wants to emphasize it. But not in this room. Not in today. He wanted to do it more luxuriously, more sweetly, perhaps after buying her the ring that Mary wanted. So even though he really wanted to ask Maria to marry him, Jose buried the sentence deeply, saving it for another time. "I love you so much" he whispered softly. That's all he can say now. Her hands brushed Mary's curls, holding the girl's nape in place while bowing her head, whispering the word love once more before fusing their lips together.

Maria had already closed her eyes with full readiness. Both of his hands were wrapped around Jose's neck. Their lips meet in a soft, slow kiss, enjoying every touch and sip without hurrying. This is not their first kiss, but the sensation is still always new for Maria. Their bodies are hot, pressing on each other, their hearts are pulsating, then there is an electrical vibration as the kiss turns hotter and deeper, more possessive, like a blaze devouring every object nearby. Mary heard someone groaning weakly. It took him a few seconds to realize that it was his own voice. When their lips finally parted gently, Maria hid the face in Jose's arms. Breathing snorted. His knees were limp so he needed to hold on tightly to Jose's arm to maintain balance.

"I love you too, Jose," he whispered. "Don't go too long."

Jose landed a kiss once more in response.

***

The long-awaited solar eclipse is finally coming. In exhaustion as well as hope, everyone was on standby and waiting.

Sir William had indeed vanished, they could also feel Bjork's air turning clearer after the demon that gripped the city was wiped out, but who knew there was another trick.

Jose was outside, along with Edgar, Marco, and all of Bjork's workers, as well as armed soldiers from Clearwater, Marsh, and Greyland. Police patrols spread across Bjork.

Rolan was asked to be in the manor to look after the Garnet family and the women and servants. They all looked up at the sky from behind the vitrase-protected glass windows of the manor, in one of the eastern wing rooms on the second floor whose glass was still intact.

"How are you doing?" Rolan turned to Maria, making sure her voice was slow so that neither Albert nor Winona Garnet could be heard. "Are you still dizzy or vomiting?"

Maria nodded slowly. "I don't feel anything, Doctor. A little sore muscle, but that's it."

Rolan still looked at Maria critically, but then only nodded. "Good then" he murmured. "I think Arabella's still in you."

Arabella is gone, Maria can feel it. After the soul fragment of the girl disappeared from him, now he could completely feel her body. The whole. It was as if there were empty spaces in the corner of his soul that he could even reach. He no longer felt that something foreign was hurting him. He did not feel pain in seeing the sunlight. He also did not feel nauseous.

His eyes stared out the window, looking at Jose observing the solar eclipse from a four-foot-diameter wooden tub filled with water laid out in the courtyard.

"Flora." Mary suddenly remembered the name. He shuddered slightly as he re-imagined the sound of the gunfire and the blood-hot feeling that splashed at him. His eyes shifted towards Lady Chantall who was standing beside Nolan. He walked over to the woman. "Milady," said. "Regarding the planned opening of the public kitchen Flora. Do you know how the show goes?"

Lady Chantall nodded briefly. "His speech was delayed because Flora died in the commotion last night." The woman's green eyes stared meaningfully. "He died from a police patrol stray bullet."

Mary smiled, realizing that Lady Chantall thought she was ascertaining what was the cause of Flora's death to be publicly reported. "And the show, milady? He'll be holding an event to see the eclipse after Mass."

"Ah, that." Lady Chantall laughed and shook her hands. "There will be no other event than a funeral. You don't have to worry about the guests."

"Wow! It's a ring!" nolan exclaimed loudly, making everyone turn a glance at the girl before returning a glance forward, towards the darkness outside.

The circle was orange, like a ring of fire hanging in the sky.

No more demons, please ... Mary clasped her hands together in front of her chest, praying earnestly.

Lady Chantall did not look at the eclipse. His eyes focused on Marco, worrying about the man. If the devil comes down again, he will not be dragged away as he did yesterday. He wants to be on Marco's side.

Nolan stared with his mouth open and blue eyes glittering. This is the first time he has seen a solar eclipse of the rings—though it is not very clear because it is blocked vintrase.

Only Renata remained calm. He looked outside, looking as if he was enjoying the eclipse, but his brown eyes were watching closely around. His head made a scene of what he would do if something bad happened. The first one must be saved obviously his guests. Renata knows her responsibilities as a hostess. The men outside would definitely protect the entrance to the house, so they would be safe for the first few minutes. Unless their house is hit by a sheldbolis like last night.

Marco and Jose are no less tense outside. They try to stay calm, even though they are actually very tired and want to sleep. Greyland had already split up his army and had everything spread out since his simple move reached the top. If anyone finds an oddity, they will signal with a flare.

Jose put up an ear, waiting with his heart racing. Although many people gathered, no one dared to speak outside. Everyone sharpens their senses to the fullest, waiting for a sign, looking for a suspicious sound or shape.

But even after seven minutes had passed and the day was slowly coming back to light, no sound was heard. No dark clouds appeared in the sky.

They looked at each other in wonder. Smile after smile slowly rose. Then I don't know who started, everyone cheered and hugged.

"We really made it, Dad?" Jose turned to Edgar, who gave him a big smile and an affectionate embrace.

"It's all done, brother!" Edgar exclaimed happily.

Marco nodded. "It's all done."

***