BLOODY LOVE'S
Extra 1: Overture

The ceremony for the title of marquis to Jose took place one month after the arrival of three palace secretaries. All the nobles took the time to attend even though the ceremony was arguably held suddenly. Queen Theresa was famous for her speed. The woman always wants everything to be done in a hurry and short.

Jose received a cloak and coronet—a small silver crown with strawberry leaf ornaments inters with four silver balls typical of marquis as a sign of his title in front of everyone, given directly by the queen. The oath was pronounced and the title passed before the Archbishop of Aston.

Following the ceremony, a party was held at the Argent manor in Aston in the evening. In addition to celebrating Jose's appointment and Argent's success at Bjork, the big party was also used to show that Marco was alive and well, not disappearing like the rumors spread by Charles Hastings.

Although Sir William was purified and Hastings and Spencer were eliminated, things did not turn out to be okay. The supporters of these three people remain numerous. Not a few people who think that the story of the devil is just nonsense made by Argent, especially after they know that Lady Chantall who incidentally known to hold media power will marry Marco. They thought it was a political marriage. Lady Chantall is a party flower. Many younger and no less wealthy nobles from Argent lined up to propose to her, so it made no sense to many that Lady Chantall was indeed with Marco for reasons other than politics.

Jose heard the whispers from his four friends, who now circled him at the party after he finished turning to greet the guests.

“Actually people's doubts are rather reasonable,” Jose laughed. “Both rarely appear together. If only they had observed closely, the truth would have been seen. Lady Chantall blatantly shows her jealousy whenever Uncle Marco talks to another woman.”

“Easy eyes,” comments Clearwater. “I've seen the time he observed Marquis Argent chatting with Ashley. It felt as if he could burn people through the sight of the eyes.”

"How are you?" Jose looked. "I don't think I've seen your wife in a long time. He's fine, right?"

"good. He wanted to come too, but I forbid. Ashley's just recovered, long trips and night air ain't good for her."

"Ahhh, love," led Dave while sipping his drink.

Clearwater merely revealed a knotty smile. Ashley was weak and often ill. But after the events of a month ago on the night of resistance against the devil, Ashley is gradually healthy and getting better. Not a few who experienced something similar in Bjork. The absence of demons that overshadowed the city turned out to bring a huge change for Bjork and his surroundings. The people of Bjork automatically attributed the blessing to Jose, although the concerned desperately denied his role in everyone's recovery.

Marsh turned his head left and right, circulating his gaze around the atrium that was crowded with human chatter and perfume scents. It was rare for the upper class nobles to gather together, so tonight's feast was not wasted by anyone. Many use the opportunity to lobby each other, some are looking for a soul mate for themselves or their families, or other interests.

“You didn't invite Nolan?” marsh asked after not finding the person he was looking for.

Jose shakes. “He hates rich people. Lately he's been pretty decent compared to the first time we met, but if he came here and saw a crowd of nobles, you wouldn't want to imagine what sentence he would say, Adie.” He sighed. “I myself do not want to imagine it.”

Dave laughed softly. “Again pity him if brought here and have to see you propose to Garnet.”

Jose hissing fast. His eyes glanced at Maria, who was talking to her friends at the side of the room. “Do not be foolish. We're just friends.”

“You still talk like that?” Simon frowned. “I thought you prepared the ring because you wanted to propose?”

“I mean, it was Nolan and I who were friends. I consider him like my own brother. And don't talk about rings, Maria will hear.” Jose touched his chest, fingered the ring box hidden behind the inner suit pocket. His heart was beating so fast, he was afraid that his ring box would look too obvious and the surprise would go away. “Where to?” ask Clearwater who's moving to leave.

“Search for drinking.” The man showed me his empty wine glass.

“Call server. Don't leave me just yet.” Jose caught Marsh's hand about to move. “You also stay here for a while, Adie. Don't jump like a flea! If you all leave, I will be mobbed by many.”

“This is how you asked for help?” Marsh snorted, but voidly seduced the girl who kept staring at him from the corner of the room.

Simon chuckles. “Young Marquis who is single, an Argent anyway. You'll obviously get a lot of applications tonight.” He drew closer and whispered. “So does Garnet. You see the people who approached his father?”

“I saw it, Simon. Don't be chatty.” Jose distanced himself when he saw the arrival of Andrew, Argent's butler at Aston. The man was younger than George, but his alacrity and loyalty were no less. “How?” whispered when the man arrived.

“Everything is ready, Sir,” replied Andrew with glowing eyes.

“No error? The people are ready too?”

“I will take care of it myself. Sir no need to worry.”

Jose nodded. He did not show it at all, but anxiety intensified his heart. His hands are cold and wet. This feels more stressful than when he faced many undead—or maybe he felt so because he had survived the creepy incident for a long time.

“What are you planning?” Marsh grimacing. Both of his eyebrows were moved up and down in teasing. “Need our help?”

Jose raised his face towards the orchestra which was in the upper foyer of the atrium. The conductor looks at the cue, then nods politely and changes the music to be softer. Slowly, one or two people danced followed by the other. Jose returned his gaze to Marsh. “Yes. I need a little help.”

***

Lady Chantall looks prettier than usual tonight. She was wearing a simple dark blue dress made of soft, the fabric fell fittingly following the curves of the body. His dark brown hair was laid out simply and decorated with webs studded with emerald grains. The jewelry she wore was just that, an emerald pendant that was a set with her earrings, as well as a diamond ring on her left finger as a sign of engagement. People praised her, saying that it was her simple appearance that made her beautiful face stand out, but Lady Chantall did not stop smiling throughout the party not because of the compliments.

Marco introduced her to everyone who came as a fiance, sometimes even a future wife. Lady Chantall just found out the word could sound so beautiful in the ears. His face was beaming and his cheeks were decorated with a natural red hue.

When the song plays turns soft, Lady Chantall pulls on Marco's arm, asking him to dance.

"I can't." Marco shakes. He had not danced for years, so he did not want to embarrass himself. The last time she took to the dance floor was when she was in her twenties, accompanying Theresa before the girl was crowned queen. "You can dance with the others" she said as soon as she saw Lady Chantall's face so uninspired. The point was to free the woman for fun, but Lady Chantall looked at her angrily.

The irritation of Lady Chantall strangely enough to warm Marco's heart. He looked ahead, at the people who started dancing. The music is not a waltz, but a ballad reserved for couples. After observing for five minutes, Marco had already understood his movement pattern as well as his tempo speed. To be more sure, he simulated in the head while matching it with music and Edgar's footsteps dancing with Renata. Suit. He has missed his steps and movements. But theory is not the same as practice. He could stumble or step wrong. Marco doesn't really like to dance, much less a new dance he's never learned, but Lady Chantall seems so eager. He did not want to disappoint his fiancee.

"We can dance on the balcony, if you want," he said. The dance hall is on the second floor. On both sides of the room there is a long balcony which is quite spacious. Guests can get some fresh air there, but the balcony is quiet right now. Everyone wants to dance inside.

"Balcony?" Lady Chantall stared at the place in question. The place was slightly dim, somewhat covered in pillars of the house, leading to the gazebo in the garden front— which was already decorated with a colorful fairy's lamp. It looks romantic, so he agrees. They went to the balcony, avoiding the eyes of many people.

The music was heard all the way to the place, even to the page.

Lady Chantall smiled amusedly as they began to dance. Marco was not kidding. The man was indeed really stiff, even twice their shoes stumbled in the wrong rhythm.

"It's weird" said Lady Chantall in surprise. "How can you be so flexible in bed but stiff when dancing? Usually those two things are in harmony."

Marco glanced at him without speaking, still focused on regulating foot movements according to the rhythm of the music. Again he kicked Lady Chantall's shoes, but it did not make him give up, which made his partner even more anxious. Lady Chantall stopped suddenly to land a hot kiss.

"Do you think you want to dance?" Marco asked as soon as their lips separated. "Yet surrendered?"

Lady Chantall still poked her hands around Marco's neck in a friendly manner, moving the rhythm of the music without caring about the correct dance steps. "People don't believe we get married out of love. I'm asking you to dance because I want to show off the romance. But if you're this blanket, I won't show it to anyone else. It's bad that a lot of people know you're actually very sweet."

"They will only believe what they want to believe, not what is true. Let it go." Marco ignored the cute and sweet stuff. Lady Chantall did always give him strange comments, it was common. He placed his hand on Lady Chantall's waist, admiring how slender the woman's body was. "I haven't had a chance to meet the queen today" he said, "we're back two days. Tomorrow I'll go back to the palace to report. You wanna come?"

"You." Lady Chantall nodded quickly. He would not let Marco stay with the queen for too long. Her green eyes glinted cheerfully. "Hey, where's your hand?"

"Sorry, automatically" said Marco as he raised his palm from his hip to Lady Chantall's waist.

Lady Chantall smiled amusedly. They stopped dancing. He leaned forward, pressing him warmly into Marco's arms. "Touch it, no problem. I like it when you do," he said spoiled. He raised his face, giving a curious look. "It's only natural that many people don't believe that we love each other. I just don't know why you accepted me. What's your excuse?"

"You are beautiful" Marco replied in wonder as if the reason was something everyone should have known.

"Beautiful? That all?" Lady Chantall frowned. "A lot of women are prettier than me!"

"Who?"

"Lady Georgina, for example."

Marco knows that name. One of them is called as Aston Flower. The night breeze gently swept across the skin, blowing away Lady Chantall's haircut. He slipped a strand of hair that flew across the cheek behind the woman's ear. "Beautiful you are."

"What about Miss Tallant?"

"Who is that?"

"Ouch, he's a famous soprano from the Etoile theater! Don't you know?"

"No."

"That's a famous theater!" Lady Chantall doesn't believe it. His hands down felt Marco's masculine chest, sweeping away the spot where there had previously been a gaping hole due to Sir William's puncture. Sometimes he still dreamed of the event if Marco did not accompany him to sleep. It's all over, Inner Lady Chantall. His eyes caught the sparkle of the diamond ring on the left ring finger. That's the ring he picked with Marco two weeks ago. This spring, the ring will move to his right ring finger. "Queen Theresa is also beautiful ..."

"You're so much prettier," the answer came without a second's pause. Marco said it with firmness.

It's a lie that Lady Chantall is unhappy. His smile broadened, but he still did not want to accept that answer. "Just the reason you're lacking. There are many more beautiful than me!"

"That's for you." Marco leaned his waist against the ledge, looking at every inch of Lady Chantall's face. The woman was the only person she had seen before dying as well as after coming back to life a month ago. Lady Chantall's loyalty and love touched her, tying her in equal affection. "For me it's different."

Lady Chantall laughed. He took a deep breath and took off his embrace. "It's hard to ask you to be honest. You never want to say your heart." His eyes stared friendly. "Luckily I've had a lifetime to force you to talk."

Marco did not comment. He felt honest enough. In her eyes Lady Chantall was indeed the most beautiful and she liked to see the woman nearby. "Oh, that's Jose," he said as he glanced down, toward the gazebo. His silver white eyebrows furrowed to see Jose talking to Andrew. "What else is he planning?"

Lady Chantall looked down. He chuckles to see Dave and Simon busy in the park. "I can guess, honey. If my guess is correct, you should kiss me."

Marco laughing.

***

¬Overture: has several meanings. Can introductory music, can be the beginning or introduction to the discussion/important things.