In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 103

A short sigh slipped from Eric’s lips as he gazed out the window for a moment. With a worried look in his eyes, Eric turned to Carlos.

“She is at the imperial palace now.”

“The palace? So she came with you. Then, was she attacked on the way?”

“She hasn’t fully recovered yet, so I had her stay in my room. Please forgive me for not telling you sooner, Your Majesty.”

“Hm, I see. To be attacked as a woman… if she had been seriously injured, that would’ve been a big problem.”

Carlos shook his head with concern in his eyes, then gently smiled.

“I’ll send a palace doctor to your office right away. She should be treated first.”

“Don’t look at me like that. People might think I’m trying to harm a helpless bird. Tsk. I just want to see for myself what kind of person she is.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. I’ll accept it as your generous will.”

“I’m glad you’ve relaxed a little.”

Carlos gave a light smile to ease Eric’s stiff expression.

But the more Carlos smiled, the sharper Eric’s gaze became—almost as if he could see right through the emperor.

Aria having a private audience with the emperor… That could be a new chance to rebuild her family, but at the same time, she might fall into the trap of the sly emperor.

A sense of unease crept into Eric’s blue eyes, as he felt things would not go smoothly.

As Eric left the golden-decorated imperial palace and reached the end of the hallway, he stopped walking.

The palace maids’ eyes briefly lingered on his solid figure, which couldn’t be hidden even under the black uniform, and his handsome face that didn’t match his strong build.

Before he could even notice their gazes, Eric let out a short breath. Finally, it felt like he could breathe.

A cool breeze blew through the wide garden, making his pitch-black hair flutter naturally.

Through the strands of his hair, his blue eyes showed a mix of complex emotions.

“He doesn’t give anything easily…”

Suddenly, Henry’s words came to mind.

“His Majesty only makes deals that benefit him. If you want something from him, you’ll have to pay a price.”

Just like Henry said, Emperor Carlos never made a deal without expecting something in return. Just like the deep scar on Eric’s back.

His current position too, had been earned through intense pain.

As Eric let out another quiet breath, Henry Somerset came running toward him, having waited anxiously.

“Captain, what happened? Did you get scolded badly over the Bailey business? Oh, and did you talk about the Reynolds family? What did His Majesty say?”

“Just answer one thing.”

“Uh, well, too many things happened to ask just one… Did His Majesty agree to do things the way you wanted?”

“We’ll see.”

“I knew it…”

Henry shook his head in disappointment.

“I told you. His Majesty always thinks about what benefits him. Don’t tell me… did he say you have to marry Lady Charles Stuart to settle the Bailey business?”

Eric frowned immediately at Henry’s annoying words.

“Why do you keep bringing that up?”

“Because His Majesty wants you to marry Miss Stuart. That rumor has already spread. Then what about the woman in your office…?”

“If you’re going to say useless things, shut up.”

Eric’s eyes narrowed sharply as he stared at Henry.

His cold gaze pierced through Henry like a blade. Feeling the chill, Henry opened and closed his mouth wordlessly.

Then he forced a stiff smile.

“At least, I guess he didn’t bring that up.”

“His Majesty just gave me full authority to investigate the Bailey and Reynolds families.”

Henry’s eyes widened at Eric’s words. He asked in an excited voice:

“T-Then you can take things in the direction you want, right?”

“First, arrest the head of the guards. There’s no time. If they find out, the Empress Dowager and the Count will try to interfere.”

“Yes, I’ll send the royal guards to Cecil right away. Then…”

“Why are you hesitating?”

“H-How should we deal with the Bailey family…?”

Henry asked in a worried voice, hesitating to ask what had been weighing on his mind.

Eric’s eyes grew heavier. As he slowly blinked, his cold gaze locked onto Henry.

“Arrest them. His Majesty ordered the arrest of the Countess, the head of the family, and all the servants.”

“Are you really okay with this?”

Henry’s face darkened with concern. Eric clenched his jaw and muttered:

“I have to end this myself. If that’s the only way.”

“I’ll follow your orders, Captain.”

Henry couldn’t say anything more and bowed his head. Eric, lost in thought, quietly clenched his fist.

This was something only he could solve. Something he had to finish himself.

On the back of his hand, blue veins began to rise firmly.

In the early dawn, under the dim light, Edward sat comfortably at a table, leaning on a candle while receiving a knight’s report.

“So, you’re not saying that both Eric and Aria got away, are you?”

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Damn it! I said this couldn’t go wrong! And you let them escape?!”

Edward couldn’t hold back his anger and stood up. The knight, watching his master’s expression, spoke carefully.

“Something unexpected happened. They were caught by the imperial guards while trying to detour through Brochter Port.”

“Brochter?”

“They went there because the gates of Cruz Castle were closed.”

“That bastard Eric…”

Edward muttered quietly, his eyes turning sharp.

“They must have headed to the imperial palace. Aria too.”

“What should we do now?”

“Find out everything happening in the palace. I want to know exactly what that bastard is telling the emperor.”

“As you command.”

The knight bowed deeply and left the room.

Edward hadn’t slept a wink since the incident. His face looked especially worn out.

Exhausted, Edward closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. His father’s death, Eric’s trap, and even Aria’s escape…

“Damn…”

He had never felt this powerless—or so ashamed of himself.

Despite his mother’s expectations, he just wanted to give up being the head of the family.

His tired gaze turned to the stack of papers on the table.

They were waiting only for his seal. His green eyes wandered over them for a while.

“That bastard… what is he trying to do with the family seal?”

He had handed it over without thinking. After that, he couldn’t make any decisions about the business and just had to wait.

Waiting like a fool for someone who would never return.

“You’ll have to give me the family seal as well. We need to re-sign the contract before His Majesty changes his mind again.”

He had been tricked by that smooth-talking snake. Thinking of that day, a bitter laugh escaped Edward’s stiff lips.

“I was so stupid…”

He should have done something to stop Aria from escaping.

Even if it meant locking her in a dungeon. Even if he had to brand her body to make her his.

He shouldn’t have given her time to change her mind. He should have used the family’s power to force her.

“Aria… how could you…”

There had been so many emotions in her eyes when she looked at him. The most unbearable one had been the pity in her brown eyes.

Her big eyes were all he could think of. He clenched his hand tightly again.

He could still feel her—he hadn’t truly let her go.

Trying to shake off his foolish thoughts, Edward stood from his chair.

He pulled back the curtains and looked up at the sky. Clouds were gathering out of nowhere, darkening the once-clear sky. Just like the uncertainty surrounding everything now.

“Even the weather’s a mess. Tch.”

In a foul mood, he poured himself some wine and drank it all at once.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Without turning his head, Edward answered in a cold voice.

A maid rushed in urgently.

Turning slightly, his gaze fell on her pale face.

“Count, something terrible has happened!”

“What are you talking about?”

Edward frowned. The maid began to stammer.

“T-The castle gates… the knights and imperial guards are facing off!”

“Imperial guards? Why are they here?!”

“I’m not sure… but there’s an arrest order from His Majesty for you, the Countess, and all the servants!”

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