In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 106

It was Oliver Marlborough, the commander of the Imperial Guard, his face flushed with anger.

As he walked down the stairs, Oliver shot a sideways glance at the guard captain. The more he looked, the more grim his expression became at the man’s disheveled appearance.

In a hurry, Oliver stepped in front of Eric.

“What are you doing here right now?”

Though his face was lined with age, his eyes were still sharp and full of venom.

“When someone is arrested, shouldn’t you report to me first? Where do I even begin teaching you? You insolent fool.”

“Commander, you’re here. Please forgive me for not informing you sooner.”

Eric quickly stood up and bowed. Watching him, Oliver clicked his tongue in disbelief.

“Hand over the criminal to me immediately. I’ll take over from here.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t follow that order. His Majesty granted me full authority in this matter.”

“By His Majesty, do you mean the Emperor? I came here under the Empress Dowager’s direct command!”

Oliver ground his teeth as he glared at Eric. After running off from the palace on his own, he now returned as if nothing had happened, trying to reclaim his old post.

Staring at Eric with clear disapproval, Oliver raised his chin arrogantly and looked down at him.

“You know very well what happens when you fall out of favor with the Empress Dowager.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“What do I mean? Are you questioning me now?”

Even under Oliver’s fierce glare, Eric calmly returned his gaze, a crooked smile playing on his lips.

It was the same mocking smile Eric always wore when taunting someone.

“Ah, are you referring to the Empress Dowager’s secret funds that support the Guard’s finances? Or perhaps the land you’ve expanded using that money…?”

“Shut your mouth! Are you threatening me right now?”

“Threatening? Of course not. I wouldn’t dare.”

As that same twisted smile spread on Eric’s lips, Oliver’s face turned even redder.

When Eric took a step closer, Oliver flinched instinctively. Eric leaned in and whispered in his ear.

“There’s something you don’t know, Commander. Why do you think His Majesty took such a risky action?”

“What?”

“The power dynamics in the palace are about to change. If you want to keep your position, it would be best for you to leave now. If you don’t interfere further, I will remain loyal to you.”

Oliver’s gaze grew colder at Eric’s calm tone.

But he had no way of knowing what card Eric held.

It was true he came here by the Empress Dowager’s orders, but he didn’t yet understand the full situation.

If he provoked Eric now, he might fall out of favor with the Emperor.

Worse still, if word about the Guard’s financial documents reached the Emperor’s ears, even his current position might be at risk.

The captain muttered bitterly.

“You say you have the Emperor’s authority, so I’ll back off for now. But remember this—I’ll be watching your every move.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Oliver glared at Eric once more before turning and leaving.

A knight, who had quietly been watching the two, finally let out a breath when the door shut.

“Whew. That snake of a commander must’ve really gotten orders from the Empress Dowager. The way he fled, afraid his tail might be caught—how ridiculous.”

“Since the Empress Dowager is involved, we need to finish this quickly.”

“There’s something I want to ask. Do you really think His Majesty can win against the Empress Dowager?”

As the knight asked with a worried look, Eric replied with a blank expression.

“This is a power struggle that won’t end until one of them loses. Even if they’re mother and son.”

Eric’s cold eyes turned toward the captain, who was still writhing in pain from his wounds.

“This is enough. Bring him in.”

“Yes, sir.”

The knight untied the ropes and, supporting the weakened man, led him into the cell.

Watching this, Eric wiped the blood from his face and pushed back his disheveled hair.

He picked up his uniform draped over the table, slung it over his arm, and walked out.

“Your Majesty, may I come in?”

An aide entered Emperor Carlos’s office. Carlos was seated at his desk, gazing silently at the peaceful garden.

He had put off all his reports and was simply staring out the window, as if waiting for news from someone.

The aide cautiously approached the Emperor.

The soft sound of footsteps brought Carlos’s gaze toward him at last.

“What is it?”

“Your Majesty, Deputy Commander Eric has sent a message. The arrested man confessed to his crimes.”

The aide handed over the letter he was holding. Carlos read it in one go.

A moment later, his previously blank eyes lit up as if they had never been dull.

“As expected of Eric. This is why I like him.”

Laughing proudly, Carlos couldn’t hide his excitement as he stood up.

“Everything is ready now. Send a message to the Empress Dowager’s palace. I must see my mother.”

“I will carry out your command, Your Majesty.”

“Oh, wait.”

Carlos stopped the aide just before he left the room.

He looked at him and continued.

“Isn’t the young lady from House Reynolds currently being treated in the deputy commander’s office?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Bring her to me as soon as she leaves the Empress Dowager’s palace.”

“Yes, I will send a maid.”

“Tell no one. Quietly. Do you understand?”

“I will bring her discreetly.”

With a soft smile, the aide bowed and left.

Once he was gone, Carlos’s eyes moved slowly back toward the garden.

Arms crossed, he stood by the window, trying to calm his emotions. His face, shadowed in thought, revealed a deep conflict.

He was certain Eric would not change his mind.

A man who showed no emotion at all—yet the word “love” had come from his lips.

Was it foolish to think it was just a fleeting spark? No matter how tightly he held on, Eric’s heart kept slipping away.

A loyal soldier who had fought beside him through countless wars. Carlos recalled the first time he met Eric, that cold, detached face overlapping with the present.

Behind that scrawny, youthful face were eyes like a beast—blue and deep, filled with sorrow and desperation to survive.

Even Carlos’s guarded heart had been shaken.

Now, for the first time, Eric had revealed his feelings to him.

Carlos had thought he could coax or persuade him, but Eric’s will was stronger than expected. Like a tall, unshakable fortress.

What had changed that heart, once filled with vengeance?

“Eric and the fallen noble’s daughter…”

Carlos’s expression remained unreadable as he gazed silently at the palace grounds.

The grand and luxurious palace of the Orphen Empire.

Among them, the Empress Dowager’s Palace, built atop a bridge over a lake, was the most beautiful of all.

In the middle of a vast garden surrounded by sharp boxwood hedges stood a winged angel statue wearing a laurel crown, proudly showing off its owner’s dignity.

Passing by it, Emperor Carlos arrived at the Empress Dowager’s Palace and stepped down from his carriage, heading directly for the audience chamber.

Dark circles under his eyes suggested exhaustion, and there was no trace of warmth in his face at the thought of seeing his mother again after a long time.

While the Empress Dowager’s maid went to inform her of his arrival, Carlos quietly looked around the chamber.

On the ceiling was a painting of an angel in a chariot, and a portrait of the former emperor hung on one wall. Though he had visited only a few times, the room still held its grand atmosphere.

Soon, the Empress Dowager entered, having finished dressing up.

Without hesitation, her steps halted behind him. Carlos turned his head.

“It’s been quite some time, Your Majesty.”

In his eyes appeared his mother, dressed in a rich violet gown made of fine fabric, her fingers adorned with dazzling jewels.

Her golden hair was elegantly swept up beneath a tall crown. Beneath thick lashes, her reddish-golden eyes and sharp nose gave her a striking presence.

Though faint wrinkles marked her eyes, her beauty remained regal and elegant despite the passing years.

She softened her gaze as she looked at her son.

“Sit. You must have something to say.”

Her voice was gentle, but there was a roughness beneath it. Ignoring her guarded tone, Carlos sat at the table.

A maid brought in tea, breaking the tension between mother and son.

Carlos spoke first.

“You already know why I’m here. I heard Count Cecil visited this place.”

His low, firm voice fell calmly. The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow.

“Oh dear, Your Majesty. Did I teach you that way? I always told you—if you want to persuade someone, never reveal your true intentions first. Yet you’ve shown your card right away.”

Her sharp eyes moved from the tea to her son sitting across from her.

Carlos’s brow twitched slightly at her mocking tone.

She still had the same harsh, biting manner.

But he was no longer the boy who used to quietly accept her words.

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