In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 108

Top Floor of the Royal Guard Castle – Eric’s Bedroom

Aria slowly opened her eyes, squinting against the sunlight as she lay on a large bed.

She gazed toward the window where the curtains had been pulled aside.

Since Eric’s bedroom was at the very top of the Royal Guard’s castle, the entire palace could be seen at a glance.

How long had she stayed here? How much had she slept?

In her countless moments of drowsiness, Eric had always been there.

He would lie beside her as if nothing were unusual, gently brushing his nose against the nape of her neck before falling asleep.

Then, by morning, he would vanish without a trace—like a mirage.

Aria rolled herself in the blanket and sat up.

She was just recalling the feeling of his skin brushing her neck when—

“May I come in, Miss Reynolds?”

Someone knocked, responding to her movement inside, and entered the room.

It was a palace maid dressed in a dark blue gown with her hair neatly tied up.

She gave Aria a polite nod.

“I am Caitlin Percy, maid in service to His Majesty the Emperor. His Majesty wishes to see you. I’ve come to help you get ready.”

“H-His Majesty…?”

“Yes. I’ve brought some formal dresses appropriate for palace etiquette. Please try them on.”

Before Aria could even process the situation, the maid gave a subtle signal, and several other maids stepped in to lay out the clothes. Soon, the room was filled with dazzling garments.

Aria felt nothing but confusion at the thought of meeting the Emperor without Eric.

All she could do was tightly clutch the blanket wrapped around her.

One of the maids standing beside her urged her firmly.

“Please prepare yourself. His Majesty is waiting.”

As Aria hesitantly got to her feet, the maid looked her over and began holding up a few dresses to compare against her figure.

Aria accepted the red satin dress handed to her and changed.

The maid then carefully arranged Aria’s tousled hair into an elegant updo.

“This suits you well. Please take a look in the mirror.”

Aria walked to the mirror with an uneasy expression. She wasn’t ready to face her reflection.

She had only ever worn an old maid’s uniform. These clothes didn’t suit her at all.

She feared seeing a pathetic version of herself.

But as she hesitantly opened her eyes and looked into the mirror, she gasped before she could stop herself.

The reflection was no longer the same person she had known. Perhaps it was the fine dress and elaborate hairpiece, but everything about her looked different.

Even her once plain brown hair and dry face now looked elegant, like that of a noble lady.

In the mirror, the maid’s satisfied expression appeared.

“You seem ready. Please come with me. A carriage is waiting at the front of the castle.”

Riding in the carriage with the palace maid, Aria slowly turned her gaze to the window.

As they passed through the vast garden, a fresh breeze brushed her face. The air was crisp, and the weather that day was exceptionally pleasant.

After traveling through the seemingly endless gardens, the imperial palace finally came into view.

Through the window, she saw the grand silhouette of the palace, glowing in the backlight.

Red flags bearing the royal crest fluttered around the castle, and a statue of a god riding a chariot stood in the center, symbolizing royal blood and power.

Carlos—the Emperor who had survived countless battles to rise to the throne. A man said to have a gentle face but a cold heart.

Perhaps it was the sunlight falling on the spacious lawn, but despite the rumors, the imperial palace seemed to wear a soft expression.

“We’ve arrived, Miss Reynolds. Please step down.”

As the carriage door opened, the Imperial Guard stood in two lines to escort Aria.

She walked across the red carpet into the central hall.

The grand hall was elegant, with double-layered arches like a cathedral. At the end of the path, the maid came to a stop. Assistants and maids stood by the large chamber doors.

One of the Emperor’s aides smiled gently and bowed to her.

“This is the audience chamber of His Majesty the Emperor. He is waiting inside. Please enter.”

When the door opened, Emperor Carlos was seated at a table, dressed in a white uniform with a red cape.

“I am Aria Reynolds. I greet His Majesty, the Sun of the Empire.”

Aria offered a formal bow. As she lowered her gaze, she subtly looked up to glimpse the Emperor.

In that moment, she felt frozen in place.

The man smiling at her… had a beautiful and youthful face that didn’t suit the image of imperial authority at all.

With a high nose, sharp jawline, and broad shoulders adorned with golden decorations, he shone.

“Welcome, Miss Reynolds. Please, sit closer.”

Carlos nodded slightly, indicating the seat across from him.

Aria, though hesitant, took slow steps and sat.

As soon as she was seated, a maid came forward and served tea. The sweet scent of black tea quickly filled the room.

Though Carlos’s face showed no emotion, his eyes trembled slightly as they observed Aria.

Aria Reynolds…

Her appearance was very different from what he had expected.

Unlike common maids, Aria—being of noble birth—was beautiful and graceful.

With proper attire, she could easily be mistaken for a high-ranking lady of society.

Her pale skin, delicate features, and slender figure made her stand out more than any woman nearby.

Was it that beauty that bewitched Eric?

Eric had rejected marriage to Sierra Stuart, daughter of Grand Duke Charles Stuart and heiress to a massive fortune, and had chosen Aria instead.

The only woman ever named by a man who usually revealed no emotion or weakness.

That day, Eric had been unusually tense, afraid that the woman he loved might be harmed.

Perhaps that’s why Carlos now felt a spark of curiosity.

He wanted to know what lay beneath this unreadable woman’s calm expression.

Was she using Eric to regain her noble status—or was it a love so deep that not even an emperor could tear them apart?

He could only conclude one thing: no woman would refuse a tempting offer.

Carlos looked at Aria and curved his lips into a smile.

“I’ve already heard about you, Miss Reynolds. I was told you were badly injured. Are you recovering well?”

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s kindness, I’ve improved a lot. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“I’m glad.”

Nodding, Carlos gave her a probing look.

“You must know the imperial court is currently investigating the Reynolds family. I heard you had been serving as a maid in the Bailey household. That must’ve been a sad and difficult time.”

“I’m only grateful that the truth behind my father’s unjust death is being investigated.”

“I’ve heard Count Reynolds was a loyal and upright man. You had a fine father.”

“You honor me, Your Majesty.”

Aria gently smiled and set down her teacup, thankful for the words that upheld her family name.

Carlos raised his own cup, took a sip, then spoke again.

“Once the investigation is complete, the Reynolds family will regain all its former titles and positions—though it will, of course, require my approval.”

His voice was firm and clear. The certainty in his tone made Aria look up.

Only then did she realize how cold and sharp his gaze had become.

Aria’s face involuntarily grew stiff.

Carlos’s suspicious gaze toward her only sharpened.

“Eric and I have fought in many wars together. As you know, he once saved my life in a fierce battle. I consider him a trusted and close commander—someone I confide in fully.”

“That’s why I plan to arrange a marriage between Eric and Lady Sierra Stuart, daughter of Grand Duke Charles Stuart.”

Carlos watched her reaction closely. Aria’s pupils shook with surprise at the unexpected words.

She suddenly understood why the Emperor had summoned her.

This private meeting—it’s true purpose. A situation that felt both new and familiar.

She recalled the words of Count Dennis Bailey before his death:

“Eric is to marry a noble lady from a prestigious family. They like him there. For everything to go smoothly, he must avoid any scandals. You know what’s best for him, don’t you?”

Aria lifted her head. What could she possibly do in front of such a massive wall?

A heavy fear crept into her chest. Her cold fingers trembled slightly.

Carlos’s narrowed eyes stayed fixed on her.

“This marriage is also important for the unity of both nations. I plan to use this opportunity to raise Eric’s status. Some nobles still look down on his origins. But with the Grand Duke behind him, no one would dare touch him.”

“Eric stands at a critical crossroads. Even a small rumor could ruin his image among the nobles. That’s why his position must become even more secure.”

Every time Carlos mentioned Eric, his sharp gaze flickered with a unique intensity.

Sensing that, Aria’s lips stiffened.

He had made his stance clear. A fallen noblewoman would only be a burden to Eric’s future.

Her chest tightened. Her mind grew foggy.

Though sunlight streamed into the room, everything around her suddenly felt as cold as a winter wind.

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