In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 114

As Sierra stepped into the room, she found herself staring at Aria’s face without realizing it.

Maybe it was the beautiful dress and the elegant accessories, but everything about Aria looked different.

Even her previously dull brown hair and dry face now looked graceful and beautiful, like a sculpture made by a god.

“Miss Stuart, it’s been a while.”

At Aria’s greeting, Sierra quickly closed her slightly open mouth and managed to fix her expression.

“On my way to see His Majesty before returning home, I heard that Miss Reynolds was here. I hope you don’t mind my sudden visit. Would it be alright to have a cup of tea?”

“Of course.”

As the two spoke, Caitlyn, the maid, quietly stepped away to prepare the tea.

An awkward silence settled between them as they sat side by side at the table.

Soon, the maid returned with two teacups painted with roses, placed on a silver tray. She set one cup in front of each of them.

Sierra calmly lowered her gaze from Aria to the teacup.

“Jasmine tea. The scent is lovely.”

With a faint smile, Sierra picked up the teacup and took a small sip.

“His Majesty told me that Sir Eric and Miss Reynolds will soon be married. So, in the end, your love has come true. Just like you said.”

“I expected it. Sir Eric always kept his distance from me. He treated me very differently from how he treated you. Still, I can’t deny there’s a bit of bitterness left in my heart.”

As soon as Sierra finished speaking, a heavy silence filled the room.

When Aria lifted her eyes slightly, she noticed Sierra’s gaze trembling a little, and instinctively clasped her hands together.

“I didn’t realize it until His Majesty told me. That I had been shutting myself in, living like a fool in my own little world.”

Sierra gently gripped her dress, trying to steady her shaky voice.

“Even as everything changed, you never gave up. You stood firm through all the hardships. That alone proves your worth. In the end, I lost to you, cleanly and completely.”

Sierra gave a hollow laugh, her eyes softening. Aria looked at her calmly.

“Miss Stuart, you’re more beautiful and clever than any young lady I’ve met. You know how to show your worth. I could never compare to you.”

“My, such modest words, Miss Reynolds.”

“I only spoke honestly. I feel honored to have gotten to know you through this.”

“If you ever visit Orphen again, would you give me a chance to become closer friends with you?”

Aria smiled gently, trying to hide her awkwardness. Her smile bloomed like a flower, and Sierra looked down at the floor, not knowing why she couldn’t take her eyes off that radiant face.

In that moment, Sierra remembered the way Eric used to look at Aria.

That warm and gentle gaze. It gave both of them a quiet sense of comfort.

Why hadn’t she noticed? That their bond had been built on a strong trust that even time couldn’t break.

Hiding her sadness, Sierra slowly lifted her heavy eyelids and gave a faint smile.

She didn’t want her own sense of loss to drag down their bright future.

With a calm voice and graceful expression, she spoke.

“Of course. I hope that when I visit Orphen again, we can talk more and become good friends. Even if it may not be easy right now.”

“Just the offer means a lot to me.”

“No need to thank me. It’s only polite to return kindness.”

Sierra smiled with a maturity beyond her years.

“Since I’m returning to my homeland tomorrow, I won’t be able to attend your wedding. But I’ll pray with all my heart for blessings to come upon you and Sir Eric from above.”

As she looked at Aria, Sierra smiled even more brightly to hide the sadness in her eyes.

“I hope news of your happiness reaches the kingdom too.”

She bowed her head slightly and stood up.

Aria tried to follow her, but Sierra was already on her way out—her posture upright, her steps graceful.

When she finally reached the carriage, Sierra let her forced smile fade and let out a quiet sigh.

She tightly held her chest, trying to calm the bitter feelings rising inside her.

Seeing her pale face, her maid waiting nearby asked with concern.

“My lady, are you alright?”

“Huh…? Oh. Don’t worry about me.”

“Will you be seeing Sir Eric before we leave the palace? I thought it might be proper to say goodbye.”

“I’m not sure…”

As Sierra stood lost in thought, Eric’s image slowly appeared in her mind.

His sculpted face, tall and strong figure, impressive skills, and quiet nature.

Even with that brief thought, Sierra’s cheeks turned slightly pink.

“If someone chooses you, it’s not just out of loyalty. You’re one of the most charming and confident young ladies I’ve ever met.”

Eric’s words echoed in her ears, pulling her out of her thoughts. She spoke softly to her maid.

“No, it’s fine. He’s a busy man. Besides, my father must be waiting. We should focus on getting ready to return home…”

Trailing off, Sierra slowly pulled her gaze away from the direction of the palace guards and climbed into the carriage.

The quiet carriage soon began to shake as it rolled away. Even after it started moving, she couldn’t take her eyes off the place for a while.

“Sir Eric, I’ll have to lock away these feelings for you deep in my heart. If that’s what’s best for you…”

Sierra whispered to herself as she looked out the window.

Trying to erase his lingering image, she tightly shut her eyes, now growing cloudy with tears.

Round tables covered in white cloth, pink lisianthus flowers in the center. Neatly arranged plates and champagne glasses.

A wedding cake full of shiny little cherries. In front of it, the bride in a sparkling white dress.

Aria had her rich hair tied up high, with a long veil trimmed in gold.

While Eric stepped away briefly, many noble ladies gathered around her.

Aria greeted them politely, though clearly uncomfortable.

She had talked to so many people that her lips began trembling and almost cramped from smiling.

That was when Countess Hilton appeared beside her. Aria remembered her from the dress shop.

“Miss Reynolds—oh no, I suppose I should say Marchioness now. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

“Of course, my lady. Thank you for coming.”

Aria gave the brightest smile she could.

The countess was known for her gossip, so Aria lifted the corners of her lips as much as she could. Her face was starting to go numb.

“You’ve married the famously cold and stern Marquis. It must be wonderful to receive all of his love.”

“I’m grateful that he cares for someone like me.”

“Your love story has become the talk of the town. I hope you’ll share more at the next social gathering?”

“Yes, of course. There’s not much to tell, but if you’re curious, I’ll try.”

The countess didn’t seem pleased with Aria’s calm response and puckered her lips.

She glanced around the room and smirked.

“But really… For the only daughter of the Reynolds family to be getting married with no relatives present—it’s rather strange, don’t you think?”

At those words, Aria’s pupils wavered like a flickering candle. That was clearly meant as a mockery.

As she tried to suppress her rising embarrassment, a familiar voice came from behind.

“Countess Hilton, I see you made it.”

Everyone turned toward the voice. Eric stood there.

Wearing a tuxedo, Eric smiled faintly and stepped beside Aria. He gently wrapped an arm around her tightly corseted waist.

Aria’s body stiffened for a moment, but Eric didn’t seem to mind.

“We didn’t send you an invitation, yet you still came. How kind of you.”

“T-That’s…”

“I heard there have been some unpleasant rumors about Count Hilton lately. If you’re trying to win favor with His Majesty, perhaps you should try over there. People are lining up to greet him.”

“Marquis!”

Eric looked down at the reddening face of the countess with a calm expression.

But unlike his face, the hand on Aria’s waist clearly tightened.

“There’s no need to mock the once-fallen Reynolds family. Everyone knows the late Count Reynolds was an honest and loyal man.”

“T-That’s not what I meant…”

“And the woman standing here is now my wife—the Marchioness. Any insult to her is also an insult to me.”

As Eric’s gaze turned cold as ice, the countess awkwardly looked away.

Seeing her expression freeze, a faint smile appeared on Eric’s lips.

“Be more careful next time. Well then, I’ll leave you to it…”

The countess gave a small bow and hurried off, lifting her dress as she fled.

Now alone, Eric’s warm gaze landed on Aria.

“Just a little longer. As soon as the ceremony is over, we’ll head to the estate.”

“The estate… you mean the march?”

“Yes. A place just for us, with no one to get in the way.”

Eric looked into Aria’s eyes, and his lips curved into a soft smile.

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