In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 36

Not far from the palace. Crossing the bridge adorned with various sculptures, you will see the Robten Mansion.

The morning at the mansion was busy from early on. Because the servants preparing breakfast were in a frenzy.

In the large dining room, the roses in the vase were releasing their fragrance as if announcing their presence. Delicious-looking dishes were placed on the table, separated by the vase in the center.

At the table, Duke Charles Stuart and his eldest daughter, Sierra, were sitting across from each other.

Sierra Stuart picked up a spoon and tasted the stew first. It was the nostalgic taste of the food from the Atil Kingdom.

The Grand Duke sitting across from her smiled at her and asked.

“I specifically asked them to prepare the stew you used to enjoy. I don’t know if it suits your taste.

“It’s the taste I’ve been missing. Thank you, Father.

Phew. That’s a relief. I was worried because it seemed like you haven’t been eating at all lately. Your face has gotten so thin in just a few days. Try to adapt even if it’s uncomfortable until we return to the kingdom. It is a mansion that His Majesty the Emperor has specially tailored for the kingdom, so there shouldn’t be any major inconveniences.”

“Yes, don’t worry.”

Sierra smiled and nodded. When the Grand Duke gave a nod to the chef, a warm steak was soon placed in front of her.

Sierra, holding a fork, glanced at the Grand Duke and asked.

“When do you plan to return to your home country?”

“Well, I don’t know. Soon, Count Cecil is throwing a grand party to celebrate the success of his business deal, and I plan to attend that and then head back.

“Oh my. It’s such a delightful story, really…

Sierra’s gaze, trailing off at the end of her words, settled on the plate in front of her.

She froze in place, holding the fork in her hand, lost in a sudden thought.

‘At this rate, it will be difficult to see that person again….’

Since her last visit to the palace, Sierra’s mind had been filled with thoughts of a man.

The path to the Empress’s Palace under his escort felt like a fleeting moment.

A man who keeps catching my eye. When I caught a glimpse of those blue irises peeking through his jet-black hair, my face would unknowingly grow hot.

Could this be the feeling of love that the maids used to talk about so often?

There isn’t a woman who wouldn’t be captivated by the sight of a handsome man. The inexplicable fluttering has continued to tickle my heart until now.

As Sierra fell into silent contemplation, the Grand Duke, seeing her, put down the fork he had been holding.

“Sierra. You’ve been deep in thought lately. I suspect it started after you returned from the palace, am I right?

At the sound that broke her reverie, she looked up with startled eyes.  Sierra shook her head, contrary to her feelings.

“Oh, no….”

“To try to deceive this father.  You may deceive others, but don’t you know you can’t deceive your own father? Could it be because of that Imperial Guard Captain back then?  By any chance, is it because of that commander of the royal guard back then?”

“Oh my!”

Sierra urgently covered her mouth.  The Grand Duke then raised his voice brightly.

“You, who used to hate all the guys I introduced to you, have finally opened your heart to someone. It’s the most delightful news I’ve heard since coming to the empire. Yeah, did you get pretty close to that captain on your way to the Empress’s Palace?

“Oh, no.

“Then, didn’t you talk about anything?”

“Actually… they didn’t even take the time to share with me.”

“Hmm… It seems that the taciturn gentleman didn’t even bother to speak to you.”

At Sierra’s dejected appearance, the Grand Duke’s eyes narrowed.

In fact, seeing someone I had only heard rumors about in person made me feel the same desire towards him as my daughter did.

A sculpted face, a robust physique, the ability to capture the emperor’s heart at once, and a taciturn personality. There wasn’t a single thing that didn’t please my heart.

Since that day, the Grand Duke sent a letter to the Imperial Guard. It was to invite Eric to the hunting tournament that would be held a few days later.

After naturally getting close to Eric through hunting, I was planning to invite him to dinner with Sierra soon.

However, his ambitious dream could not be realized. Unfortunately, it was because Eric had gone back to Bailey Street in the meantime.

I thought it wasn’t meant to be and tried to give up on my feelings. Just thinking of them as one of the people who pass by.

The Grand Duke’s eyes, which had been thinking of Eric, began to shine ominously once again. He smiled gently at my daughter.

“Don’t worry. Eric, the deputy commander, will also be invited to the upcoming party hosted by Count Cecil.

“Oh my, how is that person?

“I heard that the Countess Cecil’s daughter is marrying the eldest son of the Eric Commander family.  Then, those from that family will also be invited to Count Cecil’s party.  Naturally, it’s an opportunity to see the captain again.

Sierra’s eyes sparkled for a moment.  But for some reason, her gaze became sorrowful again.

“He’s such a taciturn person, so he might not come to a party like that.”

“Just in case, I’ll make sure to ask Count Cecil to definitely invite the commander.  The count, who owes me a great debt for this business matter, would surely be happy to oblige such a request, wouldn’t he?

“Shall we?  If I meet that person again…

Sierra’s cheeks turned red as she thought of Eric.  A refreshing smile appeared on the Grand Duke’s lips as he looked at his daughter.

“Sierra, what’s the worry?  There were no knights in the kingdom who didn’t admire you.  No matter how emotionless a person may be, they will melt in front of you, so don’t even think about it.”

“Father, such words are embarrassing.”

“My proud daughter, don’t be intimidated.  No one is worthy of you.

At the sight of her father looking at her with a pleased gaze, a shy smile once again blossomed on Sierra’s lips.

An afternoon when the curtains flutter gently in the breeze coming through the wide-open window. Light streamed brightly through the window, illuminating Bailey’s study in the annex.

There were various desserts and fragrant wine prepared on the table, but Eric was flipping through the book in his hands without giving it a glance.

The quiet stillness continued.

At Eric’s command, Aria, who had been sitting in the chair across from him reading a book, slowly lifted her head. Eric was imprinted on Aria’s retina.

Despite his light shirt and tousled hair blowing in all directions, Eric still shone.

Since Eric returned from the palace, Aria’s emptiness has gradually been filled.

Even though the master’s absence was an unparalleled happy vacation for the maid, it was a series of anxious days for Aria.

The stinging gazes from those around and the continuous persecution. Eric’s presence, which alleviated that burden, was as reassuring as a steadfast pine tree.

“Just stay like this for a moment.”

Could it be because of the lingering feelings from the previous day? Suddenly, he remembered Eric, who had fallen asleep leaning on him.

His way of finding solace in himself just seemed pitiful and sad.

As his pheromone scent brushed against the tip of my nose, my face turned red without me even realizing it.

I didn’t want Eric to see me like that, so I turned my head away for a while.

My heart felt like it was malfunctioning, and whenever I looked at him beside me, it felt like my heart sank.

‘No way… it can’t be.’

Suddenly, she heard a voice in her ear as she was shaking her head.

“Why do they keep staring at me? Is there something on my face?

At Eric’s words that stirred her thoughts, Aria realized that she had been staring at his face for quite a while.

When the blue pupils, filled with ice, turned towards her, Aria was startled and quickly lowered her gaze to the book.

Eric, perhaps feeling a small sense of stubbornness from the way she avoided his gaze, put down the book and headed towards Aria.

He gently lifted and tilted Aria’s head. Then, a mischievous face began to clearly appear in her line of sight.

“If there’s something on your face, I would wipe it off for you. If the master becomes a laughingstock among the maids, wouldn’t that be quite troublesome?”

Aria, to avoid revealing her wavering heart, did not look away and stared at him clearly. As a result, Aria’s brown pupils fully met Eric’s gaze.

Aria hesitated for a moment before reaching out to touch his cheek.

To at least pretend to try to take something that doesn’t even exist.

My fingertips started to tremble. I was anxious that my small heart would be exposed. It would have been better to be lost in a book.

“I guess I shouldn’t make such requests in the future. I might end up wanting you again if I’m not careful.

His blue eyes gaze calmly at Aria.  Thinking that she might kiss Eric again, Aria’s face turned even redder.

It was then.  The book that was on my lap fell to the floor with a thud.

Aria, who was at a loss about where to put her eyes, hurriedly withdrew her hand.

So Eric picked up the book that had fallen on the floor for her.

“The Etiquette Book for Young Ladies…Did such a book even exist?”

Eric’s eyes narrowed slightly. Aria just fidgeted with her hands.

Becoming a socialite and living confidently. Because it was something she had always dreamed of and desired.

Aria took out a note and started to make a desperate excuse.

It’s a newly released book. Knowing the customs of young ladies is a basic quality for a maid, so I was reading it.

With his eyes slightly squinted as he stared at the book, Eric asked Aria with a peculiar gaze.

“Have you ever thought that it was unfair, even once? Those young ladies were born into prestigious families, lived a life of luxury, got married, and are now enjoying another happiness.

At the first question she had ever heard, Aria’s pupils momentarily wavered.

If the Reynolds family hadn’t collapsed so utterly, the brilliant life they would have led.

Aria’s eyes, deep in thought, fell sorrowfully.

“If you were to become…”If you weren’t a maid, but the daughter of a prestigious family.

Eric, who had been gazing at her, suddenly asked.

“What do you want to do first?”

If I were to become the heiress of the Reynolds family, the first thing I would want to do.

Aria wrote it down without hesitation. Imagining things that could never come true.

I want to go to cafes with my family and take leisurely walks, just like the people on the street.

A smile escaped from Eric’s lips as he looked at the note.

“Such a modest wish.

Eric, having put down the note, grabbed Aria’s wrist and pulled her. As if ready to leave at any moment.

“Today, I’ll make you the happiest lady.”

At those words, Aria’s eyes widened in surprise.

Support In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You