In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 42

While chatting with the young ladies in the room, Isabella occasionally glanced up at the wall clock.

She was trying to make use of the brief time while Edward had gone to the main building.

‘He should be back by now…’

Just as she bit her lip, a woman she had never seen before stood before her. Isabella carefully examined the stranger.

The woman, with a cute face and wearing a pink dress with exotic patterns, greeted her.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Cecil. I’m Sierra Stuart, the eldest daughter of Grand Duke Charles Stuart. Thank you for the invitation.”

The moment she saw Sierra, Isabella recalled Count Cecil’s request from the night before to look after the Grand Duke’s daughter. Isabella quickly rose from her seat.

“Oh my, I’ve heard about you from my father. He said the Grand Duke’s daughter was stunningly beautiful, and seeing you in person, you truly are dazzling, Lady Stuart.”

“You flatter me. I’ve also heard many things about you, Lady Cecil. You’re just as beautiful as they say.”

“Hehe, I’ll gladly accept that compliment. Please, come sit here.”

Linking arms with Sierra, Isabella introduced her to the other young ladies.

“This is Lady Sierra Stuart, eldest daughter of Grand Duke Charles Stuart from the Kingdom of Atil. She is a distinguished guest, so let’s all give her a warm welcome.”

“Nice to meet you, Lady Stuart. Let’s get along well.”

“Wow, from the Kingdom of Atil! We only know the Empire, so we’re very curious about your country. If you don’t mind, could we ask a few questions?”

At the ladies’ interest, Sierra smiled brightly.

“Of course. Thank you for welcoming me so kindly. Ask me anything. I’ll answer sincerely to the best of my knowledge.”

Soon, Sierra was surrounded by the young ladies, their eyes sparkling with curiosity as they listened to her speak.

Isabella observed her closely. With her innocent, youthful face, Sierra looked like a fragile flower someone easily manipulated.

‘She’s even greener than I thought. Father worried for nothing. A girl like that is easy to handle.’

A faint smile crept onto Isabella’s lips as she watched Sierra.

One of the young ladies, after chatting for a while, asked Sierra cautiously:

“I heard there are many handsome men in the Kingdom of Atil. It’s my dream to meet one of them. Hehe.”

“Oh, it’s not really like that. There are many fine and dashing gentlemen here in the Empire too. Even at this party…”

Unintentionally, Sierra’s eyes drifted outside. There stood Eric, sipping wine, clearly bored with the event.

As Sierra looked at Eric, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

Even his cold attitude toward approaching young ladies had found a place in her heart.

Following Sierra’s gaze, the other ladies also looked outside. When they saw Eric, they couldn’t contain their excitement.

“Oh my! Isn’t that the second son of the Bailey family we saw at Lady Cecil’s engagement party? What is he doing here…”

“Huh? Where? Oh my, he was handsome then, but today he’s even more dashing. I heard from my father that he earned the Emperor’s trust and was appointed head of the Imperial Guard.”

“All the Bailey sons are attractive in their own ways.”

“Exactly. Maybe I should ask him to dance before anyone else does.”

“No way. I’ve already got my eyes on him. Hehe!”

As the girls fanned their blushing cheeks, Isabella’s expression began to stiffen. The young ladies leaned in and whispered secretly to her.

“Lady Cecil, please tell your husband something for us. We’d love to have a chance to talk to his younger brother. What do the other ladies think?”

“Oh! That sounds wonderful.”

“I know a lovely café. Let’s go there.”

Isabella raised one eyebrow and calmly set her wine glass on the table.

She feigned discomfort at their stares.

“It’s not hard to arrange a meeting, but haven’t you heard the rumors? I’m just worried it might lead to an awkward situation.”

“What rumors?”

“Well… this is just between us ladies…”

Isabella lowered her voice, glancing around first.

“Sir Eric is an illegitimate child. He was born while the Earl of Bailey was away on the frontier… the result of an affair with a maid…”

“R-Really?!”

“Oh my!”

The ladies went pale. Sierra, however, was already well aware of this.

Grand Duke Charles had learned of it from Emperor Carlos, but it seemed the Grand Duke admired even this flaw in Eric.

“No man is without a flaw. Even an eagle in the sky must often break its beak on stone to make it stronger. Only those who endure pain can become rulers of the sky. I saw that in him—not just His Majesty, but I, too. A wild stallion, untamed. That’s what defines him.”

Recalling the Grand Duke’s words, Sierra lifted her gaze to Isabella and fixed her with a stare.

It was a silent plea to stop talking—but Isabella, oblivious, went on.

“He’s competent, yes, but still just a bastard. It seems Sir Eric tries very hard to hide that fact. It’s quite unfortunate.”

“I had no idea. My mother never mentioned it either. The Countess must have hidden it thoroughly.”

“I debated whether to mention it, but… origins must be clear. And recently, there’s been an unsavory incident.”

“What do you mean, unsavory?”

Isabella hesitated, as if reluctant, but continued under the curious stares.

“A scandalous affair with a maid.”

“Oh my!”

“He’s much worse than I imagined. How could he!”

“How could someone so shameless attend a party like this? Is he trying to ruin the Bailey family’s reputation?”

Isabella sighed.

“There was no helping it. Still, he’s the second son of the Bailey family. I suppose my father took that into account when he invited him.”

“Lady Cecil, your thoughtfulness is admirable. Truly, the young ladies of society should learn from you. It must have been hard for you, yet your courage is so inspiring!”

The ladies looked at Isabella with admiration.

They seemed in awe of her ability to separate public from private matters.

Seeing their expressions, Isabella had to press her lips together to hide the smile that kept forming.

Just as she was about to sip from the wine the servant poured, she froze.

In front of her stood Aria—wearing the dress she had sent. Her sharp gaze was fixed on Isabella.

Aria stood trembling, clutching the dress tightly.

After Eric left for Cecil Manor, Aria had been tidying his room when she was told one of Isabella’s maids had come looking for her. She went down to the first floor.

There stood the maid, arms full of dresses. She handed Aria a letter from her mistress.

[Aria, please don’t take this letter the wrong way. I’m sorry about what happened before. I was a little jealous of you and Edward, and I think I misunderstood your loyalty.

The reason I’m writing is to ask if you’d be willing to serve as my personal maid for the party today. I also want to apologize to you sincerely—and show everyone how close the Bailey and Cecil families are.

If you’re willing to accept with a glad heart, I hope you’ll wear the dress I’ve sent with this letter.]

Aria’s heart was conflicted after reading Isabella’s handwriting. She let out a deep sigh.

The letter was simple, yet it filled her with unease.

There was a time when Isabella had been the kindest person to her too generous to even call a friend.

Like sunshine, her gaze had once been warm and bright.

But now, Aria could no longer be sure of that warmth.

Still, refusing her request wasn’t easy. How could a mere maid reject a noble lady’s offer?

With a complicated expression, Aria stared down at the dress in her hands.

She couldn’t let her relationship with Isabella end like this. If things were to get better, she had to try again believe again.

Eventually, Aria nodded to the maid in front of her, hoping her relationship with Isabella could improve.

And praying it would help everyone.

Wearing the dress Isabella had sent, Aria boarded the carriage and arrived at the party. As she was guided to the room, every glance made her shrink slightly.

Then, standing in front of the room, she overheard something that made her doubt her ears.

No it couldn’t be. All the desperate hopes she’d held onto before coming were crushed in an instant.

There was sorrow in Aria’s eyes as she stared at Isabella.

If only she could even feel resentment. But she just felt sorry that Isabella was so desperate to win over Edward, even if it meant stooping this low.

In the end, she and Eric were obstacles to Edward. She knew Edward’s care for her was unwavering too strong to change.

But she couldn’t just let Isabella continue like this.

She couldn’t let her spread lies about Eric. Not as his maid, and not as someone who loved him.

Glancing around, Isabella raised her voice brightly, just as she had planned.

“Welcome!”

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