In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 45

The morning after the chaotic party. At the Robten mansion, in Sierra’s bedroom, the blue curtains still drawn blocked the bright sunlight from entering.

Sierra, still dressed in a white negligee, sat in front of a faintly flickering candle.

Reflected in the candlelight, her pupils sparkled unusually bright like glass beads.

Perhaps due to the events of the previous day, she had dismissed her maid early and spent a restless night.

She needed time alone. Her mind was completely consumed with thoughts of Eric.

“Did Sir Eric really… with that maid…? No, that can’t be. But still…”

Sierra recalled the look in Eric’s eyes when he looked at the maid.

The tenderness and obsession hidden behind his cool blue eyes—like a sharp blade—were things she had never seen when he looked at her.

She shook her head, trying to suppress the creeping unease within her. Though she needed to calm her fraying nerves, she was already exhausted.

Yet, she couldn’t stop her heart from being drawn to him. All she could remember was Eric’s faint, lingering smile.

She feared that the joy he brought her was being overshadowed by worry, but still, she wanted to be with him.

She didn’t know if this feeling was mere curiosity or love.

Just then, as she was lost in thought, a knock came from the door.

“Sierra, are you awake? May I come in for a moment?”

“Yes, Father. Please come in.”

Archduke Charles entered in a light shirt, a gentle smile on his face shadowed by concern. It seemed he had heard about the previous night’s events through the butler. Surveying the dim room, the archduke furrowed his brow.

“Hmm. I see you haven’t opened the curtains. You must have a lot on your mind. I heard about what happened yesterday. Apparently, there are unpleasant rumors about Sir Eric. And you apparently you raised your voice at the party.”

“That was Lady Cecil’s scheme, Father. She plotted to drive Sir Eric out of the Bailey house for good. I only spoke up because I couldn’t stand by and watch.”

“Is that so? But still… Lady Cecil…”

“She’s nothing more than a pathetic woman blinded by jealousy over a maid. She tried to cover it all up by smearing Sir Eric’s name. After this, her reputation will change.”

At Sierra’s firm tone, the archduke’s expression grew complicated. She raised her voice slightly, trying to reinforce her point.

“After seeing him again, I realized Sir Eric is truly an impressive man. I used to think he was only cold, but there’s a hidden warmth in the faint smile he shows me. That’s what makes him so appealing.”

“Hm…”

“Seeing him reminded me of what you once said, Father. A wild horse untamed and fierce. That’s why he’s even more irresistible.”

As his daughter’s cheeks flushed red, a glint appeared in the archduke’s eyes. When Sierra spoke of Eric, a glimmer of love shone in her clear, glassy eyes. Not once had she ever defended another man in front of him. Her change in demeanor was surprising.

So that’s why she raised her voice at the party. My usually quiet daughter…

He feared that opposing Eric too strongly might shut the door she had only just begun to open.

Of course, he hadn’t paid much attention to the rumors surrounding Eric either. Rumors, after all, were often tools to bring down those in higher positions.

As he watched Sierra, more serious than ever before, the archduke’s eyes deepened. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke.

“In my recent conversations with Sir Eric, I didn’t get the impression he was a bad person. But we still don’t know whether what happened at the party will benefit or harm us. Any rumor could damage the Empire’s impression of us.”

“Father, but…!”

“I understand what you’re saying. I’ll be sure to warn Count Cecil. I’m sure he’s already furious over Lady Cecil’s reckless actions. Don’t worry about rumors concerning Sir Eric.”

Sierra’s eyes lit up again at the archduke’s willingness to support her. He smiled gently in response.

“Soon, I’ll send a letter to the Bailey house and invite Sir Eric for dinner. I don’t want to miss out on a fine young man like him. For your sake, too.”

As the archduke chuckled softly, Sierra, who had been tense, began to relax.

Eric’s eyes when he looked at the maid still gnawed at her, but she shook her head, brushing the thought away. Soon, a bright smile spread across her face.

“Why hasn’t there been any word? Don’t tell me they’re still not back?”

The maid’s hand trembled as she set down the tea tray in front of Edward, who was bristling with impatience. Her eyes stayed low, trying to read his mood.

“W-well, since the party, Master Eric hasn’t returned yet…”

“And Aria isn’t back either?!”

Startled by Edward’s sharp tone, the maid flinched. His green eyes, filled with tension, were unfocused and erratic.

She nodded silently. A dry laugh escaped Edward’s lips. At the party that night, Eric had left with Aria. There had been plenty of time for them to return the night before but they still hadn’t come back.

A growing sense of unease had kept Edward awake all night.

He wanted to ask Aria so many things. Had Isabella really tormented her?

Was that why she had fled the tailor’s room that day?

“But even if I asked, what could I do?”

He shook his head. Even if Aria confirmed it, there was no changing Isabella’s twisted heart. And Aria would never want to be his maid again.

Edward knew he had to choose between the two. A choice he had long postponed.

He closed his eyes. In the darkness, Isabella’s venomous glare surfaced in his mind.

“You hypocrite! Don’t lie to me! Tell the truth. If you love Aria, why did you propose to me? You always saw me as nothing more than a substitute for her!”

Love Aria? To Edward, she was someone who had always been there. The only person who had shared his pain and joy.

Someone who should always remain by his side. Someone who was nothing without him. But… was that love?

If love meant wanting to share joy and happiness, then perhaps what he felt for Aria was love.

Tormented by thoughts he once brushed aside, Edward furrowed his brow.

Just then, a loud noise rang out from the quiet garden.

Neigh—!

It was a horse’s cry. Edward’s eyes turned to the window.

A white horse bearing two riders stopped in front of the annex. In its saddle sat Aria, her small face now visible in Edward’s cold gaze.

Eric dismounted first, then reached up and held Aria by the waist to help her down. Edward’s face twisted with fury.

Aria, in a white underdress and Eric’s coat he had never seen her like this before.

He tried to shake it off. Told himself it was nothing. But he couldn’t tear his eyes away.

The affectionate sight of the two froze him in place, his body betraying his rational mind.

“You dare… with my Aria…”

Muttering hollowly, Edward leapt to his feet, fists clenched tightly, and stormed outside his eyes locked on the annex.

In Eric’s bedroom, the curtains were thrown open. Warm sunlight streamed in, but an awkward silence hung between the two of them.

Since the moment Aria had groggily opened her eyes to birdsong that morning, neither had said a word.

Aria stole a glance at Eric, who was perched casually on the desk. She quickly lowered her gaze it had been she who had wanted him the night before.

She silently scolded herself for her impulsive, instinctive actions.

“So embarrassing. I hope he doesn’t think I’m easy because of this… No, even if he does, it’s too late to undo anything now.”

Aria’s face turned crimson. Noticing this, Eric’s lips curved slightly.

He stepped closer to her, his light footsteps carrying a heavy presence.

“I’m curious… Are you still afraid of me?”

At his question, Aria’s head snapped up.

“Of course not. I’m afraid you’ll leave me.”

Her eyes pleaded silently, and Eric smiled lazily as he watched her furrowed brow.

“Then I’m glad.”

Murmuring softly, he leaned in. In an instant, his lips claimed hers. Their soft touch parted hers, invading her completely.

There was no time for Aria to gather her thoughts.

Wrapped in Eric’s arms, his hands gently cradling her jaw and waist, she closed her eyes.

This was his way his own ritual of comfort. A vow of sorts to soothe her fears in their newly begun love.

As she followed his unfamiliar breath, Aria let out a quiet sigh of her own.

At that moment, the door burst open.

“Aria…!”

Startled, Aria looked up only to see Edward standing in the doorway.

It had all happened in an instant.

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