In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 47

A Morning with the Cuckoo’s Chirp Eric sat on the edge of the table, with a vase of fragrant lilacs in the center. He was reading a letter handed to him by the butler.

It was from Count Dennis.

As Eric read down the letter, a slight frown formed on his forehead.

“There’s a problem with the new workshop?”

“It seems there’s a minor conflict between the new workshop and nearby farmers. Likely due to the noise from the air-blowing equipment. Farmers tend to be sensitive, and this could easily turn into an unpleasant rumor.”

“So, I’m the one who has to handle it.”

“Please understand the urgency. The Count had to attend a noble assembly that was called suddenly this morning, and someone needed to step in. Of course, the Count has full confidence in your ability, young master.”

The butler swallowed hard after speaking. His eyes, marked by time, skillfully gauged Eric’s reaction.

“In the end, the iron tools produced from the ironworks will be useful for the farmers too.”

Eric looked straight at the butler as he continued.

“If it’s a simple matter, I can take care of it quickly.”

“As expected of you, young master.”

“Don’t overdo the compliments. I understand. You may go now.”

“Yes, I’ll take my leave then.”

The butler bowed politely with a gentle smile. As he raised his head, his eyes moved from Eric to Aria, who was sitting nearby.

He gave her a brief glance before leaving. After he exited, Eric’s eyes lingered on the door for a moment, then shifted away.

“It probably doesn’t require me to go personally…”

The ironworks had been moved to the riverside, deep in the forest, thanks to a new air-blowing system powered by waterwheels. It was far from where the farmers lived.

Eric had already considered this aspect, so he wasn’t too worried. The tools produced had made farming easier for the locals, so complaints were unlikely.

Aria, watching the long-eyed Eric deep in thought, found herself smiling without realizing it.

His thoughtful expression looked more serious than usual and more dignified. It made his already handsome face stand out even more.

After a brief silence, Eric looked into Aria’s innocent eyes.

“I’ll be gone for a while. Stay in the room and rest.”

Aria nodded. Thanks to Eric, she had also grown used to the rumors surrounding her.

Rather than spending time with the maids who spread gossip, she preferred to quietly read in her room. Eric raised one eyebrow lazily and walked toward the wardrobe. As he took off his robe, his smooth back muscles were fully revealed.

Aria’s gaze instinctively followed his bare back.

His broad shoulders were nearly twice the width of an average man’s, with a slim waist and strong thighs just as she had seen back in the cabin.

When Eric’s eyes met hers in the mirror, Aria quickly looked down, afraid he might hear the pounding of her heart.

Seeing her flustered movements, the corner of Eric’s lips curled slightly.

“Once the business stabilizes, I plan to return to the Imperial Palace.”

Return to the palace? Aria looked up in surprise.

If he returned, would she never see him again? The fear crept in and gripped her chest tightly.

“What are you imagining now?”

Eric, now in a white shirt, furrowed his brow slightly. He seemed displeased by her gloomy expression.

He stopped in front of her less than a hand’s width away. Close enough to hear each other breathe.

Eric’s calm eyes didn’t leave hers. He spoke quietly.

“When I return to the palace, the first thing I’ll do is ask His Majesty to approve our marriage. You already belong to me, but I want to make it official without anyone interfering.”

At those words, Aria’s pupils began to shake uncontrollably.

Marriage? A dream she had never dared to imagine. She had to question if she had heard him right.

But looking into the blue eyes beneath his dark hair, she could feel the sincerity behind his words.

“Could I really be with him…?”

Aria felt afraid, overwhelmed. Seeing this, Eric gave a soft smile.

“What are you so afraid of? It’s natural for a man to want to protect what’s his. I don’t want to be seen as weak.”

He smiled gently and leaned in close to her nose.

“Once the wedding is over two days from now I’ll move forward with everything. Just wait for me until then. You can do that, right?”

Aria looked up into his eyes, trembling. His soft lips soon touched her surprised ones.

Saliva trickled down her slender neck, tangled from their kiss. Her stiff body and anxious mind instantly began to relax.

Eric’s lips then moved to her neck. Aria tilted her head back instinctively. His lips caressed her white, soft skin. A red mark bloomed like a flower, claiming her as his.

With his eyes narrowed, Eric looked at the mark and whispered sensually:

“Should I stop?”

The seductive question made Aria’s whole body tremble.

She wanted to say she wanted him right now but feared that giving in to such pleasure might derail his plans.

Barely regaining her senses, she quickly stepped back. Eric, however, wrapped an arm around her waist.

“I’ll stop for now. But even with just this, I feel like I’ll lose my mind.”

Eric gently held Aria in his arms and gave her one last kiss before letting her go. He couldn’t take his eyes off her for a while, then shook his head.

“I need to get a grip. Even in countless battles, I’ve never been this distracted.”

Eventually, Eric left the room with heavy steps. Aria quickly followed to see him off unaware that her face was redder than the roses in the garden.

As Eric on horseback faded into the distance, Aria suddenly sensed someone behind her. Turning around in confusion, she saw the butler standing there. His gaze on her grew intense.

Glancing around, the butler quietly called out to her.

“The Count wishes to speak with you. Come with me quietly.”

Aria’s eyes widened. Wasn’t this the same man who had said earlier the Count was attending an urgent meeting?

“I know what you’re thinking. The Count purposely sent Master Eric to the mining site to speak with you alone.”

Even as he explained, his eyes stayed sharp. And slowly, Aria began to understand.

There could be only one reason why Count Dennis would go so far to get Eric out of the way.

Aria had no choice but to follow the butler with heavy steps.

 “Aria, it’s been a while. Come, sit down.”

The morning sunlight softly filled the audience chamber in the Count’s main residence. A maid was busy placing tea in front of Count Dennis.

The Count, dressed in a neat suit, sat with a stern expression.

He gave the butler a look, who promptly left the room with the maid.

Only Aria and the Count remained in the silent room.

“I said, sit down.”

When Aria remained standing, the Count repeated himself. She sat across from him with a frozen expression.

The Count looked her over carefully.

“It’s been a while since we’ve spoken like this. Not since you first arrived here. You were just a child then, but now you’ve grown into a fine young woman.”

“I liked you for being sharp. You knew how to be content with little pay, and unlike others, you were good at reading your master’s mood. So I think you already know why I called you here.”

Aria knew well. The Count had never looked at her with kindness. His eyes now were colder than ever, and she lowered her gaze.

The Count continued in a heavy voice.

“I’ve entrusted Eric with the whole business. That means a lot to me. Some nobles don’t like his origins, but with the Emperor’s favor, they won’t dare touch him.”

“Eric stands at a critical turning point. Even a small rumor could ruin his reputation among the nobility. To change the tide, his position must become even stronger.”

When the Count spoke of Eric, his eyes glowed with warmth and a deep, fatherly affection. Aria could feel her whole body freezing.

The room suddenly felt like winter had come.

After a few coughs, the Count said what he had been thinking:

“I want you to leave this place. I’ll arrange a new residence for you. That would be best for both you and the Bailey family.”

Leave? A final notice disguised as kindness.

Aria looked up instinctively. His voice was calm, but his eyes were full of anger and contempt.

Was this her fate, in the end? Aria had no choice but to accept the cruel sentence laid before her.

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