In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 56

Sierra felt like her heart had been pierced more than a hundred times by Eric’s cruel honesty and his inability to hide his emotions.

In that moment, the memory of Eric’s gaze toward that maid flashed across her mind.

The gentle and warm look he had given her. It was a gaze that brought a strange sense of comfort between Eric and the maid.

She wanted to ask if he truly loved that maid. What part of her could have melted that icy heart of his?

But even before she could ask, all her suspicions and the circumstances already pointed to one thing Eric was in love with the maid.

Sierra let out a short sigh. She had received the attention of countless noblemen.

But now, she had no idea what words to say or what actions to take to win Eric’s heart. Everything seemed dark before her eyes.

Feeling chilled to the bone, she froze in place. She had to suppress her growing disappointment at Eric’s indifferent expression.

She forced a calm expression and spoke smoothly.

“This wasn’t an unexpected answer. Marrying me may seem like an opportunity to some, but to you, it might just be an act of loyalty to His Majesty and Count Bailey. Isn’t that right?”

“Still, I think it’s rude to reject me so bluntly after I’ve come such a long way. It could be seen as an insult to both my family and the Kingdom of Atil.”

“I didn’t mean it that way. If I offended you, please forgive me.”

Despite her young age, Sierra showed remarkable composure and confidence. Eric bowed slightly to apologize.

Only then did she soften her stern expression and offer a gentle smile, revealing her usual, graceful demeanor.

“For the sake of your honor and status, I hope you make a wise decision. Right now, my father is very fond of you, but people’s hearts can change at any time.”

Sierra looked up at Eric with bright eyes.

Those emotionless blue eyes hidden under dark hair. The only man who had sparked her curiosity.

She spoke softly.

“I’m very curious to see your face without that cold expression. Your faint smile is like the first spring sunlight to me. You have a charm that captures my eyes instantly.”

“I’ll be going now. If I stay too long, my father will worry. I hope our next meeting will be under happier, more pleasant circumstances.”

With a slight nod, Sierra walked past Eric. Just then, he turned his head slightly and looked straight at her.

“If someone chooses you, it wouldn’t be just out of loyalty. You are more charming and confident than any other noble lady I’ve met.”

At the sound of his voice behind her, she stopped walking without realizing it.

Moved by the sincerity in his serious and solemn tone, her pink eyes shimmered like candlelight.

Eric’s eyes softened as he looked down at her.

“Today’s events won’t diminish your worth. Please consider this as just forming a friendship with someone you can talk to.”

Sierra, hiding her pounding heart, smiled brightly instead of answering. Then, she walked gracefully out.

Once inside the carriage, she clutched her chest to calm her racing heart. Her own emotions whenever she faced Eric continued to surprise her.

She had thought of herself as fragile as a delicate flower, never imagining she could be this brave in showing her feelings.

A sculpted face, a strong build, excellent ability, and a quiet personality. Thinking of Eric made her cheeks blush like ripe peaches.

Just then, the coachman’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

“Miss, we must leave now. The road is dark, and we should hurry back.”

“Ah, yes… okay.”

At her flustered response, the quiet carriage began to rattle forward. Even as it moved, her eyes lingered on the Bailey residence.

“Friends, huh… Sir Eric, what am I supposed to do? As long as you exist, my feelings will always be drawn to you.”

Staring out the window, Sierra whispered to herself, her face filled with worry over this uncertain love.

Late at night, in the grand mansion of Baron Woburn of Bedford. Unlike the warm rooms comforted by fireplaces, the maids’ and servants’ quarters were cold and damp, the moisture rising from the floor.

Even there, Aria stayed in the small, shabby attic at the very top of the mansion.

The Baroness had ordered the newly hired servant to live there.

She had stayed in many rooms at the Bailey estate, but never one this cold and damp.

The air was not only musty but also filled with sharp, coastal winds that shook the thin wooden boards.

Rats squeaked and scurried constantly through the creaking floorboards. She tried to sleep under a single thin blanket on the narrow bed, but rest wouldn’t come.

Lying on the bed, Aria stared at the ceiling, faintly lit by the flickering candle.

When the wind blew the candle out, only darkness remained.

A single tear slid down her cheek as she stared at the mold on the roof.

And once again, Eric’s image filled her mind. His ocean-like eyes beneath thick black hair. The way he breathed when he cautiously looked at her. Everything felt so real.

He was too beautiful, too dazzling to even look at directly.

She had come here to forget him, yet not a single moment passed when she truly did.

“I have to forget. I really need to erase him…”

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to force him out of her mind. But the image of him, who had deeply carved into her heart, kept coming back.

Just then, a strange noise pulled her from her thoughts. Heavy footsteps creaked up the stairs and stopped at the thin wooden door.

Terrified, Aria stared only at the door she had barely managed to lock. She couldn’t move a muscle.

Then, a familiar and unpleasant voice echoed in her ears.

“Aria, are you awake?”

The voice, oozing with a creepy laugh, belonged to the owner of the mansion Baron Woburn.

He usually fell asleep early, so there was no reason for him to come up here now.

Nervously, Aria sat up and pulled back her blanket. She held her breath, frozen with tension.

When there was no answer, the Baron’s voice turned cold.

“I know you’re awake. Open this door.”

His voice, which had tried to coax her, now dropped with menace.

“Stop this and open the door. I have something to say. Do you need to be punished first? I said, open it…!”

Only the howling wind filled the silence between the two on either side of the door. As Aria remained quiet, the Baron lost patience and yanked the door roughly.

The weak lock began to rattle under the force. At any moment, the thin door could break open.

With trembling eyes, Aria stared at the door. Her back was pressed tight against the wall.

“He wouldn’t really…”

Her mind raced with the disturbing rumors the other servants had whispered.

“He came from another region, right? You better be careful. The master is… well, he’s got quite the appetite for women.”

Just like the rumors said, the Baron often looked at her with indecent eyes. That desire must’ve finally brought him here.

Quickly, Aria grabbed a nearby broom and gripped it tightly.

“There’s no need to shrink back. You didn’t do anything wrong. Sometimes you have to learn to be strong.”

She was scared to resist him, but Eric’s words came back to her like lightning.

That she had to rely on herself to survive now.

She bit her lip hard. She needed to be bold. No, she had to be fierce.

Just as she reached for the shaky door, another voice came from outside.

“Who’s there?!”

Someone’s shout echoed through the air, and the startled Baron quickly hurried back down the stairs.

As soon as his footsteps faded away, someone knocked on Aria’s door.

“A-Are you okay?”

It was the young maid who helped clean the Baroness’s bedroom. Aria quickly opened the door.

Seeing her pale face, the young maid sighed in relief.

“I kept hearing strange noises outside and woke up. I came to check, and thank goodness… That could’ve been really bad!”

Relieved, Aria finally relaxed her tense body, though her shoulders still trembled from lingering fear. The maid spoke carefully.

“I overheard the housekeeper talking with the Baroness earlier. I think the Baroness is going to Ruper Village tomorrow. That’s where her mother lives. She got a letter saying her health has worsened.”

She paused, glanced around cautiously, and whispered.

“That means the master will be here alone. I think you should stay with me in the farming shed for a few days. It’s run-down and old, but it’s safer than here.”

Aria hesitated, then slowly nodded.

It was the only way to avoid both the Baron’s approach and the Baroness’s suspicion.

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