In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 62

Bright red drops of blood dripped from Eric’s hand, cut by the sharp blade, and stained the floor. Aria’s gaze instinctively lingered on it.

But before she had time to worry, Eric suddenly pulled her close.

Startled at first, her body relaxed in his warm embrace, helplessly staying within it.

Eric held her even tighter, as if he didn’t want to let her go.

A familiar scent drifted from Aria’s hair as it fluttered in the breeze. The anxious feelings he’d held inside seemed to melt away.

Aria tightly shut her eyes. She knew she shouldn’t do this. She shouldn’t let herself fall into his arms again…

He was the one who taught her what love was. Even though she didn’t want to let him go, her hands pushed him away without mercy.

Because of that, Eric’s eyes immediately dropped to her. He quietly stared into Aria’s uneasy eyes.

He knew very well why she was so anxious.

In her eyes, the distant Bailey estate came into view. She probably didn’t have the courage to face Count Dennis again.

Eric had cut off the baron’s arm without hesitation. If the count found out it was to protect himself…

Her face, still turned toward the estate, already looked tired. Seeing that, Eric spoke in a cold tone.

“It really was your father who sent you there. Baron Bedford has ties with the Bailey family.”

“Don’t worry. That baron won’t be able to speak about his sins. No one can question me.”

But Aria’s heart still felt heavy. She feared she might once again become a burden to Eric’s future.

She only bit her lips and lowered her head deeply.

“Relax. You’re not going back to the Bailey family.”

Not going back? What did he mean by that?

Surprised, Aria lifted her head again. A small crack formed in Eric’s calm expression as he stood with his hands behind his back.

“I only came this way because we had to pass by here. I’m not taking you back to that suffocating place. So stop looking so anxious.”

At his words, Aria’s eyes closed tightly, then opened again. She had a feeling Eric was hiding something from her.

Her pupils trembled like candlelight. Eric spoke again, this time in a flat tone.

“We don’t have time to waste. At this rate, you won’t get to see the person you’ve been searching for.”

“Stop looking at me with those anxious eyes. You’ll understand soon enough.”

Eric tore his clothes and roughly wrapped his hand, then led Aria to where the horse was waiting.

He lifted her onto the saddle in one motion. Climbing up behind her, he pulled her into his arms and took the reins.

The horse, catching its breath, soon began running forward at its master’s command.

It crossed the sunset river and ran north.

There was silence between them, but Aria, who had been so anxious just moments ago, now felt oddly calm.

Maybe it was because Eric held her tightly around the waist to keep her from falling.

When she glanced to the side, she saw his arm tensed to keep her steady.

With nothing else she could do, Aria looked ahead again and simply accepted the cool breeze at their speed.

As evening darkened, the great forests and mountains were slowly swallowed by shadow.

While riding, Eric occasionally glanced at Aria’s back. Her stiff posture showed that she was still uneasy.

Bothered by it, he turned toward a village in the distance where dim lights flickered.

When they reached the inn, Eric quickly helped Aria down from the horse.

“Wait here for a moment.”

He entered the inn with those short words. After a brief exchange with the owner, he came back outside.

“We’ll stay here for the night. This trip’s too hard for a woman to endure all at once.”

Aria hesitated but had no choice. As he said, her back had been aching, and her injured leg was starting to sting.

She quietly followed behind him, as if agreeing.

The inn was shabby, located in a small village, but the facilities were enough. They passed the tavern on the first floor and climbed to the second.

The innkeeper led them to a room at the far end. Inside, there was a small desk, a chair, and one bed big enough for two.

As he placed a silver tray with a bottle and glasses on the desk, the innkeeper noticed Eric’s hand.

“You’re injured. Unfortunately, the local pharmacy is closed, so proper treatment might be difficult. There’s a small first-aid kit under the bed. Use it to at least treat the wound.”

When the innkeeper left, an awkward silence fell between them.

Eric lit the candle on the desk and sat in the chair. The dim room brightened a little.

The flickering candlelight lit up his blue eyes, hidden under his dark hair. He spoke in a flat tone.

“I’m fine here. So don’t worry about me. Just try to get some rest.”

When Aria stood blankly, her eyes darting around, Eric let out a small sigh.

“I’m not going to bite. Don’t worry—just sit over there.”

Aria didn’t like the idea of sitting on the bed while he was still in the room, but following his words, she sat at the corner of the bed.

Eric finally relaxed, took off his frock coat, and poured himself a drink.

The soft sound of the liquid filling the glass echoed quietly in the room.

He drank slowly, his throat moving as he swallowed. Aria glanced at him from across the room.

Even with his messy hair and simple shirt, Eric still looked radiant.

Her chest ached as soon as she looked at him. It was like her heart had broken.

Aria stared at him quietly, lost in thought.

Where was he taking her? More than that—how had he found her?

She was sure Count Dennis had never revealed her whereabouts.

Though questions filled her mind, just being with him made her feel at ease.

Maybe it was because of earlier. She suddenly remembered Eric stepping in to protect her. Her gaze moved from his face to his hand.

His right hand, clumsily wrapped in cloth, was covered in dried blood.

I said I’d forget. But here I am, worrying again. How pathetic I am…

Disgusted with herself, Aria shook her head. Then, suddenly, he spoke.

“You try so hard to push me away… and then look at me like that. What am I supposed to do?”

Snapping out of her thoughts, Aria realized she’d been staring at his face. She quickly lowered her head.

Eric, who had been watching her, set down his glass and stood up.

A tall shadow fell in front of her. Kneeling on one knee, Eric gently took hold of her ankle.

When he turned it slightly, a short gasp escaped her lips. She had hurt it while running from the baron earlier.

“It’s swollen. Looks like it’s sprained. Wait here—I’ll get a warm towel.”

Aria looked at him with worried eyes.

He hadn’t even treated his own hand, yet he was tending to her first. She felt both sorry and grateful.

I shouldn’t feel this way. I need to let him go…

To hide her trembling feelings, she opened her eyes wide—and locked eyes with Eric.

His brow furrowed slightly.

“You don’t look well. Seems like you’ve lost weight. I’ll have them bring food quickly.”

Just as he was turning to leave, Aria gently grabbed his wrist. After a moment of hesitation, she unwrapped the cloth from his hand.

Her fingers trembled. She was afraid he’d see her feelings—but even more, she was worried about him.

As she removed the cloth, she saw torn and bruised skin, with clotted blood covering the wound.

Her face darkened. Eric quickly pulled his hand away.

“No need to worry. It’ll heal on its own.”

As he turned to leave again, Aria grabbed his wrist firmly.

This time, she took out the first-aid kit and began treating his hand.

Eric sat beside her, a little stunned, and silently watched her. Her clear brown eyes focused on his hand made his heart race uncontrollably.

Her gentle touch awakened a desire he could no longer hold back.

No matter how hard he tried to resist, the brutal, honest want to have her consumed him.

Aria looked up at him while treating his hand, and her innocent eyes captivated him completely.

Unable to control himself, he gently grabbed her waist. Aria’s eyes widened.

Eric whispered softly.

“Sigh… Just your touch is enough to make me lose control. I keep wanting to make you mine.”

His blue eyes quietly gazed down at her.

Soon, his breath gently brushed across Aria’s eyes.

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