In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 63

Eric lightly kissed Aria’s eyes, then pulled away. He had to control himself.

If he didn’t, he might have broken the restraint he’d been desperately holding back and clung persistently to those tempting red lips.

Or worse, he might have embraced her fragile body and bitten into her skin with desire, trying to satisfy the thirst that constantly tugged at his nerves.

While Eric’s gaze remained fixed on Aria, he clenched his fists tightly as if trying to suppress his instincts.

“That should be enough for treatment.”

He stood up and walked out, purposely avoiding her gaze. Only after Eric left did Aria finally let out the breath she’d been holding.

She had been scared—scared that Eric might not stop and would devour her lips entirely.

That if he slipped his tongue between theirs, he might stir up every part of her and leave her powerless.

And in the end, she wouldn’t resist. She had already become used to Eric’s breath, his touch, his movements.

The more he longed for her, the more unfamiliar all of this began to feel.

His soft breaths still echoed in her ears. The pain that once twisted her soul like it might break her began to melt away in the confusion of emotions.

Even though she knew she shouldn’t, her instincts overpowered reason, refusing to let Eric go.

Aria bit down on her lower lip, trying to regain her senses.

But the more she tried, the more her painful memories dragged Eric back into her heart.

At that moment, Aria hated herself for having to push him away. No, she hated the world that wouldn’t allow her to reach him.

Soon, tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her temples. Her brown pupils, moist with tears, stared blankly ahead.

‘If only I could be like any other noble lady… If only I could…’

She held her breath and sobbed quietly. It felt like the saddest and most worthless day of her life.

The next morning, Aria climbed onto the horse, clutching her sore back.

She had curled up in the corner of the bed all night, barely breathing, listening for even the slightest movement from Eric.

Eric, already on his horse, glanced briefly at Aria’s ankle.

“The swelling’s gone down. Just half a day more. Hang in there.”

With a calm voice, he mounted behind her in one smooth motion.

As his hands naturally wrapped around her, Aria found herself pulled into his broad chest.

“Hold on tight, or you’ll fall.”

As Eric tugged the reins, the horse gradually picked up speed and started to gallop.

The wind carried Aria’s brown hair, which lightly brushed Eric’s neck.

Riding with him, Aria didn’t care where the road led or who they were going to meet.

Like someone drunk, she decided to forget the sad memories for now and just recall the lingering scent of her time with him.

She simply gazed at the endless, wild path ahead, following Eric.

After riding for half a day without a break, the horse finally crossed a great forest and reached the outskirts of a village.

The aimless journey only made Aria feel more uneasy. Aside from the clattering of the saddle on the bumpy gravel road, everything was so still she could barely breathe.

She glanced back at the man behind her.

The cool wind blowing through the wild grass ruffled Eric’s long bangs, revealing a pair of blue eyes that sparkled under the sunlight.

Without realizing it, Aria smiled faintly. Maybe this was why she had fallen for him—this man who never stopped making her heart race.

Lost in thought, she met his deep gaze and quickly looked down at the ground.

A strange shame stirred her heart until it beat wildly. She lowered her head even further.

But staring at the ground only made her dizzy, and her upper body swayed.

Just as she thought she might fall, Eric pulled her waist tightly toward him.

His gentle voice tickled her ear.

“There’s no need to be scared. Don’t look down—look ahead. Breathe steadily, or you’ll get dizzy and faint.”

Eric tightened his arm around her to keep her from falling. Aria tried to calm her fear, breathing in and out as he told her.

Her hands were sweating, but she had no time to worry about it. As the momentary fear passed, Aria let out a sigh of relief.

“Well done. For your first time, that was great.”

But strangely, with Eric’s arms around her, her breathing became uneven again. His breath on her ear only made her heart race harder.

Aria’s eyes wandered nervously as she turned her head toward the sounds around them.

Along the sun-dried road, she saw farmers in the fields gathering barley.

Aria stared at the open village and quickly came to her senses.

‘Where are we going? Who could be waiting in this place…?’

Her body trembled with nervousness. The horse carried them past the busy market and up a small hill.

Soon, a small, worn-out cottage came into view.

When Eric pulled the reins, the horse neighed loudly and stopped in front of it.

‘Where… is this place?’

Before she could think further, Eric dismounted and helped Aria down. The coachman, who had been resting inside the wagon, rushed out.

“Young master! Welcome back!”

Eric gave a calm nod.

“Thanks. Everything went well?”

“Yes, sir! I’ve been getting food from the village market as you instructed. With your generous support, I’ve been eating well.”

Eric nodded slightly, then turned to Aria with a faint smile.

“Come with me.”

Though hesitant in the unfamiliar place, Aria followed him inside.

The house was dark and damp, with no sunlight. As Eric entered, someone hurriedly stepped out from a dim room.

When Aria’s eyes adjusted, she immediately recognized the person.

It was Jacob. Jacob’s eyes widened when he saw her, and he cried out in a choked voice.

“Miss Aria!”

Wearing a white shirt, Jacob limped toward her. He checked her from head to toe, worried she might be hurt.

Tears streamed down Jacob’s cheeks.

“You’ve lost so much weight… Did something happen there? This is all my fault. If only I had told the young master your whereabouts sooner…”

Aria calmed herself and held Jacob’s hands tightly, shaking her head.

But Jacob, overwhelmed with emotion, kept crying as he looked at her thin hands.

After a while, he regained his composure and raised his head.

“You must be wondering why I’m here. I haven’t been here long myself. I came thanks to Master Bailey.”

“Miss Aria, please don’t be shocked—but your grandmother is here. I thought she had passed away since there was no word for years, but this young master found her!”

Aria was speechless at Jacob’s excited words.

Her grandmother? As far as she knew, everyone in the Reynolds family was gone except a few servants.

She couldn’t believe it. No—was she dreaming?

Her brown eyes trembled with confusion.

“Miss, please—go inside.”

At Jacob’s words, Aria finally turned her gaze to the room. A faint light spilled out from within.

Aria, body trembling weakly, stepped into the room.

There, lying on a worn-out bed, was a frail, thin old woman.

Though the woman looked much older and weaker than the one Aria remembered, she knew it was her grandmother.

Charlotte turned her head at the sound. Her dim eyes finally saw the granddaughter she had longed for.

“Ah, Aria. Is that really you…?”

Charlotte’s lips trembled as she spoke in a weak, joyful voice. She reached out her hand.

Through tear-filled eyes, Aria looked at Charlotte.

The grandmother who once pushed her on the garden swing. Who taught her about bugs and flowers, and how a lady of society should behave. A kind, admired woman.

More than ten years had passed to reach this moment.

Aria looked at the face of Charlotte, marked by those hard years.

The elegant, strong woman once admired by all of society was gone.

It all felt like a dream. As Aria stood frozen with emotion, Jacob quietly urged her.

“Miss, please take her hand. You’ve waited so long for this moment…”

Snapping out of her daze, Aria hurriedly knelt by the bed and gently held her grandmother’s hand.

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