In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 68

At the west end of the bustling street stood Jacob’s two-story cabin. The arched gate surrounded by orange blossoms was something Jacob had carefully built with his own hands.

With nowhere else to go, Aria decided to stay at Jacob’s house for the time being. As soon as they arrived, Jacob lovingly prepared a room that got the most sunlight.

“Young lady, it’s humble, but I tried to make it like your old bedroom. I hope you like it.”

The room was barely big enough for one person to lie down, but as he said, it had everything it needed.

A bed with white curtains swaying gently. A small flowerpot placed beneath the window overlooking the noisy street. Even the wooden desk where she used to sit often.

Jacob had recreated everything with care so that nothing would feel unfamiliar to Aria.

While Jacob headed to the dining room, Aria sat at the edge of the bed and slowly looked around.

She reached out and felt the soft texture of the bed.

How long had it been since she felt this kind of comfort? Aria buried her head in the bed and gently closed her eyes, as if finally releasing all the tension she had been holding in.

But troubling thoughts kept tormenting her.

Her grandmother, who gave up her life without hesitation. The evidence weighing on her heart.

And herself, who had to turn away from someone she had finally met again.

On the way back in the carriage, Aria had struggled to hide her emotions.

She kept telling herself it was fine, but having to ignore someone she had only dreamed of meeting again was painfully hard.

She tried to stay calm, but her eyes had unknowingly turned to him as they watched the red sunset outside the window.

When her eyes met his blue ones, she was startled and quickly turned her head away.

As if seeing right through her, Eric’s indifferent gaze sharply pierced her.

Aria shut her trembling eyes and buried her face deeper into the bed.

She felt pathetic. Pretending to be strong, yet unable to stop her heart from wavering.

Just then, the sound of footsteps limping closer in heavy shoes could be heard. Jacob’s voice came quietly from the doorway.

“Young lady, please come to the dining room. It’s not much, but I prepared it with care.”

At Jacob’s presence, Aria quickly stood up and wiped away her tears with her sleeve.

“All right.”

She replied with a smile, trying to hide her red eyes. Aria followed Jacob to the dining room. After a few steps, she saw a dining table covered with a white cloth.

As she got closer, the scent of orange blossoms became stronger. On both sides of the vase were plates with seasoned fish and bread. The small table quickly became full.

Looking at Aria, Jacob spoke gently.

“I don’t know if it suits your taste, young lady. It’s not much, but please eat as much as you like.”

“It all looks delicious. Thank you.”

“It’s my first time eating with you, so I wanted to prepare everything nicely. Please don’t feel pressured.”

“All right.”

Following Jacob’s lead, Aria began placing the different dishes onto her plate.

She felt something new. She had always been the one standing by until her master finished eating.

She picked up a spoon and tried the stew first. It tasted exactly like the one she had eaten often as a child. Jacob, sitting across from her with a smile, asked:

“I made the stew you used to enjoy. Do you like it?”

She smiled and nodded. Then he gently pushed the fish dish closer to her.

“I remembered that you used to like fish.”

“It tastes just like it did when I was little. I’ve missed this so much…”

Aria’s eyes dropped to her plate. Overwhelmed with emotion, she froze, holding only her fork.

Is it okay to be this happy?

Her face froze in silence, lost in thought. Seeing her like that, Jacob quietly spoke, as if concerned.

“Young lady, nothing about you has changed. This is just your first step forward. You must not become weak.”

“You’re right, Jacob. I have to endure the hard road ahead.”

Seeing Aria nod, Jacob softly smiled.

“But I’m not too worried. Now there’s someone even more reliable than me by your side.”

“What do you mean…?”

“I used to think he was cold and unfeeling… but even someone like him changes when he’s around you. His eyes—so unsure of what to do—they tell everything.”

At Jacob’s meaningful look, Aria sighed.

“Jacob, I’m just a lowly maid pushing my unstable life onto him. He could marry someone far better than me. I don’t want to become a burden.”

“Young lady, stop trying to hide your feelings. I’ve served you all my life. Of course I can see how much you worry about him.”

“But…”

“He loves you with all his heart. If being by his side makes you happy, then think of nothing else. Revenge on the one who ruined the Reynolds family is important, but your happiness must come first.”

Jacob raised his head firmly, showing his determination. After saying that, he turned and focused on his food.

Watching him, Aria smiled faintly. Someone who thought only of her. Someone who understood her heart better than anyone.

She picked up a piece of fish and put it in her mouth—as if to stop her endless thoughts. A quiet drizzle fell late at night, softly soaking the tips of the grass.

After bathing, Aria changed into her nightgown and lay in bed, falling asleep early.

She had used up all her strength discussing future plans with Jacob after dinner.

Under the white blanket, she put aside her tangled thoughts and gently closed her heavy eyes.

The cool night air touched her skin through the slightly open window, but for the first time in a long while, she sank into peaceful sleep.

As the soft night breeze blew and wrapped around her brown hair, Aria suddenly recalled her childhood.

Memories of sitting face to face with her mother on garden chairs, enjoying the breeze. The feel of green grass under her bare feet as she secretly took off her shoes.

Her mother’s warm smile and kind eyes came back to her so clearly that she smiled without realizing.

Things she could never dream of while living at House Bailey. A dream she didn’t want to wake up from.

If only she could see them all again. If only they could live happily together.

For a while, Aria wandered through that impossible dream and the broken pieces of memory.

Until she felt a strange presence gently brushing her hair.

Startled by the odd feeling, Aria opened her eyes. In the moonlight through the window, a shadowy figure began to appear.

A well-built man in a loosely worn frock coat, black hair soaked with rain, and blue eyes partly hidden beneath—his image burned into her eyes.

Aria froze, as if seeing a vision.

Eric, who had been sitting by her bed for who knows how long, calmly looked at her.

Aria quickly sat up.

“Wh-when did you get here? How did you even…?”

“Do I have to answer that?”

“Of course. It’s rude!”

“Maybe since the moment you fell asleep? The whole time?”

“Th-then how did you get in? Jacob didn’t even notice…”

She quickly looked around. No matter how she thought about it, someone of his size couldn’t have come through that small window.

Unlike Aria, who was panicked, Eric crossed his arms with a relaxed expression.

“A house with such weak security? Easy enough to get in.”

“Just who are you…?”

“Why would I need permission to visit what’s mine? Don’t you agree?”

Aria, struggling to deal with him, couldn’t say a word. Her lips moved, but no sound came out.

A drop of water fell from Eric’s wet hair onto his nose. Aria’s eyes instinctively followed it.

Under his dark eyebrows, his blue eyes shone more brightly than usual, maybe because of the moonlight.

Those cold-looking eyes once again brought breath to her chest.

“Your eyes are honest, even if your words aren’t. If you want to fool me, start by hiding what shows on your face.”

When his expression changed slightly, Aria quickly suppressed her foolish feelings and said bluntly:

“What are you talking about? Why are you here?”

“I told you earlier. I came to see what’s mine.”

“What do you mean ‘yours’? Who said I belong to you…?”

“Did you forget? Everything about you is already mine.”

At his firm voice, Aria trembled without meaning to.

Flustered, she looked up—and met his eyes. The moment she saw his deep gaze, her breath caught in her throat.

She felt anxious. A familiar, practiced kind of anxiety. Aria tightly shut her eyes and turned her head away.

But only for a moment—Eric came closer and lifted her chin in one swift motion. Their eyes met again.

“D-don’t do this. If you come any closer, I’ll scream.”

“Go ahead. If you can.”

His voice carried a playful tone, as if enjoying her reaction.

Aria couldn’t say a word. She just kept swallowing dryly.

Eric smirked slightly, then gently brushed her lower lip with his own.

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