In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 72

“Mother, even if we don’t receive mourners, shouldn’t we at least observe a proper mourning period for Father?”

Edward, dressed in mourning clothes, asked the Countess gently, who was sitting across from him.

She had changed into her mourning attire but had stayed in her bedroom all day. Her pale face looked troubled, as if lost in deep thought.

“Edward, must I say this twice? It hasn’t been long since the wedding was ruined—how could we accept mourners now? Absolutely not. I won’t bring shame to the Bailey family twice.”

“Mother, nobles who care about tradition will never understand your decision. If useless rumors start to spread…”

“I will mourn your father and honor him quietly for two years. That is enough.”

The Countess’s eyes were steady and determined. She had no intention of changing her mind.

She calmed her voice to ease her stirred emotions.

“Leave this matter to your mother. You should focus on your duty—to carry on the family line. From now on, remember: no matter what others say, you are the head of the Bailey family.”

“All I have is the title of firstborn. I’ve never been involved in the family business. Will they even accept me?”

It was all so sudden. Edward’s face briefly showed fear, as though he felt overwhelmed by the responsibility.

As he let out a short sigh, the Countess quickly tried to comfort her son.

“You didn’t stay out of the business by choice—you were pushed out by that thorn in our side.”

“Still, it’s true that thanks to Eric, the business has grown this much.”

“Yes, and only because the Emperor favors him. But that’s his limit. No matter how hard he tries, he’s still a bastard. That’s where his blood will take him.”

“You are the rightful heir of the Bailey family. Only you can inherit the title and the estate. Who would accept a bastard as the head of a noble family?”

The Countess narrowed her brow, unhappy with her son’s hesitation.

“How can you lead this house if you’re so weak… Tsk.”

“After we hold the funeral…”

“The funeral isn’t the most important thing right now. It’s securing the family’s future. Your father in heaven would agree. Don’t forget that.”

At her piercing gaze, Edward fell silent with a heavy sigh.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. A maid entered the room.

“Madam, outside—”

The Countess cut her off sharply.

“I told you—no one is to be let in!”

“I—I’m sorry, it’s just that—”

Before the maid could finish, someone pushed the door open and entered.

Despite the tight frock coat, the man’s strong build was clear. His deep blue eyes peeked out between strands of black hair falling over his forehead. It was Eric.

He stepped inside and turned his gaze straight to the Countess.

“It’s been a long time. Where is Father’s coffin?”

The Countess’s eyes turned sharp and cold, and she looked away, not even wanting to answer.

“Mother…”

Eric called out to her through clenched teeth. The Countess sighed and looked back at him.

“Mother? Mother?! That word from your mouth makes my skin crawl. How dare you call me that. What an arrogant brat.”

“Now that Father’s gone, you’re showing your true face.”

“Yes. I never planned to accept you. So let’s stop pretending. You may call me Countess, which suits me better anyway.”

She crossed her arms and smirked crookedly.

Eric stared at her for a moment, then clenched his fists so tightly that the veins bulged.

He spoke through gritted teeth.

“I won’t ask again. Where is the coffin?”

“That’s not your concern. Edward is the head now. He will handle it.”

“Perhaps you’ve forgotten—I’m the second son of the Bailey family. I also have the right and duty to see my father’s coffin.”

“Second son? How bold of you. You should be grateful you were even given that title. And now you’re threatening me with it?”

Her voice was laced with scorn, and Eric’s brow furrowed deeply.

A cold tension filled the air.

Eric suddenly remembered what the maids had whispered earlier.

“No one’s seen the Count’s coffin, and now they’re rushing to bury it in the Edel Garden? Something’s off.”

As expected, the Countess’s refusal to show the coffin raised suspicions.

Eric narrowed his eyes, his gaze slowly scanning her with disdain.

“A funeral with no visitors, and the coffin hidden from sight… Are you planning a secret burial? Like a sneaky thief hiding something.”

“W-What did you just say?! A commander of the guards, and you speak with such disrespect!”

“Madam, respect is shown to those who deserve it. What do you expect me to think when you won’t even let me see my father’s coffin?”

“You… you insolent…!”

The Countess paused to catch her breath and lower her rising voice.

Seeing his mother pale, Edward stood up abruptly.

His steps thundered as he approached Eric with a grim face.

He grabbed Eric by the collar.

“You arrogant fool! I warned you to know your place!”

“If you’re so sure, then show me the coffin—before I start digging up the truth myself.”

“Father died suddenly last night. That’s what the servants and the doctor, who came early this morning, concluded. If you have any decency, you wouldn’t be speaking like this.”

“I have no right to speak…?”

Edward shouted at Eric.

“If it weren’t for your reckless behavior, Father would still be alive. This is all your fault!”

Grinding his teeth, Edward looked ready to tear Eric apart.

Eric twisted his lips into a cold smile.

“Is that really the truth?”

“I’m the new head of the Bailey family. As long as I am, I won’t let your insolence slide!”

Their sharp eyes clashed fiercely. Edward wanted to curse and tear Eric down until his anger was gone.

Watching them, the Countess smiled without realizing.

It had been a long time since Edward had shown such strength. She couldn’t hide her satisfaction.

The Countess stood up calmly and called out to Eric with pride.

“You said you want to see your father one last time. Fine, follow that maid. He’s there.”

“But Mother, this man—”

“Edward, let go of him. Don’t tarnish your dignity over someone like that.”

Reluctantly, Edward loosened his grip. His face flushed red, while Eric remained unreadable.

Eric looked down at him coldly and spoke in a low, calm voice.

“Let’s see how well the new head prospers the family.”

A faint, bitter smile touched Eric’s lips. His composed words quietly struck Edward’s pride.

After Eric left, silence settled heavily in the room.

Watching him go, Edward bit his lower lip and muttered to himself.

“I’ll end your cursed life with my own hands. One day.”

Following the maid, Eric descended into a dim, underground room, where the head maid stood guard with a cold expression.

Recognizing the face in the shadows, the head maid’s eyes grew sharp.

“What brings you here… You may not enter, sir. That’s the Madam’s order.”

“You say that even with this maid standing right here?”

As she blocked the way, Eric’s nerves tensed.

The head maid turned her eyes from Eric to the trembling maid beside him and took in the situation quickly.

“Move. Unless you want to die.”

His voice, sharp and chilling as a knife, made the head maid step aside.

As the iron doors opened, a large coffin came into view.

Inside the old oak coffin lay the cold, lifeless body of Count Dennis.

Eric stared at his dead father, his thoughts a tangled mess.

Suddenly, he recalled the time he went to the mining site with the Count.

That day, the fresh air between the tall trees brushed through his father’s neatly combed hair.

His father’s eyes, beneath thick brows, had been sharp and careful.

“I plan to entrust this business fully to you. I will declare it. Only you can do this. At least, that’s what I believe as the head.”

The Count’s firm words settled heavily in Eric’s heart.

A man who had abandoned him and his mother. Who had treated him as invisible after bringing him into the Bailey family. And who had eventually cast him aside like a burden.

Remembering all this, Eric let out a hollow laugh. His conflicted eyes dimmed with sorrow.

Why did he feel sorry for such a man? His tightly clenched fist showed bulging veins as he held back tears.

Eric’s eyes moved from his father’s face to his cold, stiff hands.

He reached out slowly. It was the first time he had ever held his father’s hand.

Without meaning to, he gripped it tightly, afraid to let go, like a frightened child scared it would disappear.

Even though he knew well—his father, swallowed by time, would never return again.

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