In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 73

Edward, the new head of the Bailey family, began managing the family’s business directly.

He carefully examined the numerous documents once held by Count Dennis.

These papers were essential for obtaining royal permission to proceed smoothly with mining operations on Bailey land.

The head butler, who had come in to deliver the documents, watched him nervously and spoke up.

“You look burdened. The ironworks process is more complicated than other ventures…”

“Hmph, even at a glance, this looks difficult.”

“Um, my lord… I’m not sure if I should say this, but…”

“Go ahead. You’ve served my father for a long time—you should be able to offer wise judgment.”

As Edward slowly lifted his head from the documents, the butler hesitated before finally speaking heavily.

“Instead of doing everything alone, why not accept help from Master Eric? He’s managed most of the business so far. I believe he would gladly assist.”

Edward’s eyebrows twitched slightly at the butler’s words. His tone quickly turned cold, unlike before.

“So you’re telling me to listen to some lowly man’s opinions?”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant…”

“You’re calling me incompetent, then. Even if you served my father, don’t think you can lecture me.”

“I-I’m sorry. I spoke out of turn.”

The butler bowed deeply. Edward exhaled briefly to suppress his rising anger, then gave a small nod.

“Fine. Leave now.”

Once the butler left, a cold silence lingered in the room. Edward absentmindedly turned to the window, his eyes narrowing.

Having never been involved in the business before, Edward found the overall process unfamiliar.

In truth, he desperately needed Eric’s help.

Eric had already drafted a detailed and comprehensive plan for the entire operation.

He was the one who secured trade negotiation rights with other kingdoms, arranged for imperial support in transporting iron by sea, and even acquired an exclusive route to the Kingdom of Atil.

None of this had been easy. Yet Edward, in contrast, was barely managing to understand the current situation.

Still, Edward refused to admit this gap. No, he refused to even consider it.

Stubbornly, he chose a path entirely different from the one Count Dennis had taken.

When small conflicts arose between the newly relocated worksite and nearby farmers, he withdrew all workers back to the original ironworks. He also cut the number of laborers by more than half.

This went directly against the Count’s policy of moving some ironworks to the riverside for smoother production.

The farmers, who had moved their operations near the river thanks to the new waterwheel-powered air systems, were left without benefits, leading to growing unrest.

With the ironworks back in the forest, the noise and damage to the villagers’ living spaces only worsened.

The problem lay with the farmers. They were deeply unsettled, and the situation was quickly turning into troubling rumors.

“What do those peasants think they are? They should just do as they’re told…”

Edward’s cold gaze lingered on the distant annex. He stared at it with a lazy but sharp look.

“Soon, I’ll erase every trace of you. The Bailey family will be rebuilt from the ground up. By my hands.”

Edward’s voice, filled with grinding rage, echoed so loudly it carried through the hallway outside the door.

The butler waiting outside looked heavier than before.

He aimlessly turned his gaze to the clear, cloudless sky. Though the day was bright, his eyes were filled with sorrow.

“My lord, what should I do? This is the family you tried so hard to protect. How am I to decide what’s right…”

He looked around, then quietly took out a paper he had kept close. Inside the crumpled paper was a piece of a broken teacup.

As he stared at it for a moment, a mix of emotions crossed his face.

His gaze shifted toward the annex again.

“If you’re watching me from the sky, my lord… Please believe that I’ve made the right decision…”

The butler, eyes marked by time and grief, whispered softly as he slowly closed them. Late at night, with shadows thick in the air, Eric was deep in thought about Count Dennis.

He could still feel the touch of his father’s hand, one he couldn’t let go of.

So many emotions had passed through him when he looked into his father’s eyes.

Compassion—a feeling too absurd for someone who had come seeking revenge.

The same father who treated him as invisible after bringing him into the Bailey household.

He had to learn to endure loneliness, to be alone because there was no one to lean on.

He forgot how to smile and learned only how to endure. That father was the reason.

Still, the memory of his father resting his hand on his shoulder resurfaced.

Their first moment of closeness. A gentle pat.

“It might not be a blessing in the eyes of high society, but don’t let your choice be in vain. Changing their views will take your own will. I’ll watch you reshape their perspective.”

Before Eric could react, the Count had calmly observed his grown son with softened eyes.

Wrinkles lined his face, the clear marks of passing time.

Memories of his father—impossible to forget—gnawed at the darkness inside Eric.

“Pull yourself together. What good is remembering all this…”

Eric, who had been sitting at the edge of the bed, rose to shake off the lingering thoughts.

A life lived only by enduring pain. A path walked without pause.

He hated the feeling of being alone again and shook his head.

Just then, someone gently knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Eric didn’t turn his head, replying in a detached tone. A familiar figure entered—it was the butler.

Eric turned slightly toward him.

“What brings you here at this hour?”

“My lord, I have something to tell you. May I have a moment of your time?”

Lowering his voice after glancing around, the butler’s suspicious behavior made Eric nod silently.

After a couple of dry coughs, the butler began with a calm tone.

“As you may already know, ever since Master Edward became head of the family, the business has fallen into chaos. He withdrew all workers from the riverside site back to the old ironworks. It’s the opposite of what the late Count did.”

“He boasts about pride without even knowing the process—how fitting for this outcome.”

“He also reduced the number of farmers by more than half. He’s planning to double taxes soon as well. The backlash is already growing serious.”

At those words, Eric narrowed his eyes.

“I understand the situation. But sadly, your visit was for nothing. You know I’m in no position to help.”

“M-my lord…”

“The head of the family holds all authority. Whether the ironworks thrives or collapses—it’s in his hands now.”

The butler couldn’t argue with Eric’s firm tone. Swallowing hard, he cautiously continued.

“My lord… that’s not the only reason I came.”

He took out the paper he had hidden and handed it to Eric. Eric furrowed his brow as he looked at what was inside.

“What is this?”

“I found it the day the Count passed, while checking his bedroom. It had rolled under the bed. The maid must have missed it while cleaning.”

“A broken teacup…”

“That’s not the only strange thing. The maid who served the tea that day had been replaced. She worked under the Countess for a long time.”

The butler bit his lip after speaking. A heavy silence filled the room.

Eric, who had stared at him for a while, suddenly clenched his forehead.

“Are you saying my father was poisoned?”

“It may sound sudden, but based on what I’ve seen, yes.”

Eric’s eyes flashed with horror.

He turned his gaze back to the broken teacup piece. The lingering scent sent a chill down his spine. He quickly brought it to his nose.

“I’ve never smelled this before. It’s sharp.”

“You’re the only one who can uncover the truth. Please… reveal the injustice behind the Count’s death.”

The butler bowed his head, eyes red. Eric’s gaze shifted far toward the main building.

A deep urgency stirred in his gut, scratching at his nerves. His cold eyes did not waver.

“If the Countess really killed Father…”

Eric bit his lower lip hard. If Count Dennis was truly poisoned, there was only one reason.

Because of him—because he had threatened Edward’s place in the family.

That realization began to weigh down heavily on his heart.

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