In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 76

“Because you’re here. You’re staying in this hell, so this is where I belong.”

As Aria’s steady voice softly reached Eric’s ears, his pupils began to tremble slightly.

“Aria.”

“I want to help you. Please allow me to stay by your side and support you.”

At her earnest words, Eric’s eyes gradually darkened.

“You know well who the current head of the Bailey family is. Edward still hasn’t let go of his obsession with you.”

“But…”

“Greedy Edward gave up marrying Lady Cecil. He chose you instead. If the head of the family wants something, a mere maid has no choice but to accept it. Just like my mother did.”

Aria couldn’t say anything in response to Eric’s sharp tone.

His words weren’t wrong. As the head of the family, Edward had absolute authority over his servants and could use them as he pleased.

Aria also knew well that it would be hard to escape his grasp.

But to her, the life of the person in front of her was more important than fear.

In the end, she had to be brave again.

“The Count can’t take me as he pleases. My body and heart already belong to someone else. No matter how powerful he is, desiring another man’s wife will damage his reputation.”

“What do you mean…?”

“You said not to hide like a coward. I already belong to you. So completely that there’s no room for the Count’s desire—my heart and every part of me are filled only with you.”

Aria bit her lower lip to hide the slight tremble in her voice.

As Eric stared quietly at her, a soft breath escaped from his lips. His expression slowly began to relax.

“You’re so stubborn. I don’t even know how to respond to this. But one thing is clear.”

“I feel good. So good that words aren’t enough.”

Eric’s soft gaze turned toward Aria’s tense face.

His footsteps slowly moved closer, and soon, a long shadow fell over Aria’s head.

Eric gently held her chin and lifted her face toward him.

“Yes, you’re mine. Mine alone, not to be shared with anyone.”

His low voice, filled with deep emotion, echoed in Aria’s ears.

You’re mine. Only mine, not to be given to anyone else.

Eric took out a ring he had kept close to his heart. An old, rusty silver ring—it had belonged to his late mother, passed down by Count Dennis.

“My father gave it to me. He meant to give it to my mother. Though he never did in the end.”

“I want to give it to you. If you’ll accept it.”

Aria slid the ring onto her finger. It was a perfect fit.

As her red lips trembled slightly, Eric’s eyes filled with her image. Slowly lowering his head, he gently kissed her lips.

At the brief touch, Aria closed her eyes tightly without realizing it.

After a moment, Eric pulled back, a subtle smile on his face.

“I missed you. Desperately.”

At his soft voice, Aria lifted her head and looked at him. Then, she kissed him. Closing her eyes again, she accepted the unfamiliar sensation.

Before he could even blame his reckless instincts, he kissed her soft, red lips again and again.

His strong yet warm arms held her, and Aria relished the sweet tension in his embrace.

Their lips met and parted, sharing several kisses, but they never let go of each other.

As Aria’s cheeks flushed red, Eric blew his hot breath between her parted lips.

When their lips met once more, her breath caught in her throat.

Lost in the overwhelming sensation, Aria couldn’t react. A faint moan escaped from her lips, and her mouth filled with warmth.

Only the sound of their increasingly heavy breathing echoed in their ears. They embraced the irresistible feeling fully.

A moment of becoming one—something they both desperately wished for—Eric’s touch gently traced along Aria’s soft skin.

In the early evening, a carriage was waiting in the garden. The Countess, dressed for departure, stepped outside.

Wearing a black dress, she got into the carriage guided by the head maid.

“Mother, don’t worry about anything here. Just enjoy your stay.”

“Alright. Now that the funeral is mostly taken care of, I’ll rest comfortably.”

“Yes. Meet with our relatives and take this time to heal your heart.”

“I feel so reassured with you here. I couldn’t have imagined this when your father was still alive.”

The Countess nodded with a faint smile.

“It’s already getting late. You should leave soon.”

“Yes. I’ll send a letter when I arrive.”

As the carriage door closed, the coachman’s whip cracked in the air.

Edward, watching the carriage fade into the distance, kept a soft smile on his lips.

Just as he was about to turn away, a nervous maid hesitantly stepped in front of him.

“My Lord, there’s something I must tell you…”

Seeing her uneasy face, Edward’s smile slowly vanished.

“What is it?”

“It’s about something the maids in the annex said… Aria has returned there. The one who had gone missing.”

“Aria? When?!”

“This morning…”

“What? And you’re only telling me now?!”

“I-I’m sorry! We only just heard as well…”

As Edward furrowed his brows, the maid quickly bowed her head. Sweat beaded on her forehead.

Watching the trembling maid with a sideways glance, Edward turned his gaze toward the annex.

“I’m going there right now.”

Edward bit his lower lip, his eyes fierce. Just as he moved, the steward stepped in to block him.

“My Lord, acting rashly could stir unnecessary rumors. You must remember—you’re no longer the young master you once were.”

“I’m not the same, you say?”

“Back then, you could act freely. But now, you are the head of the Bailey family. Even a minor scandal involving a maid could…”

“Silence. I must see Aria now. Otherwise, I can’t predict where this fury will go. And that includes you, Steward.”

As Edward’s intense eyes turned toward him, the steward carefully stepped aside.

Edward’s gaze left him and returned to the annex.

Just knowing they were together there filled his chest with impatience.

His brow tightened further as he headed that way.

As evening began to darken, Aria walked toward the garden with an empty vase. She was planning to pick flowers for Eric’s room.

Even after all this time, his bedroom remained stark and cold.

With dark curtains blocking the sun and not a single decoration, the room felt desolate.

While Eric took a short nap, Aria had quietly come here.

She could’ve rested or read in the study like he suggested, but she wanted to help him, even in a small way.

The maids whispered in groups, glancing at her, but she didn’t care.

‘They probably don’t welcome me anyway…’

Since returning, Aria had resolved to accept the rumors about her.

It didn’t matter what others said—as long as Eric was by her side.

As she neared the fountain, she saw bright pink roses blooming beside it.

As Aria bent down, a rose brushed against her among the glistening leaves. A soft smile formed on her lips.

‘Come to think of it, my feelings for the young master have changed a lot.’

At first, she had been afraid of someone she couldn’t read. She never knew what Eric was thinking behind those calm eyes.

But over time, she realized how warm he truly was.

His sincere heart had opened hers and brought her here.

With a smile, she began placing the roses into the vase—until a voice suddenly called from behind her.

“Aria!”

She turned to see Edward, dressed in a black suit, standing there.

Aria quickly stood and bowed her head.

His face, once filled with a kind smile, now showed only cold betrayal.

“Aria, where have you been all this time? Don’t tell me you’ve been with Eric. No… you were. That’s why you never showed up before.”

There was a sharp edge in Edward’s voice. Aria looked at him with troubled eyes.

His cold gaze settled firmly on her.

“Because of you, I ruined the wedding. I chose you over Isabella. And now you betray me? You and Eric…”

“Ugh, listen to what I’m saying…”

Edward ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

Even he seemed embarrassed by his own words and bit his lip, unable to continue.

After a moment, his gaze drifted from Aria’s face to the vase in her hands.

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