In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 77

Edward narrowed his eyes as he stared at the flower vase.

“A vase I wouldn’t even place in my own room…”

Aria quickly pulled the vase toward her in response to his cold gaze. But to Edward, who had already lost his calm, the vase looked like a thorn in his eye.

“Put that down. From now on, stay in the main house. You’re my personal maid again.”

“Why are you just standing there? I said put it down, now!”

When Edward roughly grabbed her hand, the vase fell to the floor and shattered instantly.

Startled, Aria looked down. Among the broken pieces was a single rose. It looked just like her broken relationship with Edward.

She had already prepared herself for this. Aria calmly raised her head and looked at Edward.

“I can’t be your maid anymore, Count. No, I don’t want to be.”

“Aria…”

Her firm voice rang clearly in Edward’s ears. It was the first time in five years he had heard her gentle, pure voice.

A silent moment that felt like it would last forever. As quiet air floated between them, only Edward’s green eyes trembled without rest.

“Don’t tell me I misheard that. You’re speaking…? Since when have you been able to speak?”

Overjoyed, Edward stepped closer. But Aria took a step back. It was her way of saying “don’t come closer.” This is the distance that should remain between us.

Edward bit the inside of his lip. He had dreamed of this moment—reuniting with Aria and hearing her lovely voice again.

But her eyes were firm and cold, as if reminding him she was someone he shouldn’t dare desire. He didn’t know what to do in this situation.

“Aria, why are you acting like this? Do you know how long I searched for you? I prayed every day for your safety. And…”

I prayed you’d come back to me. Edward trailed off and swallowed the rest of his words. Looking into his green eyes, Aria spoke calmly.

“Young Master Eric proposed to me. It’ll be a small wedding, but we’ll hold it soon. So I can’t stay by your side anymore, Count.”

“What? A proposal…?”

Edward stared at her blankly for a while. Then his eyes dropped to Aria’s hand. A shiny silver ring. It wasn’t the one he had given her long ago.

As he stared at it, cracks started to form on his cold expression. His lips curled up in a twisted, exaggerated smile.

“Aria, you don’t really believe that, do you? You think that’s even possible?”

“I believe him. He’s that kind of person to me.”

Aria’s big eyes were full of trust in Eric. Anyone who saw them could tell how deeply she loved him.

Except for one person. Her words only irritated Edward more. A vein stood out on his neck from the rising tension.

Barely holding back his jealousy, he asked,

“Then what am I to you?”

“What do you mean…?”

“Be honest. Maybe I’ll let you go if you tell the truth.”

Aria looked up at him slowly and seriously. His face had grown cold and stubborn.

But behind that hardened face, she could still see the soft and innocent man he used to be—the one she once respected and cared for. That man was long gone. Now, she only felt pity for him.

Looking him straight in the eyes, Aria made her decision clear.

“I wish for your success, Count, and I pray happiness upon the Bailey family. As a maid who once respected and served you, that’s all.”

Her eyes were clearer and brighter than ever. Her honest gaze pierced through Edward, shaking him to his core.

In that moment, Edward felt like the one thread of hope he held had snapped. Like he was sinking into a swamp with no way out.

His face twisted as he failed to hide his emotions. The anger rising from deep inside began to take control.

“Right. Sitting next to Eric must sound much better than being my maid again.”

“That’s not the reason.”

“Fine. Let me change my offer. Marry me, Aria. Will you come back if I say that?”

“Why that face? What do you expect me to do? Isn’t being a count’s wife better than being a bastard’s bride? That should be enough reason for you to return to me.”

Madness flickered in his obsessed eyes. Aria closed her mouth and took a careful breath.

“No matter what you offer, I won’t return to you.”

“You think Eric will take full responsibility for you?”

“Even if he abandons me, I won’t regret this choice. Because I already love him.”

“Love…? You dare say that in front of me?!”

Edward’s whole body shook with rage. He clenched his trembling hands into fists.

Finally, he lost control. Yelling in frustration, he stormed toward her.

“I ruined my wedding because of you! And now you betray me?! I’ll show you. I’m your true master—!”

“Please, let go of me!”

Just as Edward harshly grabbed her arm again, a strong hand suddenly gripped his wrist and twisted it.

His grip on Aria loosened.

Edward’s eyes moved to see Eric standing behind Aria. Eric’s sharp gaze darkened under his black hair.

“Let go of my hand!”

“I warned you. If you touch what’s mine again, you won’t survive.”

“You low-born… You dare disrespect me, the head of the house?!”

“Then shall I break your wrist, Count? Let everyone see your so-called power crumble in front of your servants.”

“What…? Who do you think you’re threatening?!”

Their intense stares clashed sharply. Edward could lose everything, but not Aria. He couldn’t give her up.

But Eric had already taken her love.

Edward wanted to strike him again and again until his rage faded.

“You went into business without my permission. Now you insult my authority too? Coward!”

“Before pointing fingers at me, shouldn’t you deal with your own cowardice first? Before you disgrace your late father and the family name.”

“You speak of my father while planning to marry a maid?!”

Edward’s long-suppressed emotions exploded.

His furious voice echoed through the air, and the maids in the annex started watching the scene in secret.

Despite Edward’s shouting, Eric calmly looked down at him with a lazy smile.

“My father already gave his blessing for Aria and me to marry. Unfortunately, that means the current head has no power to stop it.”

Edward’s jaw dropped.

He gave permission? What was he talking about? The words echoed in his ears, and his whole body stiffened.

“No… That can’t be…”

Edward muttered to himself, staring at them.

Just as he lifted his head from deep thought, Eric suddenly stepped closer.

Surprised, Edward pulled his upper body back. But Eric grabbed his arm tightly to keep him close.

Then Eric’s cold voice rang clearly in Edward’s ear.

“I gave you time. Time to reflect and repent. But you wasted it. You haven’t been head for long, yet you already act this disgracefully. Don’t you feel pathetic?”

His words struck Edward’s pride like a hammer. He bit his lip and glanced around.

As expected, the servants were all watching.

Edward looked at Eric with bitter eyes, then finally loosened his tightly clenched fist.

Edward stared at Eric coldly.

“Just know this. I’m holding back—not for your sake. Even if my father gave permission, I’m still the head of the Bailey family. Without my approval, you can’t do anything. Especially not something that defines our family’s status—like marriage.”

His resentful gaze slowly moved to Aria. There was a strange mix of emotions in his eyes—hurt and disappointment.

Edward stared at her, then turned away with a blank face.

As he walked back to the main house, his steps felt heavy—like a man who had not been chosen by the one he loved.

Eric’s expression darkened as he watched Edward’s back. Aria, quietly observing him, let out a sigh of exhaustion. Eric’s blue eyes turned to her.

“He’s not someone who’ll give up easily. This is just the beginning. You were prepared for this, right?”

At his words, Aria slowly lifted her head. Her brown eyes flickered like candlelight. The harshness in Eric’s gaze was gone—only warmth remained.

“No matter what happens, I won’t let go of your hand.”

He whispered softly in her ear, as if comforting her.

“So stay with me. Just like now.”

A soft scent flowed from his clothes. When his breath brushed her cheek, Aria’s body trembled instinctively.

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