In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 78

“My lady! You must come out! I think we have a guest!”

Aria barely opened her eyes at the sound of the maid calling from outside. She had fallen asleep late last night and now frowned slightly as she tried to move her stiff body.

Stretching between the narrow bed, she sat up, and memories from a few days ago came back clearly.

“Without my permission, you can’t do anything as you please. Especially if it’s a marriage that determines the family’s status.”

Edward’s resentful gaze had been a clear warning to both Eric and Aria. Just like Eric had said, Edward’s tyranny was only beginning.

What comforted her through her anxious thoughts all night was Eric’s soft voice.

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

As Aria recalled his gentle smile, the corners of her lips lifted without her realizing. She shook her head to chase away the uneasy feeling and quickly pushed off the warm blanket.

Peeking out through the small window, she saw a strong white horse standing in front of the annex. A saddle with the imperial crest was placed on its back.

Aria changed into her maid uniform and headed to the kitchen. Carrying a silver tray with two teacups, prepared for the number of guests the maid had told her, she entered the sitting room on the first floor.

Inside the sitting room, Eric, wearing a white robe, sat across from Henry, who was dressed in silver armor and a helmet.

As Aria placed the cups filled with herbs from the garden between them, a pleasant scent of herbs filled the once cold and quiet room.

Henry, seemingly glad to see Aria after a long time, couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“Oh my. You’re back so openly! I thought something was odd. No wonder our captain’s face has brightened lately….”

“Enough nonsense.”

At Eric’s low voice, Henry immediately stopped talking. Still, a smirk crept up on his lips. He looked Aria over from head to toe again.

“Seeing you like this, you’re quite the beauty. It makes sense why the captain would fall for you….”

“Henry.”

“Yes, yes. We’ll talk about this later.”

At Eric’s short remark, Henry quickly shifted his eyes to the teacup in front of him. Eric silently stared at Henry, whose hair was still messy from rushing over.

“Judging by that mess, I assume you found an answer to the letter.”

“Indeed… nothing gets past you, Captain. Just like you predicted, I found a few things using those clues.”

Henry pulled a document from his coat and laid it out on the table. He pointed to a seal stamped in the middle.

“Does this seal match the one you mentioned?”

“Yes, exactly.”

Even though he expected it, Henry’s face darkened quickly at Eric’s answer.

“Then this is no small matter. That the Empress Dowager’s seal is on a petition against the Reynolds family’s trade operations… You know what that means.”

“Taking on the imperial family is always reckless.”

The petition signed by protestors opposing the Reynolds family’s trade method—and stamped with the imperial seal. It meant that someone had instigated and funded the protests from behind the scenes, aiming to destroy the Reynolds family.

After Count Cecil, the wealthiest noble in the Orphen Empire, now even the Empress Dowager was involved. Henry furrowed his brow with worry.

“The palace has only recently found peace. Why do you keep digging into this when you know how dangerous it is?”

“Peaceful…? I doubt it. Unless the Empress Dowager suddenly became kind while I was gone.”

Eric lifted his teacup with a blank expression and took a sip. Henry, watching Eric’s every move, let out a deep sigh.

“Sigh… She still opposes every project the Emperor tries to push forward. It’s time she gave up power.”

“This political war will only end when one side collapses.”

Eric’s blue eyes fixed calmly on Henry. As he set down his cup, he tilted his head and asked,

“No need to speak vaguely. You made a decision before coming here. Someone as sharp as you must know what I plan to do.”

Henry stared at Eric with a twisted face, then sighed and shook his head.

“Sigh… When have I ever gone against you? I’ll follow your lead.”

Henry pulled out more documents from his coat and handed them to Eric. Eric’s lips curved faintly as he began flipping through them lazily.

“These are the palace expenses from the Empress Dowager’s court this year. Double the budget from last year. As you can see, most of it comes from Count Cecil’s huge donations. The Empress Dowager passed these funds to the commander of the palace guards.”

“So the three are connected.”

“It’s part of the Empress Dowager’s strategy to control the palace. She opposes the Emperor’s projects and is building her own power base.”

At Henry’s words, Eric’s expression grew darker. Aria, listening nearby, also grew more anxious, realizing just how powerful the people involved were.

Henry glanced around and lowered his voice even more.

“But I’m the best informant in the empire, remember? I’ve found the leader of the protest group against the Reynolds family. The protest captain himself.”

Eric’s pupils widened at Henry’s words. The protest leader likely held key evidence. Eric’s stiff lips curved faintly.

“Of course it’s you. Where is he now?”

“He’s working as a clerk under Count Cecil. Shall I use the palace guards to arrest him?”

Henry tested Eric’s reaction, but Eric calmly looked down at the document.

After a moment of thought, Eric slowly looked up and spoke in a cold tone.

“It’s too soon. Even if we arrest him now, he won’t talk. He still trusts his master’s power.”

“You’re probably right. I didn’t think that far.”

“Keep watching him. When His Majesty finally points his sword at Count Cecil, that’s when I’ll deal with him myself.”

“Yes. At this rate, there’s going to be a huge storm in the imperial court. A major political war.”

“Waves that briefly stopped can’t stay still forever.”

Seeing Eric’s eyes grow heavy, Henry spoke in a cautious, worried tone.

“The Emperor will surely support you since he wants absolute power. But still, be careful. You know how he is—he changes his mind if something stops being useful to him.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Emperor only makes deals that benefit him. If you want something from him, you’ll have to pay for it. Just like the scar on your back.”

“What he wants from me, huh…”

Even though Henry looked concerned, Eric remained completely calm. After a brief silence, he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.

“What could he want from someone who has nothing?”

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

Henry glanced toward Aria in the distance, then spoke in a low voice.

“I’ve heard that Grand Duke Charles Stuart of the Kingdom of Atil has taken an interest in you.”

“Where did that rumor come from?”

“Rumors spread fast in high society. And especially in the imperial court, everyone pays attention to gossip.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Isn’t His Majesty quietly hoping you’ll marry the Grand Duke’s eldest daughter? The Count has only recently passed, so nothing will be said for a while, but…”

Eric’s eyes narrowed sharply. His gaze turned cold as a blade and pierced into Henry’s. Stiffened by the chill in those eyes, Henry couldn’t move.

He awkwardly forced a smile.

“I-I was just saying…”

Silence hung in the air between them. Eric’s expression had turned deadly, but Henry wasn’t someone who missed such subtle shifts in his superior’s mood.

Trying to lighten the mood, Henry turned to look out the window. Bright sunlight was now streaming through.

He clutched his hungry stomach and looked at Eric.

“I ran all night, and now I’m starving. Last time I visited, the food at House Bailey was amazing. Surely you won’t send me away empty-handed after risking my life for this info? Haha.”

Scratching the back of his head and laughing awkwardly, Henry watched Eric nod reluctantly toward Aria.

She quickly took the hint and headed to the dining room. As she left, Henry whispered quietly.

“There’s something odd between you two. Is there something I shouldn’t know? That maid who ran away… she came back.”

Eric clenched his jaw and muttered,

“If you’re going to spout nonsense, be quiet.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t say a word.”

Seeing Henry teasing him, Eric stood up, saying nothing more. With an emotionless face, he walked toward the dining room.

Following him, Henry wore a sly smile. Wasn’t this the same superior who treated every lady in high society like they were nothing—so cold it felt like he might slap them for getting too close?

But the way he looked at that maid… all that coldness had vanished. Only warmth remained in his gaze, like someone deeply in love.

Henry was dying to poke and tease the stoic commander—no matter if it caused a little trouble.

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