In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 86

In an instant, a blade was drawn and aimed at the maid’s neck. As Eric’s cold blade touched her skin, a chill ran down her stiffened body.

“M-Master Eric, please, spare me! What did I do wrong to deserve this?”

“Even with your life on the line, you’re quite bold.”

“W-What…?”

The maid’s pupils trembled sharply. Unlike Eric’s calm expression, her face turned pale with fear. The cold, sharp blade was pressing relentlessly into her neck.

“P-Please, have mercy!”

She clasped her hands together and begged desperately. Cold sweat poured down her back, even in the chilly night breeze. Despite trying to remain composed, Eric’s icy gaze never wavered.

If she dared to act even more shamelessly, her head might be the next thing to fall under that cold blade.

She had to make a choice—die by his hand now, or be humiliated and killed later by the assassins. Either way, the end would be the same.

“M-Master Eric… I, I…”

Flustered, she stammered. As if seeing right through her, Eric spoke.

“You poisoned your master. Even if it was on the Lady’s orders, it’s a crime that can never be forgiven.”

“M-Master…”

“The Lady won’t let you live. She knows you’re a threat that could expose her secrets.”

The maid’s face turned ghostly pale. Eric’s words about her future were disturbingly accurate.

“I could kill you right now and avenge my father. But I’m giving you a chance.”

“W-What…?”

She looked up quickly. Eric’s cold, sharp eyes stared directly at her.

“You’re quick and clever. A smart servant who knows how to avoid trouble. That’s probably why the head maid trusts you so much.”

“With your skills, I’m sure you know at least one of the Lady’s weaknesses. That could be the only way to save yourself.”

“T-That’s…!”

Her eyes widened in shock. How could he know so much about her?

Eric’s gaze—so chilling it gave her goosebumps—seemed to see right through her soul.

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about… There’s nothing like that…”

She avoided Eric’s sharp eyes and searched for an excuse, nervously biting the inside of her cheek.

But Eric didn’t budge. He clicked his tongue in irritation.

“Are you really expecting me to believe you poisoned a count without any form of protection or insurance?”

“I-I…”

“Then I guess I have no choice. After I cut off your head, I’ll search your bag. I’ll soon find out what it is you risked your life to protect.”

“M-Master! W-Wait, please!”

She raised her voice without thinking, then quickly lowered it while glancing around in fear. Her widened eyes couldn’t hide her panic.

She lowered her gaze. A short sigh escaped her lips, squeezed out by the pressure weighing on her.

After a moment of thought, the maid made her decision. She had searched for excuses, but the conclusion was clear.

Excuses wouldn’t work anymore. The man before her was far sharper and colder than she had expected.

She bowed repeatedly before Eric.

“I-I was wrong, Master! I didn’t mean for it to end up like this. But I was desperate too…”

She steadied her trembling voice and continued.

“As you said, the Lady ordered me to poison the Count. Her loyal servant, Madame Vianne, was the one who delivered the instructions. It was a trap I couldn’t escape.”

“I know I committed a terrible crime. I’ll accept any punishment. But… I have family who rely on me. If I die, my sick mother will have no one to care for her. Please, spare my life!”

She fell to her knees and bowed her head. Eric stared at her silently. Only the cold night air lingered between them.

After a moment of hesitation, the maid reached into her bag and handed something to Eric.

“Please take this. It’s a written promise the Lady gave me.”

“A promise?”

“I had doubts about her orders, so I asked for this. It says she’d give me a house where I could live with my family. It’s stamped with her seal—it’s undeniable proof.”

Eric frowned as he looked over the paper. The seal was unmistakably the Countess’s.

Seeing Eric’s reaction, the maid quickly pulled something else from her bag.

“This is the poison the head maid gave me. She told me to put it in the Count’s teacup. I secretly saved a small portion of it.”

Eric’s expression darkened. His eyes focused on the crumpled paper containing the poison.

As the familiar sharp scent filled his senses, he brought it to his nose.

The moment he smelled it, Eric remembered—he’d encountered this scent before. It was very familiar.

Now he understood everything. Why the Countess had sent assassins to kill this maid.

A crooked smile tugged at Eric’s lips. The maid’s nervous gaze carefully studied him.

“Please, spare me. Even if you kill me here, I won’t complain. But if you want to reveal the truth behind the Count’s death, you’ll need me. I’m the only witness.”

“You talk a lot. Fine. You’re right—I can’t kill you yet.”

His cold voice sent the maid’s eyes trembling once again.

“No matter what you say, you’re still a servant who killed her master. You’ll never escape severe punishment.”

“But I will make use of you. If that’s what it takes to honor my father.”

The strength in his voice made her trembling eyes focus on him. Eric’s gaze narrowed.

“You’ll pay the price for betraying your master. Do that, and I’ll let you live.”

“A-Are you serious?!”

“I’ll arrange a place for you to stay. Somewhere safer than here.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much, Master!”

Her once trembling eyes now looked clearly at Eric.

She let out a long breath, as if finally able to breathe properly.

Eric narrowed his eyes sternly.

“Don’t even think about running. I wouldn’t take you in without being prepared.”

“M-Master…”

Eric turned away, not looking back, and said,

“I’ll call for you later. Remember—there will only be one chance.”

“Y-Yes…”

As Eric glanced down at the maid, who was still shaking, he tilted his head slightly—telling her to follow.

Startled, the maid grabbed her bag and hurried after him. It was the only way she could survive.

Southern Empire – Countess’s Hometown, Shale

In a large mansion in Shale, the Countess was staying after returning to her hometown.

Though smaller and with fewer servants than the Bailey estate, the atmosphere was not warm. It was quiet and heavy—burdened by the Countess’s worries.

She had come at her son’s suggestion, but she couldn’t shake the guilt and unease that sat deep in her heart.

The faint scent of marigolds and sunflowers filled the luxurious bedroom, where maids served tea on a silver tray.

As she looked into her chamomile tea, the Countess thought of Bailey estate.

Her mind involuntarily returned to the husband she had killed with her own hands. Count Dennis, with his thick, arched brows, was colder and more cautious than ever.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t entrust our family to someone like Edward. I’ve already made my decision.”

At that moment, she realized the problem was her own trust in that man.

She had believed in her husband. She never imagined he would abandon her and choose that lowborn illegitimate child.

Suppressing the rising panic from her core, she endured in silence—only to be cast aside.

In the end, the Count not only broke his promise to her, but also planned to pass everything to the bastard child.

“It was a necessary choice. You betrayed me first, not the other way around.”

She forced her gaze out the window. The sunlit garden came into view, and her eyes gleamed like a viper’s.

She trembled slightly as anger toward Eric overtook her. Clenching her shaking hands, she muttered:

“This family won’t be yours. I’ll risk everything to take your life. Wait. Soon, you’ll join your father.”

Just then, hurried footsteps stopped outside her door.

“My Lady, it’s me. May I come in for a moment?”

It was Madame Vianne, the head maid who had followed her here.

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