In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 90

While Eric was away, Jacob came to see Aria. It was the first time he had visited the Bailey estate like this.

Aria quickly looked around, worried that someone might see, and led Jacob to the first-floor sitting room.

Only after she firmly closed the sitting room door did Aria finally let out a breath of relief.

“What brings you here, Jacob? If you come and go like this, someone might see you.”

“Don’t worry, miss. I was concerned something might have happened to you, so I stopped by a few other places first.”

Jacob gently smiled as he set down his old, worn bag.

“I even got treated like a peddler for the first time in a while. The servants here probably think the same.”

“I hope I’m not getting in your way, Jacob.”

“What are you saying? Just your presence brings hope and comfort to so many people!”

“So many people…?”

Aria asked with a puzzled look, and Jacob’s eyes began to shine.

“I mean the former servants of the Reynolds family who had to hide all these years. Just like young master Eric instructed, I’ve been looking for them. It’s been a long time, so not all of them are alive, but many have survived and held on.”

“Is that true, Jacob?”

“Yes. Just like Master Eric said, everything they have will be proof.”

“I can’t believe they’re still alive…”

Aria’s wide brown eyes grew even darker with emotion.

She remembered the many servants who had protected her as a child. As their loyal and steadfast faces came to mind, her grandmother’s face—who had gripped her hand tightly before dying—slowly overlapped with them.

Lost in thought for a moment, Aria turned her gaze back to Jacob.

“Thank you, Jacob. You always take the lead for someone like me.”

“I would do anything for you, miss. Especially for your happiness and for the Reynolds family.”

“Yes. Not everyone can return to the life they once had, but at least their sacrifices shouldn’t be in vain.”

“Yes, miss. Hearing you say that makes me happy. Honestly, I was very worried when I heard you were coming back here.”

“Oh, right. I have something important to tell you.”

Aria unconsciously lowered her voice and glanced around nervously. Then she spoke softly.

“I’ll be going to the Imperial Palace soon with Master Eric.”

“The Imperial Palace…?”

“It seems there’s some trouble with the Bailey family’s business. Master Eric is going himself to solve it.”

Jacob’s straight forehead slightly furrowed.

The Imperial Palace? For Aria, who hadn’t regained her status yet, going there could be dangerous.

He looked closely at her and let out a cautious breath. His shifting eyes now showed signs of worry.

“Miss, if your identity is discovered…”

“I know. If I go like this, that might happen. But things will be different if I go as Master Eric’s wife.”

“His wife?!”

Jacob stared at her with wide eyes.

Aria watched his reaction and a soft smile spread on her lips.

Following her gaze, Jacob’s eyes stopped at the ring on her left hand.

“That ring…?”

“Master Eric proposed to me. I haven’t even restored my status yet, so I know I have no right, but I want to accept it with joy.”

“I see… I’ve never met a man as remarkable as him. More than anything, he cares about you and loves you. This is truly good news, miss…”

“If it weren’t for him, I can’t even imagine what my life would be like right now. I must recover my status soon, so I don’t cause trouble for him.”

“Yes. We’re gathering a lot of evidence, so I’m sure we’ll hear good news soon.”

Aria silently nodded. Right now, to the Imperial family and nobles, she was still just a lowly maid.

Even if most people looked at her with contempt for marrying Eric, she had to accept it.

If that was the only way she could be with Eric.

Jacob noticed a rare happiness in Aria’s normally gloomy face, and a strange gleam appeared in his eyes.

As their eyes met, he smiled warmly, following her lead.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and a maid quickly entered the room.

Aria collected her expression and turned her head.

“What is it?”

“There you are, miss. The Count is urgently asking for you.”

“The Count… wants to see me?”

“Yes, and if you don’t go right away, even I might get scolded…”

As soon as the maid finished speaking, silence and a heavy stillness filled the sitting room.

Jacob looked at Aria with deep concern.

Only moments ago she had been smiling, but now her face had gone pale.

With eyes shadowed in darkness, Aria stared at Jacob.

“I have to go. See you later.”

Urged by the situation, Aria finally tore her gaze from Jacob and followed the maid.

Every step she took after the maid was filled with an unknown sense of unease and confusion.

“Aria, you’re late. Don’t just stand there, come closer.”

Edward spoke gently as Aria entered the room.

Edward was seated at the table in a neat suit, and across from him sat Eric.

Maybe it was the sunlight, but Edward’s emerald-green eyes seemed to shine more than usual today.

But on his lips was a cold sneer that couldn’t quite be understood.

Anyone meeting him for the first time would never notice it.

But Aria had been around Edward for years. Her body was slowly freezing from the tension in the air.

As she stood still, Edward gave her a sharp glance.

Aria, with a stiff expression, reluctantly took a step forward.

“You don’t look like your usual self. Your face is stiff. Someone might think I called you here to scold you.”

“I’m sorry. May I ask why you called me?”

“How’s life in the annex? Is it bearable?”

“Thanks to Master Eric’s care, I’m doing well.”

“Is that so…?”

Edward’s thick eyebrows twitched slightly, clearly displeased with her answer.

He furrowed his beautiful brow, then quickly smoothed his expression again.

“The reason I called you here is because Eric will be going to the Imperial Palace soon. While he’s gone, you’ll serve as my personal maid.”

“Your personal maid…?”

“Why are you so surprised? Don’t tell me you’re planning to go with Eric to help him arrange his marriage to Miss Stuart?”

“M-Marriage?!”

Aria’s voice rose unintentionally. She quickly covered her mouth, her eyes shaking uncontrollably.

What was he talking about? Eric hadn’t mentioned anything like that, not even yesterday.

Aria’s face turned pale as she struggled to hide her confusion.

She turned her eyes from Edward to Eric.

But Eric, who avoided her gaze, looked colder than ever—like a blade of ice.

Seeing this, Aria felt like she had been cut by countless knives.

As she stared at Eric in shock, Edward smirked.

“When Eric gets married, all the annex staff will be moved to the main building. That means your position will improve too. Better to serve the head of the family than just Eric’s maid.”

“I… I…”

“Also, my offer from before still stands. Think about it.”

Edward’s offer—he meant marrying him. Aria’s eyes lost all hope, sinking into darkness.

Overwhelmed with helplessness, she bit her lip hard.

Edward, looking her over, sighed quietly. Then, in a quiet voice, he asked again.

“Aria, did you really believe Eric when he said he wanted to marry you? I told you, didn’t I? In the end, he’s just using you. I’m the one who will protect you forever. So…”

Before he could finish, silence filled the room.

As Aria slowly lifted her heavy eyes, she noticed Edward’s sharp gaze locked on the ring on her hand. Without realizing it, she clasped her hands together.

“Starting tomorrow, work as my maid. Just like before.”

Even as he sipped his tea, Edward didn’t take his eyes off her. The sound of the teacup being set on the table rang loud in the quiet room.

Edward shook his head at the cold, expressionless Eric.

“Just like I thought. You were only going to use Aria and then throw her away. That’s your limit. A low-born bastard like you couldn’t do any better.”

“Fine. I’ve seen your loyalty. As promised, go to the Imperial Palace in my place and meet the Emperor.”

“I’ll prepare as you said.”

In a cold and calm voice, Eric stood up, gave a slight nod, and walked past Aria.

At that moment, he turned his head slightly and met her eyes.

His deep gaze pierced through Aria’s confusion.

Though his face showed no emotion, a faint smile spread across it.

Though no words were spoken, it was clear what he was telling her.

“Don’t worry. No matter what, I’ll protect you.”

Realizing this, Aria’s eyes widened slightly.

In his serious, sharp gaze, hidden warmth made her brown eyes tremble like candlelight.

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