In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 91

The next morning, Eric was already changing into his uniform. His sharp gaze seemed deeper, as though lost in thought.

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door. It was Aria, who had brought the car.

As Aria set the tea cups on the table, her gaze shifted toward Eric, who was standing in front of the mirror.

Seeing him busy preparing, Aria couldn’t say anything and lowered her gaze to the floor.

Eric’s eyes briefly flickered toward Aria in the mirror but then turned away.

An oppressive silence hung between them. As Eric was fastening his wrist, he quietly stood in front of Aria.

“Help me with this.”

At his indifferent words, Aria automatically raised her head.

She tried to erase the feelings of frustration and confusion she had for him and nodded, but strangely, her expression darkened.

Aria tried to fasten his wrist as naturally as possible, even as her vision blurred, not knowing what to do with the mist gathering in her eyes.

Eric, looking down at her in silence, asked quietly,

“Are you upset?”

At his words, Aria raised her head, and her eyes, filled with tears, became visible.

But Eric was not shaken by the sight of her red eyes. He simply wiped her tears gently with his thumb.

“It will be tough, but just hold on a little longer. You’ll see him soon.”

“See him…?”

“Shh.”

Just then, a maid entered, and Eric’s face, which had carried a faint smile, instantly turned cold.

At the sight, Aria’s eyes showed a brief confusion, not understanding the hidden meaning in his words.

For some reason, Eric didn’t offer any explanation or clarification throughout the day.

As Eric climbed into the carriage, he briefly glanced at Aria before the carriage set off.

His black hair fluttered in the fresh breeze. His black uniform, decorated with an elaborate cloak, made him appear strikingly regal. Aria stood there for a long while, watching his retreating figure.

She couldn’t take her eyes off him until he disappeared from her sight.

Her gaze, fixated on that spot, eventually filled with tears.

She suddenly felt a sharp fear, wondering if he was going to marry another woman.

Of course, even if that happened, nothing would change. She would live her life loving him.

Aria’s darkened eyes turned to the ring on her finger. She absentmindedly fiddled with it.

“You’ve probably heard the rumors, but my father really likes Eric. Why wouldn’t he? He has excellent looks, abilities, and a solid position. He’s the kind of man everyone would want.”

Aria’s mind flashed to Sierra’s words, but her gaze remained on the floor, lost and unfocused.

The cruel words settled heavily in her heart again. Everything she had heard only reminded her of her own humble position.

Trying to shake off the growing unease, she walked aimlessly around the garden. Then, suddenly, she felt as if someone was watching her, and she turned her head.

There, standing in a brown frock coat, was Edward.

Aria quickly wiped her eyes with her sleeve, hoping he wouldn’t notice the tears.

Edward looked down at her with a cold sneer and a victorious smile.

“Crying like a fool. I told you, didn’t I? That man will never take responsibility for you. It’s happening just as I said.”

“Ha, well, it’s fine. You’re back by my side now. Let’s forget about the past. I’m not the type to keep digging into the past. You’ve thought about my proposal, haven’t you?”

“Proposal… what…”

Aria looked at him in confusion, her brows furrowed. Edward’s cold gaze lingered on her.

“Becoming my wife,” he said, his voice low and firm.

“Count!”

“I’ve forgiven all your arrogant actions up until now. You’re not going to reject my proposal again, are you? Eric will never come back to you. He won’t marry a mere servant when he has Miss Stuart.”

“Even if that’s true, I won’t accept your proposal. My heart already belongs to him.”

“Are you saying you’ll settle for being his mistress?!” Edward’s voice suddenly rose in anger, and he ran his hand through his hair.

Trying to maintain a calm face, he continued to stare at Aria.

“You’ll become a mistress, but you reject my proposal? Because of you, I’ve lost everything. Isabel, this business…”

“How is this my fault? It’s you who ruined everything—the marriage, the iron business—this is all your doing!”

“What…?”

Aria’s eyes were firm and resolute. In them was a deep, unwavering trust in Eric.

But what Aria didn’t know was that this very attitude was pushing Edward’s nerves to the edge.

A dark shadow began to grow in Edward’s eyes, and his patience started to wear thin. His face twisted in anger, no longer able to control the feelings bubbling up from within him.

“Fine. If that’s how you feel, there’s nothing I can do. Come to my room tomorrow night.”

Edward muttered through gritted teeth, and Aria’s body stiffened. She asked, trying to calm herself,

“W-what do you mean by that?”

“Didn’t you hear? Come to my room. I’ll take you as my wife.”

The words “as my wife” made Aria’s lips tremble in fear.

His green eyes were filled with jealousy as they glared at her. They lowered to the silver ring on Aria’s hand.

Looking at it, the coldness in his face began to crack, and his smile twisted into something exaggerated and mocking.

“Tomorrow, that ring you despise will be thrown away like garbage. Butler, while I’m at the workshop tomorrow, prepare Aria properly.”

“C-Count, even so…”

“Dare you question your master’s orders? Do as I say!”

His voice rang sharply in the air, and the butler nodded reluctantly. Edward turned and walked toward the main building.

The butler cast a fleeting glance at Aria, who was lost in thought, and then followed after him.

Aria stood there, staring vacantly at his retreating back, her ears filled with the thought of him taking her tomorrow night.

Aria, now working as Edward’s personal maid again, was sorting through the few belongings she had left in her small bag.

There were only a few clothes inside. She gazed at the room, feeling her vision blur.

Unlike the room in the main building, this room was larger and warmer.

There was no cold draft seeping in from the cracks in the door, no musty smell.

Most notably, there was a window, something she had never had in the attic room.

Through the small window, she could see the morning birds singing and the fresh scent of grass wafting in from the garden.

And then, Aria recalled the first time she met Eric.

She remembered the bastard child brought into the mansion by the Count. The poor young man who spent his days waiting for a beam of sunlight to shine into the empty room. The young boy dragged off to war.

That boy had grown to be admired by all, a young man who held his family’s future in his hands—so much so that Aria sometimes doubted if he was the same person she remembered.

A deep sense of dependence on Eric began to take root inside her. Being by his side gave her just enough breath to keep going.

The moments of happiness when she found solace behind his blunt and straightforward shield.

Once again, Aria had unwittingly paid the price for caring for someone with all her heart.

Since Eric had left for the palace, she had never let go of him.

Aria, lost in her thoughts, was interrupted by a gentle knock at the door.

“Aria, are you in there?”

It was the butler, speaking in a soft voice.

Aria hastily wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

She quickly checked her reflection in a small mirror. The faint redness of her eyes remained.

As she was caught off guard, the butler entered the room.

“What… what is it?”

Aria stood up anxiously, her eyes filled with uncertainty.

She lowered her head, trying to hide her tear-streaked eyes, fearing that Edward might come for her tonight.

“Aria, listen carefully. This is important.”

The butler glanced around before lowering his voice. Sensing something was off, Aria nodded without speaking.

After a few awkward coughs, the butler finally spoke in a more serious tone.

“Tonight, you’re leaving this place.”

“What do you mean…?”

“There are several people the Count has placed here. You need to leave before they notice you. Pack up your things.”

“If you don’t leave tonight, you’ll never leave this place again. Are you really going to become the Count’s mistress?”

Aria’s pupils began to tremble uncontrollably.

Escape—something she had never even imagined. She questioned her ears in disbelief.

But looking into the butler’s serious, weathered eyes, she knew he wasn’t lying.

Her face hardened as she shook her head. The butler, as though anticipating this, swallowed dryly and continued.

“Come, follow me.”

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