In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 92

Aria followed the butler toward the back door. In a corner, hidden from the eyes of the stern guards, there was a secret passage leading down to the basement.

The rusty entrance, unused for some time, was surrounded by thick vines, left unattended.

The passage, shrouded in vines, felt like a prison, with only the sharp wind sweeping through, like a ghostly wail.

The butler took a deep breath as he stared at the entrance. He roughly pushed aside the vines and pulled out a small key from his pocket. He quickly unlocked the tightly secured lock.

With a sharp, creaking sound, the door opened.

Soon, the butler’s eyes met Aria’s, which were wide with surprise.

“If you follow this path, you should be able to reach the outside.”

“What… what do you mean?”

“Your search will end there. The person you’re looking for is waiting for you, so don’t worry and go.”

“The person I’m looking for? Could it be…?”

The one person Aria had been longing for—Eric.

But Eric had already left for the palace long ago.

In fact, he was traveling in the carriage that Edward had provided. To think he was waiting for her up ahead.

Aria couldn’t hide her confusion at the unexpected situation.

The one thing that was clear was that the butler, once only loyal to his master, was now aiding Eric.

“Could this… have all been part of Lord Eric’s plan?”

The cautious question was met with the butler’s firm reply.

“There’s no time to explain everything. We need to hurry before anyone realizes you’re gone.”

“But… but what about you? If they find out I’m missing, they’ll question you first.”

“I’m just a maid who’s already escaped once. They won’t suspect me just because I did it again.”

“But… eventually, all suspicion will fall on you.”

Aria couldn’t finish the thought, worrying it might fall on the butler, but her lips trembled silently.

The butler’s gaze darkened as he noticed her concern. He briefly turned his eyes to the distant sky.

The clear, cloudless sky and the bright, serene moon contrasted with the somber expression in his eyes.

He knew well that staying here was dangerous.

The moment he avoided Edward’s gaze by claiming it was an unexpected event, all suspicion would naturally fall on him.

And as a butler, he would not easily escape the responsibility for a runaway maid.

Eric, who had already foreseen everything, had instructed the butler to let Aria go.

But no matter how much he thought about it, this was all he could do for Eric.

If he too fled, Edward would immediately suspect Eric.

He had to buy time until Eric reached the palace, even if it meant sacrificing himself.

Without showing any sign of worry, the butler half-closed his eyes and looked at Aria.

The lines of age were clear around his eyes.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ve dedicated my life to the Bailey family. Given my loyalty, the Count will not suspect me.”

“But…”

“There’s no time to hesitate. If you delay, it will be my problem, too. If you care about me, you need to go now.”

The butler’s expression was more serious and solemn than ever.

Aria nodded silently. There was no other choice.

As the butler said, if they stayed here any longer, everyone would be caught. She had to survive, no matter what.

Taking the small torch the butler handed her, Aria began to walk down the dark passage.

As she descended the stairs, she heard a sharp clang as the door closed behind her.

In the moonlight, the butler’s face was softer than the cold, stern expression he usually wore.

He nodded briefly at Aria.

Aria, too, lowered her head in a brief gesture of respect before turning her gaze ahead. Biting her lip, she hurried down the unseen path instinctively.

The butler’s gaze lingered on her retreating figure, a bittersweet emotion passing across his face.

Standing still, lost in thought, his eyes slowly shifted toward the cloudless sky.

“Count, if you’re watching from up there, please protect the young master.”

With a soft murmur, the butler closed his eyes, his age showing in the lines around them.

His expression hardened, and he turned back to the main house.

Aria, relying on the small torch, walked through the dark, oppressive passage.

The air was thick with the musty smell of mold, and a damp, eerie atmosphere hung around her.

The deep darkness sent shivers down her spine, but there was no time to hesitate or slow down.

Her steps quickened. Her anxiety and impatience made her steps heavier, unaware of the sound of her boots growing more frantic.

Then, she heard a strange footstep behind her.

Even though she was walking alone, she felt as though someone was following her. Without thinking, Aria stopped.

‘Is it just my anxiety?’

Thinking it was just her nerves, she shook it off and started walking again.

But soon, the eerie feeling of being followed returned.

Aria, feeling as if someone was indeed chasing her, stopped and looked back.

Her legs nearly gave out. If they were really after her… the pressure made her dizzy.

But she couldn’t afford to hesitate. If she was caught, everyone would be in danger.

In a panic, she began running again, not knowing which direction she was going.

As the sound of her boots echoed, a faint light appeared in the distance. It must be the exit.

“Please!”

Gripping her maid’s dress, she exhaled sharply and ran toward the light with all her strength.

Panting heavily, the moment she reached the exit, someone grabbed her from behind.

With her mouth covered by their hand, she stifled a scream.

The torch she had been holding fell into the water, extinguishing with a splash.

Surrounded by darkness, Aria turned her head with a sinking feeling in her heart.

A face, obscured in the shadows, reflected in the moonlight.

A tall figure wearing a black uniform began to appear in her vision.

Blown by the wind, dark hair and glowing blue eyes. A tall, muscular figure. It was Eric.

Before Aria could fully react, Eric moved quickly. He pulled her into his arms as he caught her.

In his embrace, Aria tried to calm her racing heart, breathing heavily.

Eric held her tightly to reassure her.

With his eyes closed, Eric gently ran his hand through her hair, letting out a sigh of relief.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you earlier.”

At his soft words, tears welled up in Aria’s eyes, though she didn’t fully understand why.

Looking down at her, Eric lightly brushed her tears away with his thumb.

“I promised I’d protect you. To keep that promise, this was the only way.”

As all her worries and tension melted away, Aria smiled faintly, feeling a wave of relief just at the sight of his face.

She gazed at Eric, taking in his familiar features and the warmth hidden behind his tough exterior and rough words. Everything about him felt comforting and precious.

Eric glanced over Aria’s shoulder, his expression darkening.

“And the butler?”

“Well…”

A mix of emotions passed across Aria’s face as she looked at him.

Eric’s gaze deepened, and a sigh of frustration escaped his lips.

“He bought time for me, didn’t he?”

“As long as the butler’s still there, Edward won’t suspect me. But if both of us disappear at once, he’d suspect me immediately.”

“But it’s only a matter of time. You’ll never escape Edward’s suspicion.”

“I know. Edward will figure it out soon enough. But the butler has dedicated his whole life to the Bailey family. He chose to sacrifice himself for the cause. He’s a loyal man.”

“If only he had come with us…”

“There’s no need to feel guilty. I’ll carry the burden. We have to finish this, for their sacrifice not to be in vain.”

Eric, with a bittersweet expression, lightly lifted his mouth into a small smile as he looked at Aria.

He grabbed her wrist and led her to the dark alley next to the vines, where his horse was waiting.

Speaking softly, he said, “The carriage is waiting at the midpoint. We’ll talk more when we’re in it.”

Eric helped Aria onto the horse, climbing up behind her. He took the reins and urged the horse forward.

The horse sped off across the river, heading toward the palace, under a sky without a cloud.

They rode in silence for a long time. But for Aria, the earlier anxiety and worry seemed to vanish, replaced by a feeling of comfort.

Was it because Eric had pulled her so close, ensuring she wouldn’t fall? Or was it simply because she was by his side again?

Either way, she felt safe. She matched her breath with his speed, letting the wind hit her face.

In this moment, Aria realized she was relying on him, even in the quiet stillness of their flight.Top of Form

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