In A World Full of Silence, My Heart Will Find Its Way To You - Chapter 96

As the day faded and the dim evening arrived, the forest began to be slowly consumed by darkness.

Eric, who had been gazing outside, turned his attention to Aria. She looked exhausted from the harsh journey that had been unrelenting.

Noticing her condition, Eric turned the carriage toward the distant village.

When they arrived in front of the village inn, Eric helped Aria down from the carriage.

He spoke to the knights.

“It’s late. We’ll resume our journey tomorrow.”

“Understood, sir!”

With a brief response, Eric entered the inn. After a quick conversation with the innkeeper, he stepped back outside.

“It won’t be easy, but it’s best to rest here. The journey is too much for the lady to endure.”

Aria, worried that she might be holding them back, followed silently behind him. Her back ached and her legs were starting to swell, as Eric had said.

The inn was modest but well-equipped for a small village. After passing the tavern on the first floor, they made their way up to the second floor where the rooms were.

The innkeeper led them to a vacant room. Inside, there was a small desk, a chair, and an old bed.

The innkeeper placed a bottle of liquor and glasses on the desk and then left.

Once the innkeeper had gone, Eric lit the candle, sat in the chair, and the dim room was lit up slightly.

The flickering candlelight illuminated Eric’s blue eyes, which were hidden under his dark hair. He spoke in an indifferent tone.

“This place reminds me of that time.”

Eric seemed to be recalling the moment he had brought Aria back from Baron Wurven.

Aria’s eyes flickered slightly, and Eric let out a short sigh.

“How long are you going to stay so tense? Sit down over there.”

“But how can I leave you alone…?”

“Are you asking if I want you to lie down on the bed with me? Well, if you do, I’m not opposed.”

As Eric stood up and moved, Aria hurriedly sat down at the corner of the bed.

Eric, with a slight smirk on his lips, sat back down in the chair.

He removed his tight uniform and, as though accustomed to it, poured the liquor into a glass from the bottle on the table.

The crisp sound of the liquid filling the glass echoed through the quiet room.

Eric took a sip, his thick neck contracting as he swallowed. Aria, sitting across from him, slightly lifted her head. Despite wearing just a shirt, his sturdy build made him appear rather alluring.

Aria stared quietly at him, soon lost in thought.

How was he going to find proof against the Reynolds family and convince the Emperor?

From a conversation with Henry, one of the Emperor’s subordinates, the Empress Dowager had been mentioned.

The Empress Dowager’s seal was on a petition opposing the Reynolds family’s trading practices.

It seemed the Empress Dowager had been behind stirring up a riot and secretly supporting the Reynolds family’s downfall.

Involving both the Empress Dowager, who was the Emperor’s mother, and Cecil, the wealthiest nobleman in the Orphen Empire, made it a dangerous situation.

Taking a stand against the imperial family was reckless.

And the leader of the rioters, who had opposed the Reynolds family, was now working under Cecil as an accountant. How could Eric possibly capture this person?

There were more powerful figures involved than she had imagined. Even Duke Stuart and Sierra were linked.

Aria recalled Henry’s words with concern.

“Doesn’t His Majesty secretly want to arrange the marriage between the eldest daughter of Duke Charles Stuart and the Captain?”

If the Emperor only made deals that benefited him, he might try to force Eric and Sierra to marry under that pretext.

Aria was filled with countless doubts, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak them, especially in front of him.

Just being with him made her anxiety start to fade.

Then, a voice interrupted her thoughts.

“The current Emperor is different from the previous one.”

Eric’s gaze had somehow shifted toward her. After taking a long drink from his glass, he continued.

“Emperor Carlos will never share the power he holds, not even with his mother.”

“Right now, it’s hard to say whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing. The court is in chaos.”

Eric leaned back in the chair, his posture relaxed. His shirt, loosely fitting, revealed his well-defined muscles through the gaps in his buttons.

“If he were to drive out my mother recklessly, the nobles would only gain more influence.”

“It’s a difficult matter.”

“Hmm… You look worried.”

As Eric’s eyes lazily scanned her, Aria quickly turned her gaze away.

“I’m just worried that your troubles are getting worse because of my family… And I’m scared knowing that both Cecil and the Empress Dowager are involved.”

“Is that all?”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“Isn’t it time for us to have an honest conversation?”

Eric smiled faintly, then stood up from his chair and approached Aria.

Aria instinctively lifted her head as he suddenly moved closer.

He lightly brushed her face and asked,

“Are you afraid that the Emperor will try to force you into marriage with Sierra?”

“That’s…”

Eric, who had been staring at her, slowly lowered his head and asked again,

“Isn’t that it?”

“Yes.”

Aria, who had kept those unspoken thoughts hidden, let out a long sigh.

Eric knelt in front of her and gently held her chin, turning her to face him.

“I’ve come this far by my own decision. No matter what the Emperor says, I won’t change my mind.”

“Trust me. I’ve already prepared for everything.”

Eric ran his thumb gently across her lower lip. Then, he leaned in and kissed her deeply, his lips pressing against hers in a way that felt both reassuring and intense.

Aria, who had hesitated, finally allowed him to pull her closer, surrendering to his touch.

With one hand holding her delicate wrist, Eric pushed her back onto the bed. She was gently laid down, guided by his strength.

He whispered, watching her eyes flicker slightly.

“I will always be by your side.”

His voice, warm and enticing, made Aria’s face flush, though she struggled to keep her composure.

His thick thighs pressed between her legs as he moved closer, stealing a kiss from her neck. His breath quickened as he pulled her deeper into his embrace.

Just then, the peaceful silence was shattered by a loud noise from outside.

Aria quickly straightened up. Eric, who had been staring outside, walked toward the window and looked down at the commotion below.

Outside, the knights guarding them were fighting with masked assassins, swords drawn.

Eric’s blue eyes narrowed as he observed the situation.

“Could it be…?”

He turned to Aria and spoke urgently.

“Wait here. Don’t open the door for anyone until I return.”

“What’s going on?”

“I’m not sure. Just stay here and wait until the situation settles. I’ll be back soon.”

“Don’t go. If anything happens…”

Aria looked at him with desperate eyes, but Eric remained silent, his jaw set.

After a moment, Eric nodded at her reassuringly before stepping out.

The quiet place, which had been so calm moments ago, had turned into a place of chaos and screams.

The sound of blades slashing echoed throughout the area.

Aria, filled with fear, covered her ears and crouched down, trembling as the screams of the injured knights reached her ears.

As she clenched her eyes shut, she suddenly feared that one of those screams might belong to Eric.

The thought of losing him… was unbearable.

With shaking legs, Aria managed to stand and made her way to the railing.

She mustered the courage to look down. The knights and masked assassins were locked in a brutal battle, their blood staining the ground.

Soon, she saw Eric, wearing only a shirt, surrounded by the assassins as he fought fiercely.

Suddenly, an arrow shot toward him. It pierced his shoulder, tearing through his shirt.

“Ugh…!”

Despite the sharp pain and blood dripping down his arm, Eric broke the arrow off and continued to fight without hesitation.

Aria, watching this, was consumed with panic.

She rushed toward the door, desperate to find help.

Even a seasoned knight would struggle to withstand so many assassins on his own. Eric’s life was in grave danger.

As she opened the door to the corridor, a hand suddenly grabbed her shoulder, and Aria turned around in shock.

A large, masked figure loomed before her, glaring at her. She gasped, covering her mouth to stifle a scream.

The assassin shouted toward the corridor.

“I found the woman!”

The loud sounds of footsteps stopped abruptly.

The assassin turned, grinning, and Aria’s face drained of color as she realized he had found his prey.

Before she could scream, the assassin struck her neck.

Aria lost her balance and collapsed onto the floor, her vision fading as she slowly slipped into unconsciousness.

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