I Accidentally Saved The Male Lead’s Brother Chapter 138

Suspicious as he was of Penelope Ohen due to her contact with the blond-haired, blue-eyed man, Carcel had never considered joining hands with her.

Yet, after hearing Charlotte’s words, he realized how easily she could have misunderstood.

Determined to apologize, Carcel went looking for her.

But Charlotte was nowhere to be found, neither in her room nor Theo’s. Theo, too, was missing.

Thinking they might have gone to the garden, he checked the grounds, but there was no sign of them. They weren’t in the playroom either.

Finally, Carcel asked a maid, who informed him that Charlotte had gone to the kitchen.

Assuming she might be having a snack, Carcel headed there, only to witness an unexpected scene.

Charlotte and Theo were joyfully making something together.

The two were so immersed in their work, laughing and mixing dough, that Carcel couldn’t bring himself to interrupt. Instead, he stood quietly, watching them from behind.

Only when the dough was nearly ready did he approach.

“Are you making cookies?”

Charlotte hadn’t expected to see him so soon and stammered as she lowered her head.

“…Yes.”

Theo, however, responded loudly.

“Theo’s making cookies! Yummy cookies!”

“Is that so?”

“Brother, do you want to help?”

Theo wiggled his hips playfully, a mischievous glint in his eye. It was clear he wanted to smear cookie dough on Carcel’s nose.

Seeing the dough on their noses, Carcel crouched to meet Theo’s eye level.

Delighted, Theo dabbed dough on Carcel’s nose, bursting into laughter.

“Brother’s got dough too!”

“I do.”

Carcel glanced at Charlotte, who still had her head lowered, before washing his hands and returning. Rolling up his sleeves, he asked her for permission.

“May I take off the engagement ring for a moment?”

“Huh? Oh, yes, of course.”

With Charlotte’s permission, Carcel slipped the ring off and tucked it into his pocket. Then, he grabbed a ball of dough from the bowl.

“Do I roll this out?”

“Are you… really going to help?”

He tilted his head slightly, as if to ask why not.

“Didn’t I say I’d assist?”

Picking up a rolling pin, he dusted the dough with flour and began rolling it out.

Charlotte found herself staring.

His white shirt and black trousers seemed out of place in the kitchen, yet his serious expression somehow suited the environment.

“Oh, wait a moment.”

Realizing something, she grabbed a white apron identical to the ones she and Theo were wearing.

“You should wear an apron so your clothes don’t get dirty.”

Carcel glanced at his flour-dusted hands and clothes, a hint of sheepishness crossing his face.

“My hands are already dirty…”

“I’ll help you put it on. Could you lower your head a little?”

Carcel obeyed without complaint. Charlotte draped the apron around his neck and hesitated briefly before tying it around his waist.

To do so, she had to step closer, her hands brushing against his back as she tied the strings. Carcel stiffened slightly at the contact.

Holding her breath, Charlotte quickly tied the knot and stepped away.

“All done.”

“Brother! Hurry!”

Carcel glanced at her briefly before turning to Theo, who was eagerly waiting. Picking up the rolling pin again, he started rolling out the dough.

Once the dough was rolled out evenly, the three of them began cutting out cookie shapes with various cutters.

Perhaps thanks to magic, the kitchen had an impressive array of intricate cookie cutters.

Theo’s favorite was the teddy bear cutter. Charlotte placed an almond on the bear’s belly and folded its arms around it, making it look like the bear was hugging the almond.

“Wow!”

Theo clapped his hands in delight. They used chocolate chips to create eyes and buttons on the bears.

Once the cookies were shaped, they placed them on trays and slid them into the oven.

“Theo, the oven is hot, so we need to wait over here, okay?”

Charlotte gently led Theo to a spot farther away.

The kitchen staff took over the cleanup, insisting that they handle everything.

With nothing else to do, the three of them washed their hands and waited for the cookies to bake.

Charlotte glanced at Carcel, seated beside her, before reaching out to take his hand—the one with the engagement ring now back in place.

Carcel responded by holding her hand firmly.

“Um…”

“Uh…”

They both started speaking at the same time, then paused.

“Go ahead,” Carcel urged.

“No, you first.”

Once again, they spoke in unison. Their synchronization made Charlotte chuckle.

Carcel gave her a look, silently encouraging her to speak. This time, she didn’t defer.

“I’m sorry for getting upset earlier.”

“….”

“I didn’t mean to, but I guess I’ve been on edge lately, with everything that’s going on.”

The sound of crackling logs in the oven filled the silence. The scent of baking cookies began to waft through the air.

Perhaps it was the warmth from the fire, or perhaps it was Carcel’s presence, but Charlotte felt her cheeks growing warmer.

She lowered her head and added softly, “I think… I was jealous. It’s embarrassing to admit, isn’t it?”

“It’s not embarrassing at all.”

Carcel shifted closer to her.

“I rather like it.”

“….”

“That jealousy.”

He reached out gently, cupping her cheek, and tilted her face so their eyes met.

“I should apologize too.”

“What for?”

“For saying unnecessary things and causing you undue worry.”

“….”

“But there’s one thing I want you to remember.”

He smiled faintly.

“You’re the only one for me now.”

Charlotte found herself smiling back.

“You’re the only one for me too.”

Carcel briefly glanced at Theo, who was intently watching the oven, oblivious to their conversation.

Satisfied, Carcel leaned in and pressed a light kiss to Charlotte’s lips. It was brief, a fleeting touch, but its tenderness made it all the more meaningful.

As he leaned in for another kiss, Theo suddenly jumped up, pointing at the oven.

“Sister! Cookies!”

Startled, Charlotte stood up as well.

“Oh, Theo, what is it?”

“When are the cookies done?”

“You want to eat them already?”

“Yeah!”

“Let’s take a look, then.”

Charlotte put on an oven mitt and pulled the tray of cookies from the oven. Thanks to Theo’s timely alarm, the cookies were perfectly baked.

Blowing gently on a cookie to cool it, she handed it to Theo. He mimicked her, blowing on it before biting into a teddy bear’s head.

Chewing enthusiastically, Theo’s face lit up with a big smile.

“It’s yummy!”

Charlotte then offered another cookie to Carcel.

“This is my apology gift. I know you don’t like sweet things, so I hope it’s okay.”

Before she could retract the offer, Carcel quickly took the cookie and popped it into his mouth. Chewing carefully, he smiled.

“It’s delicious.”

Charlotte took a bite of her own cookie and smiled back.

“I’m glad.”

The warm aroma of cookies filled the room, complementing the sweetness of the moment.

****

The outfits were finally ready. Baroness Denis, looking as excited as a child, helped Charlotte into her dress.

“It’s perfect. It suits you beautifully, my lady.”

Charlotte twirled in front of the mirror, examining herself.

‘Even I have to admit it looks good.’

The white dress with blue accents matched her pale skin and gentle demeanor perfectly. The design emphasized her shoulders and waist, enhancing her best features.

It was comfortable too, as it didn’t require a corset.

However, what truly caught her attention wasn’t her own appearance.

‘Theo looks so adorable!’

Dressed in a white outfit that matched hers, Theo was impossibly cute. She wanted to pinch his cheeks.

Theo, equally pleased with his outfit, stood beside her, admiring himself in the mirror.

Noticing Charlotte’s gaze, Baroness Denis adjusted Theo’s outfit and added, “The young master’s outfit is stylish but designed for comfort. How is it, young master? Does it feel good?”

Theo nodded vigorously.

“It’s comfy!”

“That’s wonderful.”

Charlotte felt a twinge of regret.

‘I wish others could see how adorable Theo looks.’

But it wasn’t possible. Theo was still too young to attend any formal balls, and his unstable mana meant it was best to avoid drawing attention.

Still, she couldn’t help feeling wistful.

‘I’ll just have to cherish this memory myself.’

Charlotte made sure to take in every detail of Theo admiring himself in the mirror.

“Isn’t the Duke coming? He should try his outfit on too.”

“He said he’d be here soon. Ah, there he is!”

Charlotte brightened as Carcel entered the room. He stopped in his tracks when he saw her.

“Carcel?”

At her call, Carcel resumed walking and stopped in front of her, his gaze sweeping over her.

“It suits you perfectly.”

Charlotte pouted playfully.

“Is that all you have to say?”

Taking a step closer, Carcel grasped her hand.

“You’re beautiful.”