I Accidentally Saved The Male Lead’s Brother Chapter 139

Being stared at so intently while hearing such compliments was something Charlotte still wasn’t used to. Flustered, she quickly diverted the conversation.

“Theo looks adorable too, doesn’t he?”

“Yes, he does,” Carcel replied, though his gaze remained fixed on Charlotte.

“How can you say that without even looking?”

“I already saw him when I entered.”

At a loss for words, Charlotte playfully pushed his shoulder.

“Go change into your outfit now.”

Watching the two with an amused expression, Baroness Denis approached, accompanied by her assistant carrying Carcel’s attire.

“Duke, as lovely as the lady is, let’s save the admiration for later and try on your suit first.”

“Of course.”

As Carcel followed Baroness Denis behind a partition, he couldn’t resist glancing back at Charlotte a few times. She waved him off with a small smile.

Moments later, Carcel emerged in his formal attire, and Charlotte couldn’t hide her surprise.

‘He’s… so handsome.’

She had always known he was good-looking, but seeing him in a properly tailored suit after being used to his more casual shirts and trousers felt like seeing him with fresh eyes.

Carcel, however, seemed slightly awkward. He stopped a few steps away, hesitating to approach.

“Why are you standing all the way over there?”

After a brief pause, he asked hesitantly, “…Does it look okay?”

Though not a direct answer, Charlotte immediately understood what he meant.

‘He’s worried he might look strange.’

Carcel had his own endearing insecurities, Charlotte realized. Smiling softly, she walked up to him and took his large hand in hers.

“You look amazing. No, you’re incredibly handsome.”

Carcel cleared his throat and averted his gaze, embarrassed.

Charlotte turned to Theo, her eyes sparkling.

“Theo, doesn’t your Brother look handsome?”

“Yeah! Brother is so handsome! Sister is so pretty!”

“Are you all satisfied with the outfits?” Baroness Denis asked with a delighted smile.

Charlotte, Carcel, and Theo all nodded in unison.

“It seems there’s nothing left to adjust. You’ll be ready to attend the party as is. Now, if you could change back…”

“Before that,” Carcel interjected, tightening his grip on Charlotte’s hand. He bowed slightly and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand.

“May I have this dance, my lady?”

Charlotte responded with a graceful curtsy, lightly holding her dress.

“The honor is mine.”

Baroness Denis covered her mouth with her hands, exclaiming softly, “Oh my!”

At Carcel’s signal, Emma quickly brought over a magical music device. Once activated, it began to play a gentle, elegant melody.

The first to react was Theo, who started bouncing his shoulders and running around the room excitedly.

“Shall we?” Carcel asked, leading Charlotte to the center of the room.

Though this was meant to be practice for the New Year’s Ball, Carcel was entirely serious.

As they danced, Theo trailed after them, bouncing happily and mimicking their movements.

It was a peaceful, joyful moment.

Spinning in Carcel’s arms, Charlotte thought, I hope every day can be as happy as this one.

****

The day of the New Year’s Ball arrived. Charlotte was whisked away from the early morning by Emma and the other maids, who busied themselves preparing her.

She bathed in water infused with rose petals and oil, received a full-body massage, and had her hair styled into a neat half-up look, polished with fragrant oils. Her makeup was kept fresh and elegant.

The preparations were exhausting in themselves, though Charlotte was grateful she didn’t have to wear a corset, allowing her to eat normally.

All this effort feels excessive, she thought, though she appreciated their care and decided to comply without complaint.

After a light dinner, Charlotte dressed and took Theo’s hand, leading him to his room.

She placed a second enchanted bracelet on his small wrist. It was something she and Ain had prepared earlier as a precaution.

I hope his mana stays stable and that nothing happens until we return…

Though doubling the bracelets increased their effectiveness, Charlotte couldn’t shake the unease in her heart.

The Heinst mansion wasn’t far from the Imperial Palace, so she could rush back if needed. As long as Theo held on for a short while, she could ensure his safety.

“Sister, can’t I go too?”

Theo, dressed in his pajamas and clutching a pillow, asked this for the fourth time.

Since Charlotte and Carcel were attending the ball, Theo had been put to bed earlier than usual.

But seeing Charlotte dressed up, Theo kept pleading to go with her and his Brother.

Charlotte gently consoled him.

“Theo, this isn’t a place for little kids.”

“I’m not a little kid!”

At just four years old, Theo’s protest wasn’t exactly convincing.

Knowing he’d sulk if she insisted he was a baby, Charlotte decided to respect his claim.

“Right, Theo isn’t a baby anymore, is he?”

“Yeah! I’m not a baby!”

Theo thumped his pillow for emphasis. Charlotte smiled and patted his belly, which was slightly round from the snacks he’d eaten earlier.

“Even so, you can’t come tonight. But when you’re older, we’ll go together. Okay?”

Theo looked conflicted, his lips moving as though he wanted to argue. But then he remembered that following his Sister’s words kept imaginary tails from growing on him.

“Tails…”

Theo reached behind to feel his bottom, ensuring no tail had appeared. Satisfied, his face relaxed.

He still remembers that story, Charlotte thought fondly.

She decided it was time to tell Theo the truth.

“Theo, even if you don’t listen to Sister, a tail won’t grow.”

“Really?”

“Really. But you’ll still listen to Sister, right?”

“Uh-huh.”

Theo’s face brightened briefly, then he grew quiet again. Still, he didn’t insist on going anymore.

Charlotte kissed his forehead before standing up.

“Irina will read you a story tonight. And…”

She clapped her hands, and the door burst open as a figure ran inside. It was Danny, dressed in yellow pajamas.

“Theo!”

“Danny?”

Theo bolted upright, and the two boys tumbled onto the bed, hugging and laughing as they rolled around.

It was Charlotte’s little surprise for Theo, arranged with Irina’s help.

With Chase attending the ball as Carcel’s aide, Irina had readily agreed to watch the children.

“Please take care of him,” Charlotte said, handing Irina a storybook.

“Don’t worry. They’ll have fun and fall asleep quickly, as they always do when they’re together.”

Charlotte felt reassured but found it hard to leave Theo. She walked a few steps, turned to look at him playing with Danny, then walked a few more steps, repeating the process.

It wasn’t until Carcel came to fetch her that she finally left Theo’s room.

Even then, she kept glancing back at the door.

“Theo will be fine,” Carcel whispered gently. “He loves sleeping with Danny and won’t even notice we’re gone.”

“I’m just worried something might happen,” Charlotte admitted.

“Ain promised to keep watch all night. If anything happens, we’ll be notified immediately.”

Carcel tapped the blue cufflink on his sleeve.

The cufflink was enchanted with a paired communication stone, allowing instant contact with Ain.

“Alright.”

Charlotte took a deep breath and climbed into the carriage with Carcel.

The ride to the palace was quiet, each lost in their own thoughts. Both of them were focused on the same concern: Penelope and the blond-haired, blue-eyed man.

Will they appear tonight?

Penelope’s presence was all but guaranteed.

In the original story, Baron Ohen, who had gained wealth through a mining business, had purchased a title and brought his only daughter into high society. Attending the New Year’s Ball had been a critical step for her debut.

In the original, Penelope attended escorted by her father…

But things were different now.

According to Morris’s investigation, Penelope had been traveling with the mysterious blond-haired man. If she attended the ball, she might appear with him as her escort.

If that happens…

Charlotte couldn’t dismiss the possibility that Penelope might approach Carcel with some ulterior motive.

Gripped by unease, Charlotte reached across the carriage and grasped Carcel’s right hand firmly.

“No matter what happens, promise me you won’t take off your engagement ring.”

Carcel nodded without hesitation.

“I promise. And you must do the same.”

“I won’t take it off,” Charlotte said confidently.

Her smile reassured Carcel just as the carriage came to a stop. Opening the door, Carcel extended his hand to her.

“Shall we?”

Swallowing nervously, Charlotte took his hand.

“Yes.”

This marked the true beginning of the original story.

How much more will the twisted original change this time?