I Accidentally Saved The Male Lead’s Brother Chapter 141

Penelope danced three more times after that. As Carcel continued to dance with Charlotte, both keeping an eye on her, Charlotte noticed Penelope leaning close to her partner and whispering something as the current song came to an end.

Then, Penelope exited the hall alone.

“I’m heading out,” Charlotte said.

“Are you certain you’ll be alright?” Carcel asked with visible concern.

“I’ll be fine.”

Smiling to reassure him, Charlotte signaled to Selin, who was standing near the corner of the hall.

Because the ball was held in the Imperial Palace, attendants were prohibited from carrying swords. Thus, Selin had come dressed as a baron’s daughter rather than a knight. Though unarmed, she was strong enough to handle most threats, which eased Charlotte’s mind.

Carcel, however, seemed less convinced.

Still, it was safer to move with Selin rather than Carcel to avoid drawing suspicion.

“I’ll be back soon,” Charlotte said as Selin approached. Together, they exited the hall.

Charlotte quickened her pace as she trailed after Penelope, but an unexpected problem arose. Penelope didn’t head toward the lounge as Charlotte had assumed.

Momentarily disoriented, Charlotte exchanged a glance with Selin, who was keeping her distance, before continuing to follow Penelope.

To Charlotte’s surprise, Penelope was moving toward an increasingly isolated area. The flickering lights illuminated their path, but there were no servants or attendants in sight.

An empty area in the Imperial Palace, so close to the hall? That’s odd.

Charlotte hesitated, debating whether to turn back. Before she could decide, Penelope suddenly darted left, as though fleeing.

Determined not to lose her, Charlotte increased her pace—only to collide with someone seemingly out of nowhere.

“Ah!”

Thrown off balance, Charlotte began to fall, but the stranger caught her, steadying her before she hit the ground.

Looking down at the polished shoes of her unexpected rescuer, Charlotte quickly offered an apology.

“I’m sorry! I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“No, I must apologize. I shouldn’t have appeared so suddenly,” the man replied in a smooth voice.

It was slightly higher-pitched than Carcel’s, though still pleasant to hear.

“It’s alright,” Charlotte said as she raised her head to look at him.

The man had brown hair and matching brown eyes. Despite his courteous words, a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

Charlotte didn’t recognize him, which wasn’t surprising given her limited acquaintances in the capital.

Though staring was impolite, Charlotte found herself unable to look away.

Why doesn’t brown hair suit him at all?

His sharp, almost chilling appearance was at odds with the unassuming color of his hair. The single teardrop-shaped mole under his left eye added to his striking yet disconcerting features.

He looked more like a temperamental mage or a stern bureaucrat than a knight. The brown hair seemed so out of place, almost as if it were a poorly chosen wig.

Realizing she was judging his appearance too harshly, Charlotte snapped out of her thoughts and curtsied lightly.

“Pardon me. I’m Charlotte Lannia.”

The man placed a hand over his chest and offered a small bow.

“Lionel Wisner. It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Lannia.”

Charlotte didn’t recognize his name either.

“Well, then, I’ll take my leave—”

The unintended encounter had cost her the chance to follow Penelope. With no way to locate her now, Charlotte decided to return to Carcel.

Yet Lionel’s next words stopped her in her tracks.

“You’re the fiancée of Duke Heinst, correct?”

His tone suggested he had more to say. Curious whether Lionel had some connection to Carcel, Charlotte turned back.

“Yes, I am. Is there something you need?”

She assumed he might want an introduction to Carcel. Many attendees tonight had eyed her with the same intention.

But Lionel’s response was unexpected.

“I’d like to speak with you further. Could we move somewhere quieter?”

“No, I’m afraid that’s not possible. My partner is waiting for me,” Charlotte replied without hesitation.

The suggestion of meeting privately made her uneasy. It wasn’t just inappropriate—it felt wrong.

Lionel frowned slightly, though his expression seemed more amused than disappointed.

“You mean Duke Heinst?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Now, if you’ll excuse me—”

“I fell for you at first sight,” Lionel interrupted.

Charlotte barely stifled a laugh of disbelief.

“You’re saying that to someone who’s engaged?”

Lionel stepped closer, closing the gap between them. Charlotte instinctively retreated, but he matched her step for step.

Glancing toward Selin, who was still hidden nearby, Charlotte gave a subtle shake of her head to signal she was fine.

“A loveless engagement, isn’t it?”

Charlotte’s expression froze.

“What are you implying?”

“There’s a rumor circulating. That you and the Duke are only engaged out of mutual benefit. That he’s disinterested in romance and the engagement is purely strategic.”

Lionel abruptly grabbed her hand and kissed it before she could pull away. The unwelcome contact left Charlotte bristling.

“I want to believe that rumor.”

Yanking her hand free, Charlotte glared at him. Thankfully, Lionel let go without resistance.

“I don’t know where you’ve heard such nonsense, but it’s insulting. Duke Heinst and I are not in a relationship that can be reduced to idle gossip.”

Lionel seemed unfazed by her anger and pressed on.

“The Duke will only make you suffer. Why not come to me instead?”

“And why would you get to decide that?” Charlotte shot back.

“There are whispers that the Duke is targeting you for his own gain. Would you still marry him knowing that?”

Charlotte clenched her fist, her voice steady but icy as she replied.

“That’s a baseless accusation. You don’t know him, and you certainly don’t know me. Duke Heinst is not someone to be spoken of so carelessly.”

Charlotte’s mind drifted to Carcel. Though their relationship had started with a contract, it had become genuine. Carcel valued her, cherished her, and had even proposed a formal engagement party in the capital.

She knew how much he loved her.

“If you’re finished, I’ll be leaving now.”

Charlotte turned her head sharply and said firmly, “And I hope we don’t meet again.”

Lionel chuckled, a hint of madness in his expression.

“You’ll regret this.”

Regret?

Charlotte didn’t know what he meant, but she had only one response.

“That’s not for you to decide. Goodbye.”

With that, she walked away briskly.

That man… Lionel or whatever his name was…

His words lingered, but Charlotte shook them off as she hurried back to the hall. Carcel was likely looking for her by now.

Then, a thought struck her, and she stopped mid-step.

Could he be connected to the blond-haired man?

Meeting Lionel in such an isolated spot after losing Penelope seemed too coincidental.

Was he working with them?

Charlotte considered going back to confront him, but when she turned around, Lionel was gone.

***

Time passed, but Charlotte didn’t return.

Carcel, who had been watching Penelope’s blond-haired partner closely, grew increasingly anxious.

He checked his pocket watch.

It’s been over 20 minutes.

Though 20 minutes wasn’t an unreasonable amount of time to spend in a lounge, the thought of Charlotte being out of sight unsettled him.

Am I overreacting?

Even as he told himself to stay calm, his chest tightened with worry.