I Accidentally Saved The Male Lead’s Brother Chapter 143

If they intended to target Theo, the enemy wouldn’t hesitate to strike anywhere or anytime. The martial arts arena last time, the Imperial Palace tonight—these weren’t mere coincidences.

The blond-haired, blue-eyed man was a ruthless individual, willing to take innocent lives for his vengeance.

What would happen if Carcel didn’t step forward?

The next target could be anyone, anywhere. The casualties could grow even worse.

As a knight to his core, Carcel couldn’t bear the thought, even if it meant endangering himself.

“I understand,” Charlotte said. “But you have to promise to share everything with me.”

“I will,” Carcel replied, managing a faint smile before his expression grew serious.

“There’s something strange,” he added, turning his gaze toward the unconscious Penelope.

“What do you mean?”

“Lady Ohen’s behavior was… off. Her eyes never met mine. It was as though she was looking at something invisible, as if she were under some sort of spell.”

“Could it be mind control magic?”

“That’s my suspicion as well.”

“Then we need to break the spell on her,” Charlotte said, stepping closer to Penelope.

She placed a hand on Penelope’s forehead and closed her eyes. Her mana flowed gently through her fingertips, but almost immediately, something repelled it.

Charlotte frowned. She recognized the sensation instantly.

Penelope’s mana is rejecting mine.

If her mana resisted external interference, it could mean the spell wasn’t deeply rooted. With a little effort, Penelope might overcome it on her own.

But…

Charlotte glanced at her right palm, hesitating. The memory of coughing up blood after calming Carcel’s mana was still vivid in her mind.

She hadn’t had to use her powers since then, but the mere thought of it made her uneasy.

Should I ask Sir Ain or Lord Morris for help?

The thought was fleeting. There wasn’t enough time. Who knew what the blond-haired man might do in a single day while they waited for help?

And I might not get another chance to see Penelope.

Resolving herself, Charlotte closed her eyes again and concentrated her mana. This time, she pushed through the resistance, ignoring the strain as Penelope’s mana lashed out.

Beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

Carcel, standing beside her, silently wiped the sweat away with a handkerchief.

Just a little more…

Finally, Penelope’s mana shattered like a mirror breaking. She let out a gasp, her eyes flying open.

“Where… am I?” Penelope murmured, her half-lidded eyes unfocused.

Charlotte leaned closer, keeping her tone calm and gentle.

“I’m Charlotte Lannia. Do you remember what happened tonight, Lady Ohen?”

“I… I was preparing for the New Year’s ball, and then…”

Her voice trailed off, her eyelids fluttering shut again as sleep overtook her.

Charlotte lightly shook her shoulder, but Penelope didn’t stir.

“She’s fallen asleep,” Charlotte said, straightening up. “It’s likely exhaustion from fighting off the magic. The mind control spell is broken now, so it shouldn’t be easy for someone to reapply it.”

“Understood,” Carcel replied, glancing at the sleeping Penelope.

The carriage rumbled to a stop outside the Ohen barony’s estate.

The servants were startled not just by Penelope’s unconscious state but by the fact that it was Duke Heinst himself who had brought her home.

“Miss Penelope!”

“Where is Lord Rister? How could Duke Heinst be the one escorting her…?”

“Rister?” Carcel’s ears perked up at the unfamiliar name.

“Is Lord Rister her partner for the ball?” he asked, his tone sharp.

The butler hesitated, but Carcel’s commanding presence left no room for evasion.

“Yes, that is correct.”

“I see. My apologies. I didn’t know who her partner was and felt it necessary to ensure her safe return myself.”

“There is no need to apologize, Your Grace. It is an honor for our lady to be under your care. As a noble of the Empire, it is only right for you to assist a lady in distress.”

“Could you show us to her room?” Carcel requested.

The butler faltered, then bowed deeply.

“Of course. Please follow me.”

Carcel carried Penelope to her room and gently laid her on the bed. Charlotte moved to her side, pretending to check her condition while discreetly infusing a small amount of mana into her.

Penelope stirred, her eyes flickering open briefly.

“This is…”

“You’re safe,” Charlotte said softly. “You’re at the Ohen estate.”

“You’re…”

“I told you earlier—I’m Charlotte Lannia, Duke Heinst’s fiancée.”

Penelope’s eyes widened, but then she clutched her chest as if in pain, her breathing growing ragged.

Charlotte tightened her grip on Penelope’s hand.

“Just rest for now. I’ll return tomorrow morning to check on you. Until then, please avoid meeting anyone else. Can you do that?”

“…I will…” Penelope whispered before succumbing to sleep again.

Charlotte tucked her in and turned to the butler.

“She seems unwell. It might be best if she rests undisturbed until we return tomorrow.”

“Of course, Lady Lannia.”

“Thank you. I’ll bring Duke Heinst’s physician to examine her, just to be sure.”

The butler’s expression lit up with gratitude.

“To think the Heinst family would care for our lady in such a way… We are deeply honored.”

Charlotte knew the rumors surrounding the Ohen barony—they were nouveau riche, mocked for buying their title with wealth from the mines.

This gesture would be seen as an opportunity to elevate their standing. Of course, for Charlotte and Carcel, it was a calculated move to gain an ally.

“Please ensure she rests well until we return,” Charlotte reiterated.

The butler bowed deeply. “Understood.”

***

When Charlotte and Carcel returned home, she headed straight to Theo’s room without even changing out of her dress.

There, on the spacious bed, Theo and Danny slept soundly, each clutching a bunny plushie.

So precious.

Charlotte gazed at the two children, a soft smile on her lips. Theo’s chubby cheeks were pressed against the bunny’s, his innocent face filled with serenity.

Then, the memory of Lionel Wisner’s words surfaced.

—There’s a rumor that Duke Heinst targeted his own brother. Will you still marry him?

Charlotte’s heart clenched.

She knew better than anyone that Carcel would never do such a thing. Even if the entire world turned against him, she would stand by his side.

Carcel was not the kind of man who would harm his own family.

Yet the existence of such rumors pained her deeply.

If Carcel were to hear them, how much would it hurt him?

“sister…”

Theo stirred, rubbing his eyes groggily before spotting Charlotte. He tossed aside his bunny plushie and reached out for her.

“sisterrr…”

“Yes, Theo. I’m here.”

Charlotte sat on the edge of the bed and gathered him into her arms. Theo babbled incoherently as he nestled closer, clearly overjoyed to see her.

Charlotte chuckled softly. “Yes, I’m happy to see you too.”

She kissed his cheek, and Theo giggled in his half-asleep state.

Though they had only been apart for a few hours, it felt like days.

Guilt used to gnaw at her whenever she saw Theo’s cheerful face—guilt for knowing she would eventually leave him.

But not anymore.

“I’ll always stay by your side, Theo,” she whispered.

“Mm-hmm…” Theo murmured, his small voice filled with contentment.

Charlotte laid him back down, tucking the bunny plushie back into his arms.

*****

Returning to her room, Charlotte suddenly felt a sharp pain in her chest. Rushing to the basin, she coughed violently, spitting up blood.

Staring at the crimson liquid in her palm, she didn’t panic. Instead, a grim resolve settled over her.

I need to see the priestess.

The blond-haired man—Lister Viscount—was planning something dangerous, and she couldn’t avoid using her powers indefinitely.

She couldn’t risk telling Carcel.

I’m sorry, Carcel. But I can’t tell you this.

Charlotte wiped her bloodstained hands on a handkerchief and threw it into the roaring fireplace.

The flames consumed it, their glow reflecting the steely determination in her eyes.