I Accidentally Saved The Male Lead’s Brother Chapter 150

Carcel’s impeccably formal greeting reverberated in the grand audience chamber. Yet, the Emperor, who should have commanded him to rise, remained eerily silent.

Carcel kept his head bowed, using the moment to sense his surroundings. A sinister tension thickened the air.

Then, the Emperor’s cold, detached voice descended from above.

“Seize him.”

At once, the knights flanking Carcel rushed at him. Though their numbers were overwhelming, Carcel could have easily evaded them.

However, this was the imperial palace. Any sign of resistance could be construed as treason.

With measured composure, Carcel allowed the knights to restrain him. They wrenched his arms behind his back and forced him to the ground with brutal force.

Teresa, standing nearby, stifled a gasp, unable to intervene before the Emperor spoke again.

“Do you think I do not know your intentions?”

Should he respond? Or remain silent?

After brief contemplation, Carcel lifted his head, his voice calm.

“Your Majesty, this humble servant does not understand what you mean. Please enlighten me.”

He discreetly studied the Emperor’s face as he spoke.

It was exactly as Charlotte had described. The Emperor’s gaze seemed to drift slightly above Carcel’s head, unfocused, like someone bewitched.

His face, slack with unnatural fury, was eerily void of true emotion.

“At the New Year’s Ball, you harbored treacherous intentions. And now you dare enter the palace, seeking to sow disorder.”

Carcel shifted his focus to the knights pinning him down. He recognized several familiar faces among them—men who now wore pained expressions.

They likely knew the accusations against Carcel were false, but as royal knights, they had no choice but to obey the Emperor’s command.

The atmosphere grew tenser by the second. Rather than speak rashly, Carcel made eye contact with Teresa, signaling her to act.

Teresa, catching his signal, stepped forward. With a serene yet commanding presence, she straightened her back.

As the High Priestess, she alone could stand before the Emperor without bowing.

“It has been some time, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor’s unfocused gaze shifted to Teresa.

“Apologies for this disgraceful scene, High Priestess. But why have you entered the palace alongside this traitor?”

Teresa remained unshaken, her voice carrying a soothing authority.

“I came with the Duke to deliver an urgent message to Your Majesty. But first, may I bless you? There is a sinister energy clouding the palace.”

“Later, perhaps.”

“It cannot wait, Your Majesty. I fear this dark influence may already be affecting your mind and body.”

There was a peculiar weight in Teresa’s voice, her words carrying an almost hypnotic effect.

For the briefest moment, clarity flickered in the Emperor’s glassy eyes before fading again.

“…Very well. Proceed.”

With quick, assured steps, Teresa ascended the dais and clasped the Emperor’s hand.

A radiant light bloomed where their hands met, a small sphere that expanded rapidly to fill the entire chamber.

The light was so intense that Carcel and the knights were forced to close their eyes.

Only Teresa kept hers open, unaffected by the overwhelming brilliance.

Under the oppressive force of Teresa’s holy energy, several knights collapsed to their knees, some even weeping.

The Emperor clutched his chest as if struggling against an immense weight.

Teresa showed no hesitation, channeling even more divine power into her blessing.

The Emperor began coughing violently, but soon the spasms subsided. As he regained his composure, the radiant light gradually faded.

When the Emperor opened his eyes again, they were clear and sharp, entirely free of the dull haze from before.

He scanned the room, his gaze finally settling on Carcel, who was still restrained. His brow furrowed in confusion.

“What is going on?”

Teresa’s calm voice broke the silence.

“Your Majesty, have you come to your senses?”

“What…what is this? Why is Duke Heinst bound like this? Release him at once!”

The knights hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances.

The Emperor’s sudden shift in demeanor had thrown them into disarray. Still, they obeyed, retreating to their positions along the walls.

Carcel rose, dusting off his disheveled attire before bowing deeply once more.

“Carcel Heinst greets the Sun of the Empire.”

The Emperor, his face lined with confusion, rubbed his temples.

“Why are you here, Duke? And the High Priestess as well? I do not recall granting an audience…”

He trailed off, a pained expression crossing his face as he clutched his head.

Teresa gently placed a hand on his and infused a small pulse of divine energy.

“The confusion will pass, Your Majesty. It is a side effect of the hypnosis spell being lifted.”

“Hypnosis spell?”

“Yes. Duke Heinst will explain the details.”

With that, Teresa gave Carcel a subtle nod before gracefully exiting the chamber.

Once the doors closed behind her, the Emperor turned to Carcel.

“What is this about a hypnosis spell, Duke? Explain yourself.”

Carcel’s voice remained steady as he spoke.

“Your Majesty, do you recall meeting Viscount Lister or Lionel Wisner recently?”

“Yes. Lord Wisner sought an audience with me not long ago, bringing his son along.”

“Do you remember what happened afterward?”

The Emperor pressed his fingers to his temple, frowning deeply.

“Now that you mention it…everything after that day is a blur. My memories are fragmented, like trying to see through fog. Is this the result of hypnosis?”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

Suspicion darkened the Emperor’s expression.

“How do you know this, Duke?”

His tone grew sharper, tinged with indignation.

Carcel met the Emperor’s gaze unflinchingly and began recounting the series of events.

He detailed the attack on Theo during his journey to the estate, the incidents at the temple, the fire at the Heinst mansion, and the investigation that led to uncovering Lionel Wisner’s and Viscount Lister’s involvement.

As he recounted the schemes orchestrated by Wisner—culminating in the attempt to frame Carcel for treason—the Emperor’s expression turned grim.

“So the accusations against you at the New Year’s Ball were part of their plot.”

“Precisely, Your Majesty. The hypnosis spell they cast upon you was designed to manipulate your perception and judgment.”

The Emperor remained silent for a long moment, his clenched fist trembling.

“To think they dared…to deceive me, their Emperor…”

His voice was a low growl, thick with restrained fury.

Carcel seized the moment to press further.

“Your Majesty, Lionel Wisner’s actions constitute treason. As such, I humbly request your permission to bring him to justice.”

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Carcel closely.

“Treason is a matter for the imperial knights. Why should you involve yourself so directly, Duke? Is this a personal vendetta?”

Carcel drew a steadying breath.

“There is more to this, Your Majesty. It concerns the events that transpired between the Heinst and Petrian families over a decade ago.”

The Emperor’s gaze sharpened.

“You speak of your brother Edgar, do you not?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Carcel’s voice wavered, his grief evident.

“They abducted and killed my twin brother, Edgar Heinst.”