I Accidentally Saved The Male Lead’s Brother Chapter 151

 

The Emperor’s eyes widened in shock.

“Your memories were erased. How is it that you recall them?”

“I recently recovered them,” Carcel replied.

“Then why bring this up now?”

Carcel forced himself to remain composed, suppressing the anger that threatened to bubble over.

“Lionel Wisner is the illegitimate son of the Marquis Petrian.”

“What did you say?”

“He has been targeting my younger brother in an attempt to avenge the events of over a decade ago.”

Carcel’s sharp, steely gaze locked with the Emperor’s.

“My connection with Lionel Wisner is an old and bitter one. I ask for Your Majesty’s permission to sever this twisted bond with my own hands.”

The Emperor regarded Carcel with an icy stare, as if weighing his words. Carcel remained silent, awaiting the Emperor’s response.

After a long pause, the Emperor issued his verdict in a voice as cold as his expression.

“Do as you must.”

****

About an hour had passed since Theo had fallen asleep, but Charlotte couldn’t bring herself to leave his side.

It wasn’t just affection—it was an inexplicable sense of unease. She couldn’t shake the feeling that if she left, something might happen to Theo. Worse, Carcel might not return safely.

That morning, Carcel had left the estate without saying where he was headed.

Given the current dangers, there were only two possible reasons for his early departure.

“He must be after Viscount Lister or Lionel,” she thought.

Carcel was meticulous in all things. If he had gone to confront them, he would have done so with thorough preparation.

Still, the memory of all the times they had been blindsided by Lionel’s schemes made it difficult for Charlotte to quell her worry.

Being near Theo, however, brought her some solace. The angelic boy seemed to have a magical way of soothing her nerves. She stayed by his side, gently patting his small chest as it rose and fell with each breath.

“When is Carcel coming back?” she murmured with a sigh.

It was then that a familiar voice spoke softly from behind her.

“Do you have something on your mind?”

Startled, Charlotte turned to see Carcel standing at the door.

“Did you return to the estate and then leave again?”

She noted his change of attire—he wasn’t wearing the same clothes he’d left in that morning.

Carcel strode toward her with his usual long strides, his lips pressed into a thin line.

“Carcel,” she said, prompting him for an answer.

He sighed, as if resigning himself.

“Yes,” he admitted.

“Then why didn’t you come see me?”

Her gaze grew sharp. She hadn’t meant to sound angry, but the worry that had eaten away at her for hours made her voice rise.

Carcel looked away, seemingly uncomfortable under her piercing stare.

“I did come by.”

“Really?”

Her skeptical tone made him quickly add, “I heard you reading Theo the story about Toto the Bunny.”

“I read that story two or three times a week. Are you sure you’re not just guessing?”

Charlotte’s sharp words hung in the air before she pressed her lips together, feeling a wave of embarrassment.

“This isn’t something to be upset about,” she thought, biting her lip.

Her frustration quickly gave way to guilt, and she looked down. Carcel reached out, gently brushing her lower lip with his thumb.

“I’ve told you not to do that,” he said softly.

His touch was tender yet intimate, and Charlotte unconsciously took a step back. Carcel’s gaze lingered on her lips, filled with regret as if he didn’t want to let the moment end.

“I’m sorry for raising my voice,” she said. “I was just worried. But why did you leave without saying anything?”

“I didn’t want to trouble you with unnecessary worries.”

“Me? Troubled?”

Charlotte began to raise her voice again, but Theo stirred, mumbling in his sleep.

“Let’s talk outside,” she said, tugging Carcel’s arm.

They quietly made their way to Carcel’s study.

“What happened?” Charlotte asked the moment the door closed behind them.

Carcel slumped into a chair, resting his head on her shoulder.

Though his face was hidden, Charlotte could feel the weight of his exhaustion.

“Was it about Viscount Lister?”

“…”

“Did things not go well?”

“It was… half and half. There’s bad news, and there’s good news.”

“Start with the bad news.”

“Lister is dead.”

Charlotte gasped.

“What? Did he kill himself?”

“No. It seems Lionel Wisner had cast a spell on him.”

“So he was murdered.”

“Yes. We couldn’t extract any useful information from him.”

Charlotte bit her lip.

“And the good news?”

“I had an audience with the Emperor.”

“Really?”

“Yes. The High Priestess lifted the hypnosis spell from His Majesty. He has also entrusted me with handling all matters related to Lionel Wisner.”

It was indeed good news, but Carcel’s expression didn’t reflect relief. Instead, an unshakable unease lingered in his voice.

Charlotte carefully moved Carcel’s head from her shoulder, meeting his gaze.

“Something’s bothering you, isn’t it?”

Carcel’s eyes darkened as he recalled Viscount Lister’s final words.

“Beware… give up…”

Those desperate warnings echoed in his mind.

In his 23 years, Carcel had never felt more content than he did now.

Though his parents were gone, he had discovered that Theo was alive, and he had found Charlotte, his lifelong partner.

Even the painful memories of his twin, Edgar, had been restored.

If not for Lionel Wisner, Carcel would have considered himself the happiest man alive.

But Lionel’s continued existence was an ever-present threat.

What if something happened to Theo and Charlotte? What if they were taken from him?

The thought alone was unbearable. As long as Lionel remained, Carcel would live in perpetual anxiety.

“I suspect Lionel is targeting our engagement party,” he finally said.

His instincts told him Lionel would use the event to strike.

“We could cancel the party, but…”

“Then we wouldn’t know when or where he might strike next,” Charlotte finished for him.

She nodded in understanding. Canceling the party might avoid immediate danger, but it would only delay the inevitable.

“Let’s proceed as planned,” she said, squeezing Carcel’s hand.

“You don’t need to apologize,” she added. “You don’t have to protect me—I’ll protect you and Theo.”

Carcel said nothing, his jaw tightening with emotion. Charlotte smiled and gently stroked his trembling chin.

“This ends here,” she said firmly. “Let’s finish this once and for all.”

***

Carcel had initially planned for a grand engagement party. However, with Lionel likely targeting the event, he opted for a smaller, more private gathering.

Only the Heinst retainers were invited. After much deliberation, Charlotte decided to exclude her parents, Baron and Baroness Lannia, fearing for their safety.

Isaac and Jake were also left off the guest list. Though Chase and some knights argued they could be helpful, Carcel was resolute.

A few days later, Jake sent a letter.

The handwriting on the envelope was so jagged and forceful that Charlotte could tell he was furious. Normally, she would have laughed, but this time, she couldn’t.

She stared at the unopened letter for a long time, hesitant to read it.

“Sister?”

Theo looked up from his drawing, tilting his head.

“Look, Sister!” he said excitedly, pointing to his picture.

Charlotte set the letter aside and focused on the drawing.

On the paper were three marshmallow-like figures skewered on sticks, their sizes varying. The smallest one was in the center, flanked by two larger ones.

Theo’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Charlotte smiled awkwardly, unsure of what to say.

Theo puffed out his cheeks in frustration.

“It’s Theo!” he declared, pointing to the smallest figure.