I Accidentally Saved The Male Lead’s Brother Chapter 156

“…”

“I don’t believe my decision regarding Edgar was wrong. However, now that you’ve regained your memories, there’s no longer a need for me to uphold the wishes of the late Duke.”

Carcel straightened and met Randru’s steady gaze.

In Randru’s eyes, there was an unmistakable strength of conviction and loyalty.

Even without hearing his words, Carcel could sense who that loyalty was truly directed toward.

“You’re still my father’s man.”

“I apologize. It seems this old man has reached the time to step aside.”

“Are you planning to leave?”

Randru’s gaze shifted past Carcel, landing on Theo, who was babbling cheerfully to the painting.

At that moment, Theo turned to look back, his innocent face lighting up with curiosity. Randru’s expression softened into a kind smile.

“The late Duke worried greatly about you and young Theo. I will remain until both of your safety is assured.”

“…”

“Will you permit it?”

Carcel hesitated to answer.

The trust between them had already been broken. While Randru’s skills were exceptional, power that couldn’t be trusted was worse than none at all.

Furthermore, the time for a generational shift was inevitable.

Still, casting Randru aside without hesitation didn’t sit well with Carcel. Randru had served the Heinst family for many years, and their bond wasn’t one that could be severed overnight.

But Carcel had already made up his mind. There was only one answer he could give.

“So be it.”

“Thank you.”

Randru bowed deeply, his sincerity evident in his gesture. Then, taking measured steps backward, he exited the room. Robert quietly followed him out.

Now, only Charlotte, Carcel, and Theo remained.

Charlotte tentatively reached out to take Carcel’s hand.

“Are you alright?”

Though she knew he couldn’t possibly be fine, he feigned composure and replied,

“…Yes.”

“Truly—”

“Brother! Sister!”

Charlotte’s words were cut off as Theo came running over, tugging on Carcel’s pant leg.

“Why are there two brothers?”

The little boy looked back and forth between Carcel and the newly revealed image of Edgar in the painting, his small head clearly struggling to make sense of the situation.

Why were there two brothers? Brother made Theo happy, but why were there two of him? Mother and Father were one each, so why two brothers?

Unable to resolve his confusion, Theo had finally run over to ask.

His innocent question brought Carcel out of his troubled thoughts. Picking Theo up, he walked slowly toward the portrait.

“Theo, this brother…”

His voice faltered as his throat tightened with emotion. After regaining his memories, Carcel had pictured Edgar’s face countless times in his mind.

Though the memories were faint, he could still recall the way Edgar had smiled, and every recollection stirred an overwhelming flood of emotions.

Now, for the first time, he was seeing Edgar’s face fully and clearly.

The Edgar depicted in the painting was similar to the image in his memory, though his smile seemed even gentler here.

As the long-forgotten memory of the day the portrait was painted resurfaced, Carcel’s chest tightened.

—Carcel, smile a bit more.

—Hnngh.

—Pull your lips back a little further, like this.

Though young Carcel had struggled to smile properly, Edgar had been patient and cheerful, his laughter unbroken.

While their parents looked on warmly, Carcel had strained to lift the corners of his mouth.

—See? Doesn’t that look much better?

It had been a fleeting, happy moment, one Carcel now realized he would never experience again.

“Brother?”

Theo, noticing Carcel’s misty eyes, pouted his lips in sympathy.

Charlotte, who had approached silently, knelt beside Theo and asked softly,

“Theo, do you know your brother’s name?”

Theo perked up, excited to know the answer, and shouted,

“Carcel! And Sister’s name is Charlotte!”

“That’s right.”

Charlotte took Theo’s small hand and pointed at Carcel.

“This is your brother Carcel.”

Theo tilted his head, then pointed at Edgar in the painting.

“But there’s another brother here!”

“No.”

Charlotte gently kissed Theo’s forehead and whispered,

“That’s your other brother, Edgar.”

“Edgar?”

“Yes, another one of your brothers.”

Theo’s face lit up with excitement.

“Then where’s Brother Edgar?”

Charlotte smiled wistfully.

“Brother Edgar is in heaven.”

“In heaven?”

“Yes.”

“With Mommy and Daddy?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Theo slumped his shoulders, muttering softly,

“I miss him.”

Carcel, who had been silently staring at Edgar’s image, spoke in a voice thick with emotion.

“I miss him too.”

His voice quavered, and Charlotte instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist in support.

Carcel hugged Theo tighter, his words turning into a solemn promise.

“Soon, we’ll visit Brother Edgar together.”

Theo, too young to grasp the meaning, simply cheered and swung his feet.

“Okay!”

Carcel held Theo close with one arm and reached out to hold Charlotte’s hand with the other.

“Let’s go.”

Though he didn’t say the words, the unspoken resolve in his voice was clear to Charlotte: Let’s finish everything.

****

The engagement party was limited to members of the Heinst household who could protect themselves if necessary. As a result, most of the attendees were knights, and men outnumbered women.

When Charlotte, Carcel, and Theo descended the grand staircase hand in hand, applause erupted from the gathered crowd.

Despite the underlying tension caused by the anticipated danger, everyone shared in the joyous occasion.

The guests, who had been informed of potential threats, were determined not to let the day be overshadowed by fear.

The mood quickly turned lively as they offered heartfelt congratulations to the couple.

“Congratulations on your engagement, my lord.”

“Thank you.”

“Congratulations, my lady. Please take good care of our master.”

“Sir As.”

Carcel’s reproachful tone made Sir As chuckle mischievously.

“Did I say anything wrong? I always thought our lord would live as a bachelor. Right, Sir Renner?”

Caught off guard, Chase, who was standing nearby, pressed his lips together.

He, too, had once thought it unlikely that Carcel would fall in love, let alone marry.

Even when Carcel proposed a contract engagement to Charlotte months ago, Chase had assumed they would part ways once Theo grew up.

Now, even he couldn’t believe how things had turned out.

Of course, he couldn’t say that aloud. With a calm smile, he replied,

“On the contrary, I always knew our lord would fall deeply in love with Lady Lannia at first sight.”

Charlotte shot him a skeptical look, and Chase avoided her gaze, feigning innocence.

As more congratulations were exchanged, Charlotte couldn’t help but feel a pang of melancholy.

‘It would’ve been nice if Mother, Father, and my brothers could be here.’

Though she understood the circumstances, she couldn’t shake the sense of regret. Her thoughts drifted to Isaac and Jake, waiting outside, and her heart grew heavy.

Noticing her expression, Carcel placed a reassuring arm around her waist.

“Once everything is resolved, we’ll hold another celebration. This time, we’ll invite your entire family.”

Charlotte smiled and nodded.

“Thank you.”

“Sister, where’s Danny?”

Theo’s question brought her back to the present.

Neither Irina nor Danny had been invited to avoid exposing them to potential danger.

“Danny couldn’t come today.”

“But I want to see Danny.”

“We’ll play with Danny another day, okay?”

“Okay…”

Theo’s disappointment quickly faded when Charlotte handed him a small snack.

“Now, everyone.”

Chase tapped his glass with a spoon, drawing attention.

“Thank you all for joining us today. To celebrate the engagement of our dear Duke and Lady Lannia, the chef has prepared a special treat.”

At his signal, a chef wheeled in a grand three-tiered cake.

Theo’s eyes sparkled as he clung to Charlotte’s side.

Charlotte, Carcel, and Theo approached the cake together. Carcel lifted Theo, and together, they cut the cake with a ceremonial knife.

Theo’s laughter rang out as the party began in earnest.

“Thank you all for being here.”

Carcel raised his champagne glass, prompting the others to follow suit.

Even Theo, clutching his cup of grape juice, mimicked the adults.

“To House Heinst and my fiancée, Charlotte Lannia.”

Carcel clinked his glass against Charlotte’s, the sound ringing clear and bright.

“Me too!”

Theo stood on tiptoes, holding up his cup. Charlotte bent down to touch her glass to his.

“To House Heinst and Lady Lannia!” everyone cheered.