I Accidentally Saved The Male Lead’s Brother Chapter 157

After that, the melodic sound of violins filled the air, and people began to dance one by one.

Unable to separate from Theo, Charlotte and Carcel danced while holding him.

Theo pouted that he wanted to dance on the floor himself, but soon he contentedly kicked his legs in rhythm from Carcel’s arms, moving in his own way to the music.

Inside the hall, the atmosphere softened and became warm, yet the knights standing guard around the perimeter exuded a tense and foreboding presence.

As the gathering reached its peak and a drowsy Theo began to nod off in Carcel’s embrace, a sudden, deafening explosion shattered the calm.

Boom!

The sound reverberated from outside the mansion, causing the hall to tremble. Guests screamed, some collapsing to the floor in panic.

Bang!

Another explosion followed, this one closer.

The chandelier hanging from the ceiling swayed precariously, and fiery red light flickered outside the once-dark windows.

“Everyone, take your positions!”

Carcel shouted toward the knights. As if they had rehearsed for this moment, the knights immediately began guiding people out of the hall to safety.

“Let’s go now.”

With Theo now awake and crying softly in one arm, Carcel grabbed Charlotte’s hand with his free one.

Charlotte followed his lead, running as quickly as she could. Though they had anticipated and prepared for this event, her heart pounded wildly, and her head swirled with fear as if it had caught her off guard entirely.

Carcel checked their surroundings repeatedly to ensure no one was near before ushering them into Theo’s bedroom.

Charlotte took the lead, pulling the lowest book from the bookshelf. The hidden door opened, revealing Emma trembling inside the hidden room.

“M-My lady!”

Charlotte rushed to Emma, wrapping her arms around her. Her hands trembled as she patted Emma’s back in an attempt to comfort her.

“It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”

“Brother!”

Theo’s cries echoed in the room, his tears streaming freely down his cheeks.

“Brother…”

“It’s alright. It’s alright.”

Carcel soothed Theo’s back as he approached Charlotte. Without a word, Charlotte took Theo from Carcel’s arms, holding the child tightly.

Theo’s warm, trembling body pressed against her chest, and Charlotte tried to steady her own shaking hands.

“Sister…”

Though she longed to calm him, Charlotte’s attention was fixed on Carcel as he hastily donned his armor.

“Charlotte, listen to me,” Carcel said firmly, repeating what they had already discussed. “Until I return and confirm it’s safe, do not leave this room.”

Carcel pressed a light kiss to her forehead before straightening. His armored movements were accompanied by a clinking sound that rang ominously in her ears.

“I’m going now.”

On instinct, Charlotte reached out and gripped Carcel’s hand tightly. A surge of unexpected strength poured into her grip, holding him fast.

“Do you really have to go?”

Her voice wavered with unspoken tears as she pleaded, “Please don’t go. Stay here with me and Theo.”

“Charlotte…”

“Even if you don’t go, everything will be fine. I’m sure of it.”

Charlotte knew she was being selfish. Outside, countless people were fighting to protect the Heinst family.

Knights like Anderson, the captain of the order and Irina’s father, along with countless others. Randru, Ein, and Morris, skilled in magic. Even her brothers Isaac and Jake, who had promised to stay on standby outside, were risking themselves.

Everyone was putting their lives on the line, and yet Charlotte found herself clinging to this selfish wish.

“Please, just stay.”

Even Selene, standing watch, added her voice.

“That’s right, my lord. If you stay here, I will go in your place.”

Carcel shook his head resolutely.

“No. I must go myself.”

Despite his firm words, his feet seemed reluctant to move. Charlotte’s small, soft hand, which he could easily shake off, kept him rooted in place.

“Brother, don’t go!” Theo wailed, his voice cracking with fear.

Carcel turned his face away from the tearful pair.

“This is something I must do.”

“Carcel…”

“For Edgar’s sake, I have to end this myself.”

Gritting his teeth, Carcel finally pulled away from Charlotte’s grasp. Her trembling hands fell to her sides, unable to hold him any longer.

“Promise me,” she whispered.

“I’ll return. I swear it.”

Carcel smiled faintly, refusing to utter the words he truly feared—that if he didn’t return, she should protect Theo in his stead.

Because no matter what, he intended to come back.

With one last look at her, he turned and stepped away.

“Brother!”

Theo’s anguished cry echoed in the room as the hidden door closed. Charlotte clutched Theo tightly to her chest, her body trembling as she whispered,

“It’s alright, Theo. Everything will be alright.”

Then, she made a silent vow.

I’ll protect you, no matter what.

****

Lionel Wisner stood at a distance, his eyes fixed on the Heinst mansion with a glare filled with malice.

He licked his lips with a twisted smile.

“Finally, I’ll make that wretched man kneel before me.”

Lionel Wisner was the illegitimate son of Marquis Petrian and Catherine Wisner, the younger sister of the current Wisner Count.

Born into nobility, Lionel was never acknowledged for his lineage and was instead regarded as a disgrace to the family.

His uncle, the Wisner Count, treated both Catherine and Lionel as less than insects.

Even now, more than a decade later, Lionel couldn’t forget the scornful looks his uncle used to give him.

His mother, Catherine, drowned her sorrows in alcohol, hurling cruel words and blows at Lionel daily.

“You ruined my life!”

Lionel, too young to understand her fury, felt only rebellion rise in his chest.

I never asked to be born. You’re the one who gave birth to me. If anyone has the right to be angry, it’s me!

His father’s identity was a mystery. No one had ever told him who his father was.

It was a wretched life with no escape.

Then, everything changed when he was four years old.

That day, hiding in a wardrobe to escape his drunken mother, Lionel huddled in fear, holding his breath.

But the events that followed—his desperate prayers for safety, his mother’s burning hand, and his first encounter with his father, Marquis Petrian—altered his life forever.

From that day, Lionel’s path took a dark and twisted turn.