I Accidentally Saved The Male Lead’s Brother Chapter 163

Eunha ground her teeth in frustration.

She had been messaging and calling the same unresponsive team member all day, even during her free period and lectures, but still no reply. Worse than being left on read was being completely ignored.

Her face alternated between red and pale as she grew angrier, which her friend, seated beside her, witnessed in real-time.

“Just give up already,” her friend said again.

“It’s due this weekend!”

“I told you—just take their name off the presentation.”

“But what if the professor penalizes the whole group?”

As the back-and-forth continued, her friend snatched Eunha’s phone away.

Eunha reached out to grab it back, but her friend dangled it teasingly out of reach with a playful grin.
“Think about that later. If it were me, I’d spend this time finishing the project instead of chasing someone who clearly doesn’t care. Let’s go before it gets too late.”

“Fine, I get it.”

Satisfied with the answer, her friend returned the phone.

Eunha hastily stuffed her pens and thick textbooks into her backpack and stood up to follow her friend.

Though her mood was sour, the weather outside was beautiful. A cool autumn breeze carried the scent of the changing season, and sunlight poured through the leaves that were beginning to turn red.

The crisp, blue sky was so clear it felt like just looking at it could ease the tension weighing on her chest.

As Eunha gazed absently upward, her friend sighed wistfully.

“Ugh, I wish I could ditch this project and just go out for a good time.”

Eunha was about to agree when she suddenly felt a strong gaze on her. She turned around to see who it was.

It was the foreigner again. He was standing closer now, watching her intently.

How long had he been standing there? Had he been outside the whole time instead of going to class?

It might have felt unsettling under normal circumstances, but for some reason, Eunha didn’t find him frightening.

On the contrary, her heart started racing, and she felt flustered. Why was her face suddenly heating up, too?

Her friend noticed Eunha’s now tomato-red cheeks and glanced toward where she was looking.

When she spotted the foreigner, her lips curled into a mischievous smile.

“See? I’m telling you, he’s definitely interested in you.”

“I’m not so sure.”

“Why don’t you go talk to him?”

Before Eunha could protest, her friend gave her a light push. Although it wasn’t strong, Eunha stumbled forward a few steps, bringing her closer to the man.

Turning back to her friend, she whispered anxiously,
“What am I supposed to say?”

“Anything. What else would two people interested in each other talk about?”

Her friend winked and began walking backward, waving her hand.
“I’m leaving now. Text me later!”

“Wait, hold on—”

Before Eunha could stop her, her friend had already dashed toward the subway station. Sighing, Eunha watched her retreating figure grow smaller.

What does she expect me to do now?

Eunha had never been particularly interested in dating and had turned down every man who’d approached her.

And now, a foreigner? How was she supposed to communicate with someone who might not even speak the same language? She’d be better off going home and finishing her project.

Yet, despite her misgivings, Eunha couldn’t bring herself to follow her friend. She was intrigued by the man.

Was this what people meant by love at first sight?

Since seeing him two hours ago, she hadn’t been able to get him out of her mind—not during class or even while frantically messaging her team member.

In truth, she regretted not striking up a conversation when she had the chance earlier.

Maybe I should at least say hello. Saying hi won’t stop me from finishing the project later, right?

Having made up her mind, Eunha turned around, only to gasp in surprise and take a step back.

The man, who had been at a distance just moments ago, was now standing right in front of her.

This close, she could finally get a proper look at him.

His neatly styled black hair, sharp eyes, high nose bridge, and full lips were even more striking up close.

She had thought earlier that he looked like a Hollywood star, but now she was certain—no actor could rival his appearance.

And those violet eyes… They were mesmerizing, like amethyst gemstones perfectly cut and set in place.

Realizing he was staring at her with those captivating eyes, Eunha felt her face and ears flush red.

“Um, well…”

She opened her mouth to speak but quickly closed it again. What was she supposed to say?

He’s a foreigner. Should I try speaking in English?

As she fumbled through English phrases in her mind, the man spoke first.

“At last, we meet.”

His words were in Korean.

Not just Korean, but fluent, natural Korean, free of any foreign accent.

“I’ve been longing to see you,” he added.

As Eunha tried to process his cryptic words, he spoke again.

“Charlotte.”

The unfamiliar name left his lips, and Eunha felt as if her heart had plummeted to the ground.

Suddenly, it was as though the earth beneath her feet was shaking violently, and the building around her was about to collapse.

The once-clear sky was rapidly covered by dark clouds, as if the world itself were unraveling.

Instinctively, Eunha stepped back. She felt as though someone was shouting at her to run, urging her to escape.

She glanced at the man, who was reaching out toward her, and then turned and sprinted toward the subway station.

****

Carcel stood frozen, arm outstretched, watching Charlotte—or rather, Eunha—run away.

Theresa’s warning echoed in his mind.

“If Lady Lannia has grown comfortable in her dream, she might resist being brought back. You must approach her carefully to avoid triggering a rejection.”

Had she recoiled just from hearing the name “Charlotte”?

Did she truly want to stay here, or was it him she was rejecting?

Carcel surveyed his unfamiliar surroundings.

The buildings were unlike anything he’d ever seen in his world, and the people who cast glances his way looked strikingly different from those he knew.

So this is where Charlotte lived.

Imagining her confusion when she had first been brought to his world made him want to run to her and hold her tightly.

But he couldn’t. Not yet.

Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself and replayed the image of Eunha’s face in his mind.

When he had first awakened here, he had been completely disoriented, unsure of where or how to begin looking for her.

Theresa had only explained how to connect their spirits but hadn’t provided any guidance on how to find her once he arrived.

Charlotte had never described her original appearance to him, so he had wandered aimlessly through the university campus.

Then, by chance, he had spotted a girl talking to a friend.

She had light brown hair that seemed paler than those around her and a youthful, adorable face.

Though he had never seen her before, Carcel knew instinctively—this was Charlotte. It was a certainty born of intuition.

Joy and relief overwhelmed him, and it had taken all his self-control not to run to her, embrace her, and kiss her immediately.

But now she had run away.

How was he supposed to find her again?

Fortunately, his dilemma didn’t last long. When he closed his eyes and opened them again, the scenery had changed.

The day had grown darker, and instead of the tree-lined university campus, he was now surrounded by towering buildings.

He saw Eunha entering one of them in a hurry.

It seemed that the connection between their spirits allowed him to remain close to her without actively following.

Carcel chose not to chase after her just yet, lingering by the entrance.

If waiting was what it took to bring her back, then he would wait as long as it took.

****

“I’m home!”

Eunha called out loudly as she stepped into the house, slipping off her shoes.

The kitchen was filled with the sweet and savory aroma of bulgogi. Tossing her bag onto the couch, she ran to the kitchen.

“Oh, you’re back?” her mother greeted her.

“Did you make bulgogi?”

“Yes, you said you wanted it, remember?”

Unable to resist the sight and smell of the food, Eunha threw her arms around her mother and buried her face in her shoulder.

Startled, her mother turned off the stove and asked,

“What’s this all of a sudden? Why are you being so clingy?”

“Just because. I missed you,” Eunha replied.

“Is this your way of apologizing for snapping at me this morning?”

“Hehe.”

Eunha smiled sheepishly, reminded of how she had been irritable earlier that day.

“Sorry about this morning.”

“Apology accepted. Now go wash up and get ready to eat.”

“Where’s Dad?”

“He’s working late. It’s just the two of us tonight.”

“Okay.”

Eunha quickly washed up and changed into comfortable clothes. When she returned to the kitchen, the table was already laden with side dishes.

“Thanks for the food!”

She took a bite of the bulgogi. The familiar flavor of her mother’s special marinade touched her tongue, and unexpectedly, tears welled up in her eyes.

Her mother, alarmed, handed her a tissue.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen at school?”

“No, nothing like that.”

Swallowing the food, Eunha sniffled and wiped her eyes.

“It’s just… It’s so good. It feels like it’s been so long since I’ve eaten this.”