I Accidentally Saved The Male Lead’s Brother

 

“Theo?”

Similarly unable to sleep well the previous night, Carcel was rubbing his face with his hands when he spotted Theo in the doorway.

He reached out to pick the child up, but Theo darted aside, evading his hand. It was the first time Theo had acted this way, and Carcel’s face betrayed his confusion.

“Theo?”

“Brother, bad!”

Theo stomped his foot, puffing his cheeks in anger. Carcel, now branded the world’s worst brother, remained clueless about the reason behind the accusation.

“What’s wrong, Theo? What happened—”

“Nunna is sad!”

The explanation was short and simple, but Carcel immediately understood. It was about Charlotte. Clearly, she was still upset from yesterday’s events.

If it was because of Charlotte, Carcel thought he deserved Theo’s harsh words.

“That’s—”

As Carcel hesitated, Theo, his face flushed red, continued his barrage.

“If Nunna is sad, Theo is sad too! Brother is mean! Say sorry to Nunna!”

Carcel nodded silently. The child was absolutely right.

The truth was, Carcel himself had felt wretched ever since mentioning breaking their engagement to Charlotte. Even if it had been for her sake, he shouldn’t have said it.

He had regretted it deeply and resolved to apologize. But Charlotte, clearly angry, had locked herself in her room and refused to see him. She likely thought he would bring up breaking off the engagement again if they spoke.

“Okay. I’ll apologize to her.”

He spoke with genuine resolve, trying to calm Theo.

But before he could act, a voice called out from outside.

“Theo? Theo, where are you?”

Charlotte’s voice was tinged with urgency. Theo, his mood lightened now that Carcel had agreed to apologize, began stomping excitedly.

“Nunna! Theo’s here!”

But it seemed Charlotte couldn’t hear him, as her voice grew fainter, moving further away.

Carcel hesitated. He had decided to apologize but wasn’t sure he was ready to face her yet.

It wasn’t that he still intended to end things with her. After a long night of tormenting thoughts, he had reached a conclusion: he couldn’t live without Charlotte.

In fact, his fear had shifted. Now, he worried that Charlotte, disappointed in him, would declare the engagement over herself.

What if she packed her things and returned to Lannia Manor for good?

“Brother?”

Theo’s voice pulled Carcel from his thoughts. Theo had reminded him that Charlotte had looked sad.

If she was upset because of him, it was only right for him to go to her and mend things. That was what a proper gentleman would do.

“Theo, are you in here?”

Just as Carcel resolved to step outside, the door creaked open, and Charlotte cautiously entered the room.

The sudden encounter left Carcel unprepared to face her, and Charlotte seemed equally startled. She glanced at him briefly before dropping her gaze.

Only Theo seemed unbothered, his excitement bubbling over.

“Nunna! Theo’s here!”

“Ah, there you are, Theo. You must’ve wanted to see Brother. I was so worried when you disappeared.”

“Sowwy.”

“No, it’s okay. No need to apologize.”

Charlotte gently stroked Theo’s head, her touch soft and comforting. Then, still not meeting Carcel’s eyes, she muttered,

“Now that I know where Theo is, I’ll be going.”

Her tone was distant, almost cold. It was understandable; her demeanor would have been more puzzling if she’d acted warmly under the circumstances.

Carcel felt a pang of panic at seeing her so withdrawn.

Charlotte had always made an effort to smile at him, even in awkward or uncomfortable moments. This blank expression was something he had never seen before.

It hit him hard.

And in that moment, Carcel realized again what he already knew deep down: he couldn’t let her go.

He had tried to convince himself that pushing her away was the right thing to do, knowing the risks she faced.

But the thought of truly losing her was unbearable.

Breaking off the engagement?

The idea alone felt like a knife to his chest. Even the thought of Charlotte leaving in five years, as the contract stipulated, had been painful. Sending her away now, out of sight and out of reach, was agony.

It would be safer to keep her close, he thought.

Steeling his resolve, Carcel reached out and grabbed Charlotte’s arm just as she turned to leave.

“Charlotte.”

She didn’t pull away from his grasp, but neither did she turn to face him.

Carcel’s heart raced. He wanted desperately to see her face, even if he had to turn her around by force. But he couldn’t bring himself to use physical strength against her.

Suppressing his frustration, he called her name again, softer this time.

“Charlotte.”

“What do you want?”

Her voice was sharp and curt. Carcel’s mind blanked. He knew he should apologize, but his lips betrayed him, blurting out something completely different.

“Don’t we need to practice dancing for the New Year’s Ball?”

Charlotte finally turned to him, her expression filled with confusion. Carcel forced an awkward smile.

“I haven’t practiced dancing in a while. Would you… help me rehearse?”

What was he even saying? It was a ridiculous request. Carcel cursed himself inwardly, but the words were already out.

Charlotte scrutinized him, her gaze piercing, as though trying to read his true intentions.

Her face remained expressionless, void of any warmth or humor. After a pause, she sighed and replied,

“Alright.”

Carcel resolved to apologize properly during their dance practice. Together, they headed to a small hall used for such rehearsals.

Due to the suddenness of the practice, there was no time to call for musicians. Instead, Emma brought in a magical device that played music automatically.

Charlotte, eager to avoid meeting Carcel’s gaze, focused on examining the device.

She had agreed to his request in the heat of the moment, but her anger hadn’t dissipated.

Logically, she understood why Carcel had made his suggestion. Emotionally, though, she still couldn’t accept it.

It felt as though their relationship—the love she thought they had built—was something he could cast aside on a whim.

“Wow!”

Theo’s antics lightened the mood. He circled the magical device, his body wiggling to the upbeat tune it played. His erratic movements and exaggerated gestures brought a reluctant smile to Charlotte’s face.

She glanced at Carcel and found him watching her. Caught off guard, she quickly looked away.

But Carcel stepped forward, extending a hand toward her.

“May I have this dance?”

“…Yes.”

Sensing the moment, Emma ushered Theo to the side with promises of snacks.

When the room was clear, the music shifted to a gentle waltz.

Charlotte placed her hand on Carcel’s, and he drew her close, resting his hand lightly on her waist.

The distance between them vanished in an instant. His face loomed just above hers.

Feeling a pang of irritation, Charlotte lowered her gaze to their feet.

“Are you not even going to look at me?”

“I’m bad at dancing. If I don’t watch my feet, I might step on yours.”

“I don’t mind if you step on me. Please, look at me.”

His voice was almost pleading. Unable to resist, Charlotte raised her eyes to meet his.

Carcel, as if in gratitude, leaned down to kiss her forehead.

His faint smile seemed tinged with sorrow.

With their eyes locked, Carcel guided Charlotte into the steps of the waltz.

Though she wasn’t a skilled dancer, his lead made it easy for her to follow. They moved together gracefully, until the music swelled, and the dance called for her to drift away, only to return to his arms.

But Carcel didn’t let her go.

Instead, he held her close, his voice breaking the silence.

“I’m sorry. I’ll never say such things again.”

 I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter !

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