I Accidentally Saved The Male Lead’s Brother

 

Of course, even if Charlotte explained herself now, Robert wouldn’t believe her. In the worst-case scenario, he might start doubting her from the very beginning—her contractual engagement to Carcel.

Yet, outright telling the truth felt equally unwise. While Robert had been a trustworthy character in the original story, could he still be trusted now?

After all, he had tried to erase her memories to protect Edgar’s secret. If she revealed that Carcel’s memories were returning, wouldn’t he hesitate just as little to erase them again?

As Charlotte deliberated, the silence stretched longer. To buy herself time and collect her thoughts, she decided to start with something she had long wondered about.

“Why did you try to erase my memory back then without saying anything to me?”

It had angered her at the time, but the more she reflected on it, the more absurd and frustrating it seemed.

Even if Robert and Randru had explained the truth and asked for permission, she wouldn’t have agreed. But wasn’t asking at least a matter of basic courtesy?

‘Compared to them, Carcel was so straightforward.’

She recalled when Carcel had proposed the contractual engagement. When she had asked what he would do if she refused, he had openly admitted that he would erase her memory—but only with her consent.

He could have erased it without a word if she refused, yet he hadn’t.

Carcel’s actions might have been the bare minimum of decency, but compared to the others, they felt strikingly different.

“I apologize. There wasn’t enough time to ask for your understanding.”

“There was plenty of time. It wouldn’t have taken long to explain, even briefly. You could have simply said it was a secret of the Heinst family, and I would’ve understood.”

“…”

It seemed Robert had given up on making excuses. Though Charlotte was irritated, she decided to let it go. This wasn’t the most pressing issue right now.

“I don’t want anything. Well, there is one thing, but it’s not what you’re thinking.”

“What is it you want?”

“Let me be blunt. I want to help Carcel regain his memories.”

Robert’s eyes widened behind his glasses. His usually calm demeanor faltered as he responded in a startled voice.

“Why would you do such a thing?”

“Because his memories of Edgar are already starting to return.”

“What?”

“Last night, Carcel came to me after having a nightmare. In his dream, the late duchess was crying while holding a child named ‘Edgar.’”

“…”

“Wasn’t it to prevent something like this that his memories were sealed in the first place? Why was the memory kept sealed all this time?”

After a moment of silence, Robert finally answered.

“…It was the late duke’s final wish. I’m merely following his orders.”

At last, Charlotte understood the root of Robert’s actions. It was a vow to his master, a pledge bound by loyalty.

The late Duke Heinst had likely instructed Robert to ensure that Carcel never regained his memories of Edgar. Robert was merely following through.

How could she possibly persuade someone so resolute? While Charlotte was pondering, Robert continued.

“This is a matter of the Heinst family. It is not something for you to interfere with, my lady.”

Charlotte responded instinctively to his firm words.

“I care about Carcel.”

The words had spilled out impulsively, but she liked how they sounded.

I care about Carcel.

She had always vaguely felt it, but saying it aloud carried a weight that was entirely different.

She regretted not telling Carcel first. She resolved to do so soon. But for now, she locked eyes with Robert and added firmly:

“I can’t bear to see him suffer.”

“…”

“And Carcel cares about me, too.”

Charlotte emphasized each word.

“So don’t I have the right to be involved in this?”

Robert remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

“Even if that’s true, nothing changes. You are merely his contracted fiancée. Once Master Theo learns to control his mana, you will leave the Heinst estate. Do not involve yourself further in Heinst family affairs.”

Though his tone was decisive, Charlotte’s reply was even more so.

“No, things will change.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Do you know that every time Carcel regains a fragment of his memories, he suffers from severe chest pain and headaches?”

Robert’s eyes widened, betraying his ignorance of this fact. Charlotte continued cautiously, knowing her next words would mix truth and falsehood.

“Every time he experiences this pain, his mana leaks uncontrollably.”

It was partly true. Carcel’s sealed mana did stir whenever he recovered a memory, but Charlotte hadn’t directly witnessed it leaking.

Still, it was enough to alarm Robert. His expression grew grim.

“There’s another secret you’re not telling me, isn’t there?”

“I cannot say.”

Just deny it, for goodness’ sake. Charlotte clicked her tongue internally, frustrated by Robert’s hesitation and his pale expression.

“I want to help Carcel find peace.”

Robert didn’t respond immediately, lost in thought. When he finally spoke, his words were deliberate.

“Have you considered what might happen if Master Carcel regains his memories?”

“Yes, I have.”

“And what do you think will happen?”

“He’ll suffer, of course.”

Robert nodded in agreement.

“Master Carcel cherished Edgar dearly. You can see how much he loves Master Theo now. If he learns that Edgar died because of him, he’ll be devastated. He may even lose control of his mana again.”

“I can stop that.”

“Can you promise that?”

Charlotte smiled faintly at him.

“Yes. I can.”

In truth, she wasn’t entirely confident.

If Carcel struggled after regaining his memories of Edgar, she would be his support. If his mana ran wild again, she would use her strength to stabilize him.

She believed she could do it, but she couldn’t be sure.

Still, one thing was certain.

“I’ll do everything I can to help Carcel.”

“I don’t know… I’ve been by his side all these years, and even I can’t be sure how this will end. How can you be so certain?”

“You’re right. Compared to you, I’ve only known Carcel for a short time.”

Lowering her gaze, Charlotte thought of the Carcel she had come to know over the past few months.

The faint smile he showed whenever he looked at Theo.

The wistful expression he wore when gazing at his parents’ portrait.

The pain and sorrow on his face whenever he spoke of Edgar, mingled with a quiet longing.

“Whenever Carcel talks about Edgar, whom he barely remembers, he seems both distressed and nostalgic.”

“…”

“You know Carcel well. He loves his family more than anyone. If given the choice, he would want to remember Edgar, no matter how painful those memories might be.”

Robert opened his mouth to argue but ultimately said nothing.

Charlotte thought of Edgar’s grave, which she had glimpsed beside the late duchess’s tomb on her memorial day. A desolate, lonely place where Edgar rested.

“I saw mana surging near the late duchess’s grave. That must be where Edgar is buried, isn’t it?”

Robert, seemingly too exhausted to be surprised anymore, nodded without resistance.

“If Carcel learns that Edgar has been left alone there, he’ll grieve deeply and blame himself. Is that really what the late Duke and Duchess wanted for him?”

“…”

“For Carcel’s sake—and for Edgar’s forgotten memory—I believe he should regain his memories.”

Charlotte gave Robert a slight bow.

“I think I’ve made my position clear, so I’ll take my leave now. I hope you’ll make a wise choice.”

Without hesitation, she turned and left the sitting room. Robert remained standing in silence.

Long after Charlotte had left, Robert finally exited the sitting room.

As he walked, he thought of Charlotte’s face as she’d confessed her feelings for Carcel. He also recalled the late Duke Heinst’s final words to him:

“Help Carcel find happiness as he is now, and make sure he doesn’t regain Edgar’s memories.”

Was the Duke’s true wish to ensure Carcel’s happiness, or was it to suppress Edgar’s memories?

The answer was simple. The late Duke had wanted Carcel to be happy. He had wished to spare his son from the pain of remembering Edgar’s death.

As Robert walked through the garden, he reflected on Carcel’s recent demeanor.

Ever since meeting Charlotte, Carcel seemed happier than Robert had ever seen him.

Having watched over Carcel his entire life, Robert knew the truth: Carcel felt affection for Charlotte.

Perhaps that affection ran deeper than he had assumed.

Robert had once tried to erase Charlotte’s memories of Edgar’s portrait and remove her from the Heinst household, believing it was the right thing to do.

But now, he wasn’t so sure.

Contrary to what he had told Charlotte earlier, Robert began to wonder if Carcel could withstand the truth of Edgar’s past as long as Charlotte was by his side.

Conversely, even if Carcel never remembered Edgar, could he truly be happy without Charlotte?

The answer was clear: no.

Having reached his conclusion, Robert decided to let Charlotte do as she wished from now on.

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