CURSED BY LOVE

CHAPTER 7 - Blue Moon

"Caspian," Leah said softly, causing him to pause mid-bite and glance her way.

"Yes, Mom?" he responded, his tone calm.

"Your father and I need to discuss something with you," Leah continued, her eyes flicking nervously toward Edmund, who seemed just as anxious.

"Alright, I'm listening," Caspian replied, taking another bite of his pancakes, his expression unreadable.

"W-we've invited the Martinez family over for lunch," Leah said hesitantly.

"So?" Caspian asked, raising an eyebrow.

"They're coming to discuss your engagement to Serena," Edmund added with a heavy sigh.

Caspian merely hummed, seemingly indifferent, while Zyran, who had been quietly eating, looked back and forth between his parents and brother. He nearly choked on his food, startled by Caspian's calm reaction—no protest, no rejection, just a casual hum.

Even Leah and Edmund were taken aback, surprised by Caspian's reaction. Meanwhile, Zyran was still coughing, struggling to catch his breath. Caspian calmly handed him a glass of water and patted his back.

"Careful," he scolded gently, rubbing his back to soothe him.

They all stared at him, the same thought crossing their minds: He's possessed. But Caspian couldn't have cared less.

"Um... okay," Leah muttered, blinking in surprise. "I've got everything ready—your clothes are set, and the servants will help you get dressed," she added, watching him closely. Caspian simply responded with a silent nod.

"I'm finished," Caspian announced, standing up and heading to his room without another word.

"Are you sure he's okay, darling? Are we making the right choice here?" Edmund asked, worry etched on his face.

"We have to," Leah responded, her voice tinged with sadness. "This is the only way to prevent something worse."

Zyran, still rubbing his chest, looked up and asked, "What are you two talking about?"

"Nothing for you to worry about," Leah said, her tone suddenly firm. "Now, you need to get ready too. I want everything to go smoothly today, and if you start acting like a monkey, your father will take care of you."

Zyran groaned but nodded, knowing better than to argue.

"Is everything set?" Leah asked anxiously, glancing around the house for the hundredth time.

"Darling, everything is perfect. Stop stressing, my love," Edmund said, coming up behind her and wrapping her in a back hug, planting a kiss on her cheek.

"This is not the time for that," Leah scolded, swatting at his arms.

"Oh, so does that mean I have to wait until tonight?" Edmund teased with a grin, only for Leah to spin around and shoot him a sharp glare.

"Not now, Edmund," Leah replied firmly, and he feigned offense at being called by his full name. Still, he nodded and attempted to soothe her with gentle words.

Meanwhile, the servants bustled around Caspian, helping him get ready. They laid out his clothes, adjusting the collar of his shirt and smoothing out the fabric. Throughout the process, Caspian wore a blank expression, his mind seemingly miles away from the chaos around him.

"Just a little more," one servant chirped, but Caspian remained impassive as if he were merely a mannequin being dressed rather than a young man about to face a life-altering event.

Caspian made his way downstairs, and Leah's eyes lit up with a broad smile.

"You look so handsome, dear!" she exclaimed, rushing over to him.