After handing over the doll, a trace of earnestness appeared in Pax Shirone's eyes.
He stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Duke Cui Ciyou, I have a favor to ask."
Cui Ciyou remained composed. He raised a hand gently, signaling that there was no need for such formalities.
"Your Highness, please speak."
With his permission, Pax said:
"Cui Ciyou, my third brother and I were born different from ordinary people."
"One of us is a Blessed Child; the other, a Cursed Child."
He pointed to Zanoba, the exceptionally burly man beside him.
"Both of us possess tremendous magic power."
"My third brother, Zanoba, is a Blessed Child."
"He was born with 'monstrous strength' enough to split mountains and shatter stone."
"And I, Pax, am a Cursed Child."
"My curse... fortunately, it only affects me."
Pax gave a self-deprecating smile.
He pointed to his rough, ugly, goblin-like face.
"All it did was give me this ugly face and this stunted body."
Cui Ciyou's gaze was as calm as still water. He listened quietly without interrupting.
Behind him, Ruijerd, Alice, Sylphy, and the others wore varying expressions.
Pax's voice was heavy with grief:
"Sometimes, to the person bearing it, a Blessed Child's blessing is more terrifying than a curse."
"My third brother is too strong. He cannot control his strength at all."
"As a child, he only wanted to hold his beloved pets."
"But he would always accidentally crush them to a pulp."
"After he grew up, he wanted to study the doll-making craft he loved most, but even hard wood and stone would turn to dust in his hands."
A hint of anguish seemed to enter his voice.
"Even on his wedding night, when he followed royal tradition and gave his beautiful bride the 'kiss of vows'..."
"He only wanted to cup