Hiiro (46)
Naruhito suddenly started crying in the middle of the night. Though no tears were coming out, a strained sound was escaping from his throat. When I tried to rub his back and asked what was wrong, he cried out even louder and tried to move away. He was clearly sleepwalking, his eyes closed, but he kept trying to get up and leave the bed. When I instinctively held him, he screamed and struggled.
Unable to do anything, I let go, and he rolled off the bed, avoiding the blanket. The night guard, alerted by his screams, rushed in and barely managed to catch him, but Naruhito let out another high-pitched scream, seemingly not wanting to be touched. He crawled on all fours, feeling the floor, and curled up on his favorite rug.
I had chosen a rug with short, firm fibers, thinking it would be easier for him to walk on than something too soft or with long fibers. It seemed just right, as he appeared to fall asleep there. When I lightly touched him, his body jerked again. I brought a blanket and covered him, but he started flailing his right hand, trying to throw it off while still making that strained noise. When I removed the blanket, he curled up again.
"This is troubling... Call Ikumatsu."
I told the worried night guard, who left soundlessly. That graceful movement must have been Ichinose. Not long after, Ikumatsu arrived quickly. He glanced around the dimly lit room and approached. Seeing Naruhito curled up on the floor without a blanket and me standing a little distance away, he spoke quietly.
"Your Highness, what is this?"
"He gets scared when touched, and even the blanket frightens him. He doesn't seem to be awake."
I briefly explained the situation. Ikumatsu carefully leaned closer to Naruhito without touching him.
"He seems to have a slight fever. He's sweating—cold sweat, perhaps. I'd like to wipe him down if possible."
"What do you think it is? He bathed and went to bed normally."
"... Naruhito used to be scared of the bath, right?"
"Yes, probably because he had bad experiences while bathing or afterward. Recently, he asked to take a bath by himself for the first time."
"... Today, Lord Sai mentioned that as a Combat Doll, Naruhito might never have slept in a bed. Could it be related to that?"
"... Tell me more."
What do you think about this chapter?
