Hiiro (47)
"Help me understand."
"Ah, that's fine."
I instructed them to sit. We faced each other on the carpet.
"Lord Rikimaru visited Lord Sai's room with Naruhito. He asked if there were no shops in the Empire, as Naruhito didn't seem to understand how to shop. Lord Sai explained to Lord Rikimaru what a Combat Doll is. He said that Combat Dolls are weapons, and that weapons don't shop, play, or sleep in beds."
"… Him again?"
"Lord Rikimaru seemed confused."
"And Naruhito?"
"He seemed unbothered, as usual. I heard he had some pudding there, then fell asleep while Lord Murashige carried him back to his room. Lord Rikimaru left with the pudding."
"What a coward."
Naruhito was breathing quietly, curled up and tense as if cold.
"How do you see this?"
"I think it's a flashback. It's one of the symptoms that appear in those who have psychological trauma. In situations similar to the painful ones they experienced, memories resurface, and they relive the experience. Both physical and mental pains are recreated. Naruhito can't handle 'beds'. He can't tolerate being touched either…"
"That's ridiculous. This person loves being close to people. He used to spend the whole day rubbing his cheeks against a bed, looking enraptured."
"He must have had such a terrible experience with something he loved so much that he now instinctively avoid it desperately."
"Can reactions differ when he’s conscious and unconscious?"
"Yes. The lack of awareness of the trauma can make the unconscious symptoms deeper and more challenging. When conscious, it's possible to identify triggers and avoid them while treating the issue. Actually, I recently discovered that Lady Otoha also has a trigger: 'hospitals'. While visiting Naruhito during their hospitalization, she panicked just by approaching and looking up at the hospital. Her memory was hazy, but she clearly stated that hospitals were terrifying once she regained her senses. However, while awake, Naruhito loves beds and cuddling with Your Highness, but in his sleep, he relives such horrors that he screams and escapes from the bed."
Ikumatsu's voice was trembling. I sighed.
"How sad…."
What do you think about this chapter?
