Those eyes sent a jolt to his very core, but it was short-lived.

Axel braced himself for a violent jerk and a sudden scream.

The boy blinked rapidly for a moment, his gaze a little fearful as he shifted slightly.

"Where...am I?" He coughed a moment, then spoke again, his voice still dry and sore, but just a touch smoother. "Am I home?"

Now it was the prince's turn to blink. How could he possibly think such a thing? Surely the bedcovers alone were worth more than anything he had ever owned!

Axel debated for a moment whether or not to draw attention to himself. Had the child not seen him? Were his eyes so heavy with sleep that-

"No, dear," Xion said, hopping closer to the bed. Apparently she was happy to take the decision out of his hands. "Please lie down. You have been very ill of late."

"W-Who are you?" The boy had jumped a little when she'd spoken to him. Now he seemed to look right at the kettle, but showed no surprise or alarm at the notion of a walking, talking object.

Though he himself was used to Xion and the others, and he had not dealt with outsiders in a long time, the prince was grimly sure that lacking reaction was not normal.

"My name is Xion. I am a servant of this castle and its master." Never breaking stride, she motioned to the others. "This is Kairi and Axel."

Kairi chirped a soft hello, but the prince bit his tongue, confused and angered beyond measure by the situation. Never mind that his guest had made no remark about anyone's appearance; Xion had just introduced him as another servant!

Before he could grow properly angry, the boy was speaking again.

"Where is my grandfather? Is he alright?"

Xion blinked. "I-"

"Did something happen? Please, take me to him!" The little blonde sat up stiffly then, setting his feet on the ground.

"Oh dear, no. Axel, stop him."

Biting back a growl at Xion, Axel stepped up to the bedside and pushed the boy none-too-gently back down. At this, his guest started squirming.

"Grandfather?" he cried, his breath coming short and fast now. "Grandfather, where are you?"

"No one else is here," the prince snapped, causing the boy to flinch, but not to halt. "Lie down!"

"N-No! I have to see him! Please, I have to! Grandfather? Grandfather!"

"Kairi, fetch some medicine!" Xion ordered, ushering her friend out of the room. "Hurry!"

"Look at me!" Axel growled. He demanded again and again, but the boy seemed to stare right through him, his face contorting from pain to blind fear, as rambling pleas continually fled his lips.

"Lie down! I order you to lie down!"

It took several minutes, but Kairi returned as quickly as she could, bringing a sleeping draught with her. Awkwardly, the prince force-fed it to the blonde until his struggles slowly tapered off, then ceased. Under Xion's firm direction, he adjusted the boy, laid him back and tucked the heavy blankets around him. He looked more peaceful and comfortable than he had before, and a splash of color was beginning to blossom in his cheeks.

But a few stray tears leaked from his closed eyes, and the prince felt a stab of guilt.

"What in the world was that all about?!" Axel hissed, rounding on the two girls who appeared to be whispering.

"I think the boy is blind, Sire."

The redhead blinked, his expression softening as he thought for a moment.

"And your proof?"

"I'm not entirely certain. It could just be his condition; illness can make one go temporarily mad. But he seemed not to notice any of us at all, which is less common. I would think that the sight of us would be terribly confusing, even if he were already delirious."

"The sight of me." The prince's voice took on a dangerous edge, but Kairi shook her head.

"Any one of us could have frightened him, Sire. We are all enchanted beings."

"Regardless," Xion continued, "One of us must remain here at all times. He will sleep a while, I think, but he cannot be allowed to wander in his condition. Kairi, speak with the others and establish turns-"

"That won't be necessary," Axel said, startling the girls from their thoughts. "I will stay for a while. But when I wish to leave, someone else must be here to take my place."

"Of course, Your Majesty-"

"And I require at least one shackle for him. That should keep him from wandering."

"But Sire-"

Axel cut her off with a glare, and Kairi promptly quieted. Xion sighed, but said nothing else, leaving to see that the orders were heard.

Kairi stayed a few moments longer, giving instructions to the prince for as many scenarios as she could think of. Axel endured them with annoyance, grunting and waving her away as he glared out the window. He really just wished she would leave.

Finally, she did, and the redhead relaxed his shoulders a little. He looked back to the boy on the bed and sighed.

This was all so terribly disruptive and confusing.

He half-wished that the child had never been found or brought to his attention at all, but the thought struck his as cruel and misplaced all of the sudden. Why?

Why should he care?

None of his previous guests had left him feeling so conflicted. When they left, or were chased away, Axel cared not at all for their wasted time, their fears and concerns. They were others, or things, to him.

He barely knew this boy, had only ever spent time with him while he was unconscious, but as soon as those eyes had opened...

'Maybe he is the one...'

Axel snarled at that thought, shaking his head almost wildly. What had hope ever done for him before? All it did was shatter him over and over again, beat him with his own despair and self-loathing. Hope was an evil thing, or if not that, foolish beyond measure.

He had never seen it fade from his servants' eyes. He hated them all the more for that.