[ There is the inhale, the readiness to say what is so predictable for her to say most of all: you do not understand, he's a good man, he is, he was, he was my big brother.

But even she, in all her hopeful optimism, her willingness to believe the best — could not deny it. ]

It was after... after he got the throne, that it started. I do not know what happened he became so... so... secretive and vicious. He would be away on duty for weeks, and then... come back and... he would just swing between temper when we were alone to still being so charming when there were others again. I would miss him so much, but I dreaded his return, by the end.