...I can't imagine the details of his early life would have changed that much. Mine likely didn't in your time, if I was a still prince and then king.

[ Another little smile. Even if it's a touch sad. ]

...I didn't want to press him too hard. He liked to keep his own council, I found. But he was also intensely useful to all of us. A good comrade. Given the chance, perhaps I would try to speak to him more.

[ He trails off a little, considering. ]

How well did you know Dimitri - me?