the man was silent as he stood there , looking at the throne dully before turning and sitting . exhausted he was mentally . when he finally laughed , it wasn't sharp . it was quiet . almost disbelieving . `` so that’s it , `` he said , voice low , careful in a way that made it more dangerous than a shout . `` i build them safety … and they call it a cage . ``
his gaze lifted to hatter again , but it didn’t quite land on her . it looked like he was seeing something beyond her —something behind her words , behind the room , behind the world he had been trying so desperately to hold still . `` I removed chaos , `` he continued , slower now, as if each word had to be dragged into existence . `` i removed uncertainty . I removed the rot that made them bleed , fight , break each other apart in the dark . `` a pause . a flicker . then , softer — almost wounded : `` and still you tell me I’ve taken too much . `` he rested his head upon his hand , jewels on the crown glinting in the light as his head tilted . `` i don't know why I bother when they'll all eventually be with that dreadful white king eventually . ``a part of him ached at the thought of being alone , but he didn't show it . never did .