[He might have meant the question as a distraction, but perhaps he should have anticipated that one birthed of the current circumstances would be an uncomfortable result -
but Royalty has him stumbling, nearly pulling his hand back.]
That -
[Before he catches himself. He is not in the Court, where improper behavior towards the Emperor would see him killed by the man's nohecharei, and even if this were, he's already dead. There's nothing more that can be done to him, on that measure. So he clears his throat, ducking his head and murmuring an apology, to listen to the rest, strange as it sounds to him.]
no subject
but Royalty has him stumbling, nearly pulling his hand back.]
That -
[Before he catches himself. He is not in the Court, where improper behavior towards the Emperor would see him killed by the man's nohecharei, and even if this were, he's already dead. There's nothing more that can be done to him, on that measure. So he clears his throat, ducking his head and murmuring an apology, to listen to the rest, strange as it sounds to him.]
Sounds like a heavy burden.