[ His face flattens again into that humorless, contourless smile. And then he tilts his head up and acknowledges: ]

Your Imperial Majesty.

[ A breath. ]

An oath, then, on my loyalty to Gregor Vorbarra. An oath on the oaths I took to him. I am - or was - a surveillance operative in the employ of Imperial Security. A good one, though nothing more than that, alas - no one so very useful to you here. But all that is left of Imperial Security, your life is my charge, sire. As their lives are yours.