[Barrayaran government, military, and everything else is based on oaths. It's generally why oaths are sworn to people, or in Gregor's case, to Barrayar's best interests. In a feudal system, it works--the power of the liege lords is protected, and so are the rights of their vassals--unless someone decides to break an oath. That's why he takes it so seriously, and why he understands he is still emperor even here. Emperor of Barrayar, that is, not of Luceti. He gets the feeling others would mistake him even if he clarified that. Few cultures are oath-based, and those relying on that tricksy pen-and-paper combination tend to almost willfully misunderstand Barrayaran values. Still, as long as he is here, with one of his subjects, he is oathsworn to uphold that subject's rights. It's his power that is limited here, not his duty.]
[voice - filtered 100%]
I'm sure you will.