[ Gregor always starts with trust. Always, always. He learned statecraft from Aral but he learned people from Cordelia, and one he took to more naturally than the other, because it was satisfying when he got it right. He can close the loopholes later if need be, as he has with an oath or two for Miles, but Gregor has not forgotten 'Peter Kane' and his quiet insistence that he not allow him to cheat him. He assumes that mentality will hold true here-- he assumes too that showing kindness, tightening boundaries later only if he must, is more effective than starting from a presumption of suspicion. He assumes that because it has never been untrue before.

Now he can afford to be kind, with the deed done and his role almost closed. This is the important part, the leverage point on which all the rest must rest, and it had gone as smoothly as he could've hoped. Gregor squeezes his hands between his once, before answering in soft tones, ] I, Gregor Vorbarra, reigning Emperor of the Barrayaran Imperium, do accept your oath, and pledge you the protection of a liege commander; this by my word as Vorbarra.

[ As the lock clicks shut, he waits expectantly for the link to blossom into existence, and he neatly reaches out to snare it shut before more than the barest traces can filter through. It's not fair, not ethical, to have it open at all before he can inform Mark (Lord Mark, he realizes with some dazed pleasure at a job complete, seeing his acceptance of his name) of how to hold his end closed. Gregor has by now formed a set of working rules for how he operates with his links, so he doesn't need to think about how he wants to handle this. This is his fourth or fifth time doing it. ]

You may rise. I have one more thing to go over with you before you are released. Well, two.

[ By no coincidence has the formality of his speech patterns dropped off precipitously. ]