[Hannibal listened to all this quite avidly, lifting his dark gaze from his plate to his dinner companion often. He nodded his head as Judar explained, the flicker of interest across his sharp features showing that he was indeed listening and not just pandering to the conversation. When Judar had finished, he hummed softly, then patted the corners of his mouth elegantly.]

So you were meant to be contracted to a King in your world. Someone who would become a great leader. Does it lessen your power not to be connected to someone of that stature?

[Hannibal considered himself above petty bloodlines at this point, but he was curious.]