"Of all the things to ask," Claudius laughs, though it's the most natural question in the world. It's only Claudius's first thought that's unnatural -- he's beginning to understand why it felt like a fantasy he had to shield from judgement. It was on the verge of admitting something painful and personal. "All my family's roles were eclipsed by political ones, but it's not as though we fulfilled those roles any better. A king is more a symbol than a man, but symbols can be inspirations or corruptions. Sometimes, in my private moments, I imagine thou wouldst be a king to inspire. In truth, it's not because thou art the ideal leader, but because thou art the ideal citizen of some society where people inspire and aid another freely without being organized by status. Unusual, I know. But thou dost it every day thou suppliest a dinner, or works't to make something someone else might use or like ... or even when thou hast planned through many conversations to address a threat uncertain to us. Thou dost it in working with others. In imagination, I can keep dreaming of my just and handsome king, but in reality thou art still my compatriot. Perhaps thou art a better version of home to me."