"I was rather isolated by my own behavior and his position in the world congress. Even if I wanted someone else to fill the role he did, I didn't have any other options." Which is a rather round about way of begrudgingly admitting he agrees that he was despite how much he actively hates him.

The question has him once again frowning, "if I didn't believe you were invested in my mental health I might accuse you of attempting to crash my mood further." The tone is light though, a half-assed deflection to distract himself from the answer for a moment.

"But I have nightmares about that, waking up and realizing I've become my father, so I can't say it's the first option. I don't think its a particularly rational fear, but it is a driving force. A conscious decision, more so than wanting to be anyone. Being recognized for my efforts never earned my anything I actually wanted anyways."