"Because you're a free man. Because I thought I lost you - to death... or to Willy," Hannibal admitted. All quite true. "Because you're older now and because apparently both Phedre and Greg already knew and have been telling me I should act on what I feel. Even Willy did." That wasn't quite true in the sense that Hannibal could have kept it to himself perfectly. But it was in his interest here admit to these influences.