Sophos is rather bumbling around like a big, clueless puppy once he arrives in the Attolian court, though, isn't he? It's like he goes: "Phew, with my friends, I can relax." And Gen's like: "Hang on, here; we are kings, you and I. Other responsibilities at least come into play. Formality in front of prying eyes, for one..." I see it as one of the reasons he goes on to smash that wine cup, and what he finally succeeds in when Sophos pushes him over -- trying to get his friend to see that a king has to act in different ways, on different levels, in different places -- but is still the same person!