[ He’s still surprised to receive sympathies, but at this point, he’s accepting them a bit more gracefully. There is a pause, but his voice is gentler when he says: ]

Thank you.

[ That’s it, but admittedly, he also just doesn’t want to talk about it, lest he get worked up again. So, business. ]

I can only assume they are someone quite high ranking. It is a dangerous thing to do in the first place. I cannot imagine someone who is only pledging the most basic of loyalty to be willing to undertake it.