I believe it was for this reason that he threatened the princess' safety. This, obviously, is the crux of the matter, and is given significant weight in the prince's telling. His tone implies that there was no other course the events could run after this. But it needed to be spoken by the man who had fallen Markyl to fully materialize. Gratitude is offered not for the substance of the answer, but for the fact of the answer itself.
Mists lick the prince's hem, even here.
I, too, sought the truth regarding one of my parents, when I was about your age. I shall warn you now, young priest, do not permit them to plague you. The cause of your father's unhappiness is a secret only he could whisper, and then only at the Lady of the Dead's will to those still on this side of her portals. Leave him, and his unhappinesses, in peace. Ludmila comes from the direction of South Yard.