The truth is he doesn't have an answer. He wants to accept the compliments and take the praise but no he can't. He can't until he's done something to earn it and that's the horrible traces of his father lingering.

"When I do something truly amazing I'll accept the compliments," he says softly with his eyes downcast. He takes a drink of his tea and uses that to cover up his little frown. "What I've done here is simple, easy things for me. I've navigated complicated political and social situations my whole life. I breathed magic before I could wield it properly. Staying to help, that's foolishness but I'm here."

He's quite certain that might be enough to answer, all of it said quickly and in a bit of a rush but it's been said. That's enough.