[ he quiets a little at that, realizing he might have gone a little further with that questioning than he should have, so he backs away, even slowing down a bit to grant them that physical distance too. ]

Well... Next time you find yourself in that kind of situation, give me a call, okay? I can at least try and make sure you won't get in trouble for it.

[ not that he has much weight in the royal guard, but.. he can at least try. ]