Knowing that the original locket had not been stolen placated the elf, and by the end of Kreacher’s tale, Hermione was in tears alongside Sirius. He had spent so long assuming his brother was loyal to Voldemort’s cause until the very end. Now he knew the truth, Regulus died trying to stop Voldemort but not only that, he died in the same place that Harry had just admitted almost took his own life. Regulus died a hero, but he died alone, without his family. Without his brother.