A beat.
Su Jiyai stared at him, expression unreadable. Her voice was quiet, but firm. "Do you know what she did to me?"
Admiral Ru nodded once. "I do. I read the full report. And I… I'm not proud."
"She tried to kill my loved one," Su Jiyai said, each word sharp and controlled. "My aunt's son, she had tortured him, made him all skin and bones, and even carried out tortures on him, and now...you want her to be free?"
Admiral Ru didn't look away. His jaw tightened, and for a moment, he said nothing.
Then, in a softer voice, he replied, "No. I don't want her to be free… not like that."
Su Jiyai blinked. Her arms loosened just slightly.
He continued, "I'm asking if there's another way. A middle ground. One where justice is served—but mercy isn't forgotten."
She stared at him, her face unreadable.
"I won't insult you by pretending I didn't know what kind of person she had become. I did. But… I kept hoping she'd change. That there was still something human left in her."
