She may realize, too late, how much of a deep cut that is from the way his shoulders tighten and his gaze falls. His failure in that regard is still fresh after all, and he knows full well the damage that his own skepticism might have caused. It's something he can't take back.

If he had believed in the possibility, would he have still insisted upon doing things his own way? Would he have pulled Himeka along with him so boldly? Would anything have been enough to change his mind when he keeps making things worse for himself, even now?

"You best cut your losses, then," he growls, reflexively digging in his heels. "There will be no clemency for me now."