For the briefest moment, Gai's expression softens as he looks at her. It doesn't last long, and to those who don't know him, it could easily be mistaken as a trick of the light before he puts his leader face back on again.

He's sorry that Elizabeth has to see this side of him, yet at the same time... this is a part of who he is: the calculating, ruthless leader. He can't divorce this part of him from the part she knows, and right now, this is the side of him the situation calls for.

She can ream him out for it all she wants later. He won't say a word to object.