It feels like she's trying to solve him like one of her scientific questions, and it irritates him. There's nothing to say Rita isn't the one who's wrong, who believes the world is a darker place than it really is.

Maybe just to feel bigger, he pushes himself up to sit, too, trying to look as awake as he is even when his hair is still a mess. She was never that interested in the war before.

"The Liberation Army," he corrects her. How can she really be a judge if she can't even call it by its name? "I began leading it after...the previous leader died during a surprise attack. I was her chosen successor." At least according to Mathiu. "We were fighting to take the Emperor and the Court Magician out of power - to eliminate the corruption - and help the people of the country have a better life.

"Do you really want me to give you the whole story?"