>>124142518Lilith: PETRIFICATION?!?! YOU PROMISED ME YOU WOULD CURE MY SISTER, NOT TURN HER TO STONE FOREVER!!!
Belos: To be fair, that deal was made before a good twenty years of criminal activity, Actions have consequences.
L: Fine! Lock her up! But if you think I'm going to let her be petrified, you... you be-
B: Liltih.
L: No! You listen to me, I
B: No, YOU, listen to YOUR, Emperor, young lady.
L: *takes a step back and horrified but still firm* Forgive me, my Lord. I just, you, you can't turn her to stone!
B: I know.
L: Right, so you- wait, you, know? What do you mean, you know?
B: I know I can't turn Eda the Owl Lady to stone. Well, I can, easily, but I know full well what would happen. I would likely face greater tension with my citizenry, at best, and a insurrection at worst. Your sister is a charismatic little thorn in my side.
L: Then... why do i-
B: Well, two reasons. The first is just propaganda. People love control, but they love the illusion that that control can be reasoned with or pacified. I show 11th hour mercy in the wake of adoring subjects who just want me to see their point, then all of those people will be happy with our rule again. Too much revolutionary fervor, too close to the Day of Unity. We need happy subjects, subjects who can understand the Emperor is still a merciful man.
L: So... it's all... just a trick for Propaganda? Why not just lock her up and reform her from the start?
B: Reason Number Two. Everyone's going to be talking about this little ceremony, and when they do, words will spread. And our human acquaintance will be rushing to save her and be a good heroic witch. And of course, she'll be outmatched by any of us, and we can our hands on what was promised to me by catching this 'Owl Lady'.
L: I-... will you still cure my sister?
B: In time.
L: You promised th-
B: And I keep my promises. All you have to do, is trust me.
She doesn't. 'Actions have consequences' is all he says to her as she leaves. 
