The reason it was only "almost" was entirely because her emotions had been redirected by Herbert.
If it weren't for Herbert's abstract maneuvers interfering, Kreti might have sunk into painful regret and resentment at this moment.
Her soul burned with the flames of unwillingness, oppressed, gradually veering into extreme.
And this, in fact, was the true purpose of Herbert's abstract actions, so as not to force her into submission.
He certainly didn't want to see Miss Devil sincerely hate him.
Joking with fools, there's nothing to it.
Fools have a not-so-clever self-awareness, even if they're duped, they only sulk for a while and accept their misfortune.
The same goes for smart people.
Smart people understand the trick the moment they are duped and admit their defeat.
They don't dwell on the immediate gains and losses, even in failure, they just think about winning back next time using different methods, reclaiming their position.
