Striking scene in chapter 16 of Cursor's Fury.
Two major characters, one POV and one a temporary noble ally, are preparing for a disaster. They're in a dungeon with a third character, the spy, who can provide answers to ward off part of that disaster. The imprisoned spy is held hostage from afar by a villain who threatens her child.

Everything in the story leading up to this point excuses continued and escalated brutality against the spy. The POV character is advised to double down on the villain's approach and escalate the threats against the child. It would be an effective approach.

The characters begin to go down that route. Then the POV character stops. She turns everything upside down. Instead of threatening the child, she promises to rescue the child. The spy, incredulous, is not taken in. But the offer is real. So the POV character takes her own dagger and puts it in the hand of the spy, laid against the POV character's throat. Help us and we'll save your child. Don't believe us? Use the knife. This is her pledge of truth.

When asked why she would do this, why she would go this route when instead everything called for increased brutality, she responds.

[The noblewoman's] eyebrows rose, startled. "What are you doing, girl?"
" I'm showing you the difference, your Grace," she said. "Between my Realm. And yours."

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