Im a bit confused by dahlia this chapter. She seems to be genuine in her claim that she isnt actually spying, but then tries to shift all the punishment for spying onto herself, seeming fearful for real. Is it just that she actually believes frost to be a heartless monster who will kill them even if shes not a spy or was she lying and got cold feet?
Basically the standard trope of determined character can tank all the torture for days, but grab a random bystander and threaten to torture them instead and they'll break instantly.
She doesn't have full faith Frost will believe her innocence, after all she understand why Frost would be suspicious of her.
And because she understand Frost's suspicion, she was willing to accept any unreasonable punishment since if she's in Frost's shoe she wouldn't believe her easily either.
But the same doesn't apply to Lyla and the other 2, if these innocent people get punished for this, Dahlia would blame herself for it. Adding bonus emotional damage from her past with Violet.
Lyla be channeling so much of that 'girlfailure at a glance, but the next thing you know she's by your side comforting you and pushing you forward' 'clumsy older sis' energy.