The Crone just laughs, and under the almost hilariously stereotypical witch's cackle, it's tense and broken. A laugh because the only other option is to break down crying.

"Necessary doesn't mean anything here. This is how the Story goes." Their hand tightens in the Beast's fur, white-knuckled to stop it from trembling, and they take a quiet breath to keep their voice steady. "If you want to be kind, then kill him. Please."