This tells me that as cold as his heart was, he still had some good in him
Only cartoon cutouts are without complexity. Pol Pot had a daughter, whom he loved. Hitler was reportedly fond of his dog. Your commander's moment of joy makes him human, and relatable.
I think the story was wonderfully balanced. I do expect you to live up to that standard in the future 😄 But you are also complex, so write what pleases you and hope for a great outcome.
I'm rooting for you!