[She widens her stance only ever so slightly, just so the gelfling has a better chance to escape. Not that she thought Azula would have actually killed him, but with her reaction right now, it's best not to take that chance.]

Think what? If something was controlling their mind, what would thinking do? It's not "coddling a would-be assassin", it's directing your anger at the real assassin instead of their pawn!