How would you react if two houses were on fire, the house of your superior and the house of your partner? (Not romantic partner.)
Save my superior. He is more important for the structure of the world.
Save my superior. He will then promote me or give me a raise.
Save my partner. My superior is one of the social elite, who must die.
I have no partner or superior unless they are my pawn. Both will die if I am in this situation.