Selene's jaw tightened. "So you expect us to accept that? To hand our city over because you say your father cares? How can I be certain you monsters won't strip the people of this city of everything, freedom, food, work, just to fatten your hold? How do we know you won't exploit them for your own gain?"
A murmur rose from the gathered crowd. Varrow's hand drifted to a hidden blade. Marrec prepared to clash. Renard's eyes narrowed, observing what move these fools would make.
Yuuto lifted one hand, not in threat but in a slow, deliberate gesture of restraint.
"If our goal were tyranny, then there would be no negotiation at all," he said. "Why parley if you intend only to take? You mistake caution for mercy. My father does not seek to rule by cruelty. He seeks to remove a threat."
