Not equals

"Anything, you say…" Rain shrugged. "I am not sure if that is truly possible even for you."

"We wouldn't know unless you say it out loud," Seadrei said, visibly confident.

"Well, if you say so," Rain said. "I want to lead my family in a way that I see that will benefit them, so I would like that you doing mettle in our affairs. Of course, I am willing to hear your opinion, but I will make the final decision when their fate is on the table."

When Seadrei heard that Rain didn't want to entertain his meddling, a bit of surprise crossed his face. It was an unexpected response for him, and this unexpectedness showed in his facial expression. It was as if Seadrei had been taken aback by Rain's straightforwardness, and this reaction was quite evident in the way his eyebrows lifted slightly, and his eyes widened just for a brief moment.