At Alice's admission, Cross lowers his head, seeming to stare at the scarred hands at rest in his lap.
He hopes that, to Longstreet, he seems to be respectfully letting the Seneschal unfold her tale of woe.
But, really, it's to hide his dismay: Why is she telling him this?
Yes, Longstreet is family. Yes, he is Cross's Brother in the Dark Faith.
But such information can be dangerous in the wrong hands. And no matter Cross's loyalties, his first allegiance is to Alice.
Finally, he looks up again: "You are not an animal." He says it quietly, but with firm conviction. "You made a mistake, that's all."
If it could even be called that. Cross has his doubts. But he's not about to contradict the judgement of the Prince and his Reeve in front of a newcomer.