Kratos hated being put on the spot like that. Not because he didn't want to answer, or that he didn't have an opinion. Even though he'd decided to hold his tongue for the benefit of his siblings, so they could stay together, being directly questioned by the king, he'd really like to answer. The problem was, he didn't do well in an impromptu situation. He always felt more comfortable when he had a chance to plan out what he was going to say.
There was no way to do that now, though. It would be rude to make Zeus wait, and the last thing he wanted to do was be disrespectful. So when he spoke, the words that came out were the only ones that could have been offered. They were the truth, unpracticed and unvarnished.
“No, my lord.” His voice was calm, but uncertain. “I'm capable of offense, just as well as defense. The thing is, sir, I don't think a person should fight unless they have to, especially a person who has more strength than others. My skills are strength, might and power, but those are tools that should be used carefully. And not just physically. Strength of mind, strength of will, strength of purpose... those are just as important, maybe more important, than being able to swing a war hammer and break some bones.”
It was more than he usually said in front of people outside the family. Kratos was more comfortable with people he knew, and not only did he not truly know Zeus, their lives and what they would do with them were what was on the line here. So he had no idea what possessed him to add, “I'd be honored to give you any aid I can, sir, and I'll do what you tell me to do if it means staying together with my siblings. But I hope, my lord, that you are the sort of king I thought I was fighting for, and you use your own strength and power as wisely as I believed you would.”
Kratos snapped his jaw closed, shocked that it had come out of his mouth at all. But it was too late to take it back and he hoped he hadn't just killed whatever chances his brother and sisters had at having a good position with the new king. This was why he really, really preferred to be able to plan what he was going to say.