The entire room shifted towards Julian, who found himself dumbfounded at Rui's words.
"…Me?" He gazed at Rui with a troubled expression. "You shouldn't make such jokes, Rui. I'm just an old man well past his prime, working his entire life in research and development. Look, you're insulting the minister by—"
He paused as her scrutinizing gaze fell on him. Her narrowing eyes sized him up with a hint of fascination before nodding. "This could work, perhaps."
"Wha—" Julian stared at her with a flabbergasted expression. "Your Highness, I—"
"Stop, do not address me in that manner. I've lost my status as a princess. The only Highness here is Her Highness Princess Ria." She raised a hand before folding her arms, nodding at him as she continued to size him up. "This could actually work."
