Prince Althur Maden III — POV
I was the third prince of Maden.
Which meant I was busy by default.
Maden Kingdom was vast—twice the size of Nothingwood, its borders stretching from salt plains to emerald forests, its cities layered with centuries of magic, trade, and military doctrine. I oversaw supply routes, naval coordination, and three mage battalions. My days were scheduled to the minute, my nights filled with reports and strategic projections. I was not meant to be sent on diplomatic errands to small territories.
And yet—here I was.
Three weeks of travel.
Royal Voyage across the eastern sea.
Caravans, checkpoints, weather delays.
All because of a rumor. A rumor so absurd that every rational part of me dismissed it the moment I heard it: Seven days of travel reduced to two seconds.
Impossible.
