Prince Ford drank next. Immediate regret. "Why," he asked, already reaching for the cup again, "do I feel like rewriting three economic policies and reorganizing the Mage Tower?"
Alias didn't even speak. He just closed his eyes after his first sip. When he opened them, The mana in the room had changed. Sharper. Cleaner. Focused. Prince Althur laughed softly. "I warned you."
They all turned to me. Slowly. Carefully. Like one does when realizing the woman at the table might accidentally reshape civilization.
The Queen set her cup down. "Lady Seraphine," she said, voice calm but intent, "Nothingwood's coffee, this Spirit Qi-enhanced cultivation, this is not merely a trade good."
"No," I agreed. "It's a responsibility."
Silence. Then the King spoke, quietly. "Maden would like to open formal trade talks."
