Echo’s fork stopped halfway to her mouth as she stared at Cali.

  “I don’t… know,” Luke said slowly. “You’d have to make the second doorway inside the space itself, and specify that it’s a door to this pocket dimension. Then take it out through the first doorway, and it should connect itself to the wall… The space doesn’t exist on this plane, so distance shouldn’t matter…”

  Near-instant inter-city travel. Even more than the rooms themselves, this was going to change everything. Communication between city governments could happen in hours rather than days. No more risk of messages getting mis-relayed or completely changed. And if there was a fire or something, relief would be available immediately.

  Echo slowly finished her breakfast as Maeve asked about changing the space from round to square, and Maki voiced doubts about how safe they really were. They didn't… understand. They had a very limited, personal view of the pocket dimensions. Even Cali, who had brought up the most potentially world-changing idea in the history of the planet, just wanted it as a way to sleep in her own room while traveling around.

  When everyone was done eating, Maeve and Luke went to see what cargo needed to be taken to the next city. Cali went to tend to the horses, and Maki went with her to check on the wagon. Glad to be alone, Echo went to find a calendar.

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  It was fourteen days until her birthday. Fourteen days until she’d be old enough to claim her title as empress.

  A week ago, she’d been seriously debating not going back. Forgetting all that and living out the rest of her life with Maki and the others. After all, Athena was doing a decent job of running the empire. Echo only had minor changes in mind; things the majority of the population wouldn't notice.

  But now, with the runes and concepts she’d gotten, she could seriously revolutionize the whole continent. She could be the person in charge of shaping the future. And all she’d lose would be Maki.

  From a logical standpoint, it wasn't even a question. She couldn't let her empire fall behind just because she wanted to date someone she couldn't. Change the world for the better or stay in a relationship; no one in their right mind would tell her to take the second option.

  Echo sighed, turning away from the calendar. She’d had her vacation. She’d seen more of the world, made friends, and had a fairly normal teenage experience. In two weeks, it would be time to go back to her real life.

  All that was left was deciding when to tell everyone. Echo was pretty sure Maeve had figured it out. It would be polite to tell Maki as soon as possible. But if she did, he might take it badly. Meaning their last two weeks together would be not great. She wanted them to be perfect.

  Logically, then, not saying anything to anyone was the best option. She’d just leave in the middle of the night, quietly and drama-free.

  And then she’d get to work being the best empress the Bestest Empire had ever seen.

  …And also maybe change the empire’s name to something that didn't make her cringe every time she thought about it.