My Best Friend is a Prince from Another World

"...so other worlds with magic are real, and supposedly my mom was a princess from one of them and they're asking me to go there because I'm next in line for the throne."

Mark Berg thought life in early '90s New York was strange enough—until his best friend Joel dropped that bombshell. Now, Joel is heir to the throne of a distant, magical kingdom called Obdrest, and the people of that world want their prince back.

Before Joel can think about ruling anything, he and Mark must face a new challenge: attending a high school in the magical world of Feldaren. For Joel, it's a chance to learn about his heritage and the political chaos brewing around his family. For Mark, a socially awkward nerd with a love of video games and fantasy books, it's an unexpected chance to escape the suffocating city and learn the kind of magic he's only dreamed about.

But Feldaren isn't just flying carriages and magical classes. A murdered student, suspicious contacts, and threats to Joel's family turn their school year into something far more dangerous than midterms. As Joel is pulled between the expectations of a prince and the dangers surrounding his family's past, Mark must figure out if he's meant to stay by his friend's side—or find his own path in a world where he might finally be more than just another weird nerdy kid.

A coming-of-age story where magic meets high school, and friendship faces its greatest test.

What to Expect

- Portal fantasy with two Earth teenagers attending school in a magical world- Character-driven slice-of-life with slowly building political intrigue- First-person narration (Mark's POV) with occasional third-person interludes featuring other characters- Learning magic through study and practice - no system, no LitRPG mechanics- Deliberate pacing - friendship dynamics, school life, and cultural adjustment take center stage- Slowly developing romantic subplots (non-harem) - not the primary focus but present- Mix of humor with serious themes and grounded struggles - not a power fantasy

Updates:Currently resuming regular updates.

Content Warnings:Death of named characters (off-screen), grief processing, occasional mild profanity

Author's Note

Cross-posting:This story is also on Scribblehub under the same username, with chapters posted simultaneously. It'sarchivedon my personal website (cubiclehermit.com), but please read and comment here on Royal Road - engagement really helps keep me motivated!Any other sites hosting this are unauthorized.

Bonus content:World Map and character profilesandcharacter portraitsavailable in a special chapter.

Feedback welcome:I'm writing this as a passion project (no Patreon, just telling the story), and all feedback—positive or critical—is genuinely appreciated. Questions about the world or requests for character profile additions are especially welcome!