The royal airport buzzed like a beehive from the early morning hours. Yet, none of the noise could lessen the weight of the moment as the royal family stood in the diplomatic wing awaiting departure.
Murad, the youngest son of King Roland II and Queen Roxlina, was preparing to leave his country for the first time—not as a tourist, but as a prince sent to the Kingdom of Florida to pursue higher studies.
King Roland II stood beside his wife, his eyes silently following Murad, the father attempting to conceal his worry behind his royal composure. Queen Roxlina held her son's arm tightly, as if afraid he might vanish the moment she let go.
Next to them, Ryan, the eldest sibling, tried to appear supportive while hiding a faint, sad smile. Beside Ryan stood Iris, who had arrived despite her recent childbirth, holding her infant son Lawrence, only a few months old. Louis stood behind her, ready to assist whenever fatigue overtook her.
Murad approached his sister, unable to resist smiling at her wriggling baby.
Iris spoke warmly despite her exhaustion:
"Take care of yourself, Murad… and try to visit us whenever you can."
Murad chuckled lightly, stroking Lawrence's cheek:
"I'll be back before this little one utters his first word."
Louis whispered from the side:
"Just don't pick a fight with anyone in the first week."
Murad smiled:
"No promises."
Ryan laughed aloud:
"You mean my mischievous brother?"
The real moment came when he stepped forward to his parents.
King Roland placed a hand on his son's shoulder, his voice low but firm:
"You represent the kingdom… and our family. Be worthy of the name you carry."
Queen Roxlina embraced him tightly, saying:
"Just come back safe… that's all I want."
Murad hugged his mother:
"I'm just going to study, not war."
Her eyes trembled despite her efforts to remain composed.
As Murad announced he was heading to the royal plane, signaling the imminent takeoff, everyone felt the air grow heavier.
The royal attendant carried Murad's hand luggage and turned to the family. For a moment, he seemed as small as in his childhood, yet ready to cross into a life he had never known.
He waved a bright smile, then stepped toward the gate.
With every step he took away, tears streamed from the eyes of Queen Roxlina and Queen Iris. Though he left an empty space in their hearts, Prince Ryan and King Roland tried to maintain calm for their wives.
Murad departed the homeland as the royal plane steadily cut through the sky. Sitting by the window, he watched his kingdom shrink behind him. This was his first journey without his family, the first step beyond the protective boundaries of his life.
He tried to sleep… but could not.
He tried to read… but lost focus.
The questions he carried spoke louder than the plane's engines:
How would the Kingdom of Florida receive him?
What was life like beyond the royal protocol of his homeland?
And was he truly ready for all this?
His thoughts wandered until the captain announced the start of the descent.
As the plane approached Florida's royal runway, an unexpected sight awaited him.
The outer grounds were filled with royal guards lined along the ceremonial path. Kingdom flags fluttered in every direction, and cameras were ready to capture the arrival of the guest prince.
But what truly stunned Murad was seeing the King of Florida himself standing at the end of the red royal carpet.
This was unusual.
Kings rarely personally welcome young princes coming to study. Yet, the influence of this kingdom was evidently stronger than Murad had expected.
As the plane stopped and the door opened, the royal attendant stepped out first, followed by Murad.
He paused at the top of the stairs. The air felt different—warm with the scent of the sea and carrying a strange, unexplainable call.
Descending, the official applause roared along with the salute of flags.
King Nilofer advanced confidently, smiling with a tone that mixed warmth and formality:
"Welcome, Prince Murad. It is a great honor to host you in our kingdom."
Murad's emotions mingled between astonishment and gratitude. He bowed lightly according to protocol:
"The honor is mine, Your Majesty."
The king personally escorted him past the rows of guards lined up in salute, then to the royal car assigned for him.
Prince Murad and King Nilofer rode in the royal car, surrounded by official guards standing rigid along the route. The car moved slowly along streets adorned with flags, as welcoming music rose from bands stationed along the way. A mixture of awe and excitement overwhelmed Murad, now part of a formal celebration befitting his new status.
Upon arrival, a formal welcoming ceremony was held in the palace forecourt, where Queen Christina and members of the royal family and high officials greeted him. King Nilofer gave a short, friendly speech, expressing his pleasure in hosting Prince Murad and wishing him a successful and fruitful stay. All eyes were on Murad, who showed respect with simplicity and confidence while the guards ensured order and strict protocol.
After the official ceremony, the guards escorted Prince Murad to his personal residence, a palace prepared exclusively for him. The streets were lined with decorations and flags, and official musicians played ceremonial music, while the guards displayed both authority and protection.
Prince Murad finally arrived at his private palace, the young prince of the greatest kingdom in the world, the Kingdom of Dawn. The royal guards received him with precision, corridors adorned with the kingdom's flags and grandeur, while attendants and advisors prepared everything for his official residence. Every corner, every hall, was designed to affirm his status as a prince of the most powerful kingdom and the embodiment of the dignity he had been raised with.
As Murad took in his new surroundings, news broadcasts from international channels covered his arrival: the formal salute from King Nilofer and Queen Christina, the impressive ranks of the royal guards, and the ceremonial welcome. The coverage spanned beyond Florida, appearing in international newspapers and channels, making the arrival of the Prince of the Kingdom of Dawn a global highlight. Everyone admired his composure, sophistication, and confident steps.
Media became part of the backdrop as Murad settled into his new palace, surrounded by advisors and guards, preparing to begin a new chapter of his royal life, fully aware that his status as a prince of the world's greatest kingdom added weight to every move and decision.
In the final days before university, Prince Murad decided to make the most of every moment to explore his new surroundings in the Kingdom of Florida and prepare for the life ahead.
The week began with a formal meeting with his personal royal manager, Ms. Aliana, who had joined him just hours before his journey, as he had never had a royal attendant before. Aliana was the most important figure after the prince himself in organizing his daily schedule. She was responsible for planning his days entirely, knowing what he must do, what he must avoid, and coordinating all his activities with the head of servants and the chief of guards. Murad shared his previous habits and lifestyle with her, and she meticulously took notes to ensure his day was perfectly organized without any breach of royal protocol.
Next, he met the head of servants and chief of guards, who explained the palace routines and daily tasks, as well as interactions with other staff. Although they were senior officials, it was clear that Aliana's word was final in any matter related to the prince's daily life, making her a crucial and trusted figure from the very beginning.
Then came the personal and comfortable side: Murad met his personal chef, who prepared a list of his favorite dishes, giving him a sense that a part of home had traveled with him to this new kingdom.
After completing the formal introductions, Murad and Aliana explored the capital. They walked through its opulent streets and visited historical sites that carried the kingdom's royal past. Old palaces, museums, and public squares told stories of glory and tradition, and he met locals in a friendly, informal manner, helping him feel an early sense of belonging in the kingdom.
On the final day before starting university, Murad and Aliana coordinated every detail for his first day. They discussed wake-up times, commutes, academic obligations, and the rules of royal student life. Aliana provided precise advice to ensure a smooth start, while Murad confirmed he was ready to adapt to the new environment without confusion.
By the end of the week, Prince Murad felt confident and reassured, ready for the next step in his life. Yet, behind the preparations, a sense of mystery lingered about what awaited him at university… and a completely new life lay ahead.