19: Prelude to the expo

"Almost there, Aiden," Mum said softly, noticing my awe. 

I nodded, feeling a flutter in my stomach. The closer we got, the more real it became. I-Island wasn't just some far-off place—it was right here, and I was about to step into the heart of the tech world.

As our fleet approached the docks, I noticed a large gathering awaiting us. Scientists, officials, and people dressed in all sorts of futuristic uniforms. They stood in neat lines, bowing slightly as the royal ship made its way to the shore.

It was strange, seeing so much respect and reverence directed at us. Back in Paradis, people were used to the royal family, but here? I could feel the weight of their expectations.

The ship docked, and Dad stepped off first, followed by Mum and then me. The guards flanked us, their presence as strong as ever, but I felt all eyes were on me. I-Island officials greeted us with deep bows and formal words of welcome, but what caught my attention was the man standing at the front.

Tall, with greying hair and glasses, he had an air of quiet confidence. 

"King Maximilian, Queen Eleanor," the man said with a smile. "It is an honour to have you and your family here on I-Island. I'm David Shield, the head scientist. Welcome."

Dad returned the smile, shaking his hand firmly. "Thank you for the warm welcome, David. We've heard much about your work here."

David nodded before turning his gaze to me. "And this must be the young prince."

I nodded, feeling slightly awkward under the attention. "Aiden Wilhelm Fritz," I introduced myself, trying to sound composed.

David smiled warmly. "A pleasure, young prince. I look forward to seeing what you bring to this year's convention." 

Before I could reply, a girl about my age—maybe a couple of years older—stepped forward with a wide grin. She had blonde hair tied up in a ponytail and a curious look in her eyes. 

"This is my daughter, Melissa," David introduced her. "She's been helping me with some of the projects here."

Melissa beamed and held out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Aiden. I've heard a lot about Paradis."

I shook her hand, a bit surprised by her enthusiasm. "Nice to meet you too."

As we exchanged greetings, I couldn't help but feel a bit of excitement bubbling up again.

A while later~

There were still a few hours before the expo began, so David suggested we explore the island a bit and enjoy the attractions. 

"Take your time, relax, see what the island has to offer," he said, smiling warmly. "Melissa can show Aiden around while you two enjoy the sights."

Mum and Dad exchanged glances and agreed, saying they could use a bit of a break. I wasn't about to argue either—this place looked incredible, and I wanted to see as much of it as I could before the expo kicked off.

Melissa turned to me with that same bright grin. "Ready to see the cool stuff?"

I nodded, a bit more relaxed now. "Yeah, lead the way."

As we left the main docks behind, Melissa started pointing out different areas. There were futuristic parks with gravity-defying rides, sleek buildings with towering holographic advertisements, and crowds of people from all over the world, each absorbed in their own adventures.

We made our way to a large plaza, where various attractions were set up. A massive roller coaster twisted in the air above us, while small drones zipped around, delivering food and drinks to people lounging in open spaces.

"Over there is the tech showcase," Melissa said, pointing to a gleaming dome-shaped building. "It's not open yet, but that's where all the big stuff is going to be revealed."

I glanced over, trying to take everything in. "This place is wild. It's like nothing back home."

Melissa laughed. "I guess Paradis is a bit more... traditional?"

"Yeah, you could say that," I replied. "We've got advanced tech, but it's not exactly out in the open like this. People wouldn't know it if they didn't look closely."

"Must be interesting living in a place like that," she said, sounding genuinely curious. "I-Island is all about showing off the newest innovations. It's like a competition sometimes."

As we wandered through the plaza, I couldn't help but be impressed by everything. This was the kind of place that made you realise just how big the world was outside of Paradis.

The tech here was mind-blowing, but at the same time, I felt a bit of pride. I knew what Paradis was capable of, even if we didn't flaunt it like they did here.

We eventually stopped at a café for a quick drink. As we sat down, Melissa leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "So, Aiden... what are you most excited about at the expo?"

I thought about it for a moment. "Honestly? Seeing what the world's been working on. Paradis might be ahead in some areas, but we've been pretty isolated for a long time. I want to see how we compare."

Melissa nodded. "Makes sense. I think you'll be surprised by what's out there."

I smirked. "Maybe. But don't underestimate Paradis either."

She laughed again. "Oh, I won't. I've heard stories."

After finishing up at the café, we continued exploring, checking out more of the attractions. The hours seemed to fly by, and before I knew it, it was almost time for the expo to begin.

Melissa led me back towards the central plaza where my parents were waiting. Mum smiled when she saw us approach. "Had fun?"

I nodded. "Yeah, it was amazing. This place is something else."

Dad clapped me on the shoulder. "Good, because the real show's about to start."

David rejoined us, looking pleased. "I'm glad you had a chance to explore. Now, let's head to the expo—it's time for the big reveal."

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As we approached the expo's entrance, I could already hear the hum of excitement from the massive crowd gathered inside. The second those doors opened, it was like stepping into a completely different world—one buzzing with energy and anticipation.

People from all over the globe were here to witness the latest technological marvels, and I could feel the weight of their curiosity and awe.

But, of course, Dad, being who he was, wasn't about to let our arrival go unnoticed.

With a flick of his wrist, he signalled to the royal guard. A moment later, the ground beneath us rumbled. The grand procession began as towering, holographic banners bearing the symbol of Paradis unfurled, shimmering above us like something straight out of legend.

The royal guard marched forward in perfect unison, each step echoing through the hall, their formation as precise as ever.

Dad, in all his eccentric glory, smirked and leaned over to me. "You ready to make an entrance they won't forget, son?"

I just gave him a look, knowing full well what was about to happen. "You never do anything subtle, do you?"

He grinned. "Subtlety's for the boring."

With that, a massive bolt of lightning shot across the sky—an illusion cast by our guards, but it had the intended effect. The crowd gasped as a wave of energy rippled through the air, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Dad raised his arms dramatically, bathing us in an aura of light as if we were some divine beings stepping out of a storybook.

Mum just rolled her eyes, but I could tell she was used to his antics by now.

The crowd was stunned into silence for a moment, and then the murmurs started. I could hear whispers of "Is that them?", "The royal family of Paradis?" and "I heard their king can topple over an entire nation alone."

Some people looked on in awe, others in curiosity, but no one could tear their eyes away from the spectacle. Cameras flashed everywhere as reporters tried to capture every second.

Max took a few steps forward, his posture commanding, with that signature smirk plastered on his face. He gave a nod to the guards, and they parted in perfect formation, making a clear path for us to walk down.

People in the crowd parted like the sea, some bowing their heads, others clapping in respect. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of awe and intimidation. As we walked through the crowd, I could feel their eyes on us, analysing, questioning, and in some cases, even fearing.

"Is it always like this?" I muttered to Melissa, who was walking beside me.

She shrugged with a grin. "Your dad sure knows how to make an impression."

The grand entrance definitely made a statement. By the time we reached the centre of the expo, the crowd had erupted into cheers. Even the other dignitaries and scientists were on their feet, clapping with respect.

I had to admit—Dad knew how to play a crowd.

Dad turned to the gathered audience, raised his hand, and gave them a wink. "I hope we didn't keep you all waiting," he said, his voice booming over the speakers.

The crowd roared, clearly loving every second of it. And just like that, we'd made an entrance they wouldn't forget anytime soon.

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