**"The Royal Masquerade"**

Part 4

Max walked home from school, his backpack slung over one shoulder, feeling the weight of everything that had happened over the past few days. The bullying, the girls dressing him up as a joke, and now the strange attention he was getting from people. He couldn't shake the feeling of humiliation that still clung to him after being paraded around in a dress like some sort of doll. The fact that the pictures had been posted online only made it worse. 

As he neared his house, he noticed a sleek, black car parked outside. It looked expensive—too expensive for his neighborhood. Max's curiosity spiked, but the last thing he wanted was more attention. Still, when he opened the door, he immediately knew something was off. His parents were sitting stiffly on the couch, and across from them, two well-dressed strangers sat in elegant chairs, their postures straight and dignified.

Max's mother turned toward him, her face a mix of anxiety and excitement. "Max, honey, you're home!" she said, standing up a little too quickly. His father, who usually didn't show much emotion, was leaning forward with a strange look of hope on his face.

The woman, dressed in an immaculate dark blue suit, smiled at him. Her eyes were kind, but sharp, as if she was sizing him up. "You must be Max," she said smoothly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Max blinked, confused, his eyes darting between the strangers and his parents. "Uh... what's going on?"

The man next to her, equally well-dressed in a tailored suit, stood up, offering Max a nod. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sir Charles, and this is Lady Margaret. We represent the royal family." His voice was calm, authoritative, and it sent a jolt of confusion through Max.

"The royal family?" Max echoed, incredulous. He dropped his backpack onto the floor and walked closer to the group. "Why would the royal family want anything to do with me?"

His mother rushed over to him, putting a hand on his arm. "Max, it's... it's hard to explain, but they're here to offer you an incredible opportunity."

Max pulled his arm away gently, feeling overwhelmed. "What kind of opportunity?" he asked, looking directly at Lady Margaret.

Lady Margaret clasped her hands in her lap and spoke carefully. "Max, we've been following recent... developments. The photographs of you dressed as Princess Elena have caused quite a stir. And while they were meant as a prank, we couldn't help but notice how remarkably similar you look to the princess herself."

Max's face flushed. "That wasn't my idea," he said quickly. "I didn't—"

Lady Margaret raised a hand gently. "We understand, Max. However, that incident brought you to our attention for another reason. Princess Elena is in need of a double—a stand-in, if you will, for certain events. You would be pretending to be her when she is unable to attend or when her safety is at risk. That's why we're here. We'd like to offer you the position."

Max stood in stunned silence for a moment, his mind racing. "You... you want me to pretend to be a princess? Like... wear dresses and go to royal events?"

Sir Charles nodded, his expression serious. "Precisely. You would be given proper training, of course, and there would be staff to assist you at all times. We understand this is unusual, but your resemblance to the princess is undeniable, and the role comes with certain privileges."

Max blinked, still not entirely processing what he was hearing. "Privileges?"

Lady Margaret smiled again, softer this time. "If you agree, you would receive the same level of education and benefits as the princess herself. Elite schooling, the best tutors, and access to opportunities most people only dream of. Not to mention, your family would be compensated generously."

His parents, still sitting on the couch, exchanged a hopeful glance. His father finally spoke up, his voice a little unsteady. "Max, this could change everything for us. The money... the opportunities. You could get the best education possible."

Max's head swirled with the sheer absurdity of the offer. "But... I'm not a girl. I don't know how to do any of the things a princess does. I wouldn't even know where to start."

Lady Margaret leaned forward, her tone reassuring. "We understand, Max, and we don't expect you to know everything right away. That's why we will provide training. You'll learn how to speak, walk, and act like Princess Elena. We'll even teach you how to handle public events. You wouldn't be alone in this."

Max rubbed the back of his neck, still unsure. "And what if I don't like it? What if I say yes, but it's just... too weird?"

Sir Charles exchanged a glance with Lady Margaret before answering. "You're free to try it for a short period, say a week. If at the end of that week you decide it's not for you, we will respect your decision. But we are confident that, with time, you'll find the experience more rewarding than you might expect."

Max stared at them, then at his parents. They looked at him with such hope, their eyes practically begging him to say yes. He swallowed hard. The idea of pretending to be a princess was ridiculous, and yet, there was something about the way Lady Margaret and Sir Charles spoke that made him consider it. 

A week. It was only a week. And if it really meant better education, more opportunities, and helping his parents get out of their current situation... maybe it was worth a shot.

He let out a long breath. "Okay," he said finally. "I'll try it. For a week."

His mother practically leaped out of her seat. "Oh, Max, thank you! This is such a good decision."

Lady Margaret stood up, smiling warmly. "Excellent. We'll make the necessary arrangements for your training. You'll be introduced to the staff and the princess herself. And there's one more thing."

Max raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"You'll also be working as a personal companion to the princess. When you're not acting as her double, you'll be learning about her life, assisting her, and becoming her friend. It's important that you understand her deeply to portray her convincingly."

Max nodded slowly. "A maid and a princess, huh? This just gets weirder."

Lady Margaret laughed softly. "Indeed, but sometimes the most unusual paths lead to the greatest rewards. We'll see you tomorrow at the palace. Get some rest, Max. Your new life begins soon."

As they left, Max sat down on the couch, feeling like he had just signed up for something far bigger than he could comprehend. A princess double, a royal companion, and a future he never saw coming. 

He looked at his parents, still smiling with excitement. "I really hope I don't regret this."